These Homemade Air Fryer French Fries are the real deal! Made with just four healthy ingredients, they need minimal amounts of oil but come out so incredibly crispy. This recipe is low fat, Trim Healthy Mama (THM:E), Paleo, Vegan and Whole30 friendly.
As much as I enjoy my high fat, low carb s-meals on Trim Healthy Mama… I’m actually a carb lover through and through. Potatoes are one of my all-time favorite foods, so I’m always looking for healthy ways to stay on plan with them.
These French fries are made in the air fryer, so you really only need a teaspoon or two of oil for the whole huge batch. Most recipes use russet potatoes (and you’re fully free to use them if you’re not concerned about their higher starch count!), but I use yellow potatoes which make them great for e meals or crossovers on THM.
Ingredients you’ll need
This is just an overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe – great as a visual grocery list! Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Oil: If you want the recipe to be THM/Paleo/Whole30 friendly: Use an oil that’s on your eating plan. Avocado oil, melted coconut oil (that’s what I used) or olive oil are all great choices.
- Salt: I recommend using a fine sea salt for evenly seasoning your fries. I also enjoy a small sprinkling of flakey sea salt on my portion for an extra kick, but then I hold back on the fine sea salt so I don’t over-salt.
- Potatoes: Like I said in the intro, Russet potatoes are commonly used to make French fries. And they work absolutely perfectly! However, because I stick to Trim Healthy Mama, I prefer using Yukon Gold potatoes due to their alleged lower starch content (check out Trim Healthy Podcast Episode 108 for a bit on potato varieties! Here is the transcript.).
- Ground paprika: Feel free to use a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder with the ground paprika to add some heat.
How to make Air Fryer French Fries
1. Start by peeling and slicing your potatoes into fries. I slice them into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness, then immediately throw them into a large bowl filled with cold water.
2. Leave the potatoes in the water for 30 minutes, then drain, rinse and pat dry. This washes off some of the starch, making them crisper!
3. Place the potatoes into a large bowl and toss with the oil and ground paprika until they’re all evenly covered.
4. You’ll want to preheat your air fryer to 385°F for 5 minutes (feel free to do this as you pat dry/season the potatoes).
Once ready, place a single layer of potatoes into the basket of your air fryer.
Cook the fries at 385°F for 10 minutes, then remove the basket to gently shake.
Place back and cook for 5 more minutes. Check on the fries, then cook for 2-5 minutes longer, depending on how done they are and how crispy you want them.
Note: The last increment of time will hugely depend on how large exactly you sliced your fries AND how much you pack your basket. Also, I find the longer my air fryer is running, the hotter it is.
5. Immediately place the fries in a bowl and season with a few sprinklings of salt. Serve immediately!
Then finish cooking the remaining potatoes in batches.
Recipe tips
- Preheating: Do not skip pre-heating the air fryer. It really helps to have the first batch come out great.
- Temperature: I know many recipes for French fries in the air fryer call for a lower temperature but a longer cooking time than mine. I find a higher temperature for less time works out better. The fries come out crispy without browning too much or even burning, and it takes less time to cook them all.
- Timing: Sorry to say so, but you won’t be able to eat all of the fries at once, but trust me… There is no way to realistically keep the fries warm and preserve their original crispiness. Please just eat them while they’re hot, they do soften as they sit and cool.
- Seasoning: Feel free to use other seasoning than just salt on your fries. Either way, make sure to season the fries as soon as they come out of the air fryer! That’s how the seasoning sticks best.
Serving ideas
If you’re on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, these work great as a side dish in a crossover or in an E meal.
Crossover ideas
- Lettuce wrapped burgers
- Low Carb Oven Fried Fish and sautéed spinach
- Steak and salad
- Baked Salmon
E Meals
- A simple instant pot chicken breast and steamed greens
- Turkey burgers
- Turkey meatloaf
I do also like to add a side of homemade “ranch” dip – I just mix some fat free Greek yogurt mixed with a couple variations of dried herbs, dried garlic powder and some salt.
More healthy side dishes
PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback! You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!
Air Fryer French Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound potatoes I used Yukon Gold, Russet work great for a higher starch version
- 2 teaspoons oil avocado oil, melted coconut or olive oil all work
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- fine sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel potatoes and slice into 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick fries. Place in large bowl and cover with water. Soak for 30 minutes.
- Drain and rinse potatoes, then pat very dry with paper towels. Place potatoes in large bowl and add just enough oil to coat them all (may not need all of the oil, add gradually). Sprinkle with ground paprika and toss to evenly coat.
- Preheat air fryer to 385°F for 5 minutes. Then, place a single layer of potatoes into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, then remove basket to shake. Cook for 5 more minutes, then check on potatoes. Add 2-5 more minutes to the cooking time, depending on how done the potatoes already are and how crisped up you want them.
- Once potatoes are done, imemdiately remove to a bowl and toss with a sprinkling of salt. Serve immediately! Cook remaining potatoes in batches in the same way.
Notes
Ingredient notes
- Oil: If you want the recipe to be THM/Paleo/Whole30 friendly: Use an oil that’s on your eating plan. Avocado oil, melted coconut oil (that’s what I used) or olive oil are all great choices.
- Salt: I recommend using a fine sea salt for evenly seasoning your fries. I also enjoy a small sprinkling of flakey sea salt on my portion for an extra kick, but then I hold back on the fine sea salt so I don’t over-salt.
- Potatoes: Like I said in the intro, Russet potatoes are commonly used to make French fries. And they work absolutely perfectly! However, because I stick to Trim Healthy Mama, I prefer using Yukon Gold potatoes due to their alleged lower starch content (check out Trim Healthy Podcast Episode 108 for a bit on potato varieties! Here is the transcript.).
- Ground paprika: Feel free to use a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder with the ground paprika to add some heat.
Recipe tips
- Preheating: Do not skip pre-heating the air fryer. It really helps to have the first batch come out great.
- Temperature: I know many recipes for French fries in the air fryer call for a lower temperature but a longer cooking time than mine. I find a higher temperature for less time works out better. The fries come out crispy without browning too much or even burning, and it takes less time to cook them all.
- Timing: Sorry to say so, but you won’t be able to eat all of the fries at once, but trust me… There is no way to realistically keep the fries warm and preserve their original crispiness. Please just eat them while they’re hot, they do soften as they sit and cool.
- Seasoning: Feel free to use other seasoning than just salt on your fries. Either way, make sure to season the fries as soon as they come out of the air fryer! That’s how the seasoning sticks best.
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