These three-ingredient waffle fries are super crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Who knew that making waffle fries at home was this easy??
I don’t know what it is about waffle fries, but they’re so much more fun to eat than regular fries. We love ordering them whenever we go out to eat as a family. One day, I decided to make them at home with my air fryer, and I’ve never looked back!
Not only does the air fryer massively cut back on the amount of oil used (while still producing crispy results), it’s less messy and way easier to manage than a deep fryer. My boys devoured these waffle fries, and I know that your family will love them too! Serve the fries hot and steaming with tzatziki sauce (my favorite), tartar sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch, or ketchup.
Craving a crunch? These air fryer potato chips are one of our most popular recipes!
Air Fryer Waffle Fries Video
How To Make Air Fryer Waffle Fries
Don’t let the shape intimidate you! Waffle fries are crazy easy to make — just follow these simple steps, and the air fryer does the rest.
- Slice and soak the potatoes: Slice the potatoes using a waffle fry cutter or mandoline. Place the slices in a bowl of cold water and soak them for 30–45 minutes.
- Toss the potatoes with oil and seasonings: Drain the potato slices and dry them very well, then toss them with oil, salt, and any other seasonings you prefer.
- Air fry the potatoes: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, then cook them for 18–22 minutes, shaking the basket every 5–7 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400°F for the last few minutes. Sprinkle the fries with extra salt if desired and serve them hot.
Hot tip: To make your fries extra crispy, lightly dust the potato slices with a bit of cornstarch before adding the oil.
Tips For the Best Waffle Fries
Starch and moisture are the enemies of good fries. To achieve the same crisp as your favorite takeout fries, apply these tips that I’ve learned from experience.
- Cut the waffle fries correctly. Although you can totally make these waffle fries without any special tools, this crinkle cutter is my favorite. Watch the video above to see how I use it!
- Soak the potato slices in cold water. Use very cold water (preferably ice water) to draw out as much starch as possible from the potatoes. Aim for a soaking time of 45 minutes for perfectly crispy fries.
- Dry the potato slices thoroughly. Residual moisture is the #1 reason why fries get soggy. Press down on the soaked potato slices firmly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to get as much moisture out as possible.
- Toss the fries with oil evenly. Each fry should have a light coating of oil — too little oil can lead to dry fries, while too much oil can make them limp and greasy.
- Play around with the seasonings. Jazz up your fries with garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne for a kick. To dress up the fries after cooking, toss them with fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary, or add freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket. If the fries are stacked too deep, they’ll steam instead of crisp up. Cook the fries in batches for the best results.
- Increase the temperature towards the end. Starting the air fryer at 380°F initially helps the fries to cook through evenly, while a short finish at 400°F gets them super crispy.
- Keep an eye on the fries during the last few minutes. Every air fryer is different, so watch the fries when you turn up the heat to prevent them from burning.
Storage & Reheating
These waffle fries are so mouthwatering that they never last long in our house. If you manage to have leftovers, here are the next steps to take.
- Refrigerator: To store for up to five days, allow the fries to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheating: Pop the leftovers back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes to bring back the crunch.
More Fry Recipes
- 15-Minute Air Fryer French Fries — An effortless snack or side dish
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries — Super crispy and a delicious way to use up zucchini
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries — Made with only four ingredients!
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges — Perfect for those who prefer thicker wedges (the more potato, the better)
Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice the potatoes using a waffle fry cutter or mandoline, rotating 90 degrees between slices.
- Place the slices in a bowl of cold water and soak them for 30–45 minutes. Drain the water and pat the potato slices very dry with paper towels.
- Toss the potatoes with olive oil, sea salt, and any other seasonings you like.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket.
- Cook the fries for 18–22 minutes, shaking the basket every 5–7 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400°F for the last 2–3 minutes.
- Sprinkle the fries with extra salt if desired and serve them hot. Enjoy!
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