Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make crinkle-cut fries that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They can be made with no added oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep-fried or oven-baked fries. The cooking time for crinkle-cut fries in an air fryer varies depending on the amount, the size of the air fryer, and the thickness of the fries, but generally, they cook at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
How long do you cook crinkle fries in an air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 400°F/205°C |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Preheat Time | 2-3 minutes |
| Oil | Not required |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, cheese, pulled pork, ground beef, etc. |
| Dips | Marinara sauce, pasta sauce, hot sauce, spicy garlic aioli, etc. |
| Cut | Crinkle cutter or wavy-edged knife |
| Soak | Salted water for 20 minutes |
| Fry Basket | Shaken halfway through cooking |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is not a requirement when making crinkle fries, but doing so for 2-3 minutes can give you the best and most even cooking results. Set the temperature to 400°F (200° or 205°C) and let the air fryer preheat for 2-3 minutes.
If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. The cooking time can vary based on the amount and air fryer settings, so you may need to adjust the time based on the amount of crinkle fries you are cooking. For smaller air fryers (less than 5 quarts), 1 pound is about the maximum amount you can cook at once without overcrowding the air fryer.
The more you fill the basket, the more frequently you will want to shake the basket to help the fries cook evenly. It is important to not overcrowd the basket. Leave little gaps for air circulation. Spread the frozen crinkle fries in the air fryer basket in batches if needed, ensuring they are in a single layer without overlapping.
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Add the frozen fries
Different brands of frozen crinkle fries vary in size and thickness, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Fries that are piled too thick on top of each other will not cook evenly. For smaller air fryers (less than 5 quarts), 1 pound is about the maximum amount you should cook at once. If you're cooking larger batches, try turning them multiple times.
You don't need to add any extra oil to the frozen fries as they already contain enough cooking oil to make them crispy. However, some people prefer to add a little bit of oil for extra taste.
Once you've added the frozen fries to the air fryer, you can start frying them. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°-205°C) and air fry for 8–15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking, and season with salt and pepper if desired.
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Shake the basket
Shaking the basket is an important step in the process of cooking crinkle fries in an air fryer. This step ensures that the fries cook evenly on all sides and helps to achieve the desired level of crispiness. Here is a detailed guide on when and how to shake the basket:
Firstly, it is important to spread the frozen fries evenly in the air fryer basket. This can be done by placing the fries in a single layer without overcrowding the basket. Leaving small gaps between the fries allows for proper air circulation, which is crucial for even cooking.
Once the fries are arranged in the basket, it is time to set the temperature and timer. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 400°F (200-205°C) for 2-3 minutes before adding the fries. The cooking time may vary depending on the amount of fries and the size of your air fryer, but it typically ranges from 10 to 15 minutes.
Now, let's talk about shaking the basket. For best results, the basket should be shaken at least once during the cooking process. The ideal time to do this is halfway through the cooking time. By shaking the basket, you can flip the fries and ensure that they cook evenly on all sides. You can either shake the entire basket to flip the fries or individually turn them with tongs.
If you are cooking larger batches of fries or if they are not cooking evenly, you may need to shake the basket multiple times. Additionally, if your air fryer is smaller, you may need to shake the basket more frequently to help the fries cook evenly. It is also important to avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can affect the cooking process and prevent the fries from becoming crispy.
Finally, once the timer goes off, remove the basket from the air fryer and check the fries. If they are not crispy enough, you can air fry them for an additional 1-3 minutes or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Remember to season the fries while they are still hot so that the seasoning sticks to them.
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Flip the fries
Flipping the fries is an important step in the air-frying process. It ensures that the crinkle fries cook evenly and that all sides get crispy. The best way to flip the fries is to first open the air fryer basket and shake it gently. You can do this by hand, individually flipping each fry, or you can simply shake the entire basket so that the fries flip over. If you are cooking a large batch of fries, you may need to flip them multiple times to ensure even cooking.
When flipping the fries, it is important to ensure that they remain in a single layer and do not overlap. Overlapping fries will not cook evenly, resulting in some fries that are crispy and others that are still soft. It is also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you are cooking a large quantity of fries, it is best to cook them in batches. This will ensure that there is enough space for the hot air to circulate around the fries, cooking them evenly.
The frequency with which you need to flip the fries will depend on the total cooking time. For example, if you are cooking the fries for 12-15 minutes, you should shake the basket halfway through, at the 6-minute mark. If you are cooking the fries for a shorter period, such as 8-9 minutes, you will need to shake the basket earlier. Opening the basket and shaking the fries will help to ensure that they are cooking evenly and prevent them from sticking to the basket.
In addition to flipping the fries, you may also need to adjust the cooking time or temperature based on the brand of fries you are using. Different brands of frozen crinkle fries may vary in size and thickness, which will impact the cooking time. Thicker fries will take longer to cook, while thinner fries may cook more quickly. By keeping an eye on the fries and flipping them at the appropriate time, you can ensure that they cook evenly and achieve the desired level of crispiness.
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Season to taste
The cooking time for crinkle fries in an air fryer varies depending on the amount, the air fryer settings, and the thickness of the fries. As a general rule, cook frozen crinkle fries at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Check frequently and add more time if needed until the fries are golden and crisp. For smaller air fryers, 1 pound is about the maximum amount you can cook at once without overcrowding the fryer. If you are cooking larger batches, or if your fries don't cook evenly, try turning them multiple times.
Now, onto seasoning. While some brands of frozen crinkle fries are already seasoned, you can always add more seasoning to taste. It is best to season the frozen fries after they are done cooking and still hot so that the seasoning sticks to the fries. You can season with salt and pepper to taste, or try something more adventurous like hot sauce, spicy garlic aioli, or marinara sauce. If you're feeling creative, you can even add toppings like cheese, pulled pork, or ground beef.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook crinkle fries in an air fryer for 12 to 15 minutes at 400°F.
No, you do not need to add oil to the air fryer when cooking crinkle fries. The frozen store-bought crinkle fries already contain enough cooking oil to make the fries crispy.
First, wash and peel the potatoes. Then, slice the potatoes using a wavy-edged knife to get the crinkle effect. Next, cut the slices into strips of your desired size. Put the potatoes in a bowl of salted water and allow them to soak for at least 20 minutes. Drain the water and spread the potatoes on a paper towel-lined sheet pan. Finally, place the potatoes in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
