Making Frozen Fries In An Air Fryer: Quick And Easy!

Cooking frozen fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that fried crispiness with less oil and in less time than a deep fryer. It's also healthier than baking or frying your fries. You can use any type of frozen fry, from crinkle-cut to sweet potato, and get consistent, delicious results. The key to getting crispy fries is to not overcrowd the air fryer basket and to shake it a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking. The exact temperature and time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of the fries, but generally, you can get perfect french fries in about 15-20 minutes at around 360-400°F.

Preheat function

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen fries. While not all air fryers have a preheat function, it is still recommended to let your air fryer heat up for a few minutes before adding the fries. This helps to create a consistent and even cooking environment, ensuring your fries are uniformly warmed and crispy. The ideal temperature for preheating is around 380°F (193°C) to 400°F (200°C).

If your air fryer does have a preheat function, use it for about 3-5 minutes before adding the fries for the best results. This will ensure that your fries cook evenly right from the start. Once preheated, you can add the frozen fries to the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer for the best results.

It is worth noting that the preheating temperature and time may vary slightly depending on the type of fry and your specific air fryer model. Some air fryers may require a lower temperature, while others might take longer to preheat. Always refer to the instructions for your particular air fryer to ensure optimal results.

Temperature and time

Temperature

Most sources recommend preheating the air fryer to around 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes before adding the frozen fries. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve the desired crispiness. During cooking, the temperature can be lowered to around 185°C (365°F) for regular French fries. However, for thin varieties like shoestring or waffle fries, a lower temperature of 360°F may be preferable to prevent burning. Thicker cuts like crinkle or steak fries can be cooked at 375°F.

Time

The cooking time for frozen fries in an air fryer generally ranges from 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the type of fry and the desired level of crispiness. For thinner varieties like shoestring or waffle fries, 8-12 minutes at 360-375°F should be sufficient. Regular French fries may take around 20 minutes at 185°C (365°F). Thicker cuts like crinkle or steak fries might need a little longer, around 10-15 minutes at 375°F. It is important to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so during cooking to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent soggy fries. It is better to cook in batches if needed.
• Spread the fries in a single layer, giving them enough space to cook evenly.
• Shake the basket or gently toss the fries with tongs halfway through the cooking process to redistribute them and ensure even cooking.
• Check the fries regularly to prevent overcooking or burning.
• Experiment with different temperatures and timings to find the optimal settings for your specific air fryer and preferred type of fry.

Oil and seasoning

When it comes to oil and seasoning, the process is simple and requires only a few ingredients. Firstly, place your desired amount of frozen fries into the air fryer basket. You can use any type of frozen fries, such as crinkle-cut, waffle, or shoestring. Then, spray the fries lightly with olive oil or cooking spray. This step is optional, as some people prefer to omit the oil to make the dish healthier. The oil helps the salt and seasonings stick to the fries.

Next, sprinkle your desired amount of salt onto the fries. You can use regular salt or seasoned salt, depending on your preference. If you want to enhance the flavour further, you can add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. These additional seasonings are optional, but they can add a nice kick to your fries.

After seasoning, proceed to cook the fries according to the instructions provided by your air fryer, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once the fries are done, you can serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, cheese sauce, or ranch dressing.

Fry type

The type of fry you use will determine the temperature and cooking time you should use. For example, thinner varieties such as shoestring fries will require shorter cooking times than thicker varieties like crinkle-cut or steak fries. Here is a guide for cooking different types of fries in an air fryer:

• Sweet potato fries: 12-16 minutes
• Shoestring fries: 8-10 minutes
• Waffle fries: 10 minutes
• Crinkle-cut/waffle fries: 10-11 minutes
• Curly fries: 10-12 minutes
• Tater tots: 8-10 minutes
• Homestyle/steak fries: 15 minutes

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer and your preferred level of crispiness. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your fries and adjust the cooking time as needed. Additionally, you should avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and give the fries a good shake halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Serving suggestions

Frozen fries cooked in an air fryer can be served as a snack or as a side dish. They go well with a sandwich, wrap, or salad, or with chicken or a burger.

You can also serve them with a variety of dips and sauces, such as:

• Ketchup
• Mayonnaise
• Chilli sauce
• Fry sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Honey mustard
• Caesar dressing

For a more indulgent option, you could try loaded fries with cheese sauce, bacon, sour cream, and green onion, or truffle fries with truffle oil and shaved parmesan.

If you want to experiment with seasonings, you could try onion powder, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, chili powder, or cumin.

Frequently asked questions