Air-Fryer French Fries with Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe

Introduction

These air-fryer French fries offer a crispy, golden exterior and a tender inside without the need for deep frying. Paired with a smoky, tangy dipping sauce, they make a perfect snack or side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 large russet potato (about 8 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch-thick sticks
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Step 1: Put potatoes in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight if stored in the refrigerator. Drain and pat very dry.
2. Step 2: Heat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, if preheating is necessary. Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels.
3. Step 3: In a dry bowl, toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Transfer to the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through. Transfer potatoes to the baking sheet, spread in an even layer, and let cool to room temperature for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours. This step is optional and helps create a crisper exterior.
4. Step 4: Increase air fryer heat to 400 degrees. Arrange the potatoes back in the fryer if you removed them, and drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crisp, tossing or stirring halfway through. Transfer immediately to a serving platter and sprinkle with additional salt to taste.
5. Step 5: While fries are cooking, make the dipping sauce by stirring together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Serve alongside the fries.

Tips & Variations

• Soaking the potatoes removes excess starch, making your fries crispier.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dipping sauce.
• Try swapping smoked paprika with regular paprika or chili powder for different flavor notes.

Storage

Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes to regain crispiness. The dipping sauce should be refrigerated and used within 3 days.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of potatoes?

Russet potatoes are ideal for fries due to their starch content, but Yukon Gold potatoes can also work well, providing a slightly creamier texture.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

Preheating helps the fries cook evenly and become crispier, but if your air fryer doesn’t require preheating, you can adjust by adding a minute or two to the cooking time.

Air-Fryer French Fries with Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 149 reviews

• Author: Harry
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

Crispy and golden air-fryer French fries made from fresh russet potatoes, served with a flavorful homemade dipping sauce of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika. This easy, healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried fries offers perfect texture and taste with minimal oil.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

French Fries

• 1 large russet potato (about 8 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch-thick sticks
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed

Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Soak the Potatoes: Put the cut potatoes into a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator. This step removes excess starch, which helps the fries become crispier. After soaking, drain and pat the potatoes very dry with paper towels.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) if preheating is needed. Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels to absorb excess moisture from the fries.
3. First Frying Stage: In a dry bowl, toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Transfer the fries to the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through to ensure even cooking. After air frying, spread the fries evenly on the prepared baking sheet and let them cool to room temperature, at least 30 minutes but up to 4 hours. Cooling helps create a crispier exterior during the final fry.
4. Final Frying Stage: Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the cooled fries back into the fryer basket, drizzle with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Toss or stir halfway through to promote even browning. Once done, transfer fries to a serving platter and sprinkle with additional salt to taste.
5. Prepare the Dipping Sauce: While the fries cook, mix mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Serve this flavorful sauce alongside the hot fries for dipping.

Notes

• Soaking the potatoes removes excess starch and helps produce crispier fries.
• Allowing the fries to cool between the two cooking stages improves texture but can be skipped if short on time.
• Use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for better flavor.
• Adjust seasoning and smoked paprika in the dip to taste.
• Make sure potatoes are thoroughly dried before air frying to prevent sogginess.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer, french fries, crispy fries, homemade fries, dipping sauce, healthy fries, potato recipe, snack