The Best Air Fryer French Fries

Ready for fast food-style french fries in the comfort of your own home, no deep-frying required? Yeah you are. Thanks to the air fryer, it’s never been easier to turn a humble spud into crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside fries — and you only need 15 minutes and one teaspoon of oil. Here’s how it’s done.

The key to evenly browned and crispy fries is spreading them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. It’s no big deal if they’re touching, but avoid stacking them, which will prevent the hot air in the fryer from evenly crisping all the edges. If you want to make more fries than what will fit in a single layer, transfer the first batch to a sheet tray and keep them warm in a 200°F oven. Repeat with as many batches as you’d like.

If you cut your fries into 1/4-inch matchsticks, they’ll be done cooking in just about 14 minutes (anything thicker will take longer). To make sure all sides get good color, use a small pair of tongs to flip the fries halfway through cooking.

When it comes to seasonings, you can keep it simple with salt and pepper or go bold: Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and cayenne are all great options. But don’t stop there! Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve the cooked fries.

1. Greek-inspired: Toss with grated garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
2. Cacio e pepe: Shower with grated Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.
3. All the dips: Serve with ketchup, ranch, BBQ sauce, and garlicky tzatziki.
4. Extra cheesy: Top with shredded cheese and broil until melted.
5. In-and-Out Animal-Style: You know what to do.