Well, the air fryer marketing machine would have you believe that crispy fries are just a button-press away. But is that actually true? I've been testing air fryers professionally for years, and I've cooked more frozen fries than I can count in every machine I've owned.
After two years with my Cosori TurboBlaze, which I bought on Prime Day for ~$85, I can tell you this: the machine matters, but your technique matters more.
Here's how to make crispy fries in an air fryer, and it's not just about the temperature setting.
Start With the Right Potato, or the Right Bag
If you're using frozen fries, skip the "crispy" varieties that promise extra crunch. They're usually coated in a batter that turns gummy in an air fryer. I've had the best luck with plain, standard-cut frozen fries. The kind that look boring in the bag. They crisp up better because there's less surface area for the coating to go wrong.
If you're going fresh, and I do this when I have time, you need a starchy potato. Russets are the gold standard. Yukon Golds work too, but they're a bit waxier and won't get quite as crunchy. I've made fries from both, and the Russets always win.
The Frozen Fry Method That Actually Works
Here's the thing I learned the hard way: you can't just dump fries in the basket and walk away. I did that my first week with an air fryer and ended up with a basket of pale, soggy sticks that were somehow both undercooked and burnt on the ends.
My method now: preheat the air fryer to 400°F. I know some machines don't have a preheat feature, and I'll get to that in a minute, but if yours does, use it. The Cosori TurboBlaze has a proper preheat cycle, and it makes a real difference. If you skip preheating, the fries start cooking at a lower temperature, and that's when they steam instead of crisp.
Once it's preheated, add your frozen fries. Don't overcrowd. This is the most important rule. I know the basket looks big, and the version I own is a 6-quart, but if you pile the fries in, they'll just steam each other. I do about two handfuls for a single batch, which feeds me and my HungryMan with a little left over.
Set the timer for 15 minutes. Shake the basket at the 7-minute mark. Shake it again at 12 minutes. Yes, you have to do it twice. The first shake gets the fries off the bottom, and the second one gets them to the finish line. The Cosori has a shake reminder, which is nice, but I've used enough machines without it that I just set a timer on my phone.
At 15 minutes, they should be golden brown and crispy. If they're not quite there, give them another 2 minutes. Every batch of fries is a little different, and every machine runs a little differently. I've tested machines that run 25 degrees hot, so I always check at the lower end of the time range.
The Fresh Fry Method, Step by Step
Fresh fries are a bit more work, but they're worth it. I do this when I want something special, or when the HungryMan has had a rough week and needs some good taters.
Cut your Russets into even strips. About a quarter inch thick works best in an air fryer. Thicker than that and they take forever, thinner and they burn before they crisp.
Soak the cut fries in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This gets rid of excess starch, which is what makes fries stick together and cook unevenly. I've skipped this step when I was in a hurry, and the results were noticeably worse.
Dry them thoroughly. I use a clean kitchen towel and pat them dry, then let them sit for a few minutes. Any moisture left on the surface will turn to steam in the air fryer, and steam is the enemy of crisp.
Toss the fries in a tablespoon of oil. I use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point, but vegetable oil works too. Add your seasonings. I'm a McCormick girl, and I use a simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sometimes a little paprika if I'm feeling fancy.
Preheat to 380°F. This is a lower temperature than frozen fries because fresh fries need more time to cook through, and a lower temp prevents the outside from burning before the inside is done.
Cook for 20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. Yes, that's a lot of shaking, but it's how you get even browning. At the 20-minute mark, they should be crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. If they need more time, give them 3 to 5 more minutes, checking frequently.
What About the Machines That Don't Preheat?
This is where I have to talk about the Chefman 6 QT. I bought this one at random just because it was a good deal, and it's a solid budget option. The Hi-Fry Technology works well, and the compact size is big enough for the family but still counter-friendly.
But there's no preheat feature. So any preheating is done just by waiting for the temperature to reach the desired level. I've found that you can work around this by adding 2 to 3 minutes to your cook time, but it's not the same as a machine that preheats properly. The temperature drifts more, and you have to account for that.
The basket on the Chefman also just won't go back in sometimes. Like it just doesn't slide in well and takes a minute to get perfectly lined up. It's not a dealbreaker for fries, but it's annoying when you're shaking the basket every 5 minutes and it takes a minute to get it seated again.
The Reheat Trick That Changed My Life
Here's something I didn't expect when I started testing air fryers: reheating leftover fries in the air fryer is better than eating them fresh. I'm not exaggerating. Reheated fried chicken is better than when he bought it fresh, and fries are the same way.
Set the air fryer to 400°F, add your leftover fries, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Shake once at the halfway point. They come out crispy and hot, and they taste like they just came out of the fryer. This is the reason I've barely touched my conventional oven since I got my Cosori.
The Paper Liner Question
I get asked about paper liners all the time. Some people swear by them for easy cleanup, and I get it. But here's the thing: spend the ~$11 for the magnetic strips that hold the paper liner in place. Otherwise it really slides around. And do not put a paper liner in the basket during PreHeat. That's a fire risk. I've seen people blame the machine for a fire that was really a liner error.
If you're making fries, I actually recommend skipping the liner altogether. The fries need direct contact with the basket to crisp properly, and a liner can trap steam underneath. Just spritz the basket with a little oil before you add the fries, and cleanup will be easy enough. Even melted cheese comes off the ceramic coating on my Cosori with relative ease. Easy peasy.
What I'd Buy Again
The Cosori TurboBlaze is my daily driver. It's quiet, sometimes I have to check to see if it's even on. The ceramic coating releases even melted cheese, and the basket is dishwasher-safe. The touchscreen is intuitive, and the preheat feature actually works.
It's not perfect, small food items like fries can slip between the grates, but it's the closest thing to a small miracle I've found in a kitchen appliance.
For a budget option, the Chefman 4 QT is a good deal. But you get what you pay for. It lacks preheat and has basket alignment quirks, but works fine for small batches. I use it for smaller batches and when I need a second air fryer going for a big meal.
I don't track prices day to day, so I won't pretend to know next week's deals. But I bought my Cosori for ~$85 on Prime Day, and I've used it twice a day since. That's pennies per meal, and it replaced a toaster oven that burned everything and a microwave that made leftovers soggy.
Chefman Air Fryer – 4 QT Compact Airfryer for Quick & Easy Meals in...
Quality pick in this category.
Not the cheapest option on the list.
Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer, 9-in-1, 6 Qt, PFAS-Free Ceramic Coating
Quality pick in this category.
Not the cheapest option on the list.
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, 8 Qt DualZone, 6-in-1, Grey, DZ201
Quality pick in this category.
Not the cheapest option on the list.
Chefman Air Fryer – 6 QT Compact Airfryer for Quick & Easy Meals in...
Quality pick in this category.
Not the cheapest option on the list.
Prices and availability were captured from Amazon Creators API and may change.
My Honest Bottom Line
Crispy fries in an air fryer are absolutely achievable, but they require a little attention. Preheat if your machine has it, don't overcrowd the basket, and shake at least twice. The machine you use matters less than the technique, but a good machine makes it easier.
I've bought three Cosoris, one for me, one for my 87-year-old mom, one for my neighbor caring for her 101-year-old husband.
That's how much I trust it..