Are you a fan of crispy French fries? Or do you always dig for those soggy, limp fries at the bottom of the pile? For me, it’s alllll about the crispy, and that’s why I love these air fryer shoestring fries. They’re thin little fries, which means they have the ability to cook up super crispy. And they’re perfect for cooking in the air fryer, which means a lot less work. Who wants to mess with deep-frying when you can get the same results with way less oil?!
How Do You Make Crispy Fries in an Air Fryer?
There are two tricks to getting crispy fries in the air fryer. First, always soak your potatoes. For this air fryer shoestring fries recipe, you’ll cut the potatoes into shoestrings, then soak them in ice water. After a good soak, rinse the potatoes well to wash away the excess starch. Getting rid of that starch goes a long way to achieving crispy fry perfection. The other secret is in the cooking method. Coat the fries in oil rather than spraying them, which ensures that they’re evenly coated. Then, place the fries in the air fryer basket without crowding them; giving them enough room for air to circulate around each fry is key to getting crispy fries in the air fryer.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
For the shoestring fries:
Russet potatoes – I like to keep the skin on, but you can peel them if you prefer. Cold water Ice Peanut oil – Vegetable, corn, and canola oil all work, but don’t use olive oil; you need an oil with a high smoke point. Salt and pepper Smoked paprika – This is my little secret ingredient for super flavorful air fryer shoestring fries! Garlic powder
For the dipping sauce:
Vegan mayonnaise – Store-bought or homemade vegan mayo. Yellow mustard Truffle oil
What Kind of Potatoes Are the Best for French Fries?
Russet potatoes are the best for making crispy French fries; a waxy potato like Yukon gold won’t be nearly as crispy. Russets are also an ideal size for fries, which is why most restaurants use them.
How to Make Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
Making these air fryer shoestring fries is easy and doesn’t require a lot of hands-on time, but make sure you account for the hour long soaking time when planning your cooking. Soak the potatoes. Use a mandoline slicer to julienne the potatoes. Place them in a large bowl and cover with water; add the ice and stir gently. Let the potatoes soak for 30 minutes, then discard the water and repeat the process once more, soaking the potatoes for another 30 minutes. Drain. Strain the water from the bowl and place the julienned potatoes on paper towels. Pat them dry. Prepare. Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with the oil, making sure they’re evenly coated. Air fry. Place the fries in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 minutes, then shake the basket and air fry for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until they’re golden and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack or a paper-towel-lined plate to cool. Season. Add salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle the smoked paprika and garlic powder over the fries. Make the sauce. Whisk the vegan mayo, mustard, and truffle oil in a small bowl until well-combined. Serve the air fryer shoestring fries with the sauce on the side.
Tips for Success
These tips will help you make perfectly crispy shoestring fries in the air fryer.
Cut the potatoes in uniform sizes. If you don’t have a mandoline slicer, use a sharp knife to slice the potatoes into 1/8″ x 1/8″ matchsticks. Don’t make them thicker than this if you want them to turn out crunchy, and make sure all of the fries are the same size so they’re finished cooking at the same time. Dry them well. If there’s still water clinging to the fries when you coat them in oil, your fries will steam in the air fryer instead of getting crispy. Work in batches if you need to. Crowding the air fryer basket will give you soggy fries, so it’s better to make a few batches. Make them your own. Customize the recipe with your favorite herbs and spices. Seasoning salt, chili powder, thyme, or whatever you like on your fries.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer shoestring fries are the perfect pairing with a vegan sandwich or burger. Try them with one of these recipes:
Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers Vegan BLT Sandwich BBQ Chickpea Wraps with Ranch Dressing Vegan Quinoa Cauliflower Burgers
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover shoestring fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat them, place the fries in the air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. For best results, don’t overlap the fries when reheating.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
Yes, these air fryer shoestring fries can be frozen. Place the cooked, cooled fries in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
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Enjoy friends! If you make this air fryer shoestring fries recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
