Air Fryer Steak Fries: Frozen To Crispy In Minutes

Steak fries are a delicious side dish, but they can be time-consuming to make. Luckily, an air fryer can get them crisp on the outside and soft on the inside in less time than it takes to bake or deep-fry them. You can use a traditional air fryer or an Instant Pot air fryer to make steak fries.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your steak fries will cook evenly and efficiently. To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to 400°F. Let it heat up for about 5 minutes. This will give your air fryer enough time to reach the desired temperature and create a hot cooking environment for your steak fries.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steak fries. Take them out of the freezer and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are evenly spread out and not overcrowded. This will ensure that each fry cooks consistently and becomes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Once the air fryer has preheated for 5 minutes, you can proceed with the next step of air-frying your steak fries. Depending on your preferred level of crispiness, you can adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly. For example, if you like your steak fries extra crispy, you might consider increasing the cooking time by a few minutes.

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step that prepares the cooking environment for your steak fries. By setting the temperature to 400°F and allowing it to heat up for 5 minutes, you create the ideal conditions for cooking delicious steak fries that are crispy and golden brown.

Don't overfill the basket

When cooking frozen steak fries in an air fryer, it's important not to overfill the basket. This is because the fries need room to cook evenly. If the basket is too full, the hot air won't be able to circulate properly, and you'll end up with unevenly cooked fries. Some might be burnt, while others might still be frozen.

To avoid overfilling the basket, start by adding half a bag of frozen steak fries. Spread them out evenly in the basket, making sure they're not piled on top of each other. Close the lid and set the temperature to 400°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the air fryer, but a good starting point is 13-17 minutes.

Halfway through the cooking time, open the lid and use tongs or shake the basket to toss the fries. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents them from sticking. If you're using an Instant Pot air fryer, you may not need to worry about sticking.

Once the cooking time is up, open the lid and check the fries. If they're not quite done to your liking, you can toss them again and air fry for an additional 2 minutes. Remember, it's better to underfill the basket than to overfill it. If you find that half a bag of fries is too much, adjust the amount accordingly.

By following these tips and avoiding overfilling the basket, you'll end up with perfectly cooked frozen steak fries that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Enjoy!

Cook for 13-17 minutes

Cooking frozen steak fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy fries. To cook frozen steak fries in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then, add the fries to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are evenly spread out and not overfilling the basket. Close the air fryer and cook for 13-17 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the lid and use tongs or shake the basket to toss the fries. This ensures they cook evenly and don't stick to the basket. After the cooking time is up, check to make sure the fries are cooked to your liking. If you prefer them crispier, you can toss the fries again and air fry for another 2 minutes. Serve the fries hot and enjoy!

Shake the basket halfway through

Shaking the basket halfway through is an important step in cooking frozen steak fries in an air fryer. This ensures that the fries cook evenly and don't burn.

To do this, open the lid of the air fryer after about 6-7 minutes (halfway through the cooking time). Use tongs to toss the fries around in the basket, or simply shake the basket to mix them up. You can also use a spatula to flip them over at this point, which will help to ensure even cooking and make the fries golden brown and crispy.

After shaking or flipping the fries, close the lid of the air fryer and continue cooking for the remaining time. When the timer goes off, open the lid and check to make sure the fries are cooked to your liking. If you want them crispier, you can toss them again and air fry for another 2 minutes.

Shaking the basket halfway through is a simple step that helps to ensure your frozen steak fries come out perfectly cooked and crispy every time.

Toss the fries and air fry for another 2 minutes

When cooking frozen steak fries in an air fryer, it's important to toss the fries halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. After tossing the fries, return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. This additional cooking time allows the fries to become crisp on the outside while remaining soft on the inside.

The ideal temperature for cooking frozen steak fries in an air fryer is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the fries. It is recommended to use tongs or shake the basket to ensure the fries are tossed well.

Avoid overfilling the basket to ensure even cooking. Additionally, there is no need to thaw the frozen steak fries before air frying them. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy steak fries cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

Frequently asked questions