Restaurant quality fries are possible at home. Yep, even waffle fries. With the right tools, they're easy to make. Not to mention they're delicious and much healthier than their fast food or frozen alternatives. So, go on... make a delicious batch of air fryer waffle fries.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- It's made without industrial seed oils.
- It's low in sodium.
- It's quick and easy. I thought homemade waffle fries would be complicated to make. But, they're not. With an affordable Wave Waffle Cutter, you can make a perfect batch in 30 minutes.
- It's better than oven baked. When baked, waffle fries often turn out a little soggy. But, with an air fryer, waffle fries are a breeze. The air fryer churns out extra crispy, extra delicious fries.
Why is this recipe healthy?
Not only are homemade waffle fries incredibly easy to make with an air fryer, but they're also better for your health. Here are a couple of reasons why:
- They're healthier than restaurant waffle fries. This recipe is made with significantly less oil than restaurant waffle fries because it uses an air fryer instead of a deep fryer. And, the oil that is used in this recipe is a healthier variety. Restaurants generally use cheap, highly processed oils that can lead to inflammation in your body.
- They're healthier than frozen waffle fries. Similarly, frozen fries are deep fried in unhealthy oils prior to freezing. They also tend to have incredibly high sodium levels. Making waffle fries at home lets you control the type of oil and the seasonings that go on your fries. Win-win.
Scroll down to see the printable recipe with nutritional information.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need for these air fryer waffle fries:
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes are your best choice. They are high in starch and low in moisture, meaning they'll be crispier than other varieties. You can swap for another type of potato, with the exception of waxy potatoes like fingerling, white and red.
- Avocado oil: Oil isn't a must in this recipe, but it will help the waffle fries stay tender on the inside while getting crispy on the outside. You can substitute avocado oil for coconut oil or olive oil. The reason I prefer avocado oil is because it has a neutral flavour and a high smoke point, meaning it can handle the high temperatures used in the air fryer.
- Seasonings: You can keep it simple and season with salt and pepper. Or, you can follow my recipe and give these waffles fries a flavour blast by seasoning with a mix of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and oregano.
Scroll down to find the printable recipe with ingredient measurements.
Instructions
Let’s break it down step by step to take any guesswork out of these air fryer waffle fries.
- Use a waffle cutter to slice each potato. I use and love the Swissmar Borner Powerline Wave Waffle Cutter.
- Pour oil on top of waffle fries and toss to combine.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket and add waffle fries to the basket. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket (see recipe notes for more detail).
- Set the timer for 20 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, stir the fries and remove any that are golden and crispy.
- Repeat this process every 3 minutes, until all fries are done. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of your spiralized potatoes and how full your air fryer basket was, but will be somewhere between 12 and 20 minutes.
- While the waffle fries are cooking, combine the seasoning in a small bowl. When all fries are finished cooking, coat with seasoning.
- Enjoy with your favourite dipping sauce or on their own.
Recipe Notes
- Don't crowd the air fryer basket. While the waffle fries don't need to be in a perfect single layer, you also don't want them piled too high on top of each other. The air needs to be able to circulate to generate evenly cooked, crispy fries. Cook in two batches if need be.
- Putting potatoes in a water bath before air frying is optional. However, it helps draw out some of the moisture in the potatoes, resulting in crispier fries. If you want to do this, transfer the uncooked waffles fries into a large bowl and cover with cold water and let sit for 30 minutes. Then, remove the waffle fries from the water and dry thoroughly. The fries will not get crispy if wet.
- Cooking time may vary. Your cooking time is partly determined by how full your air fryer basket is. The more fries that are in there, the longer the cooking time. Be sure to check in often as waffle fries burn fast.
- Stir and flip the fries. This is a key step because it, again, leads to evenly cooked, crispy fries. It's as easy as tossing the basket to move the fries around.
- Enjoy immediately. If fries sit for too long, they get soggy. And, I know that's not what you're after. So, enjoy right away.
How to store
- How to refrigerate: Cool the waffle fries until they reach room temperature, then store in an airtight container that's lined with a paper towel. The napkin will soak up excess moisture and prevent the fries from going soggy in the fridge. Store for up to 5 days.
- How to reheat: Use your air fryer to reheat your waffle fries too. It'll bring back the crispiness that you enjoyed when eating them fresh. To do so, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit then bake the waffle fries for 3 minutes.
For the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions, scroll down to view the recipe card.
Recipe variations
I love the There are plenty of easy customizations you can make. Here are a few of my favourites.
- Use sweet potatoes: Simply swap the russet potato for a sweet potato and you've got sweet potato waffle fries!
- Add spice: There are several ways you can turn up the heat in this healthy waffle fry recipe.
- Add more cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Add chilli powder to the seasoning mix.
- Pair the waffle fries with a spicy dipping sauce. A simple option is to mix mayonnaise with hot sauce to make a spicy aioli.
