Air Fryer Crinkle-Cut Fries: Quick, Crispy, Golden Perfection

Cooking crinkle fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack. You can use any brand of frozen crinkle cut fries and they'll be ready in just 15 minutes. Simply preheat your air fryer to 400°F, place the fries in the basket, and cook for 6 minutes. Then, shake the basket to ensure they cook evenly, and cook for another 6-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like them.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making crinkle fries. Set your air fryer to 400°F and wait for it to reach this temperature before you begin cooking. This will ensure your fries cook evenly and efficiently.

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is a simple step that will help you achieve the best results. By setting the temperature to 400°F, you are creating the ideal environment for cooking crinkle fries. This temperature is hot enough to cook the fries thoroughly and give them a crispy texture, without burning them.

Waiting for your air fryer to preheat also allows the appliance to reach a consistent temperature throughout. This means that when you place your crinkle fries in the basket, they will be exposed to even heat distribution, resulting in evenly cooked fries.

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is a crucial step that should not be skipped. It ensures your fries cook properly and helps you achieve the desired level of crispiness. By taking the time to preheat your air fryer, you are setting yourself up for success and guaranteeing delicious, crispy crinkle fries every time.

Place a single layer of frozen crinkle fries in the air fryer basket

If you prefer your fries extra crispy, you can cook them for an additional 1-3 minutes after the initial 15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness, as well as the size and brand of your air fryer and the fries themselves. For example, when making Ore Ida crinkle fries in a 5-8 quart air fryer, 12-16 minutes is the perfect amount of time.

It's important to note that the fries must be totally frozen for them to cook properly. So, make sure you don't thaw them before placing them in the air fryer. Simply open the package of frozen fries and put them directly into the air fryer basket.

By following these simple steps, you'll have delicious, crispy crinkle fries cooked to perfection in your air fryer!

Cook for 6 minutes, then shake the basket

After placing your frozen crinkle fries in the air fryer basket, you'll need to cook them for 6 minutes. This is the first stage of the cooking process, which will be followed by shaking the basket to ensure the fries cook evenly. It's important not to crowd the basket with too many fries, so they cook evenly. Once the initial 6 minutes is up, remove the basket and give it a good shake. This will help to toss the fries around, ensuring they cook consistently.

After shaking the basket, return it to the air fryer and continue cooking. The total cooking time is around 15 minutes, so you'll want to cook the fries for an additional 6-9 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. If you like your fries extra crispy, you may want to add an extra 1-3 minutes to the cooking time.

Tossing or shaking the fries halfway through the cooking process is an important step. This ensures that the fries don't stick to the basket and cook evenly on all sides. By shaking the basket, you're essentially flipping or rotating the fries, allowing for even browning and crispiness.

Depending on the size and brand of your air fryer, as well as the type of fries you're using, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. For example, when making Ore Ida crinkle fries in a 5-8 quart air fryer, a total cooking time of 12-16 minutes is recommended. So, after the initial 6 minutes, you'd cook the fries for an additional 6-10 minutes, depending on your desired texture.

Cook for at least 6 more minutes

After the initial six minutes of cooking, you should shake the basket to ensure the fries are evenly cooked. Then, cook for at least another six minutes. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you can cook them for up to 10 more minutes. The exact time will vary based on the size and brand of your air fryer, as well as the fries themselves. For example, when making Ore Ida crinkle fries in a 5-8 quart air fryer, 12-16 minutes is the perfect amount of time.

Toss the fries halfway through the cooking time

It's important to toss the fries halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly. This is because the air fryer cooks the fries from the bottom up, so if you don't toss them, the bottom fries will be overcooked and the top fries will be undercooked. To toss the fries, simply remove the air fryer basket and give it a shake. This will ensure that all the fries get their turn at the bottom of the basket and will result in evenly cooked, crispy fries.

Frequently asked questions