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Transform ordinary potatoes into crispy, golden Garlic Parmesan French Fries using your air fryer! This easy 30-minute recipe delivers restaurant-quality fries with aromatic garlic and savory parmesan cheese that’ll have your family begging for more.

🍟 Ready in just 30 minutes, these crispy fries are perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick potato side dish. The air fryer cuts cooking time significantly compared to traditional oven methods.
My 2 Best Tips For Making Garlic Parmesan French Fries
Cut Uniformly for Even Cooking: Keep your fries roughly the same size – about ½ inch thick – to ensure even cooking. Inconsistent sizes will result in some fries being overcooked while others remain underdone. A french fry cutter makes this part so easy and minimizes prep time—totally worth it if you cut vegetables in this shape and size a lot!
Shake It Up: Be sure to do the halfway stir – it helps with even cooking and prevents the fries from sticking together. Set a timer to remind yourself (or use the function on your air fryer if it has one), and give the basket a good shake or use tongs to redistribute the fries!

🩷 Melissa
Why I Love This Recipe!
- It uses only 1 tablespoon of olive oil, just a fraction of deep-fried versions, but you still getting that perfect golden crunch.
- You can get crispy, restaurant-quality french fries at home. And it’s so easy in the air fryer that even the kids can be shown how to do it!
- It’s fun to switch up the flavor! Add paprika for smokiness, seasoning salt for extra flavor, or melt cheddar cheese on top for ultimate indulgence. The possibilities are endless!

Garlic Parmesan French Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes, washed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer 400°F.
- Cut the potatoes into thin wedges or traditional French fry shape, and place in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes, and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle in the garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Place in the air fryer basket and fry for 20 to 25 minutes (10 – 15 minutes for smaller french fries), until golden and crispy, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Top with the parsley (if using), and serve warm.
Notes
- Change up the flavor by adding paprika, seasoning salt, or onion powder.
- You can also sprinkle these fries with some cheddar cheese immediately after they are done cooking for added deliciousness.
Nutrition
How To Make Garlic Parmesan French Fries In The Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer 400°F. Cut the potatoes into thin wedges or traditional French fry shape, and place in a large bowl.
Step 2: Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes, and toss to coat. Sprinkle in the garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Place in the air fryer basket and fry for 10-12 minutes, then stir the fries and spread back out.
Step 4: Finish cooking another 10-12 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Top with the parsley (if using), and serve warm.

Recipe FAQs
While russet potatoes work best due to their high starch content and fluffy interior, you can substitute with Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture. Avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes, as they won’t achieve the same crispy exterior.
Though it’s not required for this recipe, soaking cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes can help remove excess starch and create even crispier fries. Pat them completely dry before tossing with oil and seasonings.
Yes, but cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and less crispy results. Each batch should have fries in a single layer with space for air circulation.
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