For french fries in an air fryer, plan on 12–20 minutes at 375–400°F, adjusting for thickness, cut, and whether the fries are fresh or frozen.
Ask five air fryer owners how long they cook french fries and you’ll hear five different numbers. Fry thickness, potato type, fryer size, and your taste for crispness all nudge the timer, but fries still fall inside a reliable range for weeknight dinners and snacks.
This guide gives you clear time and temperature ranges for fresh and frozen fries plus a simple method that works on any brand of machine. After a batch or two you’ll know the exact time and temperature for your favorite level of crunch.
Air Fryer French Fries Cook Time Overview
Most standard fries in a basket-style air fryer cook somewhere between 12 and 20 minutes. Thinner cuts finish at the lower end; thick steak fries and crinkle cuts sit at the higher end. Temperature also matters. Hotter settings cook faster but can brown the outside before the center softens.
Use this first table as a quick reference. Times assume a preheated air fryer, a single layer or light pile of fries, and one shake or toss halfway through.
| Fry Type | Temperature °F (°C) | Approximate Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-cut thin fries (matchstick) | 375–380°F (190°C) | 10–14 minutes |
| Fresh-cut standard fries | 380–400°F (193°C) | 14–18 minutes |
| Fresh-cut thick or steak fries | 380–400°F (193°C) | 16–20 minutes |
| Fresh-cut potato wedges | 375°F (190°C) | 18–22 minutes |
| Fresh-cut sweet potato fries | 380°F (193°C) | 14–18 minutes |
| Frozen shoestring fries | 400°F (200°C) | 10–14 minutes |
| Frozen crinkle or waffle fries | 400°F (200°C) | 12–18 minutes |
| Frozen steak fries | 400°F (200°C) | 14–20 minutes |
Treat these ranges as a starting point. Your air fryer’s wattage, basket style, and how full it is can nudge you a couple of minutes in either direction.
How Long To Cook French Fries In An Air Fryer? Time Factors That Matter
When you ask how long to cook french fries in an air fryer, you’re actually asking how long your own combination of potato, cut, and machine needs. Time is only one piece of the puzzle. These are the main details that change it.
Fresh-Cut Fries Versus Frozen Fries
Fresh potatoes start raw, so the air fryer has to soften the inside and crisp the outside in a single run. Frozen fries are par-cooked during processing, so the air fryer mostly reheats and crisps them. That’s why frozen fries often finish a few minutes faster than fresh ones of the same thickness.
Thickness And Cut Shape
Thin shoestring fries reach a deep golden color in a flash. Thick steak fries need more time for the center to soften. Waffle and crinkle fries have extra surface area, so they brown fast on the ridges while the center still finishes at a slower pace. Every extra quarter inch of thickness adds roughly two to four minutes of cook time at the same temperature.
Basket Load And Shaking
An overstuffed basket traps steam and slows the hot air. A light layer lets air move around the fries and keeps the cook time closer to the chart. If you pile fries higher than one layer, expect to add three to five minutes and shake the basket more often so the batch cooks evenly.
Temperature, Oil, And Moisture
Most fries do well between 375 and 400°F. Lower temperatures give you a wider window before fries scorch; higher temperatures give a deeper color but tighten the timing. If you are brand new to your machine, start at 375°F and adjust in later batches.
A light coating of oil promotes browning. Too much oil, or wet potatoes that were not dried, can leave fries soft and greasy. Dry the potatoes well, then toss in just one to two teaspoons of oil per medium potato.
Step-By-Step Method For Fresh-Cut Air Fryer Fries
This method works with most basket-style air fryers and standard russet potatoes, and it lands in the same range that recipe tests such as the air-fryer fries method from Allrecipes use for 400°F fries.
Cut And Soak The Potatoes
Start with medium russet potatoes, scrubbed and peeled if you like. Cut them into even sticks about one quarter inch thick for thin fries or closer to one half inch for classic fries, then soak the sticks in cold water for 20–60 minutes to rinse off extra surface starch.
Dry, Oil, And Season
Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a clean towel until no surface moisture remains. Toss the dry sticks with a small drizzle of neutral oil, a pinch of salt, and any dry seasoning you like; skip wet sauces at this stage because they can burn in the hot air.
Preheat And Load The Basket
Preheat the air fryer to 380 or 400°F for three to five minutes so the basket heats up. Spread the seasoned fries in a light, even layer; cook in two rounds if needed instead of crowding one giant batch.
Cook Time For Fresh-Cut Fries
Cook standard fresh-cut fries at 380–400°F for 14–18 minutes, shaking the basket after 7–8 minutes. Thin fries may finish closer to 10–14 minutes, while thick fries may need 16–20 minutes.
