For burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and even chili, one side beats them all. These perfect air-fryer French fries are an easy fast-food alternative.
You can’t go wrong with French fries. They’re crispy, salty, and seem to go with just about anything. When I’m at a restaurant, I can’t help but order them over a side salad every time. I won’t apologize for my love of fries, but I am painfully aware that they aren’t all that good for you. All of the greasy oil from the deep fryer means I can’t enjoy them as often as I’d like, which is why I decided it was time to find a healthier option. Enter: the best air-fryer French fries.
They’re so easy to make, need very few ingredients, and are so much healthier than frozen fries or those from your local fast-food spot. They’re pretty much guilt-free, and the kids love these fries just as much as I do. Just chop, drizzle, and fry them up!
If you’re as much a fan of French fries as I am, making them in an air fryer is a perfect way to satisfy your craving while still eating healthy. Using the air fryer yields fries that are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Air-fryer French fries are the perfect side for burgers, sandwiches, fish, or steak. They’re great on their own, too.
Air-fryer French fry variations
Fries are incredibly versatile, so feel free to amend this recipe and see what incredible flavors you can come up with!
- Sweet potato fries: Swap out your potatoes with their sweeter and healthier cousin, the sweet potato.
- Garlic-Parmesan fries: Toss your finished fries in garlic powder, grated Parmesan, and parsley for a fragrant and savory twist on traditional French fries.
- Loaded fries: Once your French fries are finished in the air fryer, pile on some tasty toppings like cheese, bacon, sour cream, chives, jalapeños, or anything else you like.
- Chili cheese fries: A classic hearty dish. Load up your fries with chili and melted cheese, and dig in.
- Poutine: This Canadian recipe is a staple up north and adds richness to your fries. Simply fry up your potatoes, top with cheese curds, and smother them in gravy.
How do I store leftovers?
If you’ve ever had fast-food French fries go cold, you know that it’s difficult to revive them. These fries are definitely best eaten fresh, but that said, there’s no need to throw out any leftovers. Simply let them cool and then store them in a plastic bag or food storage container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When reheating, simply place them back in the air fryer or on a baking tray in the oven preheated to 350˚F (in a single layer; don’t let them touch). Heat them back up for 6-8 minutes, turning halfway, until they are warmed through and crispy. If they’re frozen, they may take longer.
Serving suggestions
You can’t go wrong with serving French fries on the side of any meal. I love pairing them with recipes like Delicious Roast Pork Loin, Pan-Fried Salmon And Asparagus, The Best Hamburger Ever, or Italian Drip Beef Sandwiches. For a meatless meal, try them with Black Bean Cakes With Corn Salsa And Avocado Sauce or Vegetarian Feta Burger With Tzatziki Sauce.
Perfect French Fries In Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 medium potatoes scrubbed and cut into ¼-inch fries
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Drizzle olive oil and a sprinkle of salt over the fries, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated. Give them a toss to distribute the oil and salt evenly.
- Carefully arrange half of the fries in a single layer at the base of the air fryer basket, making sure that they are spaced apart and have room to cook on all sides. Pop the basket back into the air fryer and set the timer for 15 minutes, allowing the fries to cook to golden perfection.
- Once done, remove the crispy fries and repeat the process with the remaining batch.
- Once both batches have been cooked, put all the fries back into the air fryer basket together. Give them a final fry for 2-3 minutes, allowing them to get hot and crispy again.
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