- Swap the seasoning mix: I included one of my favourite seasoning mixes in the recipe card, but you can use any seasoning you like. Or, you can simplify my recipe by reducing the spices down to garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.
- Make it cheesy: Restaurants are notorious for adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to fries before serving. So, go for it at home too. You can also add parmesan in the final few minutes of cooking so the cheese melts on the fries. Delicious.
Equipment
Here's what you need to make waffle fries in the air fryer:
- Swissmar Borner Powerline Wave Waffle Cutter: You can't make air fryer waffle fries without this kitchen tool. Plus, it's great for making waffle cut vegetables too. I have tried several brands of mandolins and Börner is my favourite. It works well and it's durable.
- Air Fryer: If you don’t own an Air Fryer yet, I highly recommend adding this appliance to your kitchen. It's so simple to use and allows you to create healthy versions of your favourite fried restaurant foods. If you’re still not sure, I actually wrote a piece comparing the air fryer and the pressure cooker, along with air fryers I recommend. Feel free to check it out. But, if you're looking for a quick recommendation, I use and love the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer.
- Pastry brush: Not a must. But, this is super helpful for brushing oil onto the waffle fries.
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Buy Now → FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about how to make homemade waffle fries in airfryer.
If you don't have time to make a fresh batch of fries, you can cook store-bought frozen waffle fries in the air fryer as well. It's as easy as preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees F, placing the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and air frying for 15 minutes. For peak crispiness, flip the fries at the 10 minute mark.
Use oils with a high smoke point that can handle the high temperatures used in air frying. Good (and healthy) options include coconut oil and avocado oil. Olive oil can be used as well, but avoid the extra virgin variety. Check out this post to learn everything you need to know about using oil in the air fryer.
Russet potatoes are the best potato for waffle fries. They have low moisture and high starch properties that make them crisp up best.
If you end up with leftovers, don't throw them away. You can use your air fryer to reheat the waffle fries when you're ready to enjoy them. To do so, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, add the leftover fries to the basket, spritz with a light coating of oil, then air fry for 3 minutes. This will bring back the crisp you enjoyed when they were served.
How to serve
To complete the meal, serve your air fryer waffle fries with a piece of healthy protein. Some of my favourite combinations are below.
- Healthy chicken tenders and fries: Pair these waffle fries with my air fryer chicken fries for a lightened up version of the fast food favourite.
- Steak and fries. Pair these waffle fries with my sous vide flank steak for a unique twist on the french favourite.
- Modern fish and chips: Pair these fries with my air fryer tilapia for a healthy twist on the english classic. I even have a keto tartar sauce for you to enjoy them with.
Check out these easy healthy recipes below.
Similar recipes
Air fryer french fries come in many forms. You can use your air fryer to make them fresh, cook from frozen, or even reheat your leftovers. Check out the recipes I hand selected for you below or peruse through my entire collection of easy air fryer recipes here.
If you make these air fryer waffle fries, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment. Don't forget to tag @caiteyjay on Instagram or @caiteyjay on Pinterest so I can see your creations.
Print
Air Fryer Waffle Fries
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Restaurant quality fries are possible at home. Yep, even waffle fries. With the right tools, they're easy to make. Not to mention they're delicious and much healthier than their fast food or frozen alternatives. So, go on... make a delicious batch.
Ingredients
- 1 lb russet potatoes (roughly 2 medium potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Use a waffle cutter to slice each potato. I use and love the Swissmar Borner Powerline Wave Waffle Cutter.
- Pour oil on top of waffle fries and toss to combine.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket and add waffle fries to the basket. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket (see recipe notes for more detail).
- Set the timer for 20 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, stir the fries and remove any that are golden and crispy.
- Repeat this process every 3 minutes, until all fries are done. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of your spiralized potatoes and how full your air fryer basket was, but will be somewhere between 12 and 20 minutes.
- While the waffle fries are cooking, combine the seasoning in a small bowl. When all fries are finished cooking, coat with seasoning.
- Enjoy with your favourite dipping sauce or on their own.
Notes
- Don't crowd the air fryer basket. While the waffle fries don't need to be in a perfect single layer, you also don't want them piled too high on top of each other. The air needs to be able to circulate to generate evenly cooked, crispy fries. Cook in two batches if need be.
- Cooking time may vary. Your cooking time is partly determined by how full your air fryer basket is. The more fries that are in there, the longer the cooking time. Use my cooking time as a guide, but be sure to check in on the doneness in the final minutes.
- Don't forget to flip the fries. This is a key step because it, again, leads to evenly cooked, crispy fries. It's as easy as tossing the basket to move the fries around.
- Serve immediately. If fries sit for too long, they get soggy. And, I know that's not what you're after. So, enjoy right away.
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