Fries with Parmesan, Thyme, Garlic (Easy Air Fryer Recipe)
These air-fryer French fries are so simple to make. Consisting of Maris Piper or Russet potatoes (cut into 1/3-inch batonnet shapes), tossed in oil, salt, and garlic powder before air frying, and then tossed with thyme, grated parmesan, and black pepper, they are perfect for any occasion.
You can make them as a side for a big spread or family celebration with other appetizers. You could also serve them with these chicken breasts marinated in yogurt, any of these juicy burgers, or these pesto chicken wraps for a tasty lunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s get started with the ingredients board. You will need the following:
- Potatoes – 2 lb potatoes (3 large potatoes, preferably Maris Piper or Russet potatoes)
- Salt – 1/2 tsp kosher salt or flaky sea salt
- Pepper – 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Thyme – 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- Garlic Powder – 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Oil – 1 tbsp light olive oil (or your preferred oil for roasting/air frying)
- Parmesan – 2 tbsp grated parmesan (preferably grated at home from a parmesan wedge)
Simple Instructions with Photos
Step 1. Peel the potatoes. Cut into 1 cm (1/3-inch)-thick batonnets and add to a bowl with cold water. Let them soak in cold water for about 30 minutes.
Note: Soaking them in water removes the excess starches, improving crispiness and promoting even cooking. When I’m in a rush and making these for a casual family dinner, I skip this step but they really do come out better if you soak them in water for 30 minutes. At the very least, rinse them well in cold water.
Step 2. Drain the potatoes (rinsing them with clean cold water) and dry them well with a clean kitchen towel.
Step 3. Toss the potatoes with oil, salt, and garlic powder.
Step 4. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F/ 190°C for 3 minutes.
Step 5. Add the potatoes (in one layer) to the air fryer. Air fry until cooked, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. For 1/3-inch fries at 380°F/ 190°C it takes about 15 minutes (more or less depending on your air fryer/basket size/how full the basket is).
Step 6. Toss the cooked fries with black pepper, thyme, parmesan, and, optionally, more salt to taste (if needed).
Note: I like to use Maldon sea salt flakes as a finishing salt for dishes like this.
Serving Ideas
There are plenty of great ways to serve these fries, depending on your occasion. You could serve them on a platter, family-style, or you could go for a restaurant feel by putting them in a cylindrical container lined with grease-proof paper for people who love to grab and dunk.
Alternatively, you could go for a classic basket, like the one I have below.
These fries have a wonderfully crisp texture and they are great for all occasions. If you made them and the family enjoyed them, let me know in a review below, and also what the occasion was.
More Potato Dishes
Put your air fryer to good use with these potato bites with lemon aioli, these delightful parmesan baby potatoes, and this ‘air-fried’ baked potato with sour cream and chives. All of these can be done in the air fryer, and all make for hearty and tasty sides.
Some of my other favorite potato sides include these lemon parmesan oven-roasted potato bites, these lemon-garlic butter new potatoes, these crispy potato skins with pancetta, or a generous side of this baked cheesy mashed potato. There’s plenty here to feed a big crowd, whatever the occasion.
All-in-One Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 2 lb potatoes 3 large potatoes, preferably Maris Piper, King Edward, or Russet/Idaho potatoes
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt or flaky sea salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp light olive oil or your preferred oil for roasting/air frying
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan preferably grated at home from a parmesan wedge
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes. Cut into 1 cm (1/3-inch)-thick batonnets and add to a bowl with cold water. Let them soak in cold water for about 30 minutes. Note: Soaking them in water removes the excess starches, improving crispiness and promoting even cooking. When I’m in a rush and making these for a casual family dinner, I skip this step but they really do come out better if you soak them in water for 30 minutes. At the very least, rinse them well in cold water.
- Drain the potatoes (rinsing them with clean cold water) and dry them well with a clean kitchen towel.
- Toss the potatoes with oil, salt, and garlic powder.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F/ 190°C for 3 minutes.
- Add the potatoes (in one layer) to the air fryer. Air fry until cooked, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. For 1/3-inch fries at 380°F/ 190°C it takes about 15 minutes (more or less depending on your air fryer/basket size/how full the basket is).
- Toss the cooked fries with black pepper, thyme, parmesan, and, optionally, more salt to taste (if needed).
Want to make these air fryer fries? Don’t forget to save this recipe to one of your boards, ready for the next time you go grocery shopping.
