Air Frying Frozen Food: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy alternative to deep-frying, baking, and microwaving. They can cook a wide variety of frozen foods, from chicken wings to pizza, with a crispy texture and without the added fat of deep-frying. Frozen foods can be cooked straight from the freezer with no need to defrost, and the cooking time is often shorter than with other cooking methods.

Frozen foods that can be cooked in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen food in an air fryer. In fact, it's one of the best ways to cook frozen food. The air fryer will give you a crispy finish without the need for lots of additional fat, and it's faster than cooking in a conventional oven.

• Frozen potato products, such as french fries, crinkle-cut fries, steak fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots, and hash browns.
• Frozen chicken products, such as chicken tenders, chicken patties, chicken wings, chicken fries, chicken nuggets (including dinosaur-shaped ones), and chicken popcorn.
• Frozen snacks, such as pizza rolls, taquitos, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and egg rolls.
• Frozen seafood, such as shrimp, fish sticks, and fish fillets.
• Frozen breakfast foods, such as biscuits and hash browns.
• Frozen burgers, both meat and Impossible.
• Frozen meatballs.
• Frozen pot pie.
• Frozen broccoli.
• Frozen global snacks, such as samosas, falafel, empanadas, and dumplings.

Precautions to take when cooking frozen food in an air fryer

Air fryers have become a go-to appliance for cooking frozen foods. However, there are some precautions to take to ensure your food turns out crispy and delicious every time.

Firstly, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This allows the hot air to circulate properly and ensures even cooking. For breaded or wrapped foods, fill the basket about halfway and shake it halfway through cooking. For open-faced or uncoated foods, place them in a single layer in the basket.

Secondly, preheating the air fryer is essential, especially when cooking frozen food, as it helps to quickly evaporate the water released by frozen food, preventing it from becoming mushy. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, you can estimate the temperature by opening the basket or using an oven-safe thermometer.

Thirdly, adjust the temperature and cook time as per the package instructions. Since an air fryer is essentially a convection oven, the recommended cook time will be too long. Reduce the heat by 10-25 degrees Fahrenheit and halve the cooking time to start, checking on your food regularly to prevent overcooking.

Additionally, lightly grease your air fryer basket and food with oil or fat, especially if the food doesn't already contain some fat. Avoid using cooking spray as it can damage the non-stick coating of the air fryer. Instead, use a brush to coat the basket and food.

Finally, be mindful of the type of frozen food you're cooking. Pre-cooked, breaded, wrapped, or bite-sized foods like dumplings, fish sticks, fries, and mini meatballs work well. Frozen vegetables can be tricky; for example, broccoli can turn dry and brittle, while zucchini can result in a watery mess.

By following these precautions, you can ensure your frozen foods turn out perfectly crispy and cooked every time you use your air fryer.

Frozen foods that are best avoided in an air fryer

Frozen foods are a great option for air fryers, as they cook faster and turn out crispier than in a conventional oven. However, not all frozen foods are created equal when it comes to air frying. Here are some frozen foods that are best avoided or approached with caution when using an air fryer:

• Large or thick cuts of meat: While smaller items like chicken nuggets, tenders, and wings work well in the air fryer, larger or thicker cuts of meat, such as thick steaks or large roasts, may not cook evenly or reach the desired level of doneness. If you do attempt to cook larger cuts of meat, ensure that they are not overcrowded in the basket and that you adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
• Delicate fish: While frozen fish sticks and fillets can be cooked in an air fryer, delicate types of fish may not be the best option. Delicate fish, such as tilapia or flounder, may fall apart or dry out during the cooking process. If you do choose to air fry delicate fish, consider using a lower temperature and shorter cooking time to avoid overcooking.
• Starchy vegetables: While frozen potato products like french fries, potato skins, and tater tots are excellent choices for air frying, other starchy vegetables may not yield the best results. Vegetables like sweet potatoes or winter squash can become overly dry or crispy when cooked in an air fryer. If you do choose to air fry these vegetables, consider adding a small amount of oil or cooking spray to help retain moisture.
• Cheese-based dishes: While some frozen cheese-based dishes, like mozzarella sticks, can be successfully air-fried, others may not fare as well. Dishes that primarily consist of cheese, such as macaroni and cheese or cheese-based dips, may become overly dry or crispy when cooked in an air fryer. If you do choose to air fry cheese-based dishes, monitor them closely to avoid overcooking.
• Baked goods: While frozen biscuits and Texas toast can be cooked in an air fryer, other baked goods may not yield desirable results. Pastries, cakes, and pies, for example, may not rise properly or develop the desired texture when cooked in an air fryer. If you do choose to air fry baked goods, experiment with different temperatures and cooking times to find the best results for your specific item.

