Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries

Get ready for the crispiest Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries ever! Picture a crunchy exterior giving way to a heavenly, melt-in-your-mouth center, all coated in garlic + Parmesan sauce for an incredible flavor burst. Perfect as a family-friendly side, appetizer, or snack, these homemade fries disappear in seconds, especially when paired with your favorite dipping sauce. They're so good—they'll vanish into thin air! Gluten-free with an oven-baked option.

Get set to jazz up your fry game with these amazing Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries—They are up there with the best fries I have ever made and y'all know I have a ton of fry recipes! With their crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and mouthwatering garlic butter creamy parmesan topping, they're flavor-packed. Perfect as a side dish, snack, or game-day appetizer, they're guaranteed to steal the show at any gathering!

I chose to whip these up in my air fryer for quick + easy cooking, but they turn out just as delicious in a regular oven! If you're a fry lover like me (I take fries seriously, Haha!), you've got to try some of my other favorites like Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Potato Wedges or Crispy Cajun Sweet Potato Fries if you're into spicy. For a classic vibe, Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries and Crispiest Jumbo Garlic Herb Fries are always a hit.

Okay, back to this fry recipe—get ready to be wowed by these Parmesan fries! They're guaranteed crispy, no soggy fries here, I promise. It's simple, needing just a handful of ingredients, and that creamy, buttery Parmesan sauce? It's sure to become a staple in your dipping lineup. Plus, these fries are the ideal sidekick to so many meals, the perfect game day snack, and loved by adults, kids, and everyone in between!

Why You Will Completely LOVE Parmesan French Fries

• Crispy exterior, tender interior – the perfect potato texture.
• Bursting with garlicky + parmesan flavors!
• Ideal side dish + snack for the whole family to enjoy!
• Versatile--complements various main courses.
• A total crowd-pleaser at gatherings and dinner parties.
• Elevates your potato game to a whole new level!!

How To Make Garlic Parmesan French Fries

The secret to achieving that mouthwatering crispiness with these potatoes lies in the prep work. We start by cutting them into perfect fry-like shapes with a sharp knife. Then, we soak them in ice-cold water, allowing them to fully dry afterward. After that comes the magic touch – a drizzle of oil and a generous amount of seasonings. Finally, it's all about popping them in the air-fryer (or oven) to crisp up to perfection.

Ingredients

Here's the simple list of what you need for this Parmesan French Fries recipe:

• Potatoes. You can use Russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, or Yukon
• Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Cornstarch. This helps to create a super crispy exterior.
• Herbs + seasonings. Garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano + dried thyme.
• Grated parmesan cheese. The delicious cheesy star of the show.

GARLIC PARMESAN SAUCE:

• Unsalted butter. I love using organic butter from Organic Valley.
• Garlic. Minced cloves!
• Organic heavy cream. This gives the sauce the perfect creamy consistency.
• Grated parmesan cheese. It adds a bold, savory taste and creates a luscious, cheesy texture that coats the fries beautifully.
• Sea salt + black pepper. For the perfect balance of saltiness and spice.
• Garlic powder. Adds depth + complexity to each bite.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE FRENCH FRIES!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Garlic Parmesan French Fries recipe. Everything from my air fryer, baking pans, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Tips for PERFECTLY CRISPY Fries Everytime

These are my top tips to make sure your Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries are as crisp as possible:

• Cut the potatoes to equal sizes as much as possible. This way, they cook at the same rate. In this case, you’ll be cutting them rather large.
• Soak the potatoes for at least 20 minutes in cool water. This removes excess starch on the outside of the potatoes that prevent them from crisping up. 
• Let the potatoes dry for at least 30 minutes (an hour is even better). moisture is the enemy of crispiness! For good measure, blot them dry with a towel as well. 
• Don’t be afraid to season well!
• Let the air fryer or oven come fully to temperature before you add the wedges to the air fryer/oven. It needs to be a nice and hot environment.
• Spread the potato pieces out well on the air fryer basket or baking sheet lined with wire rack to let the hot air circulate around each individual fry. 

Do I Really Need to Soak Them?

YES! Soaking the potatoes is key to getting those crispy fries in the air fryer. It helps remove excess starch, ensuring your fries come out perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Skipping this step might leave you with fries that are a bit limp and lacking that ideal texture. If you want that irresistible combo of crispiness and tenderness, soaking is definitely a must-do step.

What Are The Best Potatoes For French Fries?

The top contenders for potatoes are Russet or Idaho potatoes. However, you can also make french fries using large Yukon potatoes as well as sweet potatoes for a nice twist!

