Step 1

Leave potato skins on, or peel them if you like. Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick sticks. Place them in a large bowl with cold tap water to cover and let them stand for 1 hour.

Step 2

Drain potatoes and spread them out in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with kitchen towels or paper towels. Pat potatoes completely dry with the towels.

Step 3

Set the basket in place in an air fryer. Close the lid and program the air fryer to 375°F for 17 minutes. Preheat according to instructions for your air fryer.

Step 4

Remove towels from the potatoes. Toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until completely coated.

Step 5

Add only enough potatoes to fill the air fryer basket in a single layer (the fries can be touching but not stacked). Cook fries until they’ve browned and crispy, stirring them after 12 minutes, 15-17 minutes total. Transfer fries to a plate, using a slotted spoon. Repeat to cook the remaining potatoes, reheating the air fryer if needed, until all are cooked.

Step 6

When the last batch of fries are done, add the previous batches of fries to the air fryer and cook for 1 minute to reheat. (It’s okay that they won’t be in a single layer.)

Step 7

Serve French fries with ketchup.