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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Hand Cut Fries with Seasoned Salt

    By: Amy Katz · Published: Mar 19, 2018 · Last modified: Jun 20, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe - Print - Pin
    Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan
    Close up of plate of french fries with text overlay Air Fryer Hand Cut Fries.

    It's easy to turn russet potatoes into crispy hand cut french fries when you make them in an air fryer with only a few spritzes of oil. Season them with a homemade salt blend for ultimate flavor.

    Plate of french fries with small bowls of ketchup and seasoning salt next to it.

    Almost everyone loves french fries, but the ones at restaurants can be loaded with fat and salt. But with the help of an air fryer, it's simple to make fresh fries from scratch at home without buying frozen fries.

    While small waxy potatoes like Yukon gold are perfect for making air fryer potato wedges, russet potatoes are the best choice when it comes to making hand cut fries. Not only are they the right shape, you can leave the skin on instead of peeling them for extra flavor and texture.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Amy's tips
    • FAQ
    • More air fryer recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • You can make healthier french fries at home whenever the craving strikes.
    • They are crispy without using a lot of oil.
    • The homemade seasoning salt blend adds extra flavor.

    Ingredients

    Air fryer hand cut fries are best made with russet potatoes. I prefer to leave the skin on, but you can peel them, if you like.

    You'll also need a little olive oil or avocado oil. You can either purchase cooking oil spray, or use your favorite oil in a sprayer/mister bottle.

    Oil Sprayer for Cooking

    • BPA-free
    • Fill the sprayer with your favorite oil
    • Effective control of oil flow
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    For the seasoned salt, you only need a handful of ingredients which may already be in your pantry:

    • Salt
    • Ground cumin
    • Chili powder
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder

    Or create your own seasoning blend with your favorite herbs and spices such as paprika, curry powder, or Italian seasoning.

    For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Instructions

    • Slice the potato into equal sized fries.
    • Soak the potato slices in a large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. This will remove excess starch so that your fries get extra crispy. For best results, do not skip this step.
    • Dry the potatoes with a kitchen towel.
    • Place the potato slices in a medium bowl and spritz with oil. Use your hands to toss well to coat.
    • Season and toss again.
    • Place the fries in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer.
    • Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking half way through, until the fries are crispy and browned.
    • Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauces such as ketchup, Vegan Ranch, or Vegan Thousand Island Dressing.

    Amy's tips

    For the crispiest air fryer french fries, follow these simple tips:

    • Slice the potatoes into uniform sized fries as much as possible so that they cook evenly.
    • Take the time to soak the fries to remove the excess starch.
    • Pat the fries dry before tossing them with oil.
    Close up image of side view of plate of french fries with bowl of seasoned salt in the background.

    FAQ

    What is the easiest way to cut french fries?

    Use a chef's knife to slice a potato in half lengthwise on a cutting board. Place each half cut-side down. Slice both lengthwise into ¼-inch thick strips. Then stack about half of the strips and slice them lengthwise again into ¼-inch fries. Repeat with the remaining potato.

    How do you get salt to stick to french fries?

    The key to getting salt to stick to fries is by seasoning them before you cook them. First toss the potatoes with oil to coat. Then add the salt and toss well again.

    Why are my fries not crispy in an air fryer?

    For best results, spread out the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. This will allow even flow of hot air so that they get crispy. If you are making more than one serving and are using a small basket-style air fryer, it's best to cook them in batches.

    More air fryer recipes

    Whether you are a beginner to this small appliance or a seasoned pro, you can make a wide variety of vegan food in an air fryer.

    • An air fryer basket with shishito peppers in it.
      43 Best Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
    • Bowl of butternut squash cubes garnished with fresh cilantro
      Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash
    • Plate of air fried tofu coated with lemon sauce and garnished with fresh lemon
      Air Fried Tofu with Lemon Sauce
    • Bowl of potato wedges with an air fryer cookbook in the background.
      Best Air Fryer Cookbooks for Vegans (Updated 2022)

    And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.

    If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★

    📋 Recipe

    Plate on french fries with small bowls of ketchup and seasoned salt next to it.

