Air Fryer Homemade French Fries

Name: Air Fryer Homemade French Fries
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large russet potatoes (about 2 lb); 1 tsp olive oil; 3/4 tsp fine sea salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

By the DualAirFryers.com Team | Published May 14, 2026

Quick answer: Cut 3 russet potatoes into 1/4-inch sticks, soak them in cold water for 15 to 30 minutes, dry them well, toss with 1 tsp oil and salt, then air fry in a single layer at 380°F for 15 minutes (shake halfway) and 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes.

Golden crispy French fries stacked on a wooden cutting board — Photo: Kai-Chieh Chan / Pexels

Air Fryer Homemade French Fries

40 min (20 prep + 20 cook) 380°F then 400°F Serves 4

What Ingredients Do You Need?

3 large russet potatoes (about 2 lb)
1 tsp olive oil
3/4 tsp fine sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

How Do You Make Crispy Homemade Fries in an Air Fryer?

Cut: Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch sticks of even thickness.
Soak: Soak the sticks in cold water for 15 to 30 minutes to remove surface starch for a crispier result.
Dry and season: Drain and dry the fries thoroughly with a towel. Toss with the oil, salt and pepper.
Spread in a single layer: Spread the fries in a single layer. In a dual basket air fryer, use both baskets with Match Cook for a bigger batch.
Air fry: Air fry at 380°F for 15 minutes, shaking halfway.
Finish: Raise the heat to 400°F for 3 to 5 more minutes until golden, then serve right away.

Dual basket tip: Use Match Cook / Sync Settings to run the same temperature in both baskets. You double the batch without doubling the time.

Best for this recipe: Cuisinart 11-Qt Dual Pro Large 5.5-Qt baskets and Sync Settings for batch cooking, with a toss reminder.

Read Review →

How Many Calories Are in Homemade French Fries? (Estimated)

Per serving (1/4 of recipe): about 190 calories, 1.5 g fat (0.2 g saturated), 40 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 5 g protein, and 440 mg sodium. These are estimates, not lab values. Estimated from standard USDA values for raw russet potatoes with skin, olive oil and the salt listed.

What Flavor Variations Can You Try?

Garlic Parmesan: toss hot fries with 2 tbsp grated Parmesan and 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Cajun: 1 tsp Cajun seasoning instead of pepper
Rosemary sea salt: finish with flaky salt and chopped fresh rosemary

Frequently Asked Questions

Why soak potatoes before air frying?

Soaking removes surface starch, which helps the fries crisp instead of turning gummy. Dry them well afterward.

Do I need oil for air fryer fries?

A little helps. One teaspoon for 3 potatoes is enough to brown them and help the salt stick.

How do I keep fries from getting soggy?

Cook them in a single layer, shake halfway, and do not overcrowd the basket. Split big batches across two baskets.

Can I make sweet potato fries the same way?

Yes. Sweet potatoes brown faster because of their sugar, so check them a few minutes early.

More easy air fryer recipes →

As an Amazon Associate, DualAirFryers.com earns from qualifying purchases.