Air Fryer Frozen French Fries: Perfect Timing

If you're craving crispy, golden French fries without the mess and guilt of deep frying, then it's time to break out your air fryer! With just two essential ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you can enjoy delicious, healthy French fries that taste like they came straight from your favourite fast-food joint.

How to get the perfect crispiness

Preheat the Air Fryer

Before you start cooking, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure your fries cook evenly and become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside.

Spread Out the Frozen Fries

Place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread 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 the Fries

Set your air fryer to a high temperature, around 365-400°F (185-200°C). The cooking time will depend on the type of fry and your desired level of crispiness, but it typically ranges from 10-20 minutes. Shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure even cooking and prevent the fries from sticking together.

Season the Fries

Once your fries are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, it's time to season them. You can keep it simple with just salt, or get creative with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, or chili powder.

Serve and Enjoy

These crispy, golden fries are now ready to be devoured! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, chili sauce, or cheese sauce.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Fries:

• Shake it up: Toss the fries gently halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Don't Overfill: Avoid filling your air fryer more than halfway to three-quarters full to prevent overcrowding and undercooked fries.
• Crispier Fries: Increase the cooking time for thicker fries or if you prefer them extra crispy.
• Single Layer: Spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket for the best results.
• Check and Adjust: Keep an eye on the fries during cooking and adjust the time as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.

Cooking Times for Different Types of Fries:

• Crinkle-Cut/Waffle Fries: 10-12 minutes
• Sweet Potato Fries: 16 minutes
• Lattice Cut Fries: 10-11 minutes
• Shoestring Fries: 8-10 minutes

How long to cook different types of fries

The cooking time for different types of fries varies depending on the thickness of the fries and the model of the air fryer. Here is a guide on how long to cook some of the most common types of fries:

Crinkle-Cut/Waffle Fries

Cook for 10-11 minutes for crinkle-cut fries and 8-10 minutes for waffle fries. Waffle fries tend to be thinner, so they require a lower temperature and shorter cooking time to avoid burning.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries usually take longer to cook and typically require around 16 minutes in the air fryer.

Lattice Cut Fries

Lattice cut fries are similar to crinkle-cut fries and should be cooked for 10-11 minutes.

Shoestring Fries

Due to their thin shape, shoestring fries will be ready in a shorter amount of time, typically around 8-10 minutes.

Classic Cut Frozen Fries

For classic cut frozen fries, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10-12 minutes. You may need to adjust the time depending on your desired crispiness.

Fast Food Style Frozen Fries

Fast food-style frozen fries are usually thinner, so cook them at a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-12 minutes.

Crinkle-Cut Frozen Fries

For crinkle-cut frozen fries, use a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for around 10-12 minutes.

Homemade French Fries

When making homemade French fries from fresh potatoes, cut the potatoes into fries of uniform size, about 1/4-inch thick. Toss them with olive oil and salt, then spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You may need to work in batches to ensure even cooking.

The best temperature to cook at

The best temperature to cook your frozen French fries in an air fryer is between 360 and 400°F (180 and 200°C).

The cooking time and temperature will vary depending on the type of French fries you are cooking and the type of air fryer you are using. For example, thinner fries such as shoestring fries will require a shorter cooking time than thicker fries like crinkle-cut fries.

It is also important to note that toaster oven-style air fryers tend to take longer to cook than basket-style air fryers. Additionally, newer air fryers may cook faster and hotter than older models.

• Waffle Fries: 360°F (180°C)
• Fast Food Style Fries: 375°F (190°C)
• Crinkle-Cut Fries: 375°F (190°C)
• Classic Cut Fries: 375°F (190°C)
• Curly Fries: 360-375°F (180-190°C)
• Sweet Potato Fries: 400°F (200°C)

It is recommended to cook the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket and to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure even cooking and to prevent the fries from sticking together.

Depending on your preferred level of crispiness, you may need to adjust the cooking time. For softer or thinner fries, decrease the cooking time, and for crispier or thicker fries, increase the time.

It is also worth noting that most frozen French fries are already coated in oil, so there is no need to add extra oil when cooking. However, you can add a light spray of oil or cooking spray to the basket before adding the fries if desired.

How to reheat fries in an air fryer

If you have any leftover fries, you can easily reheat them in your air fryer to restore their crispiness. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 400°F. This will ensure that your fries get heated evenly.

Step 2: Place the Fries in the Air Fryer Basket

Take your leftover fries out of the refrigerator and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to fill the basket more than halfway for the best results. You don't need to defrost or thaw the fries before reheating.

Step 3: Reheat the Fries

Place the basket in the air fryer and reheat the fries for about 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, and shake the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

Step 4: Serve the Fries

Once the fries have reached your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and serve them immediately. You can sprinkle some salt or your favorite seasoning, but it's recommended to salt the fries just before serving to maintain their crispiness.

Tips for Reheating Fries in an Air Fryer:

• Shake the basket regularly during reheating to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
• Depending on the brand and type of your air fryer, the reheating time may vary. Toaster oven-style air fryers usually take longer, and newer air fryers may cook faster.
• If you're reheating a large batch of fries, you may need to do it in smaller batches to ensure even heating.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This will help prevent sogginess and ensure that all the fries get heated evenly.
• For the best flavor and texture, it's recommended to consume leftover fries within 3-5 days of storage in the refrigerator.

Oil or no oil?

When it comes to cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer, there are differing opinions on whether or not to use oil. Some recipes suggest adding a small amount of oil to the fries before cooking, while others claim that oil is unnecessary and may even detract from the final result. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use oil may depend on personal preference, the desired level of crispiness, and the specific type of French fry being cooked.

The Case for Oil

Some cooks recommend adding a small amount of oil to frozen French fries before air frying. This can be done by tossing the fries in a bowl with oil, or by spraying them lightly with oil once they are in the air fryer basket. Adding oil can help to ensure that the fries come out crispy, and it can also aid in the even distribution of seasonings. Oil can also enhance the taste of the fries, making them more indulgent and flavourful.

The Case Against Oil

On the other hand, many cooks argue that oil is unnecessary when cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer. Frozen French fries often already have oil added to them during the production process, so adding more oil can make the final product greasy or overly oily. Additionally, air fryers are designed to cook food with little to no oil, so using oil may defeat the purpose of using an air fryer in the first place.

A Compromise

If you're unsure whether to use oil or not, you could consider using a small amount of oil spray. This will add a minimal amount of oil to the fries, which can help with crispiness and seasoning without making the fries overly greasy. Alternatively, you could experiment with adding oil to one batch of fries and compare the results to a batch cooked without oil to determine which method you prefer.

Tips for Using Oil

• Use a high smoke point oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or peanut oil.
• Add the oil to the fries before placing them in the air fryer, and toss to coat evenly.
• If using an oil spray, spray the fries lightly after placing them in the air fryer basket.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can cause the fries to become soggy and unevenly cooked.

Tips for Cooking Without Oil

• Spread the frozen fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Shake the basket periodically during cooking to prevent the fries from sticking together and to promote even cooking.
• If desired, season the fries after cooking to enhance flavour without adding oil.

Frequently asked questions