Had lots of male friends when I was growing up and even now... so it is certainly possible. Just let them know that you only want to be friends and offer some insight into the female mind in return... as this will make the friendship all the more alluring.
"The weakest soul, knowing its own weakness, and believing this truth that strength can only be developed by effort and practice, will, thus believing, at once begin to exert itself, and, adding effort to effort, patience to patience, and strength to strength, will never cease to develop, and will at last grow divinely strong."
- James Allen