    Air Fryer Hand Cut Fries with Seasoned Salt

    It's easy to turn russet potatoes into crispy hand cut french fries when you make them in an air fryer with only a few spritzes of oil.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate Email recipe + ingredient list
    Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 35 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 235kcal
    Author: Amy Katz

    Equipment

    • Kitchen Towels
    • Air Fryer
    • kitchen tongs

    Ingredients

    For the French Fries:

    • 1 Russet potato, (I keep the skin on, but you can peel the potato, if you prefer.)
    • 5 sprays olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray, (You may want to use a little more or less depending on the size of your potato)

    For the Seasoned Salt:

    • 2 Tablespoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
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    Instructions

    • Slice the potato into thin strips approximately ¼-inch thick. 
    • Place the potato slices in a bowl of water to soak for about 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, prepare the Seasoned Salt by mixing the ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
    • Drain the potato slices and dry well with kitchen towels.
    • Place the potato slices in a dry bowl. Spritz with about 5 sprays of cooking oil. Use your hands to toss to coat.
    • Add your desired amount of Seasoned Salt to the potato slices and use your hands to toss to coat.
    • Place the potato slices in the basket of your air fryer and spread them out as evenly as possible.
    • Cook on 390-400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing half way through, until the fries are lightly browned and crispy.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    All air fryers cook differently. Keep an eye on your potatoes as they are cooking, and adjust the time as needed.
    You will have extra Seasoned Salt which you can save for other uses or more batches of french fries.
    Store the extra Seasoned Salt in a resealable bottle or bag with your spices for future use.
     
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 1001mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1185IU | Vitamin C: 12.1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3.9mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

    More Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

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      Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Plate of air fried carrots garnished with fresh parsley with serving utensils on the side.
      Air Fryer Baby Carrots
    • Serving bowl of air fryer home fries with a spoon and blue pattered napkin.
      Air Fryer Home Fries
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    About Amy

    Amy Katz is a vegan recipe developer, photographer, and Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach. She loves sharing delicious plant-based Mediterranean diet recipes that home cooks of all levels can enjoy. Her easy vegan recipes have been featured on HuffPost, LIVESTRONG, Healthline, Parade, VegNews, BuzzFeed, MSN, Greatist, Country Living, Insider, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. She lives in Orange County, California with the love of her life, Brad, and their adorable black cat, Ozzy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    All commentsI made thisQuestions
    1. chela lightchild

      March 20, 2019 at 4:59 pm

      unbelieveable. the Greatest French Fries ever. Sooo good, I made a second batch right away. We ate just the french fries for dinner.

      Reply
      • Amy

        March 20, 2019 at 6:17 pm

        Thank you so much! Now I want french fries for dinner!

        Reply
    2. Kim

      January 04, 2019 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for the recipe. We just got an air fryer and this was the first thing we tried. Turned out great - followed your instructions exactly. Winner!

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 04, 2019 at 4:27 pm

        Thank you so much, Kim! Enjoy your new air fryer!

        Reply
    3. Elaine

      January 02, 2019 at 4:58 am

      So basically anything you would put in your oven you can put in a air fryer?

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 02, 2019 at 3:10 pm

        Pretty much. The air fryer cooks in less time and makes food crispier than a conventional oven. And you can use less oil.

        Reply
    4. Mia

      December 31, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you for the air fryer recipes!
      I am new to it, so I'm wondering if keeping the potatoes in a bowl of water is necessary, and if so, what it does or why it's helpful.

      Reply
      • Amy

        December 31, 2018 at 2:58 pm

        Hi Mia, Soaking the potatoes isn't necessary, but it does give the fries a better texture by removing some of the starch from the potatoes. If you have the time, I recommend trying it.

        Reply
    5. Valerie Mcnease

      December 30, 2018 at 9:05 pm

      Love the fries they're so good and not grease can't wait to try other things

      Reply
      • Amy

        December 30, 2018 at 10:45 pm

        Thank you, Valerie!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amy! As a Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach, my passion is creating vegan Mediterranean diet recipes to inspire everyone to choose plant-based meals more often. At Veggies Save The Day you'll find simple delicious recipes that are easy to make any night of the week.

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