By using an air fryer, you can make delicious and perfectly crispy fries without having to heat up the oven or use a lot of oil. This post has lots of tips for making The Best Air Fryer Fries, along with some suggestions of different ways to season them, so you can have a different flavour chip (fries) every time.
If you have an air fryer and you have never made fries/chips in it, then you are seriously missing out.We have lots of delicious air fryer recipes for you. We actually had an air fryer for over a year before we made anything but fries in it (although there is so much more you can do in it) and we still have these at least twice a week - they are a classic side dish.
Instead of heating up the oven and still getting frustrated that you don't have perfectly crispy chips (what fries are called in the UK), why not try doing them in the air fryer? This recipe couldn't be simpler, and there is no need to turn them like you would in the oven, as the paddle keeps them turning (if you are using an ActiFry style air fryer like we have in this recipe).
Now you have your perfectly crispy chips, what do you serve them with? We serve these with our Homemade Healthier Tomato Ketchup or our Healthy BBQ Sauce.
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Why should you try it?
- Crispy fries every time
- No need to turn them
- Lower in calories and fat then oven cooked as they use less oil
- Lots of seasoning options
What you will need
Potatoes - Any potatoes will work, but some definitely work better than others. We try to use a floury potato like a King Edward or Maris Piper, as they have produced the best results for us.
Olive oil - you could swap this for vegetable or sunflower oil.
Garlic granules - we added garlic granules to add lots of flavour, however there are lots of flavour options with air fryer fries. Add some smoke and spice with paprika and cayenne or a Fajita or Cajun blend.
Step by step
One: Chop the potatoes into thin fries.
Two: Put them in a large bowl with the oil, salt, pepper and garlic and mix well.
Three: Put them in to the air fryer (this recipe uses a Tefal ActiFry(aff) with a rotating paddle).
Four: Press setting number 1 for the chip/fries setting and cook for 29 minutes.
Watch our web story for these Air Fryer Fries for a quick how-to.
What potatoes to use?
Any potatoes will work, but some definitely work better than others. We try to use a floury potato like a King Edward or Maris Piper, as they have produced the best results for us.
Seasoning
We have kept it pretty simple with this recipe and just used our standard go-to seasoning of sea salt, black pepper and garlic granules. But there is so much more that you can do with the seasoning here.
You could add a couple of tablespoons of a Mexican or Italian seasoning blend, or just a teaspoon or paprika if you want to give it a smokey edge.
When we want to make a more indulgent chip, we open up the air fryer a few minutes before the chips are cooked and add a sprinkle or grated Parmesan and cook for 3-4 minutes more.
How to get them crispy
To get the best crispy fries possible, you are better off cutting them in the thin fries, rather than thicker potato wedges (although you run the risk of them breaking up). We leave the skins on our potatoes when chopping them. This is partly due to the fact that we are lazy and like to save time any way we can, but also because the skin gets nice and crispy and helps to give an overall crispy chip.
If you open up your air fryer and they are still not as crispy as you would like them, then put them back on for 3-4 minutes more. For maximum crispiness, serve them immediately. If you let them sit for a while, or reheat them, they can go soggy.
Oven cooking instead
You can cook chips in the oven, and that is the more traditional method, however to get them crispy you have to use a lot more oil and the cooking time is almost double. Whilst ovens are bigger, if you have a large air fryer then you can make enough to feed a family of four. They will also need to be moved around the baking tray regularly to stop them from sticking.
ActiFry Vs other air fryers
This recipe uses a Tefal ActiFry, which differs to most air fryers as it has a rotating paddle to constantly keep the food moving within the air fryer. This is quite a unique function of the ActiFry and we realise that not everyone will have this type of air fryer.
If you have the kind of air fryer that doesn't have a paddle, soak the fries in water for about 10 minutes, remove from the water and pat dry. Preheat the air fryer to 180ºC/360ºF. Put the dried fries in a bowl, drizzle with oil and season to your taste. Toss well to coat evenly.
Arrange the fries on the bottom of your air fryer basket, in a single layer. The more separated, the crispier they will get. If they overlap, it is recommended that they be flipped half-way through the cooking time for a more even cooking. Cook for 15 minutes and once cooked serve immediately.
Some more air fryer recipes
If you are looking to get the most out of your air fryer, but don't really know what to make in it, then we have you covered. Why not try these Air Fryer King Prawns or Air Fryer Chicken Tikka.
FAQs
Usually, if you want really crispy fries then they need to be deep fried. With air fried food, you get all the taste and crispiness of a fried dish, but uses much less oil and cooks by circulating hot air around the food. The best bit is, it doesn't sacrifice on taste. Traditional fried food can also seem a lot heavier because of the fat content. But not these Air Fryer French Fries!
You can use Fry Lite and although they will taste a little dryer, they will still cook well and get crispy and you will save yourself some calories by not using a tablespoon of oil per person.
We have tried them when they have been soaked (and patted dry) first and without soaking and noticed no difference in how they were cooked or how crispy they got. So, we now don't bother soaking them, because it just makes the whole process longer.
However, this process is different for other air fryers - see above.
Well, they shouldn't be raw after this cooking time, however if they still aren't cooked to your liking then cook them for a few more minutes. Cooking times will vary depending on the potatoes you use, the thickness of the chip and your air fryer.
