4.95 from 34 votes
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Garlic Parmesan French Fries (Best Air Fryer Recipe)

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Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries are a quick and easy homemade French fry that is seasoned with garlic and parmesan. These garlic parmesan fries are a must make, and taste just as good as your favorite restaurant.

Garlic parmesan fries on a plate.

Have you made garlic fries in the air fryer? They are crispy on the outside, and light and fluffy potato centers. These homemade fries are a satisfying air fryer French fry recipe you don’t want to miss out on.

Want more delicious garlic recipes to try out?  If you loved this recipe, and you’d like some more garlic recipes, why not try these simple cheesy garlic bread rolls? Or make some compound garlic butter to use on anything from pizza to potatoes.

Looking for more potato recipes? Try some cheesy bacon potatoes as a delicious side dish. Or for another air fryer recipe, try these mashed potato bites with bacon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe…

  • Quick and Convenient: In just minutes, the air fryer transforms slices of potato into crispy, golden French fries, making it perfect for a fast and delicious easy side dish.
  • Healthier Option: Using less oil than traditional frying methods, these garlic parmesan fries are a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste.
  • Versatile Flavor: The combination of garlic and parmesan offers a sophisticated flavor profile that elevates this dish from a simple snack to an elegant side.
  • Customizable: Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic or parmesan to suit your taste preferences, making this recipe easily adaptable to everyone’s liking.

What’s in This Garlic Parmesan French Fries Recipe?

Ingredients for garlic parmesan fries sitting on a countertop.
  • Potatoes: The star of the recipe, potatoes are sliced and air-fried until crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Choose firm, fresh potatoes for the best texture.
  • Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the potatoes and the garlic-parmesan seasoning, balancing the dish’s taste.
  • Oil: A small amount of oil ensures that the fries get that desirable crispy exterior without requiring deep frying. Olive oil or any light vegetable oil works perfectly for this easy recipe.
  • Minced Garlic: Adds a sharp, aromatic flavor that pairs wonderfully with the earthy taste of the potatoes. Freshly minced garlic is recommended for the best flavor infusion.
  • Fresh Parsley: Provides a fresh, herbal note that brightens the fries and adds a pop of color. Finely chopped parsley sprinkled over the fries makes them visually appealing and flavorfully balanced.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Cheese Variations: While parmesan cheese is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other hard cheeses such as Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or even sharp cheddar for a different twist on flavor.
  • Herb Options: If parsley isn’t your favorite, try substituting it with other fresh herbs such as dill, rosemary, thyme, or herbs de Provence to add a unique taste to your fries.
  • Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper along with the garlic parmesan seasoning mix.
  • Sweet Potato Alternative: If you’re looking for a sweeter version or a way to incorporate more beta-carotene into your diet, replace the regular potatoes with sweet potatoes. Follow the same preparation and cooking instructions for sweet potato fries.

How To Make Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries (step-by-step directions)

French fries inside the air fryer, and a plate of garlic parmesan fries.
  1. Peel and slice the potato into your desired thickness for fries.
  2. In a bowl, toss the sliced potatoes with oil to evenly coat. Season with salt and pepper. (Photo 1)
  3. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook according to the air fryer’s instructions.
  4. Once cooked and crispy, remove the hot fries from the air fryer and sprinkle with parmesan, minced garlic, and finely chopped parsley for garnish. (Photos 2 & 3)
  5. Serve the freshly made Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries immediately. (Photo 4)
Garlic parmesan fries with potatoes on the sides sitting on a countertop.

Recipe Tips

  • If you would like you can leave the skins on the potatoes. I prefer the potatoes peeled for fries.
  • Depending on how thin or thick the fries are, the cooking time will vary.
  • For the best results make sure to not overlap the potato slices in the air fryer, or it will give you uneven cooking on the fries.
  • Feel free to toss the fries as they cook to help ensure an even cook on all sides of the fries.

Alternative Cooking Methods

For those without an air fryer, oven baking provides an excellent alternative cooking method for making these Garlic Parmesan French Fries. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and follow the preparation steps as described above. 

Spread the seasoned potato slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are not overlapping to allow for even cooking. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until crispy and golden, turning the fries halfway through the baking time. 

Once done, proceed with adding the parmesan, minced garlic, and parsley as instructed. This method yields fries that are just as delicious, with a satisfyingly crisp texture.

