Want to know how to make frozen french fries in the air fryer? Here I'll share the secret to making crispy, tasty fries in the air fryer with very little effort.
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Cooking frozen fries in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to get everyones favorite side dish ready without a lot of fuss.
The key to getting perfectly cooked, crispy fries is to only fill the air fryer basket half full with the french fries, and to make sure to stop them half way through cooking to give them a good toss.
We used to cook frozen french fries in the conventional oven, but it often took space away for our main course. Cooking the frozen fries in the air fryer has freed up space allowing me to cook everything at once, and shaves off cooking time. It's a win win. And it's way easier, and healthier than cooking in a deep fryer.
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What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Healthier Option: Less oil means fewer calories and a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite snack.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy evenings or unexpected guests.
- Crispy Texture: Achieve that sought-after crunch with every bite.
- Versatile: Great as a standalone snack or paired with your favorite main course.
Ingredients
To make frozen fries in the air fryer you'll only need 1 main ingredient plus a little seasoning if you want a little zest.
- Frozen French Fries: Look for high-quality fries for the best results. Choose a variety that suits your preference – shoestring, crinkle-cut, or steak fries.
- Seasoning (Optional): Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, cajun seasoning, or even parmesan for added flavor.
Equipment
- Air Fryer: The key tool for this recipe. If you don't have an air fryer, a convection oven can be a substitute, although cooking times may vary.
- Nonstick Cooking Spray (Optional): If you're concerned about sticking, a light spray can be helpful.
- Tongs: For tossing the fries mid-cooking for even crispiness.
Instructions
Begin by placing the frozen french fries into the basket of your air fryer. Arrange them as evenly as possible for optimal cooking. I used my 4 court air fryer for this batch of fries. The key is filling your air fryer half full. For a smaller air fryer you'll want to use less fries.
Set your air fryer to 400 degrees and cook the frozen french fries for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, give the fries a gentle toss to ensure they cook evenly. If you plan on adding salt or any seasoning, now is the time. Add the seasoning and toss them again a few times to make sure they air evenly coated.
Continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Once done, allow the fries to cool for a few moments before serving. This waiting period ensures the fries maintain their crispiness.
Pair your air fryer french fries with your favorite dipping sides like ketchup or bbq sauce. We like dipping ours in our homemade chick fila sauce.
Top Tips
Avoid Overcrowding the Basket: To ensure each fry cooks evenly and becomes perfectly crispy, it's crucial to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Only fill your air fryer half way with the frozen fries. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and result in fries that are soggy in some spots and overcooked in others.
Shake or Toss Halfway Through: Midway through the cooking process, pause to shake the basket or use tongs to toss the fries. This helps in achieving an even cook and uniform crispiness on all sides of the fries. It prevents the fries from sticking together and ensures that every fry gets evenly exposed to the hot air.
Adjust Cooking Time as Needed: Different air fryers can vary in how they cook, so it's important to adjust the cooking time based on your specific model and the amount of fries you're cooking. Start checking the fries towards the end of the cooking time and adjust as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness. This is especially important if you prefer your fries more or less crispy than the standard cooking time might produce.
Substitutions
- Sweet Potato Fries: For a healthier alternative, you can use frozen sweet potato fries following the same method.
- Frozen Fries Varieties: This recipe works well for cooking waffle fries, crinkle cut fries, curly fries, shoestring fries. Pick your favorite and go for it!
- Seasonings: Feel free to substitute or add different seasonings based on your preference.
Variations
- Cheesy Fries: Sprinkle some grated cheese and return to the air fryer for a minute for melty, cheesy goodness. Make sure to use a liner if going this method to prevent having to clean hardened cheese later out of your air fryer.
- Garlic Parmesan Fries: Toss with garlic powder and grated Parmesan right after cooking.
- Spicy Fries: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Herb Fries: Toss with dried herbs like rosemary or thyme for an aromatic twist.
And there you have it! Deliciously crispy french fries cooked in the air fryer with very little effort.
Storage Instructions
Fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to regain crispiness.
Freezer: Freezing cooked fries is not recommended as they lose their texture.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crispy texture. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.
FAQs
Yes, you can cook homemade fries using this method, but the cooking time may need to be adjusted. Homemade fries may take a bit longer to cook compared to frozen ones.
No, there's no need to thaw the fries. You can cook them directly from frozen, which helps to maintain their crispiness.
The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy. This usually takes about 20 minutes at 400 degrees, but you should check them towards the end of cooking.
No, oil is not necessary for this recipe. The air fryer will cook the fries to crispiness without extra oil. However, a light spray of nonstick cooking spray can be used if you're worried about sticking.
You can season the fries with garlic powder, paprika, Parmesan cheese, or any of your favorite herbs and spices. Add the seasoning after the first 10 minutes of cooking.
Yes, you can use this method to cook other frozen potato products like tater tots or potato wedges. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Recipe
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Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Ingredients
- ½ Pound Frozen French Fries
- Your favorite seasonings optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Add frozen fries to air fryer basket, filling only half full.
- Cook for 10 minutes. Add any desired seasonings and salt and toss in basket.
- Cook additional 10 minutes.
- Let cool and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
L Mca says
Don't fall for the air fryer scam!! Not safe all the time. My stove has a convection oven, it's the same thing. Or get a counter convection. Just don't fall for what's "trendy".