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A 4-Step Guide To Making The Crispiest Air Fryer French Fries
No matter the variety you reach for -- crinkle, curly, waflle or wedge -- French fries are best when they're made in an air fryer. You don't need to mess around with a messy deep fryer or an oven that will dry out the fries, but you do need to follow a few simple rules for the absolute best air fryer French fries.
Making dynamite fries, whether from fresh or frozen, is easy and painless but a few easy practices will give them an impossibly crunchy exterior while leaving the potato inside moist and delicious. Master these air fryer French fry hacks and you'll never have to negotiate a floppy shoestring or soggy tot again.
Read on to find out how I make the best crispy, French fries in the air fryer with very little effort.
How to make the world's crispiest air fryer friesA few techniques help me get the most out of my air fryer when I'm cooking up frozen goodies like French fries, chicken tenders and tater tots.
1. Preheat for the best crunch You don't need to preheat the air fryer but it will result in crispier fries. Alexandra Jones/CNETThe hotter your air fryer is when you add your fries, the more golden brown and crisp they'll become. Not every air fryer has a preheat function but you can run yours for about five minutes at the desired temperature to get the chamber nice and hot before you add the food.
2. Use a light spritz of cooking oil A very light spritz of oil will ensure your air fryer fries don't dry out. Scott Eells/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesSome people swear by spraying a little of your go-to cooking oil, like canola, olive or avocado, into the basket and over frozen french fries before air frying. The idea is that the extra oil helps the food brown and crisp up. You don't need to go nuts with oil, but a light coating helps seal the potato strings in a divinely crispy crust.
An oil mister or spray bottle will help with an even and light coating of oil.
Watch this: Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive
19:24 3. Avoid overcrowding the basket Try not to crowd your fries in the basket. Alexandra Jones/CNETAir fryers create convection heat by using a fan (the noise you hear when you turn the machine on) to circulate air around the food, cooking it faster and creating that crunchy exterior we want. For convection cooking to work well, your French fries need to have as much surface area exposed as possible. That means loading up batches of fries in a single layer and leaving just a little space between each piece, if possible. The result is tastier fries in a shorter cooking time.
4. Shake for even cooking Shake a few times during cooking for an even browning. David Watsky/CNETHalfway through the cooking time, pull out your air fryer's basket and give it a good shake. This will help your french fries brown more evenly. Try to get the fries back in a single layer before popping the basket back in and finishing the process.
What you need for air fryer friesIn my world, a pile of fries served alongside a salad with a zippy vinaigrette needs no other accompaniment (except maybe a glass of wine). If you're looking to round out your meal or feed a crowd, consider serving air fryer french fries with this easy 45-minute roast chicken or this 10-minute salmon recipe (both made in the air fryer, natch).
You can even cook up air fryer bacon cheeseburgers, hot dogs, or chicken thighs to accompany your french fries. Add some veggies to the plate by air-frying Brussels sprouts, cauliflower steaks, broccoli florets or shishito peppers.
Air fryer fries FAQHow long do fries take in the air fryer?
The cook time for air fryer french fries depends on the temperature. At 400 degrees Fahrenheit, fries usually take 15 to 20 minutes to cook.
Can I put frozen french fries in the air fryer?
Yes, you can air fry frozen french fries straight from the bag. Preheat the basket and avoid overcrowding for best results.
Why don't my French fries get crispy in the air fryer?
There could be multiple reasons why you're not reaching the right amount of crisp and crunch with your French fries in the air fryer. For one thing, you could be simply overcrowding your fries, making them fry unevenly. You could also be using too much oil, leading to a much softer -- even soggy -- texture if you're not careful.
11 Next-Level French Fries You Need To Make At Home
French fries, done well, are truly one of life's greatest pleasures. Crispy on the outside, pillowy and potato-y on the inside, they can be eaten plain, with dipping sauces, or loaded with toppings. As an homage to what we recognize as the perfect side dish, we've rounded up some of our best recipes, including a currywurst poutine (yes, please) and oven fries dusted with fresh herbs and Pecorino Romano. Read on for our absolute favorite French fry riffs.