Check For Doneness And Rest Briefly
Near the end of the range, pull one fry and cut it in half; the center should look fluffy, not hard, and the surface should look dry and crisp. When they look right, let the fries rest in the warm basket for two to three minutes so steam settles and the coating firms up.
How Long To Cook Frozen French Fries In An Air Fryer Basket
Frozen french fries already went through a first cook at the factory, so the air fryer mainly reheats and crisps them. That shorter path is why frozen fries usually need less time than fresh ones from the same air fryer.
Most frozen fries do well at 400°F. Shoestring and thin-cut styles usually finish in 10–14 minutes. Thicker crinkle and steak fries sit closer to 14–20 minutes, especially in a busy basket.
Shoestring And Skinny Frozen Fries
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Add a light layer of frozen shoestring fries. Cook for 5–6 minutes, shake the basket, then cook another 4–6 minutes. Start tasting at the 10 minute mark and pull them once they reach your preferred shade of golden brown.
Crinkle, Waffle, And Steak Fries
Thicker frozen fries need extra time for the center to heat through. Preheat to 400°F, add fries in a light layer, and cook for 8–9 minutes. Shake the basket, then cook for another 6–9 minutes. If the edges darken before the centers feel hot, drop the temperature to 380°F and finish for a few more minutes.
Potato Type, Nutrition, And Portion Sizes
Russet potatoes are the classic choice for fries because they have a fluffy interior and crisp easily. Yellow and red potatoes give a creamier texture with a slightly denser bite. Sweet potatoes bring more natural sweetness but tend to brown faster on the outside.
Plain potatoes also carry useful nutrients. Resources such as the USDA potato guidance show that a medium potato delivers carbohydrates for energy plus fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. When you air fry instead of deep fry, you keep the focus on the potato itself instead of lots of added oil.
As a rough serving guide, plan on one medium potato or about three to four ounces of frozen fries per person for a side dish. For a main dish portion, you may stretch closer to six ounces per person, especially for hungry teenagers or game day plates.
Troubleshooting Soft Or Burnt Air Fryer Fries
Even with good charts, your first few runs may not look perfect while you learn how your own machine behaves. Here are common fry problems and quick fixes.
Fries Come Out Pale And Soft
If fries reach the end of the suggested time and still look pale, check two things. First, was the basket crowded? A thick pile slows air circulation. Second, was the temperature too low? Try bumping the setting up by 10–20 degrees, or add a few minutes while watching closely.
Fries Brown Too Fast
When edges darken early while the center still feels firm, the air is too hot for that thickness. Drop the temperature to 360–375°F and give the fries a few extra minutes. You can also cut the next batch thinner so the inside softens in the same window as the outside browns.
Fries Stick To The Basket
Lightly grease the basket with a high-heat spray or a quick wipe of oil before loading the fries. Make sure potato sticks are fully dry on the surface before you add oil and seasoning. Over time, check that the nonstick coating on your basket is still in good shape.
Seasoning Falls Off
Salt and spices grip fries best when the surface has a thin film of oil. If you season dry potatoes, the flakes can slide to the bottom of the basket. Toss fries with oil first, season before cooking, then add a last pinch of salt right after frying while the surface is still warm.
Air Fryer French Fry Time Cheat Sheet
If you like a simple answer by the fridge, this chart focuses on the most common home scenarios. Times assume a preheated basket and one shake halfway through.
| Scenario | Temperature °F (°C) | Time Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-cut thin fries, extra crisp | 400°F (200°C) | 12–16 minutes |
| Fresh-cut standard fries, classic texture | 380°F (193°C) | 14–18 minutes |
| Fresh-cut thick steak fries, fluffy center | 380°F (193°C) | 16–20 minutes |
| Frozen shoestring fries, light crisp | 400°F (200°C) | 10–13 minutes |
| Frozen crinkle fries, deep golden | 400°F (200°C) | 12–18 minutes |
| Frozen waffle or curly fries | 400°F (200°C) | 12–17 minutes |
| Sweet potato fries, any style | 380°F (193°C) | 12–18 minutes |
Use this cheat sheet along with your eyes, nose, and taste. Air fryers vary, so the first batch is your test run. Once you see how your machine behaves, you can set a favorite time on the display and repeat it whenever that fry craving hits.
Safe Handling And Serving Tips
Always spread hot fries out on a tray or plate for a moment before serving, especially if little kids are at the table.
Avoid lining the basket with parchment unless the maker of your air fryer approves it, because loose paper can blow into the heater. Check your manual for any limits on maximum temperature or coatings so you do not damage the basket over time.
Once you have a feel for how long to cook french fries in an air fryer, you can use the same ranges for everything from loaded fry platters to simple weeknight sides. Keep a note of your favorite time and temperature pairings, and your next batch will be just as crisp as the last.