Storing Tips 

Garlic Parmesan homemade French Fries are best enjoyed fresh, but if you find yourself with leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place the cooled fries in an airtight container to maintain their texture as best as possible. 

Though freezing is possible, it’s not recommended as it can significantly alter the texture, making them softer once reheated.

To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the fries for 3-5 minutes, or until they’re heated through and crisp once again. You can also reheat them in the oven; spread the fries on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 5-10 minutes. Reheating in the air fryer or oven helps restore the fries’ original crispy texture, unlike microwaving, which can result in soft fries.

Serving Suggestions

These Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries pair perfectly with a variety of dishes, making them a versatile side. Serve them alongside a juicy grilled steak, a cheeseburger slider, or your favorite club sandwich for a fulfilling meal. They also complement lighter options like grilled chicken, fish, or a fresh salad. 

For an appetizer spread, consider offering them with a dipping sauce, such as ketchup, a warm reuben dip, or a spicy hummus, allowing guests to customize their flavors. 

Close up of garlic parmesan fries.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use olive oil in an air fryer for french fries?

The issue with olive oil is it has a low heat tolerance. This means if it gets too hot it will smoke quite a bit. For making fries I recommend using a canola or vegetable oil. If you use olive oil just know it can make it smoke quite a bit as you are cooking the fries.

Why are my french fries soft?

If you run into your fries being soft, that means you need to cook them longer. Just place the fries back in the air fryer and cook another few minutes. Check the fries, and if they still need more time, return them. You will find shoestring fries cook quickly, whereas steak fries take a lot longer to fully cook fries.

Do I need to cook potatoes first before the air fryer?

Unlike some baked fry recipes, you do not need to boil the potatoes before you air fry. The air fryer helps to eliminate the excess steps, without compromising the flavor.

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Fries topped with parmesan cheese on a glass plate.
4.95 from 34 votes

Garlic Parmesan French Fries (Best Air Fryer Recipe)


Author: Kim Schob
Course: Air Fryer, Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
These Garlic Parmesan French Fries (Best Air Fryer Recipe) are a must make. Loaded with flavor in each bite. 

Equipment

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Peel and slice the potato into your desired thickness for fries.
    potato
  • In a bowl, toss the sliced potatoes with oil to evenly coat. Season with salt and pepper.
    ½ tablespoon Salt,½ tablespoon black pepper,1 tablespoon oil
  • Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook according to the air fryer’s instructions.
  • Once cooked and crispy, remove the hot fries from the air fryer and sprinkle with parmesan, minced garlic, and finely chopped parsley for garnish.
    1 tablespoon minced garlic,½ tablespoon parsley,1 cup parmesan cheese
  • Serve the freshly made Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer French Fries immediately.

Notes

  • If you would like you can leave the skins on the potatoes. I prefer the potatoes peeled for fries.
  • Depending on how thin or thick the fries are, the cooking time will vary.
  • For the best results make sure to not overlap the potato slices in the air fryer, or it will give you uneven cooking on the fries.
  • Feel free to toss the fries as they cook to help ensure an even cook on all sides of the fries.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 536kcal (27%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 37g (74%) Fat: 40g (62%) Saturated Fat: 17g (106%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g Monounsaturated Fat: 16g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 68mg (23%) Sodium: 5093mg (221%) Potassium: 176mg (5%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 967IU (19%) Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Vitamin D: 1µg (7%) Calcium: 1217mg (122%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

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4.95 from 34 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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47 Comments

  1. I don’t have an air fryer, but I do make something similar to this in my oven. I love making homemade fries.

  2. This looks delicious and easy to make. Very timely since we just got a new airfryer. Can’t wait to try it. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

  3. 5 stars
    I have pinned this recipe to make for myself 😉 I love this and I am always looking for new Air Fryer recipes to make for my family 😉

  4. Yea! We tried fresh potatoes and was dry at 1st but when we put some butter and oil in that air fryer with some herbs and spices? it did work, thanks for sharing!

  5. This looks awesome! we have the air fryer but we don’t make a lot of fries ahah. Seeing this, I need to make more haha. Thank you for sharing!

  6. Ohhh, haven’t tried to make fries from actual potatoes, only from pre-cut ones we we from the grocery. Should try this one out quick!

    1. 5 stars
      Yes, it would be best if you tried making fries with fresh potatoes… When you do, I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for coming by, Christian