Air Fryer Frozen Fries: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking frozen fries in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare this staple side dish. With this method, you can achieve the crispiness of deep-fried French fries with less oil and in less time.

To cook frozen fries in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to around 200°C (400°F). Then, place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can result in soggy fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.

Cook the fries at a high temperature for around 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes to prevent them from sticking together and to ensure even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness and type of fry, with thinner fries like shoestring or waffle fries requiring shorter cook times, and thicker options like crinkle-cut or steak fries taking longer.

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, they are ready to be served. You can sprinkle them with your favourite seasonings, such as salt, garlic powder, or paprika, and dip them in sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, or chilli sauce.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making frozen fries. It ensures that your fries cook evenly and turn out crispy on the outside, while remaining soft on the inside. Set your air fryer to a temperature between 360-400°F (180-200°C) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.

Different types of air fryers may require different temperatures and timings, so it is important to refer to your air fryer's instruction manual. Additionally, the thickness of the fries may also impact the ideal temperature and timing. For example, thinner fries such as shoestring or waffle fries will require a lower temperature and shorter cooking time to avoid burning, while thicker fries like crinkle-cut or steak fries will need a higher temperature and longer cooking time.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can move on to the next step of placing your frozen fries in the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure that the fries are arranged in a single layer and not overcrowded, as this can affect the cooking process and the crispiness of the fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.

Single layer of fries

To make frozen fries in an air fryer, start by placing your desired amount of frozen fries into the air fryer basket. It is important not to overcrowd the basket, so the fries should be arranged in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.

Once the fries are in the basket, spray them lightly with olive oil or cooking spray. This will help the salt to stick to the fries. Then, sprinkle the desired amount of salt onto the fries. If you are using a different seasoning, add it here.

Next, set the air fryer to a high temperature. Most sources recommend 400°F, but the exact temperature will depend on the type of air fryer and the type of fries being cooked. For example, thinner fries may require a lower temperature to avoid burning. Set the timer for 16-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure the fries cook evenly.

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, they are ready to serve. You can add more salt or seasoning if desired.

Cook time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for frozen fries in an air fryer will depend on the type of fry and the model of the air fryer. The cooking time can range from 8 minutes for shoestring fries to 20 minutes for thicker fries. The temperature can range from 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

For shoestring fries, a temperature of 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and a cooking time of 8 to 10 minutes is recommended. For waffle fries, a lower temperature of 360 degrees Fahrenheit and a cooking time of 10 minutes is suggested. Crinkle-cut, classic-cut, and steak-cut fries are best cooked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes. Sweet potato fries take a little longer, around 12 to 16 minutes, and are cooked at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to note that different air fryers may have different settings, so it is recommended to experiment with the timings and heat settings to find the best results for your specific air fryer. Additionally, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and to shake the basket occasionally during cooking to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Some specific recommendations for different types of fries include:

• Crinkle-cut/waffle fries: 10-11 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit
• Sweet potato fries: 16 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit
• Lattice-cut fries: 10-11 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit
• Shoestring fries: 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit

Shake the basket

Shaking the basket is an important step in ensuring your fries cook evenly and become crispy. Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may have a \"shake\" function that will notify you when it's time to shake the basket. If not, you'll need to manually shake the basket at the halfway point of the cooking process. For example, if your cooking time is 18 minutes, shake the basket at the 8-minute mark and again at the 15-minute mark.

It's important to note that shaking the basket is not the same as flipping or turning the fries. Flipping or turning the fries involves using tongs or a spatula to redistribute the fries so that they cook evenly. Shaking the basket, on the other hand, simply involves giving the basket a good shake without removing it from the air fryer. This helps to ensure that all sides of the fries are exposed to the hot air, leading to even cooking and crispiness.

In addition to shaking the basket, you may also need to flip or turn the fries for the best results. This is especially important if you're using an air fryer model that doesn't have a "shake" function. By combining shaking and flipping or turning, you'll ensure that your fries cook evenly and become nice and crispy.

It's worth mentioning that the frequency with which you shake the basket may vary depending on the type of fries you're using. For example, thinner fries like shoestring fries may only need to be shaken once during the cooking process, while thicker fries like steak fries may require multiple shakes. As always, it's important to keep an eye on your fries and adjust the cooking time and shaking frequency as needed.

Seasoning

Types of Seasoning

You can experiment with various seasonings to find your preferred taste. Here are some popular options:

• Salt: A classic choice is to simply season your fries with salt. You can use regular table salt or get creative with seasoned salt, such as garlic salt or seasoned salt mixes.
• Pepper: Ground black pepper or red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick to your fries.
• Garlic and Onion Powder: For a savoury boost, garlic powder and onion powder are excellent choices. They add a punch of flavour without being too overpowering.
• Herbs: Dried herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and basil can be used to add an aromatic touch to your fries.
• Spices: For those who enjoy a little heat, spices like cayenne pepper, chili powder, paprika (smoked or regular), and cumin can be sprinkled on the fries.

When to Season

There are two approaches to seasoning your air-fried French fries:

• Before Cooking: You can season your fries before placing them in the air fryer. This allows the seasoning to cook with the fries, infusing more flavour. However, some prefer to season after cooking to maintain the integrity of the seasoning and prevent it from burning or losing potency.
• After Cooking: Seasoning after cooking ensures that the flavours remain intact and vibrant. It also gives you the option to taste the fries first and then decide how much and what type of seasoning to add.

Making the Seasoning Stick

To ensure that your seasoning adheres well to the fries, you can use a light coating of oil or cooking spray. This is especially helpful if you're using dried herbs or spices that need a bit of moisture to stick to the surface. Simply spray the fries with oil or cooking spray, then sprinkle on your desired seasoning, and give it a good toss to coat evenly.

Custom Seasoning Blends

If you're feeling creative, you can make your own custom seasoning blends by combining several seasonings. For example, you can make a French fry seasoning by mixing garlic salt, onion powder, salt, paprika, and ground black pepper. You can also experiment with other blends like garlic Parmesan seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or even a spicy blend with chili powder and cumin.

Frequently asked questions