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These Air Fryer Cottage Fries are so easy to make in the air fryer and the result is a potato with a satisfying crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

You can cook just about anything in the air fryer in under fifteen minutes. And classic cottage fries are one of those things. If you didn’t know, potato slices cut into thick discs are called cottage fries.

Cottage fries are one of the easiest types of fries to make because they’re so quick to cut. You don’t need any special tools, just a sharp knife and a few seconds to cut slices.

You can use a mandolin to make perfect slices from any sized potato in just a few minutes, but I usually just cut them free-hand with a knife. You want to make the slices about 1/4″ thick. Any thinner and they’ll turn into potato chips. You can also make potato wedges in the air fryer.

» We also love these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.

What Readers Are Saying

Kay says:
Came out perfectly crispy, loving your airfryer recipes keep them coming!

Emily says:
These were the perfect side for my roast! Thanks for posting.

» These jalapeno poppers and pork belly bites are two of our favorite air fryer recipes!

Ingredients You Need

Russet potatoes – Medium russet potatoes work best. They have enough starch in them to get crispy and yet remain fluffy on the inside. You can also use Yukon gold or Maris piper potatoes. I always leave the skin on the potatoes, but you can remove it if you like. It won’t change the cooking time or preparation at all.
Olive oil – You can also use Avocado, anole or vegetable oil.
Salt & pepper – to taste

Helpful Tips

Many potato recipes, like french fries and hashbrowns, suggest soaking or rinsing the potatoes in water before baking, to reduce the amount of starch. If you’re using very starchy potatoes, like russets, it does help a bit.
We tried it both ways and found that the potatoes were pretty crispy either way. If you’re in a hurry, skip it and go directly to the frying.
You can cut the potatoes into any thickness for this recipe but keep in mind that the times will change. If you cut the potato thicker, the cook time will increase to 18 minutes total.
When spraying the potatoes make sure to use pure oil such as olive, avocado, canola, or vegetable oil. Don’t use a non-stick cooking oil spray.
You might have to air fry them in batches so they aren’t overlapping. That’s how to ensure they get crispy.

How to Air Fry Cottage Fries

Russet potatoes work the best for this recipe. They have enough starch in them to get crispy and yet remain fluffy on the inside. A smaller sized potato that makes silver dollar size circles is just right.

We’ve also used yukon gold potatoes and maris piper potatoes with great success. Any starchy potato will do. Waxy, not as much.

Start out by washing and scrubbing the potatoes. Then cut them into slices. Put the slices in a bowl of cold water. You want to try to remove as much of the starch on the surface of the potato as possible.

You can leave the potatoes in the cold water for 5-10 minutes for good measure, but I don’t find it necessary. It’s more important to make sure the potatoes are dried off before putting them in the air fryer.

Pat them dry with a paper towel or tea towel to remove as much moisture on the surface as possible.

Season with just salt & pepper, or use a seasoning salt. To really kick it up a notch, we like to use our homemade dry rub.

Spray the potatoes with oil to help they crisp up well. A reusable oil sprayer is the way to go.

Place the potatoes in the basket in a single layer, making sure not to crowd them so that they crisp on all sides. Air fry at 400° F (200° C) for 7 minutes, flip them and then another 7 minutes at the same temperature.

Voila, beautifully crispy cottage fries waiting to be dipped in your favorite sauce.

If you like your potatoes to be a little more browned or crisp, leave them in for a bit longer. Every air fryer varies, so you’ll have to find the time that’s perfect for you.

Dipping Sauces for Cottage Potatoes

All potatoes need dipping sauces, and we’ve tried them all! Here are a few of our favorites that you can make at home:

Honey mustard dipping sauce
Honey sriracha sauce (try these honey sriracha potatoes, yum!)
Ranch dressing
Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Questions About the Recipe

Why are they called cottage fries?

Cottage fries are named for their rustic, home-style appearance and simplicity, reminiscent of traditional, comforting foods one might associate with a cottage setting. The term “cottage” in this context refers to a modest, cozy home, and the name implies a simple, unpretentious dish.

Is air frying better than oil frying?

These cottage fried potatoes get just as crispy by air frying as they do in oil as long as you spray them with cooking oil before you air fry. They make a great low-fat side dish.

Are cottage fries also called home fries?

Cottage fries and home fries are similar in that they are both styles of cooked potatoes often served as a side dish, but they are not the same thing and typically refer to different preparations.

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