Air Fryer French Fries

Ingredients

• 1 kg (2 lb)potatoes
• 30 ml (2 tbsp)oil
• 10 ml (2 tsp)salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Cut the potatoes

   Cut the potatoes into French fries.

2. 2

   Add oil

   Put the cut potatoes in a large bowl, pour over the oil and season with your preferred seasonings.

3. 3

   Coat the fries

   Toss the potatoes until the fries are evenly coated.

4. 4

   Air fry the fries

   Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 25–30 minutes, shaking the basket to encourage even browning, until the outsides are crisp and golden and the insides are fluffy.

5. 5

   Cook in batches

   If your air fryer is not large enough to hold the fries in a single layer, cook them in batches.

6. 6

   Serve with dip

   Remove the fries from the air fryer and serve with ketchup or your favourite dipping sauce.

What are French fries?

French fries are potato batons cooked until their outsides are crisp and their centres are tender. They are a familiar American-style side dish, often served with burgers, sandwiches, chicken or fish.

This version uses an air fryer and a little oil for browning. Cutting the potatoes evenly and cooking them in a single layer helps the batch cook consistently.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 158 calories, 3g protein, 26g carbs, 5g fat.

The potatoes provide most of the carbohydrates, while the oil contributes most of the fat; the potatoes supply a small amount of protein. For a more balanced plate, serve a portion with a protein-rich main and vegetables.

Choosing and cutting the potatoes

Potato choice: A floury potato tends to give a soft, fluffy centre, while a waxier one can hold its shape well. Either works here; aim for potatoes that are firm and free from green patches.

Even batons: Cut the fries to a similar thickness so they finish cooking at roughly the same time. Very thin pieces may brown sooner, so check the basket as the cooking time approaches its end.

Coating with oil and seasoning

Oil: Toss the cut potatoes thoroughly so a light coating reaches their surfaces. This helps the fries brown in the air fryer.

Seasoning: Salt is listed in the ingredients, and the method also allows for your preferred seasonings. Toss everything together in the bowl before transferring the fries to the basket.

Getting an even, crisp finish

Single layer: Leave space around the fries rather than piling them up. If the basket is crowded, cook in batches as the method recommends.

Shake and check: Shake the basket during cooking to help the fries brown evenly. They are ready when golden and crisp outside, with fluffy centres; check them towards the end of the 25–30-minute cooking time.

Timing and serving

Cooking time: Air fry at 200°C for 25–30 minutes. The cut size and your air fryer can affect how quickly the fries brown, so use their colour and texture as the final cues.

On the plate: Serve them as soon as they are cooked, with ketchup or another dipping sauce. They pair well with burgers, sandwiches, chicken and fish.

Making batches work

Basket capacity: Use the basket's available space to judge whether the fries fit in one layer. A smaller air fryer may need several batches.

Between batches: Keep the remaining cut potatoes ready in the bowl while the first batch cooks, then repeat the same temperature and doneness checks for each batch.

Recipe notes & tips

• Cut the potatoes into similarly sized fries for more even cooking.
• Toss thoroughly so the oil coats the potatoes rather than pooling in the bowl.
• Arrange the fries in a single layer and cook in batches if needed.
• Shake the basket during cooking to encourage even browning.
• Check the fries near the end of the cooking time, since air fryers can vary.

Variations

• Add paprika: Toss it with the potatoes and oil before cooking.
• Try garlic: Add garlic powder with the salt for a savoury variation.
• Use black pepper: Season the fries with freshly ground pepper before air frying.
• Change the dip: Serve with a favourite dipping sauce instead of ketchup.
• Add herbs: Toss the cooked fries with chopped herbs just before serving.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Uneven cuts: Fries of different thicknesses cook at different rates; aim for similar-sized batons.
• Crowded basket: Piled-up fries will not brown as evenly; cook them in batches.
• Skipping the shake: The fries may colour unevenly; shake the basket during cooking.
• Too little coating: Dry patches can brown less well; toss the fries thoroughly with the oil.
• Cooking by time alone: Air fryers vary; check for crisp, golden outsides and fluffy centres.

How to store

Refrigerate leftover fries in an airtight container and use within 3–4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer until hot and crisp; they may be less crisp than when freshly cooked.

Frequently asked questions