These Air Fryer garlic infused thick-cut fries are crunchy on the outside, and creamy on the inside. Steak Fries are thick-cut potatoes that are a perfect side dish for just about anything! This version of steak fries are perfectly seasoned and less fattening than deep-fried, so less guilt!
Potatoes are pretty high on my list of favorite carbs. French Fries are one of the variations that is so tempting, but the guilt holds me back. Sometimes.
This recipe can be easily adapted for an oven, as this recipe was originally posted in 2009. Not only did the photos need updating, our weather had soaring heat waves. Turning on the oven didn’t sound like a good idea. That’s when an Air Fryer comes in really handy.
First, the ingredients:
Russet potatoes, washed. Garlic. The amount of garlic is easily adjustable, depending on how much you prefer. Three BIG cloves seemed sufficient for the two of us (we love garlic). The rest of the ingredients are olive oil, sea salt or kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
Wash and cut the spuds into fourths and then thirds, to equal 12 wedges per tater. Heat the olive oil and garlic on a very low heat– we are not cooking the garlic. We are infusing the oil with the flavor of the garlic. Got that? You don’t want burned garlic. It’s bitter, and it’s nasty.
Place the potato wedges in a bowl; then, using a sieve, separate the garlic from the oil. Measure out one tablespoon of oil and reserve the rest.
Yeah, baby… garlic! The garlic, and one Tablespoon of infused olive oil gets tossed onto the potato wedges. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and microwave these for 4 minutes. They are hot, so be careful when you remove the plastic.
In the meantime, mix the cornstarch, salt, pepper and cayenne (warning, if you’re a wimp, like me, you might want to leave this out, or use less).
Sprinkle the mixture onto the hot potatoes and very gently mix this with a large spoon. Again, these are hot! Be careful. Set the Air Fryer to 400F (or an oven to 425F). Air Fry or Bake the fries for 20-30 minutes, shaking or turning the potatoes a few times. Test one of the largest potatoes with a paring knife to see if the potatoes are tender.
The kitchen smelled of garlic, while these were baking. Our burgers were ready to come off the grill, so it was time to eat.
TASTING NOTES: It’s best to wait a few minutes before sinking your teeth into one of these steak fries. They are HOT! The crunchy texture, with a hint of cayenne is just like deep-fried fries. The inside of the fries are tender. I’m Team Ketchup, so I happily dipped my fair share and enjoyed these. Our Air Fryer is getting more and more use. It’s faster than heating up an oven– and a kitchen on a really hot day.
This post was originally titled “Garlic Oven Fries” back in 2009. Updated photos were sorely needed, and the recipe was adapted to include Air Fryer instructions.
Air Fryer Garlic Steak Fries
Ingredients
- 4 large garlic cloves minced (can increase or decrease, depending on how much you love garlic
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 russet potatoes about 8-ounces each, skin scrubbed and cut into 12 wedges
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Air Fryer setting 400° OR Preheat oven to 225°C/450° F.
- Combine the garlic and oil in a small pot, warming it until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. (Likewise, a microwave would work, too.)
- With a wire sieve, strain the garlic-oil mixture. Measure one tablespoon of the oil and set the remaining oil aside (leaving the garlic in the bowl) .
- Add the potatoes to the bowl with the garlic mixture and toss to coat. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and microwave on high power until the potatoes are translucent around the edges, 3 to 6 minutes, shaking the bowl to redistribute the potatoes halfway through cooking.
- Combine the cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the hot potatoes and toss well to coat.
For an oven:
- Preheat the oven to 425° FThe remainder of the olive oil goes onto a baking sheet (not a glass dish, trust me). Evenly spread the potatoes and pop into the oven. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake, turning once, until deep golden brown and crisp, 30 to 40 minutes.
For an Air Fryer:
- Add the remaining oil into the air fryer basket and tilt to coat evenly. AIR FRY at 400° for 25-30 minutes, shaking the basket a few times so they cook evenly.Test with a paring knife to make sure that the potatoes are thoroughly cooked.
- Serve with ketchup, mayonnaise or sour cream
Notes
Nutrition
Those potatoes look perfect-o!! I’d love to have some right now. I like your idea of pre-cooking them in the microwave…Smart.
Fantastic! I have actually never made oven fries – but the process is so simple, there’s no reason not to. Recently, I tried to make sweet potatoe chips, but I sliced the potatoes too thin. You’ve inspired me to try again with a better cut.
LOVE these fries. They look so delicious.. crispy, flavorful and so simple to make with your step by step photos.. Pefect side dish!
Wow those fries look perfect thanks for sharing. Quick works for me.
Oh my gosh. These french fries look amazing, just amazing. I love garlic fries. And your sloppy joes sound great, too. I haven’t had a sloppy joe in waaaay too many years; I think I’m overdue for one!
Ok, I’ll make these! Look simple enough (plus I’ve never met a spud I didn’t love before!). And yayyyy for the hubby fixing the car AND getting you a new faucet. He’s a keeper!
I am so glad I fould your blog. You truly are wonderful and this recipe is no exception. I get inspired everytime!
I’m making these for sure…maybe tomorrow!
Oh these look awesome, come cook for me ok?
These look great! I’ve always wanted to go to the Garlic Festival in Gilroy. Maybe next year…
I'm making this today. I think I'll try to shoot it, but I don't think it will be as pretty as your picture!
These look so delicious! I've been reading your blog for quite some time and had no idea you lived near Gilroy! I always loved driving through Gilroy as a child b/c of the garlic smell! I grew up near Fresno.
I've made these potatoes twice in the past few weeks and they've been awesome every time! Great with burgers and not salty like the other recipes out there.
The good news is that I found this and am making them for the super bowl. I cannot wait!
OMG! I am crying…tears of joy! I have finally made a crispy and oh so delicious french fry. In the oven, no frying. Debbie, a million thanks for this recipe. I even used yukon gold potatoes and they turned out GREAT!!! Thanks to you my fiancee is a very full yet very happy man tonight.
Thank you so much, Maggie! I appreciate your taking the time to write and let me know that it turned out great. I do love this recipe, myself.
*cornstarch, salt, pepper and cayenne*.. the cornstarch and cayenne aren't on the original ingredient list. Do I need enough to coat the fries like a batter, or just a crunchy layer?? I would really love to make these tonight with bbq chicken! They sound fabulous and as a new Gilroy area resident.. I can't wait to get my hands on all the sticky garlicky goodness!
I love this too
I made these. So so good. Thanks 🙂
These fries are amazing! My husband and I make these quite often and they get better every time. They were the first recipe I used on my own blog. Thanks!