Since I started using my air fryer, I’ve been experimenting with healthier takes on my favorite deep-fried dishes. Fries are at the top of that list — golden, crispy potatoes are comfort food at its best. Paired with vegan cheese, they become even more indulgent. These cheesy air fryer fries are easy to make and perfect when you want that deep-fried taste with far less oil.
I save deep frying for special occasions because it demands attention and the right oil temperature, and it uses a lot of oil. The air fryer, by contrast, needs only a little oil and a quick shake of the basket now and then. That makes it ideal for busy evenings; once the fries are in the basket, the air fryer does most of the work while you prepare a sauce or a side.
How to make crispy air fryer fries
The key to extra-crispy air fryer fries is soaking the cut potatoes first. Soaking removes surface starch, preventing them from sticking together and helping them crisp up. You can soak the potatoes for an hour; doing this in the morning saves time later. After soaking, rinse and dry them thoroughly — removing moisture is essential to avoid soggy fries.
Use a small amount of oil for coating. An oil spray helps distribute oil evenly across the fries for better crisping while still using far less than deep frying. Toss the dried potatoes with oil and your seasonings, then arrange them in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. They can overlap slightly, but leave room for air circulation. If needed, cook in two batches for the best results. Once all batches are cooked and crisp, you can return them to the fryer for a minute to reheat everything together before serving.
For these fries I sprinkled vegan cheese in the final minute of cooking so it melts over the fries. Vegan cheese adds delicious creaminess but also introduces some moisture, so serve and eat these soon after topping them. I used Violife for this recipe, but you can skip the cheese or use your preferred vegan alternative.
Avoid overloading the basket: crowded fries steam instead of crisping. Shake the basket at least once during cooking to ensure even browning. For this batch I used a Princess smart air fryer and got satisfying results.
Turn these cheesy fries into rainbow fries
If you like colorful food, it’s easy to jazz these fries up. I sometimes add bright sauces or toppings to make a dish pop. For a rainbow effect, color a mayo or garlic sauce with natural powders — for example, blue spirulina for blue and acai powder for purple — and serve small dollops over the fries. Add sliced colorful chilies for contrast (omit the chilies if you don’t want heat).
Fresh herbs and vegetables also add brightness and texture. Try cilantro, spring onions, microgreens or quick pickles. A squeeze of lime or lemon brings acidity and refreshes the palate against the richness of the cheese and fries.
Follow me on Instagram for daily vegan updates and short recipe videos on my story highlights. I also pin ideas on Pinterest if you’re looking for more inspiration.
One love, Jason
Cheesy Air Fryer Fries – Loaded Cheese Fries
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 600 gram potatoes
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
- 50 gram vegan cheese I used Violife
- 10 gram cilantro
- 1 chili pepper cut in rings
- salt to taste
- 30 gram vegan bacon optional
Instructions
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Cut the potatoes into matchstick-sized fries. Place them in a bowl of cold water and soak for 60 minutes, changing the water once halfway through.
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Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly on a clean towel or paper towels. Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, smoked paprika and cayenne until evenly coated. Place the fries in the air fryer basket without overcrowding — they can overlap slightly but allow space for air to circulate.
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Air fry the fries at 200°C for 25 minutes, shaking the basket at about 15 minutes for even browning. Sprinkle the vegan cheese over the fries in the last minute to melt. Serve immediately with your choice of sauce and toppings — I used garlic mayo, sliced chili peppers and cilantro. For rainbow fries, color your sauces and add colorful toppings as desired. Enjoy.
