Air Fryer Frozen Chips: How Long Until They're Crispy?

Cooking frozen chips in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get crispy, golden chips. The cooking time will depend on the type of chip and the model of the air fryer, but generally, chips will take between 8 to 25 minutes at a temperature of around 200°C (400°F).

Cooking times for different types of frozen chips

The cooking time for frozen chips in an air fryer depends on the type of chip and the model of the air fryer. As a general rule, thinner chips will take less time to cook than thicker chips. Here are some estimated cooking times for different types of frozen chips:

French Fries

French fries, also known as skinny chips, typically take between 8 to 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer. However, some sources suggest that they may take up to 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

Crinkle Cut/Straight Cut

Crinkle-cut or straight-cut frozen chips usually take between 12 to 15 minutes in an air fryer. McCain crinkle-cut chips are particularly recommended for air frying.

Chunky Chips

Thicker chips, such as steak-cut or waffle-cut, will take longer to cook, typically between 18 to 20 minutes. However, thicker chips may take up to 25-30 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

Curly Cut

Curly-cut frozen chips typically take around 20 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

It is important to note that the cooking times may vary depending on the make and model of the air fryer, as well as the desired level of crispiness. It is recommended to keep a close eye on the chips during the first cook to determine the ideal cooking time for your specific air fryer. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the chips are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket and are shaken or stirred periodically to ensure even cooking.

How to arrange frozen chips in the air fryer

Cooking frozen chips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, crispy chips. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to arrange your frozen chips in the air fryer for the best results:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Before you begin cooking, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and to help achieve that desired crispiness. Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and preheat for around 3-5 minutes.

Step 2: Arrange the Frozen Chips in a Single Layer

Take your bag of frozen chips and spread them out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket and try to keep the chips from overlapping. This is important to ensure even cooking and to prevent sogginess. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chips in batches.

Step 3: Set the Temperature and Cooking Time

Once your chips are arranged, set the air fryer to a high temperature. For most air fryers, a temperature of 185°C (365°F) works well. The cooking time will depend on the type of chip you are using. Thinner chips like French fries will take around 10-15 minutes, while thicker chips like steak fries or wedges may take up to 20-25 minutes.

Step 4: Shake the Basket Regularly

During the cooking process, remember to shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes or so. This helps to ensure even cooking on all sides of the chips and prevents them from sticking together.

Step 5: Adjust Cooking Time as Needed

Keep an eye on your chips as they cook, and adjust the cooking time as needed. The chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy. If you prefer them crispier, you can cook them for a few minutes longer.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Once your chips are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and season them with your favorite spices or herbs. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika to taste. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, or chili sauce. Enjoy!

Oil and seasoning

Most frozen chips are already coated in oil and seasoning, so you can simply add them to the air fryer basket. However, if your chips aren't crisping up enough, you can spray them with a little oil from an oil mister or a low-calorie oil spray. Avoid using aerosol sprays as they can spoil the coating of the air fryer basket.

If you want to add extra flavour to your chips, you can season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. You can also try chip spice, grated cheese, or spices like ground garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, or chilli pepper flakes. It is recommended to season the chips after cooking them.

How to prevent soggy chips

To prevent soggy chips in your air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. While the chips can touch and be stacked, avoid squeezing too many into the basket. This allows adequate airflow around each chip, ensuring they get crispy.

Secondly, it is important to shake the basket frequently. This ensures all sides of the chips are exposed to the hot air and promotes even cooking. Shaking the basket also prevents the chips from sticking together or to the basket.

For crispy chips, it is also recommended to preheat your air fryer. This helps the chips cook evenly, achieving a crispy exterior while remaining soft on the inside. Preheat your air fryer for around 3-5 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

When placing the chips in the basket, spread them out in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chips in batches.

During cooking, shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. If your chips are not crisping up enough, you can spray them with a little oil using an oil mister or low-calorie oil spray.

Finally, the type of potato you use can also impact the crispiness of your chips. Idaho and Russet potatoes are recommended due to their high starch content, which helps them crisp up. Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good option as they have a creamy flavor and crisp up well.

How to reheat frozen chips in an air fryer

Preparation

Frozen chips can be cooked straight from the freezer, so there is no need to defrost them before preparing. However, it is important to ensure that they are not overlapping in the air fryer basket and are arranged in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chips in batches.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Set your air fryer to a high temperature of around 200°C (400°F). The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chips, but it usually takes between 10 to 20 minutes for frozen chips to cook through. For thinner chips, such as French fries, cooking will be quicker (around 10 minutes), while thicker chips like steak fries or wedges may need up to 25 minutes. It is a good idea to shake the basket every 5 minutes to prevent the chips from sticking together and to ensure even cooking.

Seasoning and Serving

Once the chips are cooked to a golden brown crisp, remove them from the air fryer and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or your favourite spices. You can also serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, or chilli sauce.

Tips for Best Results

• Preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the frozen chips.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket and cook in batches if needed.
• Shake or flip the chips every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Add seasoning after the chips are cooked and while they are still hot.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the size, shape, and thickness of your chips, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking or burning.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy perfectly crispy and golden reheated frozen chips from your air fryer!

Frequently asked questions