Air Fryer Frozen Chips: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen chips, yielding crispy, crunchy, and delicious results without the need for deep frying. The process is simple and quick, requiring minimal preparation and no added oil. The cooking time depends on the type of chip, with thinner varieties like French fries taking around 8-15 minutes and thicker ones like steak fries or wedges needing up to 25 minutes. It's important to arrange the chips in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Additionally, shaking the basket periodically helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning. Frozen chips in an air fryer are a convenient and tasty option for a quick evening meal or snack.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your chips cook evenly and turn out crispy. Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes. This is a crucial step as it helps to ensure your chips do not defrost and become soggy. If the temperature is too low when you put the chips in, they will not crisp up.

The preheating time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so be sure to check the instruction booklet for your specific appliance. For example, the Cosori air fryer takes 3-5 minutes to preheat, whereas the Kmart 7-litre basket air fryer requires 5 minutes.

Once your air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can then add your frozen chips and begin the cooking process.

Use the right temperature

The temperature you cook your frozen chips at in the air fryer is crucial to achieving the perfect level of crispiness. If the temperature is too low, your chips may come out soggy.

To ensure your chips are crispy, the air fryer should be set to a high temperature. Most sources recommend a temperature of 200°C (400°F). However, one source suggests a slightly lower temperature of 185°C (365°F) for cooking the chips.

It is also important to preheat your air fryer before adding the chips. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes. This will ensure your chips cook evenly and become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chips. Thicker chips, such as steak fries, wedges, or homestyle chips, will need a longer cooking time, around 20-25 minutes. Thinner chips, such as French fries, will take less time, around 10-15 minutes. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so it is important to keep an eye on your chips to avoid overcooking or burning them.

Avoid overcrowding the basket

When making frozen chips in an air fryer, it's important to avoid overcrowding the basket. This is because the air fryer needs to allow air to circulate the oil around each chip. If the basket is overcrowded, the chips may become soggy and not crisp up properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your chips in batches.

To avoid overcrowding, spread the frozen chips out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. They can be slightly touching but should not be stacked or piled high. This will help ensure that the chips cook evenly and become crispy. If you need to cook more chips than will fit in a single layer, you can work in batches.

It's also a good idea to shake or flip the basket every 5 minutes or so to prevent the chips from sticking together and to ensure that all sides cook evenly. This will help you achieve the desired level of crispiness on all sides of the chips.

Shake the basket regularly

Shaking the basket regularly is an important step in ensuring your chips cook evenly and become crispy. It also helps to prevent them from sticking together. Depending on the thickness of the chips, you may need to adjust the frequency with which you shake the basket. For instance, thinner chips like French fries may only need to be shaken every 5 minutes or so, whereas thicker chips like steak fries or wedges may need to be shaken more frequently, such as every 3-4 minutes. It's also a good idea to rotate the chips or stir them around with tongs when you shake the basket to ensure that all sides of each chip get crispy. This is especially important if you have a rectangular basket, as the chips at the edges may cook faster than those in the middle.

Shaking the basket also helps to prevent your chips from becoming soggy. By giving the basket a frequent shake, you ensure that all sides of the chips are exposed to the hot air in the air fryer, which will result in a crispier final product. If you notice that your chips are starting to stick to the basket or to each other, you can also try spraying them with a small amount of oil before returning the basket to the air fryer. However, this is not necessary, as most frozen chips already come pre-coated in oil.

It's important to note that the cooking time for your chips will depend on how often you shake the basket. If you shake the basket more frequently, you may need to increase the total cooking time to ensure that your chips are cooked through. Conversely, if you shake the basket less often, you may find that your chips are cooked more quickly. As such, it's important to keep an eye on your chips as they cook and adjust the timing as needed.

Serve with your favourite sauce

Now that your chips are ready, it's time to serve them with your favourite sauce. Here are some ideas:

Ketchup

A classic option that goes well with just about anything, ketchup is a safe bet to serve with your chips.

Mayonnaise

For those who like their sauces creamy and rich, mayonnaise is a perfect pairing.

Chilli Sauce

If you're looking for something with a kick, chilli sauce will bring some heat to your chips.

Fry Sauce

This sauce is a grown-up version of ketchup and is said to be divine. It's a popular choice for those looking for something a little different.

Yum Yum Sauce

This sauce is light, sweet, and tangy—a unique combination that is sure to delight your taste buds.

Cheese Sauce

Cheese sauce is an excellent option for those who want something rich and savoury. The thickness of the sauce will perfectly complement the crispiness of the chips.

Ranch Dressing

A favourite among kids, ranch dressing goes well with just about anything. It will surely be a hit with the young ones.

Make Your Own Sauce

If you're feeling creative, you can make your own unique sauce by mixing your favourite spices with mayonnaise and ketchup. Try adding chipotle chilli powder, garlic powder, or onion powder for a spicy western sauce.

Frequently asked questions