Best Condiments To Dip Parmesan Fries Into

Dipping these fries is a must and while there are many options out there if you don't want to limit yourself to just the creamy garlic parmesan sauce, I highly recommend serving these fries with any of the following:

• Ketchup
• In-N-Out Sauce
• Vegan Mayo
• Creamy Avocado Pesto Mayo Sauce
• Green Goddess Dressing
• Vegan Ranch Sauce
• Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing
• Chili Sauce
• Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
• Honey Mustard 
• Tartar Sauce
• Creamy Chipotle Dressing/Sauce!
• Burger Sauce + more!

How To Serve Parmesan French Fries

These homemade Parmesan French Fries are so incredibly tasty that they can stand tall as a delicious snack all by themselves. They're a crunchy and satisfying treat that will have you reaching for more.

But if you want a little more, consider pairing them with these delightful options:

BURGERS + SANDWICHES:

Match the crave-worthy crunch of the parmesan fries with a juicy, flavorful burger or sandwich. It's a match made in culinary heaven! Try alongside this Vegan Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, Jerk Turkey Burger, Southern-Style Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich or this vegan-friendly Vegan 'Tuna' Melt Sandwich.

WINGS:

Serve with another favorite side like these juicy tender, Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, Orange Chicken Wings or with a veggie alternative like Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Wings or Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings.

LOADED POTATO FRIES:

Go all out by loading these potato wedges with toppings like melted cheese, crispy candied bacon bits, herb roasted tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream. It's a flavor explosion that combines the indulgence of comfort food with the irresistible crunch of crispy potatoes. Use this Loaded Potatoes with Spicy Beans or this Meatless Buffalo Ranch Kettle Chip Nachos for inspiration!

Can I Bake These French Fries In The Oven?

Yes, of course! Just preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. After all of the initial prep, cut, + soak steps, transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes or until fries are golden and crispy. NOTE: Test the doneness of potatoes by seeing how soft they are and how golden the edges become. If they are tender then they are done.

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries Q + A's

More Crowd-Pleasing Sides + Snacks

Now that you've fallen in love with the Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries try these other delicious sides + snack recipes for the entire family:

• Crispy Baked Sticky Orange Cauliflower Bites
• Gluten-Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits
• Garlic Herb Smashed Potatoes
• Crispy Vegan Ranch Popcorn Cauliflower Bites
• Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
• Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this oven-baked Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries

February 7, 2024 •

By Shanika

5 from 1 vote

Get ready for the crispiest Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries ever! Picture a crunchy exterior giving way to a heavenly, melt-in-your-mouth center, all coated in garlic and Parmesan for an incredible flavor burst. Perfect as a family-friendly side, appetizer, or snack, these homemade fries disappear in seconds, especially when paired with your favorite dipping sauce. They're so good—they'll vanish into thin air! Gluten-free with an oven-baked option.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Serves: 6 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

Pin It Print It

Ingredients

FRIES:

• 4 medium potatoes, cut into ¼-inch thick lengthwise (You can use Russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, or Yukon)
• 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsps cornstarch
• 2 tsps garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

GARLIC PARMESAN SAUCE:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ½ cups organic heavy cream
• ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

PREP + SOAK POTATOES:

• Rinse and pat dry each potato and cut lengthways into halves and then in halves lengthways again, and then one last time----this should create a medium-thick "stick-like" shape. You should have about 6-8 pieces of fries (aka "sticks") when done for each potato. Repeat until all potatoes are cut.
• In a bowl, add cold water until ¾ filled along with a few ice cubes and salt to keep things cold. Add cut potatoes into bowl and let soak for 20 minutes.
• Once soak time is complete, drain potatoes and pat dry thoroughly before adding them unto a flat surface (i.e. countertop, cutting board, etc.) lined with paper towels for them to "dry" out for a bit (about 30-minutes to 1 hour). NOTE: This process helps them to be extra crispy when baked.

COOK THE FRIES:

• Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to keep the fries from sticking.
• Add the dry cut slices of potatoes into a large bowl along with the olive oil, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and grated parmesan cheese, mixing everything together with your hands until fries are full coated.
• Transfer the fries to the prepared basket and cook for 10-15 minutes or until fries are golden and crispy. NOTE: Test the doneness of potatoes by seeing how soft they are and how golden the edges become. If they are tender then they are done.

TO MAKE THE GARLIC PARMESAN SAUCE:

• In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter until melted. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream, grated parmesan, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, stirring until combined. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit. Remove from heat.
• Serve by adding additional grated parmesan (if desired) and top with garlic parmesan sauce or add it in a dipping bowl on the side.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

STORAGE: Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, simply add leftovers (without the sauce) to a freezer safe ziplock bag or container and keep frozen for up to 10 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 698mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1256IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 206mg | Iron: 1mg

DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?

Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea

Love this Post? SHARE!