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Air Fryer Garlic Fries (so crispy!)

These incredibly crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries are actually vegan! With minimal effort, you can make homemade garlic parmesan fries that are full of flavour. Included is a recipe using store bought frozen French fries for a quick and easy side dish.

Air fryer garlic fries in a plate

If you haven’t already tried garlic parmesan French fries, then you are seriously missing out. I don’t even know how I went so long without trying them myself!

The first time I tried them, I made a small batch with leftover hard cheese and since I’ve been craving them! This time round, I’ve made a bigger batch and used some dried rosemary and parsley!

Homemade French fries are coated in an irresistible vegan garlic, rosemary and parmesan topping for the best air fryer fries recipe you’ll ever try! Its big on flavour and texture!

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If you want to simply make Air Fryer French Fries, then you can also use this recipe. Simply omit the seasoning and stick to the oil and salt only for crispy french fries.

The Air Fryer is hands down my favourite way to cook potatoes, whether it is Air Fryer Potato Slices, Air Fryer Indian Potatoes or Air Fryer Cheesy Mexican Potatoes.

These garlic air fryer smashed potatoes are so crispy and easy to make!

Why you should make Air Fryer Garlic Fries:

  • Low in fat – These homemade fries use less oil than deep frying making them a much healthier option! Traditional fries are cooked in the deep fryer Healthier than deep-fried French fries.
  • A super tasty side dish for burgers, pies, BBQ and more!
  • Made with simple ingredients – all ingredients are easily available from a quick trip to the supermarket
  • Naturally vegan – the ingredients used are plant based. If you are not vegan or vegetarian, simply use normal parmesan or other hard cheese.
Girl is dipping an air fryer garlic fries in a tomato sauce

Ingredients:

Full measurements and method can also be found in the recipe card below.

  • Potatoes

The type of potatoes used are very important for the best fries. Floury potatoes are best and waxy potatoes should be avoided.

In the UK, the best potatoes are Maris Piper or King Edwards. In the US, you can use russet potatoes

All-rounder potatoes work well enough too!

I’ve used strachy potatoes in this Triple Cooked Chips in Air fryer

Garlic Seasoning:

  • Garlic powder – I prefer to use garlic powder compared with fresh garlic as it is much quicker and requires less equipment. Fresh garlic needs to be well minced or pureed and also, the garlic flavour is a bit more mellow with the powder.
  • Vegan/Vegetarian hard cheese – a vegetarian friendly replacement to parmesan cheese
  • Dried Parsley and dried rosemary – you can use fresh also! These herbs can be changed to whichever flavour you fancy.
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Cooking oil spray – you can use an olive oil cooking spray or any other kind of oil that does not have a strong flavour of its own.

Optional

  • Fresh parsley
  • Truffle oil – add a drizzle of truffle oil to make these classic french fries extra fancy!

Soaking the potatoes

Soaking your sliced potatoes is a crucial step for this french fry recipe. This is the best way to get a crispy outside like traditional French fries.

You want to soak the cut potatoes in cold water for around 30 minutes or 1 hour. This process helps to remove starch from the potatoes.

Of course, if you are pushed for time then leave this step out.

How to make Air Fryer Garlic Fries

Thoroughly wash your potatoes in running water. Peel the skin and remove any eyes from the potato

Slice the potato into thin strips. Firstly, slice the potatoes lengthways into layers and then cut into each layer to make thin fries.

Soak fries for around 30 minutes.

Drain the water and pat dry each fry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to absorb the excess moisture.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.

Arrange the fries into a single layer in the air fryer basket and generously spray more cooking oil. Try not to overlap the fries otherwise they will remain soft.

Instead of cooking oil, you can add the potatoes and oil to a large bowl and toss to coat evenly.

Air Fry the freshly cut fries at 200C or 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes to get crispy fries that are beginning to brown.

The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the slices and air fryer used.

At this stage, you can use frozen fries if you wish. Frozen Fries may cook faster so keep an eye on them at the halfway point.

Meanwhile, you can prepare the seasoning – mix together garlic powder, dried parsley and rosemary, vegan hard cheese, salt and pepper in a small bowl

garlic and cheese seasoning in a small bowl

Coat the cooked fries in the seasoning and place back into the air fryer.

Squirt on a little oil as extra.

Air Fry for a further 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Before serving, you can sprinkle a little extra hard cheese if you want

Air fryer garlic fries served in a metal tray with tomato ketchup

How to make Air Fryer Garlic French Fries from frozen

The recipe remains almost the same except you do not need to prep the potatoes.

