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About This Recipe
These Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries are the perfect combination of crispy, cheesy, and garlicky goodness. Paired with my easy homemade fry sauce, this recipe takes your fry game to the next level. You can enjoy these homemade french fries as a great side dish, snack, or party appetizer on game day. I promise, they’ll disappear fast!
Plus, I love these fries since they’re so easy to make in the air fryer and so much healthier than deep-fried versions. Trust me, it’s worth skipping the frozen fries!
If you love these garlic parmesan fries, try my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Roasted Parmesan Zucchini, or Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes!
Why You’ll Love These Parmesan Garlic Fries
- Crispy Golden Perfection: The air fryer makes these homemade fries extra crispy without the need for excessive oil or deep frying.
- Bursting with Flavor: A combination of aromatic garlic, tangy parmesan, and fresh chopped parsley creates an addictive savory taste.
- Healthier Alternative: Skip the McDonald’s drive-thru and enjoy these healthier, tastier fries!
- Easy Side Dish: Pair with your favorite burger, wrap or sandwich! Or enjoy alone as a tasty snack!
- Customizable: Adjust the seasoning to your liking, adding a touch of spice or extra cheese!
- Russet potato: For classic restaurant-tasting fries, I use russet potatoes. You could also use yukon gold potatoes but just note they are a softer potato and won’t get quite as crispy.
- Olive oil: I like to use a neutral, light tasting olive oil. You can also sub for avocado oil, vegetable oil or your favorite cooking oil if preferred.
- Butter: I prefer to use unsalted butter in most of my recipes so I can control the amount of salt. If using regular butter, you can reduce the amount of additional salt or omit completely depending on taste preference.
- Garlic: fresh garlic or frozen garlic cubes work great for this recipe too!
- Parmesan: HIGHLY recommend using freshly grated for best flavor!
- Fresh parsley: Optional to garnish but adds freshness and flavor.
- Light mayo: You can also use regular mayo or sub greek yogurt for a higher protein option
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice will add the best flavor!
- Spice: Add a dash of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika for extra heat.
- Truffle fries: Drizzle with a little truffle oil for a gourmet touch.
- Additional toppings: Top with crispy bacon, chives, or your favorite toppings to make these fries into healthier loaded fries.
- Lemon: In addition to adding to the fry sauce, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fries for a bright, tangy contrast.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Combine fry sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
2. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch thin strips like fries.
3. Place in an ice water bath to soak for 30 minutes.
4. Drain well, then dry thoroughly with paper towels ensuring all liquid is squeezed out.
5. Place in a bowl and toss with the olive oil and salt.
6. Transfer to the air fryer basket in a single layer, so none are overlapping (important so they can crisp up all around–cook in batches if needed).
7. Air fry at 390F for 10 minutes. Then toss/shake the basket and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until fries are crispy and browned to liking.
8. When the fries are close to done, melt the butter in a small dish and stir in the minced garlic. Transfer hot fries to a bowl and toss with the garlic butter. Sprinkle grated parmesan and minced parsley over top. Serve immediately with fry sauce and enjoy!
These garlic parmesan fries are best enjoy fresh! However, you can store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer for about 5 minutes or until warm and crispy.
Helpful Tips
For best results for the MOST crispy golden fries, make sure to follow these tips!
- Cut evenly: Try to cut your potatoes the same size so they will cook at the same speed. I find 1/4-inch fries work best but as long as they’re all the same size you can cut them however you wish. I recommend using a vegetable chopper on the larger setting to easily cut the potatoes.
- Soak the potatoes: For the crispiest french fries, I recommend soaking the sliced potatoes in ice water for at least 30 minutes (up to 3 hours). Soaking the potatoes helps remove the starch which allows them to become crispier when cooking.
- Fully dry potatoes: After soaking potatoes, make sure to completely dry the potatoes with paper towels ensuring all the liquid is squeezed out. If the potatoes are still wet, the olive oil won’t be able to stick properly.
- Don’t overcrowd: Make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket so the air can properly circulate (helping crisp up all sides of the fries). Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches.
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy these garlic parmesan fries as a side dish, snack or appetizer! Some of my favorite recipes to pair these fries with are:
- Burgers: Cheeseburger Sliders, Air Fryer Burgers, Greek Turkey Burgers, Salmon Burgers
- Sandwiches: Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwich, Italian Grinder Sandwich, Bacon Turkey Bravo, Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Gyro
- Wraps: Breaded Chicken Caesar Wrap, BBQ Chicken Wrap, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap, Healthy Chicken Caesar Wrap
- Protein: Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs, Blackened Chicken Tenders, Healthy Chicken Schnitzel, Balsamic Grilled Chicken
Why do you soak the potatoes before cooking?
Soaking the potatoes in a bowl of cold water will help remove the excess starch from the potatoes which allows them to become crispier when cooking. I recommend soaking for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 hours before cooking. Make sure to dry your potatoes COMPLETELY before tossing with olive oil and salt (or the olive oil won’t stick).
Can I use a different kind of potato?
I’ve found russet potatoes get the crispiest but other types of potatoes will work. Russet will give you a more traditional restaurant-style taste while Yukon has a deeper and richer flavor.
Do I need to peel the potatoes before cooking?
You can peel the potatoes or leave the skin on, depending on your preferences.
Can I bake these fries instead of air fryer?
Yes, to bake these fries place on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake 425°F for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries + Fry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 large russet potato or 2 small, ~14-oz.
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter (14g)
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1-2 Tbsp fresh grated parmesan (10g)
- minced parsley optional to garnish
Fry sauce:
- 1/4 cup light mayo (60g)
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- pinch of salt & cracked black pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Combine fry sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Peel potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch thin strips like fries. Place in an ice water bath to soak for 30 minutes. Drain well, then dry thoroughly with paper towels ensuring all liquid is squeezed out.
- Place in a bowl and toss with the olive oil and salt. Transfer to the air fryer basket in a single layer, so none are overlapping (important so they can crisp up all around–cook in batches if needed).
- Air fry at 390F for 10 minutes. Then toss/shake the basket and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until fries are crispy and browned to liking.
- When the fries are close to done, melt the butter in a small dish and stir in the minced garlic. Transfer hot fries to a bowl and toss with the garlic butter. Sprinkle grated parmesan and minced parsley over top. Serve immediately with fry sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
