Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain and pat completely dry with paper towels.
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F / 193°C for 3 minutes.
Toss the dried potato sticks with vegetable oil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
Air fry for 18 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
Serve immediately while hot and crispy with your favorite dipping sauce.