Air Fryer frozen french fries at 200C for 10 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Coat with the garlic parmesan seasoning and air fryer for an extra minute to melt the cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these crispy garlic fries with your favourite dipping sauce. Some examples include tomato ketchup, garlic aioli or ranch dressing.

I love hot fries alongside veggie burgers, Sundried tomato chickpea cakes, pies, or vegetable stews!

Pizza and fries make for a comforting meal! Try these Air Fryer French Bread Pizzas

Storage

These fries are best eaten straight away but can definitely be stored for later

Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheating in the air fryer is a great way to summon magical crispy crunchy fries all over again!

You can freeze these fries – place on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer into a freezer bag. You can then cook the garlic fries directly from frozen whenever you want. You may need to use a lower temperature like 180C when re-cooking.

Crispy air fryer garlic fries in a metal plate

FAQs

Can I bake homemade garlic fries?

Yes, you can. Bake in a preheated oven at 200C for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. You can follow the same steps as above.

How can I reheat french fries?

Reheat french fries in the air fryer, oven or microwave. The latter will lead to soft fries.

Can I make air fryer garlic fries ahead of time?

You can certainly prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but I recommend air frying just before serving. You can mix the seasoning in advance and also cut and soak the potatoes in advance.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Parsnips

Frozen Spring Rolls in Air Fryer

Donut Holes

Air Fryer Chestnuts

Frozen empanadas in air fryer

Chinese Salt and Pepper Halloumi Fries

Air Fryer Frozen Samosas

Breaded Mushrooms in Air Fryer

Air fryer Baked Potatoes Microwave

Pasta Bake in Air Fryer

Air fryer Cauliflower

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!

Air fryer garlic fries served with ketchup

Air Fryer Garlic Fries (So Crispy)

Hayley Dhanecha
This copycat recipe of the famous Gordon-Biersch garlic fries can be made in your home with minimal efforts. These homemade garlic fries are vegan and can be baked in the oven or the air fryer! Best for dinner, lunch or a delicious snack!
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
soaking time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snacks
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 232 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer
  • 1 Sharp knife
  • 1 Vegetable Peeler
  • 1 Chopping board

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large potatoes
  • 5 tablespoon parmesan cheese vegan hard cheese
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon parsley dried
  • 1 tablespoon rosemary dried
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder/granules
  • 1 tablespoon oil spray

Instructions
 

  • Thoroughly wash your potatoes in running water. Peel the skin and remove any eyes from the potato
    4 large potatoes
  • Slice the potato into thin strips.
  • Soak fries for around 30 minutes.
  • Drain the water and pat dry each fry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to absorb the excess moisture
  • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
    1 tablespoon oil
  • Arrange the fries into a single layer in the air fryer basket and generously spray more cooking oil. Try not to overlap the fries otherwise they will remain soft.
  • Instead of cooking oil, you can add the potatoes and oil to a large bowl and toss to coat evenly.
  • Air Fry the freshly cut fries at 200C or 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes to get crispy fries that are beginning to brown.
  • The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the slices and air fryer used.
  • At this stage, you can use frozen fries if you wish.
  • Meanwhile, you can prepare the seasoning – mix together garlic powder, dried parsley and rosemary, vegan hard cheese, salt and pepper in a small bowl
    5 tablespoon parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 tablespoon rosemary, 1 tablespoon garlic
  • Coat the cooked fries in the seasoning and place back into the air fryer.
  • Squirt on a little oil as extra.
  • Air Fry for a further 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately.
  • Before serving, you can sprinkle a little extra hard cheese if you want.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Garlic Fries (So Crispy)
Serving Size
 
1
Amount per Serving
Calories
232
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
3
mg
1
%
Sodium
 
1245
mg
54
%
Potassium
 
1065
mg
30
%
Carbohydrates
 
44
g
15
%
Fiber
 
6
g
25
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
110
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
50
mg
61
%
Calcium
 
92
mg
9
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator/plugin. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.

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Recipe Rating




Chenee

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

I loved these. They came out so crispy on the outside and perfect on the inside. I dipped them in salad dressing. Yum!

Casey

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

I have made air fryer fries before, but never thought about adding herbs to them. It totally levels up the flavor.

Kim

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

These were amazing with truffle oil on them. I think I ate 90% of them myself!

Beth

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

Recipes like this are why I love my air fryer so much. I can't wait to make these! The seasonings sound fantastic!

Sharon

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

Homemade fries have never been easier or more flavorful! They came out perfectly crispy and the perfect side for burgers.