These Air Fryer Parmesan Fries are perfectly crispy, loaded with seasonings and cheese, and they’re easy to make for a weeknight dinner. A total win!

air fryer parmesan fries served in a parchment lined metal dish

I love making French fries in the air fryer, but when I want to fancy things up a bit, these Air Fryer Parmesan Fries are my go-to. They’re super easy to make, and they come out perfectly crispy every single time. 

Plus, the Parmesan cheese and seasonings give them so much flavor that you won’t even need to pair them with ketchup! (Although you may still want to whip up a batch of fry sauceโ€”I mean, it’s pretty irresistible!)

top down image of air fryer parmesan fries served in a metal cup-like dish

Easy Air Fryer Parmesan Fries Recipe

While you can get decent fries in the oven, up until recently the only way to get crispy homemade fries was by deep frying them.

The air fryer is a total game-changer because it lets you make fries that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside without having to use a quart of oil and a deep fryer. We love that, right?!!

If you love air fryer French fries, be sure to try these air fryer recipes too: Air Fryer Smashed Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, and Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs.

ingredients to make air fryer parmesan fries

Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

  • Russet potatoes โ€“ I recommend leaving the skins on for this recipe.
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder โ€“ Or you can use a minced garlic clove.
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Parmesan

Optional choices for serving:

steps to make air fryer parmesan fries

How to Make Parmesan Fries in an Air Fryer

1. Prepare

Preheat your air fryer to 400ยบF for the amount of time indicated in the manufacturer instructions (mine heats up in 5 minutes). Wash and dry the potatoes, then cut them into 1/4-inch wide strips.

2. Soak the Potatoes

In a large mixing bowl, soak the potatoes in room temperature water for 15-30 minutes, then rinse and dry them with paper towels or a kitchen towel. This step helps get rid of the excess starch in the potatoes so theyโ€™re crispier!

3. Season the Potatoes

Wipe the bowl dry, then add the potato strips back to it, along with the oil and spices. (Alternatively, you can use a zip-lock bag for this and shake everything together.) Massage the potatoes, coating them evenly with the oil and seasonings.

4. Cook the Fries

Place the fries in the basket and air fry for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through a couple of times to ensure even frying. Cook the fries in batches if needed to avoid crowding the air fryer basket.

Tip: The fries will be crispy and cooked through when theyโ€™re done. If, after 25 minutes, the fries are not crispy, fry them for a few more minutes. If the fries are cut too thin or the ends are too narrow, they will burn, which is why itโ€™s important to cut them into even sizes!

5. Finish

Transfer the hot fries to a shallow bowl, then add the salt, Parmesan, and any other seasonings and toss to coat. Serve as-is, with your favorite dipping sauce, or with a drizzle of truffle oil.

air fryer parmesan fries served in a parchment lined cup with one fry dipping into ranch

Serving Suggestions

I like pairing these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries with the following dishes:

parmesan fries dipped into ketchup and dipped into ranch

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Parmesan Fries

Leftover fries can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat them, just pop them back into a 400ยบF air fryer for a few minutes until they’re crispy again.

FAQs

Do you season fries before or after air frying?

It depends on the seasoning! Herbs and Parmesan are best added after the fries are done cooking, while spices like garlic and onion powder, along with salt and black pepper, can be added before. Taste the fries when theyโ€™re done and add more salt and seasonings to taste.

What temp should fries be cooked at in an air fryer?

I generally cook my fries at 400ยบF in the air fryer, but it really depends on how crispy you like your fries. If you like them very crispy, you can cook them at a higher temperature. If you prefer them to be a little softer, then cook them at a lower temperature. Keep in mind that the cooking time will also vary depending on how crispy and browned you want your fries.

How should you cut potatoes for air fryer fries?

I like to cut my potatoes into strips rather than wedges so they cook more evenly, but you can really cut them however you like. Just keep in mind that the smaller you cut them, the faster they’ll cook.

More Potato Side Dishes

Air Fryer Parmesan Fries

These garlicky Parmesan fries get crispy and delicious in the air fryer!
5 from 1 vote
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 2 medium to large russet potatoes leave the skins on
  • 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or more if needed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder for deeper flavor, use 1 medium garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • salt 1 teaspoon for 1 potato
  • pepper to taste
  • parmesan

Optional choices for serving:

  • ketchup or burger sauce ranch dressing, sour cream
  • parsley

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 400 F according to manufacturer instructions. (Mine was 400 F for 5 minutes) Cosori 5.8 quart
  • Wash and dry the potatoes. Cut them in ยผ inch wide strips and then each strip into ยผ inch wide strips.
  • In a large bowl soak the potato strips in room temperature water for 15-30 minutes. (I havenโ€™t seen much of a difference in the final result when soaking for 30 minutes or 2 hours!)
  • Wash the potatoes again and dry them properly.
  • In a large bowl combine potato strips, oil, and spices (or you can use a zip lock bag for this). Massage the potatoes to ensure they are coated entirely. However you can add more seasonings once fries are cooked.
  • Once the air fryer is preheated, transfer the fries into the basket and air fry for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through a couple of times to ensure even frying.
  • The fries should be crispy and cooked through. If by this time fries are not crispy, fry for more minutes. If fries are cut too thin or the ends are too narrow they will get charred rather quickly. The end result: the exterior of fries are slightly browned and crispy, softer potato texture on the inside.
  • Transfer the hot fries into a shallow bowl, add salt, parmesan and toss/shake well. You can add more onion powder here as well. Enjoy with dipping sauces.

Notes

  • You can use as little as 1 tablespoons of oil or use a little more. I find the fries slightly crispier and flavorful when using oil but you can use even less for an air fryer.
  • Season the fries with salt before air frying but add more salt (preferably sea salt) after frying. More flavor and fries soak up the salty flavor better after frying.
  • Fried food generally doesnโ€™t reheat well. But with air fryer you can reheat them once if they got cold (on the same day of making). Reheat in preheated air fryer at 400 F for 3-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 916mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

Comments

  1. Roger Coutts says:

    I threw my air fryer in the trash. now only deep fry.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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