Harvest Crispy Air Fryer Fries (Pumpkin & Leaf-Shaped Potatoes)

These harvest crispy air fryer fries are a fun and festive way to enjoy homemade potatoes during the fall! Made with fresh Idaho potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika, they’re golden, flavorful, and cut into adorable pumpkin and leaf shapes. They’re easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients and are perfect for serving alongside your favorite fall dinners.

Whether you’re planning a cozy family meal, a Halloween dinner, or a fall gathering, these pumpkin and leaf-shaped potato fries make an easy side dish that both kids and adults will love. They’re crispy around the edges, tender in the middle, and full of savory flavor.

The best part? You can make these harvest fries in the air fryer or bake them in the oven if that’s what you have available.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these crispy harvest-shaped potato fries.

• Idaho potatoes: Three large potatoes give you plenty of surface area for cutting pumpkin and leaf shapes. Choose potatoes large enough for your cookie cutters.
• Olive oil: Helps the seasonings coat the potatoes and encourages golden, crispy edges. Start with two tablespoons and add more if needed.
• Garlic powder: Adds savory flavor without overpowering the potatoes.
• Paprika: Gives the fries a subtle smoky flavor and warm golden color.
• Salt and black pepper: Season the potatoes and bring out their natural flavor.

What You’ll Need to Make the Shapes

You’ll also need small pumpkin- and leaf-shaped cookie cutters. Metal cutters with a reasonably sharp edge tend to work best for cutting through raw potato slices.

Choose cutters that are small enough to fit comfortably inside the potato rounds. If your cutters are too large, you’ll have fewer whole shapes and more scraps.

How to Make Harvest Air Fryer Fries

These homemade harvest fries are easy to prepare. The key is to cut the potatoes evenly, dry them well, and cook them in a single layer.

Step 1: Cut the potatoes into shapes

Wash and scrub the potatoes, then slice them into rounds about ¼ inch thick.

Use pumpkin- and leaf-shaped cookie cutters to cut shapes from the potato slices. Make sure the potatoes are large enough to fit your cutters.

Set the potato scraps aside. You can cook them separately for an extra batch of fries rather than letting them go to waste.

Step 2: Soak the potatoes

Place the potato shapes in a bowl of cold water and soak for five minutes.

This quick soak helps remove some of the excess surface starch, which can help the potatoes crisp up as they cook.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, following the manufacturer’s instructions for your model.

Step 4: Dry the potatoes thoroughly

Drain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

This step is important! Excess moisture can prevent the potatoes from crisping properly, so take a moment to dry both sides of each piece.

Step 5: Season the fries

Add the dried potato shapes to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Toss gently until the potatoes are evenly coated. Add a little more olive oil only if needed.

Step 6: Air fry until golden and crispy

Arrange the potato shapes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between the pieces. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

Air fry at 400°F for approximately 10–15 minutes, carefully flipping the potatoes halfway through.

The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your potato slices, the size of your cookie cutters, and your air fryer. Start checking around the 10-minute mark and continue cooking until the edges are golden and crisp and the centers are tender.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Transfer the harvest fries to a serving plate and enjoy them while they’re hot and crispy.

Serve with ketchup, ranch, garlic yogurt sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. These festive potato fries are especially fun alongside a cozy fall dinner!

Tips for Crispy Potato Fries

Choose large potatoes. Larger potatoes make it easier to cut out recognizable pumpkin and leaf shapes.

Slice the potatoes evenly. Aim for about ¼-inch-thick rounds so the pieces cook at a similar rate. Thicker pieces may need extra time, while thinner shapes can crisp up more quickly.

Don’t skip drying the potatoes. After soaking, remove as much surface moisture as possible before adding the oil and seasonings.

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. The potatoes need space for the hot air to circulate. A crowded basket can lead to softer fries, so cook in batches if necessary.

Use just enough oil. A light, even coating is all you need. Too much oil can make the potatoes greasy rather than crisp.

Check the smaller shapes first. Leaf-shaped pieces may cook faster than larger pumpkin shapes. Remove any pieces that are ready while the thicker ones finish cooking.

Serve immediately. These fries are at their best right after cooking. If you’re making several batches, you can keep finished fries warm in a low-temperature oven while you cook the rest.

Oven-Baked Harvest Fries

Don’t have an air fryer? You can make these pumpkin and leaf-shaped potato fries in the oven instead.

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Prepare the potato shapes as directed, including the five-minute water soak.
3. Drain and thoroughly dry the potatoes.
4. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for approximately 20–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and tender.

Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the potato slices and the size of your shapes. Check the fries toward the end of cooking and remove any smaller pieces that finish early.

For the crispiest results, use a large baking sheet and leave space between the potatoes.

Storage and Reheating

How to store leftover harvest fries

These fries are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored. Let the potatoes cool completely, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.

How to reheat air fryer fries

For the best texture, reheat the fries in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes, checking frequently until they’re warmed through and crisp again.

You can also reheat them in the oven at 400°F until hot. The microwave works in a pinch, but the potatoes will be softer rather than crispy.

Can you freeze harvest fries?

For the best texture, I recommend enjoying these fries fresh or storing cooked leftovers in the refrigerator. Freezing the finished fries may change their texture, and the delicate shapes can break more easily when handled.

These harvest crispy air fryer fries are such a simple way to make a regular side dish feel special. I hope they bring a little extra fall fun to your table! If you make them, leave a rating or comment below and let me know how they turned out.

Pair them with an easy dinner

Make these fries part of a fun fall dinner by serving them alongside one of these family-friendly recipes from Grace Filled Kitchen:

• Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas – An easy dinner with seasoned steak and colorful vegetables.
• Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos – A fun, crispy twist on taco night.
• Crispy Baked Ground Chicken Veggie Tacos – A flavorful family dinner with a crispy shell.
• One-Pan Greek Parmesan Chicken and Veggies – An easy chicken dinner with vegetables and plenty of flavor.

If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out – a star rating or a note in the comments helps others find the recipe and helps me know what’s working in your kitchen. Tag me @gracefilledkitchen in your photos on social media so I can see your creations.