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Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

A close-up of a white bowl filled with golden brown, perfectly Crispy Air Fryer French Fries sprinkled with coarse salt.

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A detailed guide to making genuinely crispy French fries using an air fryer, focusing on techniques for maximum crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large Russet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into uniform sticks, about 1/4 inch thick.
  2. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, changing the water once if soaking longer than 30 minutes. This removes excess starch.
  3. Drain the potatoes completely. Lay them out on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat them completely dry. Moisture prevents crisping.
  4. In the bowl, toss the dry potatoes with the vegetable oil until lightly coated.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  6. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, or in small batches. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this causes steaming instead of crisping.
  7. Air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket vigorously every 5 minutes to ensure even browning.
  8. Remove the fries when they are golden brown and visibly crispy.
  9. Immediately transfer the hot fries to a bowl and toss with salt and pepper. Serve right away.

Notes

  • Russet potatoes work best due to their high starch content.
  • Ensure the potatoes are bone dry before adding oil and cooking for the best texture.
  • For extra crispiness, you can briefly blanch the cut potatoes in boiling water for 3 minutes before drying them, then proceed with the soaking step.
  • Do not attempt to cook a large batch at once; cook in smaller batches for consistent crispness.

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