Air Fryer Frozen Chips: How Long Should You Fry?

Frozen chips in an air fryer? Yes, please! You can cook any brand of frozen chips in an air fryer, and they'll taste just as good as deep-fried but with fewer calories. The best part? You don't need to defrost them first. Simply preheat your air fryer to around 180-200°C (360-400°F), add your frozen chips in a single layer, and cook for 10-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until golden brown. For thicker chips, you might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes. So, get your favourite sauce ready and enjoy!

How to get the best crisp

To get the best crisp on your frozen chips, follow these steps:

Timing

Timing is key when it comes to getting the perfect crisp on your frozen chips. Depending on the type of chip you are using, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. For thicker chips like steak fries, wedges, or homestyle chips, cook for 13–15 minutes. For thinner chips like French fries, crinkle-cut, or straight-cut fries, cook for 10–12 minutes. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines, and you may need to adjust the time slightly depending on your specific air fryer and the brand of chips you are using.

Temperature

Preheat your air fryer to the correct temperature to ensure even cooking and crispiness. The ideal temperature for cooking frozen chips is between 180°C/350°F and 200°C/400°F. Check your air fryer's instructions to see if preheating is necessary, as some models may not require it. If your air fryer does require preheating, be sure to do so for 3–5 minutes before adding your chips.

Preparation

Spread the frozen chips in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chips in batches. If you are using an air fryer liner, keep in mind that this may increase the cooking time slightly.

Cooking

During the cooking process, it is important to shake or flip the chips every 5 minutes to ensure even browning and crispiness on all sides. This will also prevent them from sticking together. If you are cooking thicker chips, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly, adding an additional 5–10 minutes until they reach the desired level of doneness.

Serving

Once your chips are golden brown and crispy, it's time to serve them! Sprinkle them with your favourite seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika, for an extra burst of flavour. You can also dip them in sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, or chilli sauce. Enjoy your crispy, golden brown chips!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time for frozen chips in an air fryer varies depending on the type of chip. Thicker chips like steak fries, wedges, or homestyle fries will take longer, around 13–15 minutes in the air fryer. For thinner chips like French fries, crinkle-cut, or curly fries, you're looking at a cooking time of about 10–12 minutes.

It's important to note that the cooking time may also depend on the specific air fryer model being used. For example, the Cosori air fryer cooks frozen French fries at 185°C (365°F) for 20–25 minutes. On the other hand, McCain oven chips are cooked at a lower temperature of 180°C/360°F for 12 minutes, and then an additional 4 minutes at 200°C/400°F to make them crispy.

To ensure even cooking and crispiness, it is recommended to shake the basket or flip the fries every 5 minutes. It's also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and to cook the fries in a single layer if possible.

The ideal temperature for cooking frozen chips in an air fryer is between 180°C and 200°C (360°F and 400°F). Preheating the air fryer for 3–5 minutes is also recommended for even cooking and to ensure the chips become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside.

Which chips to use

When it comes to choosing the best frozen chips for your air fryer, there are several factors to consider, including taste, texture, and healthiness. Here are some recommended options to help you decide:

McCain's Frozen Chips

McCain's frozen chips are a popular choice for air fryer enthusiasts. They offer a range of options, including straight-cut, crinkle-cut, steak fries, and smiley fries. McCain's chips are known for their crispy texture and delicious taste. They are also relatively low in calories, with only 132 calories per 100g of oven chips.

Birds Eye Frozen Chips

Birds Eye frozen chips are another excellent option, especially if you're looking for straight-cut or crinkle-cut varieties. In taste tests, Birds Eye chips scored high and were recommended by judges. They have a good texture and flavour, with a pleasant golden colour. However, they tend to be higher in sodium content.

Woolworths Frozen Chips

Woolworths offers a range of frozen chip options that have been well-received by taste testers. Their Essentials French Fries were praised for their potato taste and good crispness. Woolworths also has beer-battered steakhouse chips that received positive reviews for their crunch and natural taste.

Tesco Frozen Chips

Tesco offers Salt & Pepper Ridge Chips that are worth considering. These chips have a unique shape and offer a nice crispness without being too oily. However, some children may not enjoy the peppery flavour.

