Russet potatoes contain 20% starch which crystallizes at 425°F, creating restaurant-crispy fries without deep frying.
Healthy French Fries
Get ready for a guilt-free indulgence with these air-fried French fries! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they’re made with just a sprinkle of olive oil and a dash of your favorite seasonings for a flavor explosion. Perfect as a side dish or a satisfying snack, these fries will have you coming back for more—without the extra calories!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
These aren't remotely French—they're Belgian pommes frites that French soldiers discovered in Belgium's Meuse Valley during WWI, then dragged home like culinary war trophies, while Thomas Jefferson introduced America to proper Belgian frites after his 1780s Paris embassy stint, creating this transatlantic identity crisis that's been confusing food historians for centuries.
Regional Twist
In Quebec's Saguenay region, they coat the russet potatoes in duck fat instead of olive oil, then dust with fleur de sel mixed with maple sugar crystals.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 4 pcs russet potatoes
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- olive oil (to taste)
- sea salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash and dry the potatoes.
- 2
Slice into even fry shapes about 1/2 inch thick.
- 3
Add to a big bowl and toss in olive oil and any seasonings you want.
- 4
Add a batch to your air fryer and air fry at 400F for 15 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
- 5
Place the fries on a plate, add sea salt, then repeat the air frying process until all of the fries are done.
- 6
Right before serving, add all of the fries back into the air fryer at 400F for 2-3 minutes to heat back up and get nice and crispy.
- 7
Sprinkle an extra pinch of sea salt on top and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soak cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess surface starch, which prevents proper browning and creates soggy fries instead of crispy ones.technique30 minutes
- ✓Pat potatoes completely dry after soaking because residual moisture creates steam at 400°F, preventing the Maillard reaction that creates golden-brown color and crispy texture.technique
- ✓Cut fries to exactly 1/2 inch thickness using a ruler or mandoline because uneven pieces cook at different rates - thinner pieces burn while thicker ones stay undercooked at 400°F.technique1/2 inch thickness
- ✓Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket beyond 50% capacity because restricted airflow reduces convection efficiency and creates uneven browning.equipment50% capacity
- ✓Salt immediately after the final 2-3 minute crisping phase while fries are still hot because salt adheres better to warm, slightly oily surfaces and penetrates 2-3mm into the potato.timing2-3 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Russet potatoes contain 20% starch which crystallizes at 425°F, creating restaurant-crispy fries without deep frying.
Healthy French Fries
Get ready for a guilt-free indulgence with these air-fried French fries! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they’re made with just a sprinkle of olive oil and a dash of your favorite seasonings for a flavor explosion. Perfect as a side dish or a satisfying snack, these fries will have you coming back for more—without the extra calories!
The Story
These aren't remotely French—they're Belgian pommes frites that French soldiers discovered in Belgium's Meuse Valley during WWI, then dragged home like culinary war trophies, while Thomas Jefferson introduced America to proper Belgian frites after his 1780s Paris embassy stint, creating this transatlantic identity crisis that's been confusing food historians for centuries.
Regional Twist
In Quebec's Saguenay region, they coat the russet potatoes in duck fat instead of olive oil, then dust with fleur de sel mixed with maple sugar crystals.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 4 pcs russet potatoes
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- olive oil (to taste)
- sea salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash and dry the potatoes.
- 2
Slice into even fry shapes about 1/2 inch thick.
- 3
Add to a big bowl and toss in olive oil and any seasonings you want.
- 4
Add a batch to your air fryer and air fry at 400F for 15 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
- 5
Place the fries on a plate, add sea salt, then repeat the air frying process until all of the fries are done.
- 6
Right before serving, add all of the fries back into the air fryer at 400F for 2-3 minutes to heat back up and get nice and crispy.
- 7
Sprinkle an extra pinch of sea salt on top and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soak cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess surface starch, which prevents proper browning and creates soggy fries instead of crispy ones.technique30 minutes
- ✓Pat potatoes completely dry after soaking because residual moisture creates steam at 400°F, preventing the Maillard reaction that creates golden-brown color and crispy texture.technique
- ✓Cut fries to exactly 1/2 inch thickness using a ruler or mandoline because uneven pieces cook at different rates - thinner pieces burn while thicker ones stay undercooked at 400°F.technique1/2 inch thickness
- ✓Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket beyond 50% capacity because restricted airflow reduces convection efficiency and creates uneven browning.equipment50% capacity
- ✓Salt immediately after the final 2-3 minute crisping phase while fries are still hot because salt adheres better to warm, slightly oily surfaces and penetrates 2-3mm into the potato.timing2-3 minutes