Air Fryer Frozen French Fries: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

If you're craving crispy, golden French fries without the guilt of indulging in deep-fried food, then making them in an air fryer is the way to go. Air fryers have made it possible to enjoy French fries that are not only delicious but also healthier, with less oil and fat. The best part? You only need two ingredients - frozen French fries and salt!

Here's a simple guide to making frozen French fries in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

- Frozen French Fries

- Salt to taste (you can also use seasoned salt or garlic salt)

- Optional: Olive oil or cooking spray

Method:

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

2. Place the frozen fries in the air fryer basket. For even cooking, spread them out in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

3. Lightly spray the fries with olive oil or cooking spray (optional).

4. Sprinkle salt over the fries.

5. Cook the fries for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

6. Shake the basket and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.

7. For crispier fries, increase the cooking time.

8. Serve with your favourite dips and enjoy!

Tips:

- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess.

- Shake the basket halfway through cooking and rotate the fries for even browning.

- Adjust the cooking time based on the type of fries you're using (e.g., sweet potato, shoestring, waffle, etc.). Thinner fries will take less time to cook.

- Experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, onion salt, or ranch powder to add extra flavour to your fries.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen french fries. It ensures that your fries cook evenly and become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for preheating your air fryer:

• Set the Temperature: Adjust your air fryer to the desired temperature, which is typically between 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit (180-200 degrees Celsius) for cooking frozen french fries. Different types of fries may require slightly different temperatures, so refer to your specific air fryer model's instructions.
• Preheat Time: Allow your air fryer to preheat for around 3-5 minutes. This duration ensures that the appliance reaches the set temperature and is ready for cooking.
• Don't Overcrowd: Before preheating, make sure you don't overload the air fryer basket with too many frozen fries. It's important to spread them out evenly and avoid stacking or overcrowding. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Single Layer: If possible, arrange the frozen fries in a single layer in the basket. This helps ensure even cooking and crispiness. However, some sources mention that it's okay if the fries are piled on top of each other a bit, as long as you shake the basket during the cooking process.
• Refer to Manual: Each air fryer model may have specific instructions or recommendations for preheating. Be sure to consult your air fryer's manual for any special instructions or settings to follow.
• No Need for Oil: When preheating and cooking frozen french fries, there is generally no need to add extra oil. Frozen fries are usually pre-coated with oil, and adding more may not yield better results.

Spread the frozen fries in a single layer

To make frozen French fries in an air fryer, it's important to spread them out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This is to ensure that your fries cook evenly and become crispy. Overcrowding the basket can cause the fries to cook unevenly and become soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches.

It's worth noting that some sources suggest that spreading the fries in a single layer is not necessary, as hot air circulates within the air fryer. However, it is still important not to overcrowd the basket.

You can also spray the fries with olive oil or cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer. This will help the salt to stick to the fries, and you can also experiment with other seasonings.

Cook at a high temperature for 10-20 minutes

Now it's time to cook your fries! Set your air fryer to a high temperature—on a Cosori air fryer, for example, this would be 185°C (365°F). If you're using a Breville air fryer, you should preheat to 400°F. For other air fryer models, a temperature of around 380°F should work well.

How long you cook your fries for will depend on the type of air fryer you have and the style of fry. Thicker fries, like crinkle-cut or steak fries, will take longer, while thinner varieties, like shoestring or waffle fries, will be quicker. For example, sweet potato fries take around 12 minutes to cook, shoestring fries take around 8 minutes, and waffle fries take around 10 minutes. If you're using a Breville air fryer, your fries will likely be done in around 15 minutes. For a Cosori air fryer, 20-25 minutes should be about right.

To ensure your fries cook evenly, be sure to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so. This will help them cook evenly on all sides and stop them from sticking together. If you want your fries to be extra crispy, you can cook them for a further 3-5 minutes after the initial 20 minutes.

Shake the basket halfway through

Shaking the basket halfway through is an important step in ensuring your fries cook evenly and become crispy. By giving the basket a good shake, you're redistributing the fries, allowing them to rotate and giving them all a chance to be exposed to the hot air circulating in the air fryer. This is especially important if your air fryer doesn't have a "shake" function, as you'll need to manually shake the basket at the appropriate times.

Some recipes suggest shaking the basket more than once during the cooking process, and this can be beneficial to ensure even cooking. If you're using a basket-style air fryer, shaking it will help move the fries from top to bottom and rotate them around.

When shaking the basket, you can use tongs to redistribute the fries if that's easier. Just be sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to soggy fries and uneven cooking. It's recommended to keep the basket no more than 2/3 full to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.

Shaking the basket halfway through is a simple but crucial step in achieving the desired crispiness and texture for your air-fried frozen French fries.

Serve with your favourite sauces

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

Ketchup

The original sauce that was made for French fries. Ketchup is a classic choice that never goes out of style. It's sweet and tangy, and perfectly complements the salty, crispy fries.

Fry Sauce

This sauce is like a grown-up version of ketchup. It's a perfect dip for your fries, taking them to the next level. In fact, some people even prefer it on their hamburgers instead of ketchup or mayo.

Yum Yum Sauce

If you're looking for something light, sweet, and tangy, then this is the sauce for you. It's a popular choice that will surely enhance your French fry experience.

Cheese Sauce

For those who want to take their fries to the next level, smother them in a rich and thick cheese sauce. It's an indulgent option that will satisfy your cravings.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a favourite among kids and adults alike. It's creamy, tangy, and adds a delicious twist to your French fries. Everything is better with ranch, as they say!

Make Your Own Sauce

Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to make your own unique sauce. Mix your favourite spices with mayonnaise and ketchup as a base, and add chipotle chilli powder, garlic powder, or onion powder for a spicy kick. The possibilities are endless.

Frequently asked questions