Air Fryer Frozen Fries: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance for those who want to enjoy crispy, golden French fries without the guilt of indulging in deep-fried food. The good news is that you can cook frozen French fries in an air fryer, and they will turn out crispy and delicious. Here's everything you need to know about making frozen fries in an air fryer.

How to cook frozen French fries in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen French fries
• Salt to taste (optional)
• Olive oil spray (optional)

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Air fryer basket

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes.
• Place your desired amount of frozen French fries into the air fryer basket. Spread them out in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, as this can cause the fries to cook unevenly and become soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.
• Set your air fryer to a high temperature. A temperature of 185°C (365°F) is recommended, but you can go up to 200°C (400°F).
• Cook the frozen fries for around 20 minutes, shaking the basket every five minutes to ensure even cooking and to prevent the fries from sticking together.
• If you want your fries to be crispier, cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes.
• Sprinkle with salt to taste and serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauces.

Tips:

• You don't need to defrost the French fries before cooking.
• Avoid cooking frozen fries at 200°C/400°F for the entire duration. Start at a lower temperature and increase it towards the end to crisp them up.
• You don't need to add extra oil when cooking frozen fries, as they already come with oil. However, you can add a little extra virgin olive oil spray towards the end of cooking to make the fries extra crispy.
• The thickness of the frozen fries will affect the cooking time. Thicker steak fries will take longer to cook, while quick-cooking French fries will be faster.

The best frozen French fries for air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen French fries in an air fryer. In fact, cooking them in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying them, as they require less oil.

While the "best" frozen fries may be subjective, here are some popular options that people have had success with in their air fryers:

• Lamb Weston Hand Cut Style Fries: These were the favourite of a family of four who taste-tested seven brands of frozen fries. They were crispy and well-seasoned on the outside, and moist and fluffy on the inside.
• Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries: These were the second favourite of the same family. They were also enjoyed by the Reddit user who recommended them.
• McCain Classic Cut Fries: These were the second favourite in a blind taste test by Bon Appétit. They were well salted, with a crisp exterior and "fluffy" core.
• M&S Frozen French Fries: These were used by Recipe This and described as a "quality brand".
• McCain Straight Cut Fries: Also recommended by Recipe This.
• Alexia House Cut Fries: These were the fourth favourite of the family of four.
• Trader Joe's Handsome Cut Potato Fries: These were the fifth favourite of the family of four. They were also the favourite of a Reddit user who liked that they still had their skins on.
• Arby's Curly Fries: Recommended by a Reddit user who bought them at Walmart.
• Idaho brand (available at Dollar General in the US): Recommended by a Reddit user.
• Cavendish Costco-type fries: Recommended by a Reddit user.
• Red Robin: Recommended by a Reddit user.
• Walmart brand: Recommended by a Reddit user.

Tips for Cooking Frozen French Fries in an Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to ensure your fries cook evenly.
• Spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the fries to cook unevenly and become soggy. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Shake the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking and to prevent the fries from sticking together.
• Depending on the thickness and type of fry, you may need to increase or decrease the cooking time.
• You can add olive oil spray and salt to taste, but it's not necessary as frozen fries are typically already pre-coated in oil, and some people prefer to add salt at the end.

Air fryer frozen French fries ingredients

The air fryer has revolutionized the way we cook French fries from frozen. No longer do we need to worry about the guilt of indulging in this salty, crispy treat, as air-frying produces a healthier option that tastes just as good as deep-fried fries, if not better!

Ingredients

The great thing about cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer is that you need very few ingredients. In fact, you only really need two: frozen French fries and salt. However, there are a few optional extras that you can include to take your fries to the next level.

Frozen French Fries

The main ingredient and star of the show is, of course, frozen French fries. You can use any brand of your choice, but some popular options include Ore-Ida, Alexia, and McCains. It's worth noting that different types of fries will require slightly different cooking times and temperatures, so keep that in mind when preparing your dish.

Salt

A little salt will go a long way in bringing out the flavor of your French fries. You can use regular table salt or get creative with seasoned salt, garlic salt, or onion salt.

Olive Oil Spray (Optional)

While not necessary, a light spray of olive oil on your fries before cooking can help the salt stick to them and give them a little extra crispness.

Other Seasonings (Optional)

In addition to salt, you can experiment with various seasonings to elevate the flavor of your fries. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, ranch powder, Cajun seasoning, and chili powder.

Dipping Sauces (Optional)

While your air-fried French fries will likely be delicious on their own, you can also serve them with a variety of dipping sauces. Ketchup is the classic choice, but don't be afraid to think outside the box. Ranch dressing, fry sauce, yum yum sauce, cheese sauce, and spicy African pepper sauce dip are just a few of the many options available to take your fries to the next level.

Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it's time to fire up your air fryer and get cooking! Here are some simple steps to follow:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F (180-200°C).
• Place your desired amount of frozen French fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer to avoid overcrowding.
• Lightly spray the fries with olive oil (if using) and sprinkle with salt and any desired seasonings.
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then give the basket a good shake to toss the fries and ensure even cooking.
• Continue cooking for another 5-8 minutes, or until the fries are crispy and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
• Serve your hot, crispy French fries with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!

How to cook frozen fries in an air fryer

What you'll need:

• Frozen fries
• Salt (or garlic salt)
• Olive oil or cooking oil spray
• Air fryer

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
• Place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket. Avoid overfilling the basket, as this may cause the fries to cook unevenly.
• Lightly spray the fries with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or halfway through the cooking time.
• For crispier fries, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• Serve immediately with your favourite dips and sauces.

Tips:

• No need to defrost the fries before cooking.
• Different types of fries will have varying cooking times. Thinner fries will cook faster, while thicker fries like steak fries will take longer.
• Experiment with different seasonings like paprika, onion powder, or cayenne pepper for extra flavour.
• You can also add grated cheese towards the end of the cooking time for cheesy fries.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the air fryer.

Enjoy your crispy, golden, and delicious air-fried frozen fries!

How long to air fry frozen French fries

Yes, you can cook frozen French fries in an air fryer. In fact, cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, and they taste better than oven-baked fries.

The cooking time for frozen French fries in an air fryer depends on the type of French fries and the air fryer model. For example, thinner fries such as shoestring fries will require shorter cooking times, while thicker fries like crinkle-cut fries will need longer cooking times.

| Type of French Fry | Cooking Time |

|---|---|

| Crinkle-Cut/Waffle Fries | 10-11 minutes |

| Sweet Potato Fries | 16 minutes |

| Lattice Cut Fries | 10-11 minutes |

| Shoestring Fries | 8-10 minutes |

| Fast Food Style Fries | 10-12 minutes |

| Waffle Fries | 8-12 minutes |

| Crinkle Cut Fries | 10-12 minutes |

| Classic Cut Fries | 10-12 minutes |

It's important to note that the cooking times in the table above are just guidelines, and the actual cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model and the thickness of the fries. Therefore, it's recommended to check on the fries regularly during the cooking process and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Tips for cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer before adding the frozen French fries.
• Spread the frozen French fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket as this can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess. Cook the fries in batches if needed.
• Shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even crispiness and to prevent the fries from sticking together.
• Depending on the type of air fryer and the thickness of the fries, the cooking temperature may vary between 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You can spray the frozen fries with a bit of oil before cooking to enhance crispiness, but it's not necessary as most frozen fries already have oil on them.

Frequently asked questions