Air Fryer French Fries

Ingredients

• 2 large russet potatoes, about 1 1/2 lb total
• 1 tbsp neutral oil
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to finish
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley, optional
• Ketchup, for serving

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Scrub or peel the potatoes, square off rounded sides if desired, and cut them into evenly sized sticks about one-quarter inch thick.
2. Step 2.Rinse the cut potatoes under cold water, then soak them in a large bowl of cold water for at least 20 minutes to remove surface starch.
3. Step 3.Drain the potatoes thoroughly and dry every surface with clean towels; lingering water creates steam and prevents a crisp exterior.
4. Step 4.Preheat the air fryer to 380°F, then toss the dry potato sticks with oil, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until lightly coated.
5. Step 5.Arrange the potatoes in a loose layer in the basket, cooking in two batches when necessary so hot air can circulate around every fry.
6. Step 6.Air-fry for 10 minutes, pull out the basket, and shake vigorously to turn and separate fries that have begun sticking together.
7. Step 7.Continue cooking for 8 to 12 minutes, shaking every 4 minutes, until the fries are deeply golden with crisp edges and tender centers.
8. Step 8.Transfer immediately to a wide bowl, season while hot, add parsley if desired, and serve at once with ketchup before the crust softens.