Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle Fries: Quick, Crispy, Perfect!

Making frozen crinkle fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy, golden, and delicious fries. With no need for oil, this method is less greasy than deep frying and can be done in under 20 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen crinkle fries. It ensures that your fries start crisping up immediately and cook evenly. Here are some detailed instructions on how to preheat your air fryer for the best results:

First, set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or 200 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal temperature for cooking thicker frozen fries like crinkle-cut fries. It ensures that the outside of the fries gets golden and crispy while the inside is heated through. While you can cook at a lower temperature, it may result in less crispy fries, and a higher temperature may scorch the outsides.

Next, preheat your air fryer for around 3-5 minutes. Most models take around this time to preheat. This step is important, even if your air fryer doesn't have a specific preheat setting. Allowing your air fryer to heat up before adding the fries will ensure that they cook evenly and start crisping right away.

If you're using an Instant Pot air fryer, you can preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. However, some air fryers may have specific preheat settings, so be sure to check your air fryer's instructions.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can add the frozen crinkle fries to the basket. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will result in steamed, rather than crispy, fries. A single layer of fries is best, with some overlap being okay. You can always cook in batches if needed.

After adding the fries, set the timer for 12-15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your fries. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

By preheating your air fryer and following these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy frozen crinkle fries!

Use frozen fries

How to Make Frozen Crinkle Fries in an Air Fryer

Using Frozen Fries

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen crinkle fries, giving them a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. They're quicker than an oven and less greasy than deep frying. You can use any brand of frozen crinkle-cut fries, such as Ore-Ida, Kroger, or Walmart.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making frozen crinkle fries in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C or 205°C, depending on the source). This step is optional but recommended for the best results.
• Prepare the fries: Place the desired amount of frozen crinkle fries in a bowl or on a plate. You can add some olive oil and salt at this point, though it's not necessary as the fries already contain oil. Toss the fries to distribute the oil and salt evenly.
• Cook the fries: Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For extra crispy fries, cook for an additional 1-3 minutes.
• Season and serve: Season the fries with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, aioli, or honey mustard.

Tips:

• It's best to season the fries after cooking so the seasoning sticks better.
• You don't need to defrost the fries before air frying. Cooking them straight from frozen will make them crispier.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Work in batches if needed.
• Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps the fries cook evenly.
• The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, the brand of fries, and your desired level of crispiness. Check the fries regularly to avoid overcooking.

Enjoy your crispy, golden crinkle fries!

Single layer of fries

To make a single layer of frozen crinkle fries in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C or 205°C). While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the fries. Take the desired amount of frozen crinkle fries and place them in a bowl or on a plate. Drizzle olive oil over the fries and sprinkle salt over them. Toss the fries to ensure the oil and salt are evenly distributed. You can skip the olive oil if you prefer, as the fries will still cook without it.

Once the air fryer has preheated, place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are spread out evenly and not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.

Cook the fries for 12 to 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C or 205°C). Shake the basket halfway through the cooking process, after around 6 minutes, to ensure even cooking. If you prefer your fries extra crispy, you can cook them for a couple of minutes longer. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

Remove the fries from the air fryer and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Shake the basket

Shaking the basket is an important step in the process of making frozen crinkle fries in an air fryer. This step ensures that the fries cook evenly and don't end up crisping on just one side. It is recommended to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process, or every 5 minutes. If you are making a large batch of fries, you may need to shake the basket multiple times to ensure even cooking.

When shaking the basket, use a silicone spatula or silicone tongs to toss the fries. This will help to prevent the fries from sticking to the basket and ensure even cooking.

It is also important to note that overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to steamed fries instead of crispy ones. The hot air needs to be able to circulate freely around each fry. So, if needed, cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Additionally, if you want your fries to be extra crispy, you can spray them with cooking spray or oil after shaking the basket. This will help them get even crispier. However, this step is optional as frozen fries already have oil in their coating, which is enough to make them crispy.

Seasoning

It is recommended that you season your fries after cooking, as this ensures the seasoning sticks to the fries. However, if you are adding oil to your fries, you may want to season them before cooking, as the seasoning will stick to the oil.

Some simple seasoning options include salt and pepper to taste. You can also try more creative seasoning blends, such as:

• Cheese
• Green onion and ranch (for loaded fries)
• Spicy garlic aioli
• Ketchup
• Aioli
• Sriracha mayonnaise
• Honey mustard
• Fry sauce
• Chick-Fil-A sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Blue cheese dressing
• Honey Sriracha sauce
• Ranch
• Thousand island dressing
• Marinara sauce or pasta sauce
• Hot sauce

Frequently asked questions