Air Fryer Frozen Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Making French fries in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to satisfy your cravings. This method yields crispy, golden, and fluffy fries without the need for deep frying or baking. The air fryer's hot air circulates around the fries, ensuring they cook evenly without the need for extra oil. It's also versatile, as you can use different types of frozen fries, from shoestring to sweet potato to waffle fries, and get consistent results. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

- 16 oz bag of frozen French fries of your choice (e.g. shoestring, crinkle-cut, waffle, or sweet potato fries)

- Light cooking spray (optional)

- Salt to taste

- Your favourite dipping sauces (e.g. ketchup, mayonnaise, chilli sauce)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F (180-200°C).

2. Lightly spray the frozen fries with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt (optional).

3. Place the fries in the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer for the best results. Avoid overcrowding the basket.

4. Air fry at 360-400°F (180-200°C) for 10-20 minutes, depending on the type of fry and your desired crispiness. Shake the basket halfway through cooking and return it to the air fryer.

5. Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauces.

Preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen fries, as it ensures your fries cook evenly and become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. Depending on the model of your air fryer, you should preheat it to between 360°F and 400°F. For example, the Cosori air fryer should be preheated to 400°F for 3-5 minutes. The Instant Slim 6QT Air Fryer Oven should be preheated to 360°F. Other air fryers may require a preheat temperature of 380°F or 375°F.

After preheating your air fryer, you can proceed to the next steps of making frozen fries. First, place your frozen fries in the air fryer basket. It is important not to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and soggy fries. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.

Once your fries are in the basket, you can optionally spray them with a light coating of cooking oil or olive oil, which will help your toppings stick to the fries. You can then season your fries with salt or garlic salt, or even more exotic seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, or Cajun seasoning.

After seasoning your fries, you can proceed to cook them. The cooking temperature and time will depend on the type of fries you are using and the model of your air fryer. For example, the Cosori air fryer should be set to 365°F for 20-25 minutes, while other air fryers may require a temperature of 400°F and a cooking time of 10-15 minutes. Be sure to shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking and to prevent the fries from sticking together.

Add frozen fries to the basket

Adding frozen fries to the basket is the first step to achieving that perfect, crispy, golden, and fluffy air-fried fry. It is important to note that the air fryer basket should not be filled to capacity; aim for about half to three-quarters full to ensure optimal airflow and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.

When placing the frozen fries in the basket, spread them out in a single layer to the best of your ability. This step is crucial to achieving the desired crispiness and avoiding soggy fries. It is okay if the fries are piled on top of each other a bit, as you will be shaking the basket during the cooking process to redistribute them and ensure even cooking.

Additionally, it is not necessary to defrost the frozen fries before adding them to the air fryer. Simply take them straight from the freezer to the air fryer basket. You may also want to give the fries a light spray of cooking oil or a sprinkle of salt before placing them in the basket, but this is optional, as most frozen fries already have sufficient oil and seasoning.

Once you have added the desired amount of frozen fries to the basket and optionally sprayed them with cooking oil or seasoned them with salt, you are ready to move on to the next step of air-frying your way to delicious, crispy fries.

Spray with oil/cooking spray

Spraying with Oil/Cooking Spray

Spraying your frozen fries with oil or cooking spray is an optional step in making fries in an air fryer. Some recipes suggest that you don't need to add extra oil to your frozen fries, as they are usually pre-coated. However, if you want to add some, a light coating of olive oil or cooking spray will be enough.

If you are using cooking spray, spray the bottom of the air fryer basket before adding your fries. You can also spray the fries themselves if you want. If you are using olive oil, spray it directly onto the fries.

Some recipes suggest that you add salt to your fries before cooking. If you are using oil or cooking spray, the salt will stick to the fries better.

Season with salt

Seasoning your fries with salt is an important step in achieving the perfect level of flavour. It's worth noting that many frozen fries already come pre-seasoned, so it's a good idea to check the packaging before adding extra salt. If your fries are unseasoned, or you'd simply like to add more, there are a few different methods you can use.

One popular method is to sprinkle salt directly over the fries, either before or after cooking. This is a quick and easy way to season your fries, but it can be tricky to get an even coating. Another option is to toss the fries with salt in a bowl before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures that each fry is evenly coated, but it can be a little messy. If you're looking for a more precise approach, you can try mixing salt with a small amount of oil or water to create a salt solution. You can then brush this solution over the fries before or after cooking. This method allows for more control and precision when seasoning your fries.

In terms of the type of salt to use, regular table salt will work just fine. However, some people prefer to use kosher salt, sea salt, or even garlic salt for extra flavour. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as onion powder, garlic powder, or paprika, to create unique flavour profiles.

When seasoning your fries, it's important to remember that a little salt goes a long way. It's easy to add more salt if needed, but it's difficult to remove it if you've added too much. So, start with a small amount and adjust to your taste preferences.

Cook for 10-20 minutes

Now that you've seasoned your fries and popped them into the air fryer, it's time to cook them! Depending on the type of air fryer you have, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time.

For example, if you're using a Cosori air fryer, preheat your appliance to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes. Then, set the temperature to 185°C (365°F) and cook the fries for 20-25 minutes. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. If you like your fries extra crispy, cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes.

If you're using a different brand of air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly. As a general rule of thumb, most air fryers will cook frozen fries within 10-20 minutes at around 360-400°F. For example, one source recommends cooking fries at 380°F for 18 minutes, shaking the basket at the 8-minute and 15-minute marks.

It's important to note that the cooking time will depend on the type of fry you're using. For example, sweet potato fries may take 12-18 minutes, while shoestring fries may only need 8-10 minutes. So, be sure to keep an eye on your fries and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Additionally, it's a good idea to shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking and crispiness. This will help prevent the fries from sticking together and ensure that they cook evenly on all sides.

Now, let's move on to the final step—serving your delicious, crispy air-fried fries!

Frequently asked questions