Thinly sliced and ultra crispy, these homemade pommes frites (aka french fries) topped with parmesan and parsley are the perfect French comfort food. Air-fried for a quick bite, you’re never getting drive-thru again!
Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
Served with your favorite dipping sauces, these pommes frites are an improved, homemade version of your favorite fast food: fries! Delicately tender on the inside, but golden and crunchy on the outside.
Sprinkled with parmesan and fresh parsley for a bit of French flair, you’ll love this easy recipe that tastes just like the deep-fried version without any of the fuss (or oil!). Air-fried twice for an extra crispy exterior, a bit of salt and pepper are all they need to become your new go-to snack.
Peeled or unpeeled, these pommes frites are absolutely perfect— especially if you add a little paprika. After you’ve had a taste, you’ll only be buying Russet potatoes from now on. Who can blame you? The heart fries what it wants.
What Are Pommes Frites?
Long, crispy, and deep-fried, pommes frites are the French version of regular American fries. Their seasoning is typically kept to a minimum, as are the dipping sauces, which aren’t your usual mustard or ketchup. For a healthier version, some pommes frites recipes can be baked or air fried.
What’s The Difference Between Pommes Frites and French Fries?
They’re the same thing! “Pommes frites” is just the French word for french fries. Their presentation does vary slightly, though, as do the dipping sauces.
Pommes frites are usually served in paper cones to absorb excess oil. They’re served with salt and pepper and a bit of aioli on the side. Fries, on the other hand, are served with all sorts of sauces like BBQ, mustard, ketchup, etc. They come in a small cardboard sleeve.
Recipe Ingredients
With potatoes in the kitchen, you’re ready to make these pommes frites. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient amounts.
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil – Corn, vegetable, and canola oil are good alternatives.
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Parmesan – Always use fresh parmesan.
- Fresh parsley – Feel free to leave it out.
What Potatoes Should I Use?
Russet and Idaho potatoes are the best kinds for making pommes frites because they’re low-moisture potatoes. This means they crisp up better and faster when fried (or subjected to heat.) Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good alternative but try to use the first two for the best results.
How to Make Air Fryer Pommes Frites
Drying them completely and tossing the potatoes halfway through the frying time is the key to these homemade pommes frites.
- Cut the potatoes. Use a sharp knife to slice the potatoes into 3/4″ flat strips. Now slice them into 1/4″-1/2″ long fry strips. You can also use a mandolin if you have one.
- Soak them. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Add the fries and give them a gentle stir. Make sure they’re completely submerged in water. Soak the fries for 1 hour. This helps the fries crisp up because it removes excess starch.
- Dry them. Drain the fries and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can also use a clean kitchen towel for this.
- Season the fries. Toss the fries with olive oil, salt, and pepper until fully coated. Heat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Air fry them. Place seasoned fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t add too many or they won’t crisp up. Cook for 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway through. Remove from the basket and set aside on a plate. Repeat the process for all the fries.
- Fry again. Once all the potatoes are cooked, add some of the fries back into the basket and cook another 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp everything back up.
- Serve. Remove from the basket again. Immediately season with a little bit of salt, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan and chopped parsley
Tips for Success
Using a wire rack and adding spices can take these pommes frites to the next level by keeping them crisp and making them more flavorful.
- Peeled or unpeeled. Whether you like your fries with a bit of peel or not, it’s completely up to you!
- Pat them dry. Don’t skip the drying part of this recipe. Any excess moisture will soften your fries no matter how long you fry them.
- Use the right oil. While you’re not deep-frying, the kind of oil used still matters. Always use one with a high smoke point like vegetable, corn, canola, or peanut oil. If you’re using olive oil, make sure it’s extra virgin.
- Use a wire rack. Set your fries on a wire rack to cool so that the steam can escape. This helps keep them nice and crunchy because none of the steam condenses on the fries.
- Add spices. Tossing the fries with 1/2-1 teaspoon of ground paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of dried cumin, or 1/2-1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning can make them extra flavorful.
What to Serve with Pommes Frites
Aside from your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup or mayo, pommes frites are amazing with all kinds of burgers and chicken wings. My all-time favorite burgers are my Gourmet Cowboy Hamburger and Smoky Avocado Burger with Pineapple Pepper Relish. For something that’s a little easier, try my Zesty Chimichurri Burgers and Italian Cheeseburger.
If you’re craving wings, you have to try my Honey Sriracha Baked Wings, Buffalo Chicken Wings, and Honey BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
Once fully cooled, refrigerate these pommes frites in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400 F for 3-4 minutes or until nice and crispy. You can also heat them in the oven at 425 F for 7-10 minutes, stirring halfway through the baking time.
Can I Freeze These?
Of course! Spread out the pommes frites in a baking tray and pop them into the freezer for 1-2 hours. Separate them into serving-size portions and wrap each in plastic or foil. Transfer the packets to a freezer-friendly bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to cook them, remove them from the freezer and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 F for 5 minutes. Shake the basket and cook for another 5 minutes. Shake again and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until crispy again.
More Air Fryer Side Dishes
- Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Crispy Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Easy Crispy Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Crispy Air Fryer Pommes Frites
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Thinly sliced and ultra crispy, these homemade pommes frites with parmesan and fresh parsley are the perfect French comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 large russet potatoes
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 – 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Using a mandoline or your knife, slice the potatoes into 3/4″ flat strips. Now slice into to 1/4″-1/2″ long fry strips.
- Next, add your fries to a large bowl and cover with cold water. You want them completely submerged. Allow fries to sit in water for 1 hour. (this removes the starches from the potatoes and helps the fries to crisp up in the air fryer)
- Drain the water from the bowl. Pat fries dry with paper towel. Season with olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss fries to coat.
- Heat air fryer to 380°F.
- Place seasoned fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway through. Remove from basket and set aside on a plate. Repeat the process until all potatoes are cooked.
- Once all the potatoes are cooked. Add of the fries back into the basket and cook another 1-2 minutes to warm and crisp everything back up.
- Remove from the basket. Immediately season with a little bit of salt, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan and chopped parsley.