In general, it's important to remember that not all frozen foods will cook evenly or taste optimal when prepared in an air fryer. It may take some experimentation to find the best settings and cooking times for your specific frozen foods. Additionally, overcrowding the air fryer basket can impede air circulation and lead to uneven cooking, so it's best to cook frozen foods in a single layer whenever possible.

Frozen foods that can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick lunch

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen food quickly and conveniently. They are perfect for those with busy schedules who want a tasty, crispy lunch without the prep or cleanup. Here are some frozen foods that can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick lunch:

Frozen Potato Products

Frozen potato products such as french fries, tater tots, steak fries, sweet potato fries, crinkle-cut fries, hash browns, and potato skins are ideal for air frying. They cook more quickly than in a conventional oven and turn out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Frozen Chicken Products

Frozen chicken products such as chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, chicken patties, chicken fries, chicken breast, chicken thighs, chicken cordon bleu, and chicken wings are perfect for a quick and easy lunch. They cook faster in an air fryer than in an oven and turn out crispy and juicy.

Frozen Seafood

Frozen seafood, including shrimp, fish sticks, fish fillets, and salmon, is a great option for a quick and healthy lunch. They can be cooked in the air fryer in less than 20 minutes and are a healthier alternative to deep-frying.

Frozen Snacks and Appetizers

The air fryer is perfect for cooking frozen snacks and appetizers such as mozzarella sticks, onion rings, taquitos, pizza rolls, egg rolls, samosas, and chicken popcorn. These can be cooked in a matter of minutes and are perfect for a quick and tasty lunch.

Frozen Meat

Frozen meat, including meatballs, steak, hamburgers, turkey burgers, pork chops, and bacon, can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick and convenient lunch. No thawing is required, and the meat cooks evenly and quickly.

Frozen Vegetables

Frozen vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, green beans, and Brussels sprouts can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick and healthy lunch. They turn out crispy and flavorful, and are a great option for a busy schedule.

Frozen Breads

Frozen breads such as Texas toast, bagels, pretzels, and waffles can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick lunch option. They turn out crispy and fluffy and can be topped or filled with your favorite ingredients.

How to adjust cooking time and temperature for an air fryer

Frozen foods can be cooked in an air fryer and there is no need to thaw them before cooking. Preheat the air fryer and place the frozen food in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough room around the food for the air to circulate. If you're cooking something breaded and bite-sized, it can be stacked; otherwise, it's best to cook the food in a single layer.

When adjusting the cooking time and temperature for an air fryer, it's important to consider the type of food being cooked, the size and quantity of the food, and whether it needs to be flipped during cooking. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Preheat the air fryer: Preheating ensures even cooking and saves cooking time in the long run.
• Single layer of food: Arrange the food in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness. If cooking large quantities or large food items, cook in batches.
• Flip halfway through: Many foods need to be flipped halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and prevent overcooking or burning.
• Cooking temperature: Reduce the recommended oven temperature by 25°F when using an air fryer. The temperature needs to be at least 350°F to achieve crispiness.
• Cooking time: Reduce the recommended oven cooking time by 20% when using an air fryer. For example, if a recipe calls for 60 minutes in the oven, reduce the air frying time by 12 minutes (60 minutes x 0.20 = 12-minute reduction).
• Oil: Avoid using oil unless necessary for certain raw foods. Oil can help form an extra-crispy exterior while maintaining interior juiciness.
• Shake the basket: For pre-packaged frozen foods, shake the basket once or twice during cooking to expose all surfaces to the hot air.
• Meat thermometer: Use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of meats to ensure food safety.
• Adjust as needed: Keep an eye on your food as it cooks and adjust the temperature or time as needed.

Frequently asked questions