01 of 11
Poutine Carson Downing / Food Styling by Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling by Gabriel Greco Poutine is arguably one of the best-known dishes in Canada, featuring French fries tossed with warm Cheddar cheese curds and topped with a rich gravy. These fries are crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside, and well worth the effort to make them.02 of 11
Classic British Chips Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen These Triple-Cooked Chips are french fries made with potatoes that are boiled and then fried twice, so they are fluffy and tender inside and extra crispy on the outside.03 of 11
Sweet Potato Oven Fries Matt Taylor-Gross These sweet-salty oven sweet potato fries are ready in 35 minutes. Thick wedges similar to steak fries, the sweet potatoes caramelize in the oven to emerge beautifully browned.04 of 11
Kwame's Waffle Fries Kyle Schmitz These were a crowd favorite during 2019 F&W Best New Chef Kwame Onwuachi's pop-up days. Season the waffle fries with berbere salt, an Ethiopian spice blend that brings a citrusy sweet heat to the fried spuds.05 of 11
Oven Fries with Herbs and Pecorino © Fredrika Stjärne Made with starchy baking potatoes — flavored with garlic, fresh herbs, and Pecorino Romano cheese — and tossed with just a little extra-virgin olive oil, these fries emerge from the oven crisp and delicious.06 of 11
French Fries with Bulgogi and Caramelized Kimchi CON POULOS For his famous late-night snack, Austin's Chi'Lantro chef-owner Jae Kim tops hot French fries with caramelized kimchi, grilled Korean-style beef, and a mayonnaise spiked with sriracha.07 of 11
Thrice-Cooked Fries © Matthew Armendariz With April Bloomfield's recipe from The Breslin, boiling makes the potatoes tender; double-frying makes them unbelievably crispy.08 of 11
Pimiento Cheese Fries © Lucas Allen To take his French fries over the top, chef Jonathon Sawyer broils them with a tequila-spiked pimiento cheese topping. It's wonderfully decadent melted into the fries and also excellent as a dip.09 of 11
Pommes Frites © Lucas Allen Chef Jonathon Sawyer is something of a French fry expert: There were never fewer than three kinds on his menu at the beloved, now-closed Greenhouse Tavern. This version, tossed with chopped garlic and herbs, is his most straightforward. At the restaurant, he served the fries with garlicky aïoli.10 of 11
Currywurst Poutine © Abby Hocking Currywurst is a traditional dish of bratwurst served with curry ketchup and a side of fries. Here, Justin Chapple turns that into a variation on poutine, the Canadian dish combining French fries with cheese curds and gravy. In his version, crispy fries get piled with creamy cheese sauce, juicy bratwurst, and curry ketchup.11 of 11
Louisiana Cheese Fries with Crayfish and Gravy © Jonny Valiant In chef Kelly English's Southern variation on Canadian poutine, the fries are topped with spicy pimiento cheese, andouille gravy, and crawfish, crab, or shrimp.10 French Fry Recipes To Try This Grilling Season
Would you like a side of fries? Well you're in luck then. These 10 recipes are some of our best—and they are all a little different. That's one of the best parts about french fries: They can be made in so many ways, with so many ingredients. Whether you season your fries with a heavy hand of spices or just use salt, they can be served with a simple dipping sauce or loaded with a mountain of garnishes. Either way, there's a style of fry here for everyone.
Save to MyRecipesLove these recipes? Tap 'Save' to add them to MyRecipes—your new, free recipe box for Allrecipes!
Homemade Crispy Seasoned French FriesDOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"My family loves seasoned fries and with 4 children the bag of fries from the store became too expensive," says Allrecipes member Cassie. "So I tried batter—after all, it makes chicken, shrimp, and onion rings crispy so why not potatoes! Now even my husband can't get enough of these French fries. They even stay crispy when you reheat them in the microwave."
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Air Fryer French FriesDOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"This air fryer French fries recipe includes a cold water-hot water soaking trick that produces super crispy French fries," says Chef John. "Made with just four ingredients, these fries rival traditional fries but use a fraction of the oil."
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Related: I Tested 5 Different Frozen French Fries and This Is the Brand I'll Buy From Now On
Baked French FriesDostdash Meredith Food Studios
"Excellent, easy and less fat than deep fried! Use any seasonings that appeal to you," says reviewer chellebelle. "Done in about 30 minutes using my convection oven. I turn the potatoes halfway through the cooking to get them more evenly brown."
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Related: This Simple Trick is the Key to Roasting Perfectly Cooked Home Fries
Super Easy Oven-Baked Garlic-Parmesan Fries"We followed to the 'T' and where wonderful, even the picky eater loved them," says reviewer Kari Beaudoin. "Will make again!"
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Related: How to Store Leftover French Fries to Keep Them Fresh For Longer
Chef John's French FriesDOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"Learn how to make French fries that are super crispy with this twice-fried method," says Chef John. "I don't think most people realize that any decent French fry needs to be fried twice. The first frying is done at a lower temperature, which softens the potato and prepares the starchy surface for the second frying's crispification."
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Related: 20 Best Chef John Recipes for the Grill
Salt and Pepper Skillet Fries"We all LOVED these! I did use 1 tablespoon of butter instead of 1 teaspoon, and more salt and pepper than called for, to taste," says Allrecipes Allstar Christina. "I was so happy with how crispy and tasty these turned out. The family is already asking when I'm gonna make them again...A definite keeper"
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Air Fryer Copycat Nacho FriesSoup Loving Nicole
"Nacho fries may be on the Taco Bells menu one minute...Gone the next, so I created an at-home version AND did it using the air fryer," says Allrecipes Allstar Soup Loving Nicole. "If you are still inclined to deep-fry, double the amount of seasoning as most will get lost in the hot oil."
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French Fried PotatoesDotdash Meredith Food Studios
"The best potatoes for French fries are soaked in a sugar solution before frying," says Allrecipes member Lorelei Rusco. "The sugar solution has something to do with the carbohydrates and prevents the potatoes from soaking up a lot of grease, so they get crunchy."
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Related: I Tried 12 Fast Food French Fries and These Are the Ones I'll Order Again
Loaded Sriracha Fries"These loaded sriracha fries, with Cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions, are crispy on the outside, tender and spicy on the inside—comfort food at its finest," says Allrecipes Allstar Nicole Russell. "Add a dollop of sour cream if you like."
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Waffle FriesDotdash Meredith Food Studios
"These waffle fries are super crunchy, almost like shoestring potatoes, and served with a yummy homemade dipping sauce," says Recipe Tester and Developer Juliana Hale. "A great snack for game night or as a side for burgers."
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Related: I Asked 4 Chefs To Pick the Best Fast Food French Fries—Their Pick Was Unanimous (And Shocking!)
More InspirationDotdash Meredith Food Studios
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