Aunt Bessie's Skin On Homestyle Chips

Aunt Bessie's frozen chips are another good option, especially if you like the extra bite that comes from the skin. These chips crisp up nicely and have a nice flavour.

Lidl Harvest Basket Beef Dripping Chips

If you're looking for fluffy chips, Lidl's Harvest Basket Beef Dripping chips are a great choice. While they are triple-cooked in beef dripping, which usually guarantees a crisp finish, these chips were surprisingly fluffy on the inside with a less crispy exterior.

Strong Roots Proper Chips

For a good balance of flavour and texture, consider Strong Roots Proper Chips. Made with Maris Piper potatoes and a small amount of sunflower oil, these chunky chips received positive reviews from tasters.

In conclusion, there are numerous frozen chip options available that can be cooked in an air fryer. The best choice for you will depend on your personal preferences for taste, texture, and health considerations. Be sure to experiment with different brands and varieties to find your favourite!

Serving suggestions

Frozen chips in the air fryer are a quick, easy, and healthy way to make a delicious snack or side dish. They go with almost anything, and you can serve them with a variety of toppings and dips.

Sauces and dips

The most obvious sauces to serve with chips are ketchup, barbeque sauce, and mayonnaise. However, you could also try something different, like sweet chilli mayo, spicy yoghurt sauce, mustard yoghurt sauce, truffle oil, or garlic or truffle oil.

Toppings

For a more indulgent dish, try smothering your chips with gravy or Mexican-style toppings. You could also sprinkle them with chicken salt, a popular seasoning in Australia that, despite its name, is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Other seasoning options include salt and vinegar, regular salt, or paprika powder.

Sides

Air fryer chips make a great side dish for chicken burgers, frozen air fryer party pies, air fryer beef kebabs, air fryer chicken legs, or air fryer roast chicken. For a healthier option, pair them with air fryer corn on the cob, mashed peas, or air fryer onions.

Other dishes

As well as being a great side, air fryer chips can be served with other dishes such as chicken and fish nuggets, mozzarella sticks, or a side salad. They also go well with vegan nut roast, chicken nuggets, or fish fingers.

Air fryer vs oven

Air fryers and ovens are both used for cooking food, but there are several differences between the two appliances in terms of size, function, capacity, and cooking methods.

Size and Function

An air fryer is a compact countertop appliance that typically cooks one dish at a time. In contrast, an oven is a full-sized appliance that can accommodate multiple dishes or larger portions. The main function of an air fryer is to circulate heated air rapidly to cook and crisp up food. On the other hand, a conventional oven uses still air to cook food, with heating elements at the top and bottom of the cavity.

Capacity and Cooking Methods

Air fryers are ideal for preparing single batches of food, such as chicken wings, bacon, salmon, or zucchini fries. They use a perforated basket to expose all sides of the food to the hot air, resulting in an even, crispy finish. Ovens, on the other hand, have a larger capacity and can handle multiple dishes or larger portions. Conventional ovens are better suited for baking delicate items and recipes that require liquid batters.

Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven

An air fryer can be likened to a miniature convection oven, as both use a fan to circulate heated air. However, air fryers are designed for optimal crisping and browning, while convection ovens have a larger capacity. Convection ovens are suitable for preparing multiple dishes or batches of food simultaneously.

Air Fryer vs. Toaster Oven

Toaster ovens or countertop ovens offer a wider range of functions, such as broiling, roasting, and baking, in addition to air frying. They usually have settings for dehydrating, pizza cooking, and dough proofing. Toaster ovens are convenient for cooking single batches of fried foods, just like air fryers. However, toaster ovens may offer a No-Flip Air Fry feature, eliminating the need to shake or flip the food during cooking.

Both air fryers and ovens have their advantages. Air fryers are compact, convenient, and excellent for achieving crispy results with minimal oil. Ovens, especially convection ovens, offer more capacity and versatility, making them suitable for preparing multiple dishes or larger portions. Ultimately, the choice between an air fryer and an oven depends on your specific needs, preferences, and cooking requirements.

Frequently asked questions