Oil-Free Air Fryer French Fries

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Healthy, homemade, oil-free, Air Fryer French Fries are simple to make and absolutely delicious!

oil free french fries in basket with ketchup on wooden table

So how do you make potatoes in an air fryer come out crispy and crunchy with absolutely no oil? Believe it or not, it’s really simple!

These air fryer french fries are one of my favorite recipes, and we actually eat them for dinner as the main course about once a week.

air fryer french fries on brown bag with ketchup in background

What is an air fryer anyway?

If you’ve never heard of an air fryer, you’ve really been missing out. I absolutely love mine and use it at least once a week.

An air fryer is a terrific kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around food at high speed. It is able to produce crispy foods without using any oil which makes them much lower in calories and fat.

Air fryers are small enough to fit on your kitchen counter, and they allow you to make some great foods without needing to heat up the stove which makes them extra awesome during the hot summer months.

air fryer french fries wrapped in brown paper in glass

How to cook potatoes in an air fryer

One ingredient–POTATOES–and a few of your favorite spices are all that’s needed to make these delicious oil-free french fries.

First, wash and scrub your potatoes. I like to use Russet or Yukon potatoes to make my fries, but you really can use any type you like, even sweet potatoes if you prefer.

russett potatoes in basket

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

Next, slice the potatoes to the thickness you like. I like to leave mine a little thick so that they are fluffy on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

I am often asked which knives I use personally, and I have to say that it is Victorinox. They are the same company that makes Swiss Army Knives and the quality is excellent.

Sprinkle with a few spices (or none at all) while they are still damp from being freshly cut. This helps the dry seasonings to stick to them. Some of the spices I like to use are:

  • sea salt
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • chili powder
  • chipotle

Place in the air fryer basket and set the temperature 400°F and the time to 20 minutes.

sliced potatoes in air fryer before cooked white background

Unlike many people, I load the basket up with cut fries and pile them on top of each other. Often, I will have 4-5 medium-sized potatoes cut up in my 5.8 quarts basket.

The trick to getting them crispy on all sides is to cook them for 20 minutes then stop and shake or shuffle the potatoes to reposition them and allow them to cook another 20 minutes. I use a spatula or spoon to help stir them around a bit.

cooked french fries in air fryer on white background

Cooking times will really depend on how many potatoes you have in the basket and how thick or thinly they are sliced. Air fryer cooking times will also vary.

Some of my favorite dipping sauces are:

oil free fries with ketchup on dark wooden table

When I serve these as a main dish, some of the sides I like to make to go with them are corn on the cob and/or a garden salad.

If you really like crispy potatoes as I do, check out my Crispy Roasted Potatoes and Carrots.

Tips for making air fryer french fries

  • Russet and Yukon potatoes work best
  • The thickness of the potato slices will determine cooking times
  • Sprinkling seasonings on before cooking helps them stick to the potatoes
  • Remember to stop and shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to allow them to redistribute and cook on all sides.

Other air fryer recipes

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oil free french fries in basket with ketchup on wooden table
4.42 from 36 votes

Air Fryer French Fries

Healthy homemade oil-free french fries are simple to make and absolutely delicious!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Wash and scrub your potatoes. I like to use Russet or Yukon potatoes to make my fries, but you really can use any type you like, even sweet potatoes if you prefer.
  • Next, slice the potatoes to the thickness you prefer. 
  • I like to leave mine a little thick so that they are fluffy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Sprinkle with a few spices (or none at all) while they are still damp from being freshly cut. This helps the dry seasonings to stick to them
  • Place in the air fryer basket and set the temperature 400°F and the time to 20 minutes.
  • I load the basket up with cut fries and pile them on top of each other.  The trick to getting them to cook crispy on all sides is to cook them for 20 minutes then stop and shake or shuffle the potatoes to reposition them and allow them to cook another 20 minutes. I use a spatula or spoon to help stir them around a bit.
  • Cooking time will really depend on how many potatoes you have in the basket and how thick or thinly they are sliced. Air fryer cooking times might also vary.

Video

Notes

Tips & Suggestions:
  • Russet and Yukon potatoes work best
  • The thickness of the potato slices will determine the cooking times
  • Sprinkling seasonings on before cooking helps them stick to the potatoes
  • Remember to stop and shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to allow them to redistribute and cook on all sides.
Dipping Sauce Ideas:

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4.6g | Fat: 0.2g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1.9g

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy.  I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…

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3 Comments

  1. I will be using the Air Fryer in my Breville Oven. There is no basket to shake as I lay them on a tray. Do I still stop the air fryer at 20 minutes and turn them over and then cook them 20 minutes longer or will they be done after the first 20 minutes? I have never made french fries in the Breville oven before.

  2. I do French fries at 350 to make sure they get soft inside and do the air fryer for 10 minutes, turn and another 10 minutes. Very brown and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. My air fryer is a Ninja. Maybe I cut mine small, or maybe I don’t do as many as you do at one time. .

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