Air Fryer Hack: Frozen French Fries, Anytime

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason. They're a healthier alternative to deep-frying, with less oil and fat, and they're faster than baking. So, it's no surprise that people are turning to air fryers to cook their favourite foods, including French fries. But can you put frozen French fries in an air fryer? The answer is yes! In fact, cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer is a convenient, quick, and easy way to get that crispy, golden texture on the outside and soft, fluffy texture on the inside—all in under 20 minutes.

How long to cook frozen French fries in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen French fries in an air fryer! Here's how to do it:

How to Cook Frozen French Fries in an Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, take out your bag of frozen French fries.

Once the air fryer is heated, place the frozen fries into the air fryer basket. Make sure to spread them out in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to soggy fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.

Set the air fryer to a high temperature, typically between 185°C (365°F) and 200°C (400°F). Cook the frozen French fries for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or so to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

If you prefer your fries extra crispy, you can cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your fries and the specific model of your air fryer.

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite seasonings and dipping sauces!

Tips for the Best Results:

• It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for even cooking and crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the fries in batches if needed.
• Shake the basket periodically during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
• Experiment with different types of fries, such as crinkle-cut, waffle, or sweet potato fries, as cooking times may vary.
• You can spray the fries with olive oil and season with salt before cooking, but it is not necessary as frozen fries are typically already pre-coated in oil.

How to get the perfect crisp

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Before you begin cooking, preheat your air fryer to ensure your fries cook evenly and become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.

Spread Out Your Frozen Fries

Place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, 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.

Cook at a High Temperature

Set your air fryer to a high temperature. Most sources recommend cooking your fries at 360-400°F for 10-20 minutes. However, the exact temperature and cooking time will depend on the type and thickness of your fries, as well as your air fryer model.

Shake the Basket

Shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure the fries cook evenly on all sides and prevent them from sticking together. Simply remove the basket, give it a good shake, and return it to the air fryer.

Adjust Timing for Your Preferred Crispness

Depending on the thickness of your fries and your desired level of crispness, you may need to adjust the cooking time. For thinner fries, such as shoestring fries, reduce the cooking time. For thicker cuts, like crinkle or steak fries, increase the cooking time.

Experiment with Different Types of Fries

Different types of fries will cook differently in your air fryer. For example, waffle fries may require a lower temperature and shorter cooking time, while thicker cuts like steak fries may need a higher temperature and longer cooking time. Experiment with different types of fries and adjust your cooking technique accordingly.

Don't Overcrowd the Basket

To achieve the perfect crisp, it's crucial not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If needed, cook your fries in batches to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.

Add Seasonings and Serve

Once your fries are cooked to your desired level of crispness, sprinkle them with your favorite seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. You can also dip them in sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, or chili sauce. Serve and enjoy your crispy, golden fries!

Oil or no oil?

Most recipes for cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer suggest that you can get away with using no oil at all. This is because air fryers use hot air to cook food, so there is no need to add extra oil to achieve crispy results. Many people opt for air fryers as a healthier alternative to deep-frying, so avoiding oil is preferable.

However, some recipes suggest that a light spray of oil can help the salt and seasonings to stick to the fries. Some people also find that a small amount of oil helps to achieve a more golden colour. If you do decide to use oil, it is recommended to use an oil spray or a light drizzle of olive oil.

Best air fryer temperature for frozen French fries

Air-fried French fries are a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones, and they can be just as tasty and crispy. If you're looking to get the best results with your air fryer, follow these tips to achieve the perfect temperature for your frozen fries.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Before you start cooking, it's important to preheat your air fryer. This will ensure that your fries cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. Set your air fryer to around 200°C (400°F) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes. This is an important step, as it helps to create that crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft.

Spread Out the Frozen Fries

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to prepare your frozen fries. Take your 16-ounce bag of frozen French fries and spread them out in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and soggy fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.

Set the Temperature and Time

Now, it's time to set the temperature and cooking time. For most air fryers, a temperature of around 400°F (200°C) is ideal for cooking frozen French fries. You'll want to cook them for 10 minutes initially, and then shake the basket and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes or until they're done to your liking.

Shake the Basket Regularly

To ensure even cooking and prevent the fries from sticking together, it's important to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so. This helps to distribute the heat evenly and prevents the fries from clumping together.

Adjust Time Based on Fry Type and Thickness

Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type and thickness of the fries. For example, crinkle-cut or waffle fries may take 10-11 minutes, while sweet potato fries may need up to 16 minutes. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure your fries are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Experiment with Your Air Fryer

Every air fryer is slightly different, so don't be afraid to experiment with the timings and heat settings. The above guidelines provide a good starting point, but you may need to adjust them slightly based on your specific air fryer model. Additionally, if you prefer your fries extra crispy, you can cook them for a few additional minutes.

Oil or No Oil?

Some people like to add a light spray of olive oil or avocado oil to their fries before air frying, as it can help with the "frying effect." However, others find that it's unnecessary and that the fries crisp up just fine without any added oil. Frozen fries are usually pre-coated in oil, so adding more may not be needed.

Serve with Your Favorite Dips

Once your fries are cooked to perfection, it's time to serve them! Sprinkle them with salt and your favorite seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. You can also dip them in sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, or chilli sauce. Enjoy your crispy, golden, and delicious air-fried French fries!

How to serve air fryer frozen French fries

Air fryer frozen French fries are a quick, easy, and healthy way to make delicious, crispy fries. They are a convenient side dish or snack, and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to serve them:

Choose Your Favourite Dipping Sauces:

Ketchup is the classic sauce for French fries, but you can also try other sauces such as:

• Fry sauce—a grown-up version of ketchup that's divine.
• Yum yum sauce—a popular choice that is light, sweet, and tangy.
• Cheese sauce—a rich and thick sauce that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
• Ranch dressing—a favourite among kids, and it goes well with fries.
• Make your own sauce—mix your favourite spices with mayo and ketchup for a unique flavour. Try adding chipotle chilli powder, garlic powder, or onion powder for a spicy kick.

Seasoning:

You can sprinkle your fries with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for an extra burst of flavour.

Loaded Fries:

Take your fries to the next level by loading them up with toppings such as cheese sauce, crumbled bacon, sour cream, and green onions.

Truffle Fries:

For a gourmet touch, add some truffle oil and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.

Serve with a Sandwich or Wrap:

Fries are the perfect side dish for a sandwich or wrap. Try pairing them with a Tunacado sandwich, crispy chicken snack wrap, or an Italian grinder salad sandwich.

Salad:

Create the classic combo of a salad and fries. They go well with a Mediterranean chopped salad.

Burger:

Fries and burgers are a match made in heaven. Serve them with a spinach and feta turkey burger, BBQ chicken burger, or smash burger tacos.

Chicken:

Crispy French fries are a great side dish for crispy coated chicken. Try them with Romano crusted chicken cutlets, air fryer chicken tenderloins, or baked chicken nuggets.

Frequently asked questions