How long to cook french fries in an air fryer

At-a-glance cooking parameters

Temperature

380 °F

193 °C

Total time

18 min

per single layer

Shake at

9 min

shake once

Internal temp

—

use visual cue

Homemade french fries cook in the air fryer in about 18 minutes at 380 °F (193 °C), shaking the basket a few times so they crisp evenly — deep golden and crunchy outside, fluffy inside, with a fraction of the oil of deep-frying. The make-or-break step is soak-and-dry: cut even ¼-inch sticks from high-starch russet potatoes, soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes to draw out the surface starch, dry them bone-dry, then toss with about a tablespoon of oil before cooking. For extra-crisp fries, drop to 350 °F for the first 10 minutes to cook the centres through, then finish at 400 °F for 5-6 minutes to brown the outsides. Four variants: classic salted fries (salted the second they come out); seasoned diner fries (garlic powder, paprika and onion powder tossed on before cooking); garlic-parmesan fries (tossed with parmesan and parsley off the heat); and Cajun fries (a spicy paprika-and-cayenne blend). Distinct from frozen french fries (cooked straight from a pre-fried frozen bag, no cutting or soaking), Potato Wedges (a thicker wedge cut) and Sweet Potato Fries (sweet potato, a softer and sweeter fry).

Per serving

Approximate values for a single portion of french fries (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).

Calories

230 kcal

Protein

5 g

Fat

7 g

Carbs

40 g

French Fries in popular air fryer brands

Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.

Cooking french fries differently?

Times and technique change when starting from frozen or reheating leftovers. Open the matching guide for the right temp, time and brand notes.

• From frozenFrozen French Fries in an Air Fryer400 °F · 14 min · shake at 7 min5 brand variants covered
• Reheat leftoverReheat French Fries in an Air Fryer400 °F · 3 min · no flipRestore-the-crisp technique

How to tell it’s done

Fries are deep golden-brown and crisp on the outside with a fluffy, tender centre. A finished fry holds straight for a second before it bends, then snaps cleanly; one that flops without snapping needs a few more minutes, and one that has gone dark and brittle was either cut too thin or left in too long. Taste a fry from the middle of the batch — the centre should be soft and steamy, not raw or waxy.

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Prep

   Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Toss the dried fries with about 1 tablespoon of oil (avocado, light olive or a neutral oil) so every stick is lightly coated before they go in. Bare fries cook up pale and leathery; a thin, even coat is what crisps the surface to golden. Don't overdo it — pooled oil makes the fries greasy rather than crisp.

2. 2

   Season

   Season with Classic salted fries (the version most people are after): nothing before cooking, then a generous pinch of fine salt tossed on the moment they leave the basket so it sticks to the hot surface. Serve with ketchup, mayo or aioli., Seasoned diner fries: toss the dried sticks with the oil plus garlic powder, paprika, onion powder and black pepper before cooking for a savoury, well-browned fry., Garlic-parmesan fries: cook the classic version, then toss the hot fries with grated parmesan, a little minced or granulated garlic and chopped fresh parsley the moment they come out so the cheese clings., Cajun fries: swap in a Cajun blend — paprika, cayenne, garlic and onion powder, oregano, thyme and pepper — for a spicy, smoky fry. Pair with a cool ranch or remoulade to balance the heat..

3. 3

   Load

   Arrange 2 large russet potatoes (about 1½ lb), cut into even ¼-inch sticks and arranged in a single layer with space between them — roughly 2 servings. for more, cook in batches rather than piling up the basket, since crowded fries steam instead of crisping. for best convection airflow.

4. 4

   Cook

   Set the air fryer to 380 °F (193 °C) and cook for 18 minutes total, shaking once at 9 minutes.

5. 5

   Check & rest

   Check the visual doneness cue and serve immediately for best texture.

6. 6

   Store

   Fries are best straight from the basket while crisp. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and re-crisp at 400 °F for 3-4 minutes — the microwave turns them soft and limp. You can also soak, dry and freeze the raw cut sticks on a tray, then cook them from frozen at 400 °F for a few extra minutes.

Watch out for

• !Soak and dry the cut fries — this is the make-or-break step. Freshly cut potato is coated in surface starch and water; skip it and the fries steam instead of crisping, stick together and stay pale. Soak the sticks in cold water for at least 30 minutes (longer is fine), then pat them completely dry on a towel before tossing with oil.
• !Cut even ¼-inch sticks. Uneven fries cook unevenly — the thin ones scorch while the thick ones stay raw and waxy in the middle. A mandoline or a steady knife keeps the thickness consistent so one cook time finishes them all together.
• !Single layer, and shake the basket. Overcrowded fries steam each other soft where they touch and never crisp. Spread them in one layer, shake the basket every 5-6 minutes to redistribute, and cook a second batch rather than piling them in.
• !Use high-starch russet potatoes. Russets give the fluffiest interior and the crispest outside; waxy potatoes such as red or Yukon Gold hold more moisture, crisp less and turn out denser. Peel them or leave the skin on — both work.
• !Use enough oil but not too much. Under-oiled fries go dry and leathery, while drowning them leaves the fries greasy instead of crisp; about a tablespoon coats two potatoes' worth.

FAQ about french fries in an air fryer

What temperature should I cook french fries at in an air fryer?

Cook french fries at 380 °F (193 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the centre evenly while still browning the surface.

How long do french fries take in an air fryer?

French fries take 18 minutes total at 380 °F (193 °C). Shake the basket once at 9 minutes so both sides cook evenly.

Do you need to shake french fries in an air fryer?

Yes — shake the basket once at 9 minutes. Loose pieces (french fries) settle into the basket and the bottom layer stays pale unless you redistribute them halfway through.

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for french fries?

Preheating is optional for french fries — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.

Can I cook frozen french fries in an air fryer?

Yes. From frozen, cook at 400 °F (204 °C) for 14 minutes, shaking once at 7 minutes. The dedicated guide has brand-by-brand timings for Trader Joe's, Costco Kirkland, Ore-Ida and more. Open the frozen french fries guide →

Can I reheat leftover french fries in an air fryer?

Yes. Reheat at 400 °F (204 °C) for 3 minutes, shaking once at null minutes. The reheat guide covers the full restore-the-crisp technique. Open the french fries reheat guide →