We haven't parboiled them first. However, if you want really fluffy on the inside chips, then you can parboil them for 5 minutes first.
Yes, you can and I think it's the best way to cook frozen chips. Simply heat your air fryer up to the temperature on the packaging and then cook them for ¾ of the time stated, but check on them every 5 minutes.
Is there anything more comforting than cheesy chips? Once your chips are cooked, add some grated cheese and then cook it for a further 2 minutes (without a paddle) until the cheese is melted.
If your air fryer fries are too soggy, then make sure you are drying them with some kitchen towel before adding them to the air fryer.
If you are finding that they are burnt, then try using less oil and reducing the cooking time. This recipe really does depend on how you cut the fries and your air fryer - they all cook things differently.
Extra tips
- Please note that this recipe is made using a Tefal Actifry(aff) Air Fryer. Using a different model of air fryer will change the cooking method needed (see above)
- If you want to change the amount this makes, we recommend a ratio of 1 tablespoon of oil to every medium sized potato.
- Get creative with the seasoning. You can add a Mexican or Italian seasoning, or keep it simple like we have.
- For some extra indulgent chips, sprinkle some parmesan on top a few minutes before they are fully cooked.
More potato recipes
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Recipe
The Best Air Fryer Fries (Chips)
Ingredients
- 500 g potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic granules
Instructions
- Chop the potatoes into thin fries.
- Put them in a large bowl with the oil, salt, pepper and garlic and mix well.
- Put them in to the air fryer (this recipe uses a Tefal ActiFry with a rotating paddle).
- Press setting number 1 for the chip setting and cook for 29 minutes.
Notes
- Please note that this recipe is made using a Tefal Actifry Air Fryer. Using a different model of air fryer will change the cooking method needed - see full post.
- If you want to change the amount this makes, we recommend a ratio of 1 tablespoon of oil to every medium sized potato.
- Get creative with the seasoning. You can add a Mexican or Italian seasoning, or keep it simple like we have.
- For some extra indulgent chips, sprinkle some Parmesan on top a few minutes before they are fully cooked.
Nutritional Information
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Lauren Michael Harris
This is a fry recipe we make often because it's so easy and the kids love it too. The added garlic is my favorite part!
Mandy Applegate
These chips come out perfect every time!
Danielle Wolter
The air fryer is just the best thing ever! Love how easy it makes these fried and they came out so delicious!
Gina
So excited to find a fry recipe that states soaking makes no difference! I hate that extra step and these came out totally crispy without it - yay!
Lucy
These fries turned out so crisp in the air fryer, I love that you don't have to use as much oil too.
Tavo
Thank you for another delicious vegan recipe! The chips were genuinely outstanding! I am making them aggdeain today!
Andrea
I love that you use fresh potatoes in this recipe. I also like the idea of switching up the seasonings before air frying.
Elizabeth
These are fantastic! I LOVE how crispy they get in the air fryer!
Dannii
They are perfectly crispy, aren't they.
jacque hastert
This sounds like a delicious side dish any time of year! I love how crispy they come out and that I can finally use my air fryer!
Kushigalu
These fries using air fryer looks just fantastic. I would love to try it this way soon. Yum.
Jacqueline Meldrum
I've not used my Air fryer for ages but you've put me right in the mood for air fried chips now!
Maria
Those fries look lovely! I swear, air-fryers are like the appliance of the year! Thanks for sharing!
Beth
This looks so delicious and tasty! I can't wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this recipe!
Alan Rowley
*Correction:
'perfectly crispy chips (what we call fries here in the UK)'
No, in the UK they're called chips. I have never, ever been into a chippie and asked for fries and fish. In the states they're called fries . . .
Dannii
I think there has been some misunderstanding here. We are saying they are called chips in the UK. What people call fries in the U.S, are what we call chips.
Ali
totally agree! Originally from the UK and they never ever called them 'fries' in the UK unless ordering the specific skinny type of 'French Fries' from a restaurant....it's chips.
Dannii
As I have stated, in the US they are fries, in the UK they are chips. I have used both for SEO reasons for a keyword to target both US and UK blog traffic.
anna
There is no correction needed. They stated that fries are referred to as chips in the uk.
Bob
In the past I went through 3 Tefal Actifry fryers Before I realised that they aren’t built to last as parts kept breaking. I then did a little research before I bought a DeLonghi Multifry. What a difference! Apart from being very durable (already 5 years old and still in one piece) it’s more versatile, more powerful and cooks better; not just chips but polenta, risotto, baking cake, pizza and pasta, grilling and roasting meat, and excellent stews. It’s so versatile that I bought another for my second home. When your Tefal fails, upgrade to a DeLonghi
Charla
I absolutely love air fried chips so I'm looking forward to making these.
Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites
My kids have been loving these french fries in the air fryer - they love how crispy they get and I love how easy they are to make!
Caitlyn Erhardt
I absolutely love my air fryer and love that these fries come out perfect every time I make them.
Lisa Huff
Whoah these fries look perfect! I keep telling myself I need to get an air fryer and didn't know there was one with a rotating paddle!
kim
This recipe was fabulous! So easy and tasty! I'll definitely be making again!