Air Fryer Steak Fries

If you’re looking for a side dish or a snack, air fryer steak fries are a tasty option. They’re really simple to cook in the air fryer, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re cooking frozen fries or making them from scratch.

How to cook steak fries in an air fryer

You can’t go wrong with steak fries. Whether you pair them with steak, chicken breast, or fish, or just serve them as a snack with a dipping sauce they will always be popular. 

One of the best ways to cook steak fries is with an air fryer. It’s quick and easy and provides you with the best seasoned steak fries you’ll ever taste. Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. 

Air frying is a great way to cook potato snacks or sides, some other great recipes to try are: air fryer roast potatoes, air fryer sweet potato wedges, and air fryer zucchini fries. 

Scroll down for the printable recipe card for these seasoned air fryer steak fries, or read on for all the details. 

What do you need to make steak fries in an air fryer

Steak fries are thick-cut potato fries (or thick-cut chips), which as often seasoned. This recipe is versatile, you can make it from scratch using potatoes, or you can use frozen steak fries. 

Air fryer steak fries from scratch

To make these steak fries from scratch, you need some large russet potatoes. If you don’t have russet you can use any variety marked for baking or roasting.

Unsurprisingly, the key to getting steak fries that are perfectly fluffy on the inside is to use a fluffy variety of potato! 

Air fryer steak fries from frozen

You can also make this recipe using frozen steak fries. Some good brands are Ore-Ida or McCain.

Just be sure to note whether they already have seasoning on them, and adjust the seasoning you add accordingly. If they already contain salt don’t add any more (unless you like them extra salty), but you can still add the other seasoning ingredients if you wish. 

Seasoning (optional)

The seasoning I use for this recipe is my family’s preferred blend, but please feel free to use your favorite seasoning blend (try Italian seasoning, or Cajun), or skip the seasoning if you prefer plain steak fries. 

The seasoning I use is a mix of: 

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Kosher salt – you could substitute garlic salt, and leave out the garlic powder 

Oil

If you are making these steak fries from scratch then you will need to add some oil. Frozen steak fries don’t need extra oil added (as they usually have oil already), but adding a bit of extra oil will give you extra crispy steak fries.

I normally use light olive oil when cooking in my air fryer, however, you can use any cooking oil with a high smoke point. Vegetable oil or avocado oil are both good options. 

Note: avoid using extra virgin olive oil as this recipe cooks at a high temperature, and it is likely to cause your air fryer to smoke. 

Directions

How to make air fryer steak fries from scratch

• Cut the potatoes lengthways into long wide fries, approximately 3/4 inch wide and 1/3 inch thick. 
• Soak the fries in cold water for 20-30 minutes. This helps to remove the excess starch left on the surface when the potatoes are cut (which stops them crisping up). 
• Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
• Toss the fries in oil, or spray with oil for a lighter version.  
• Mix seasoning in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the fries, again tossing to coat fries thoroughly. 
• Place fries in air fryer basket 

How to make air fryer steak fries from frozen

To make this recipe with frozen fries, mix the seasoning in a bowl, then add the frozen steak fries. 

Toss to coat, and then air fry, before the fries start to defrost. You want to air fry them from frozen to ensure they get crispy during cooking, so prepare them right before you are ready to cook them in the air fryer. 

How long to cook steak fries in the air fryer

Air fry steak fries at 360°F/ 200°C, shaking the basket every 7-8 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. 

Estimated cook times:

• Steak fries frim scratch: 15-20 minutes
• Steak fries from frozen: 20-25 minutes

The actual cooking time depends on the size of the fries, and how powerful your air fryer is. If the fries aren’t as crispy as you would like, air fry for additional 5-minute intervals until they are cooked. 

Serving ideas

• Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, try barbecue sauce bbq sauce
• Pile up with your favorite toppings, nacho-style. Try salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese. 
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese when the fries are fresh out of the air fryer so that it melts onto the fries. 

Storing and reheating 

Store any leftover steak fries in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Reheat steak fries in the air fryer. Place them in the air fryer basket and reheat at 360°F/ 180°C for 6-8 minutes. Shake the basket to redistribute the fries halfway through the cooking time. 

Air fryer steak fries recipe card

You may also like:

• Air fryer frozen potato wedges 
• Air fryer tater tots
• Air fryer curly fries
• Air fryer waffle fries
• Air fryer zucchini fries