Crispy Frozen French Fries In The Air Fryer
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 25 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 2
Cooking frozen fries in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy French fries without all the grease! With a package of fries straight from the freezer and just a touch of seasoned salt, you can enjoy hot, golden fries with burgers, grilled items, or just as a snack!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- This may not be a fancy recipe, but with the air fryer, you can transform basic frozen food items into really tasty options! It’s so easy to grab a bag of frozen French fries and add them to your air fryer when you need a quick side or snack.
- Frozen fries make a quick and simple addition to lots of meal options – especially when you don’t have to heat your whole oven!
- This is great for a quick snack for kiddos, too. Offer with some dipping sauces or melt a little cheese over the top to satisfy appetites until dinnertime.
- The air fryer is the best way to enjoy fried foods – without the oil and extra mess! Plus, you’ll find that it’s a much healthier way to enjoy crispy, crunchy foods minus the added grease.
Ingredients Needed
Your ingredient list is going to be pretty simple. Keep a bag of frozen fries in your freezer, and you can easily make a crispy side or snack in just minutes!
- Frozen French fries – Use one 16-ounce package of frozen fries – either a hand-cut or crinkle style. The air fryer makes it easy to crisp up thick fries that are perfect for sauces and dipping.
- Seasoned salt – A little bit of seasoned salt adds some flavor to the fries and gives them that irresistible taste. Use any store-bought brand or mix up your own from scratch.
How To Make Frozen French Fries In The Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 ℉.
- Place the fries evenly in the basket. (They can be stacked slightly, but if you use a 4-quart or smaller air fryer, you will want to divide the fries into batches.)
- Sprinkle seasoned salt over the fries in the basket.
- Cook for 10 minutes and shake occasionally.
- Flip the fries and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Check for doneness and cook at 1-minute intervals until they reach the desired crispiness.
Pro Tips
- In a 6-quart air fryer basket, you can typically cook a 16-ounce package of frozen fries. However, feel free to adjust as long as the fries are not stacked too deep in the basket.
- It is okay to slightly layer the fries, but you don’t want them stacked too high or too close together because they will turn out soggy. (Still edible, but not as enjoyable!)
- I find that air frying at a slightly higher temperature helps the fries crisp up more. It also helps to shake the basket occasionally during cooking to help them cook more evenly.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Once you get the hang of using an air fryer, you’ll see how easy it is to swap things around and try variations on everyday frozen items.
Try out different types of frozen fries, such as:
- Waffle fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Steak fries
- Shoestring fries
Keep in mind that thinner shoestring fries will take less time to cook, while thicker steak and waffle fries will take longer. Many frozen fries will include package directions for air fryer cooking times.
As far as seasonings, I like to keep things simple with a little seasoned salt or regular salt, but you can also add pretty much any type of seasoning you like! Some options are cajun, ranch, taco, herb and garlic, chili-lime, etc.
How To Serve Air Fryer French Fries
It’s not difficult to convince you to add French fries to your plate – whether it’s lunch or dinnertime! Add a side of seasoned fries to Grilled Turkey Burgers or other favorite grilling items. The air fryer easily cooks in the background, allowing you to focus on the main meal.
If you want to stick with the air fryer, fries are a great option to add to Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets or even Air Fryer Ribeye for a fancier choice!
Serve French fries with mustard and ketchup, or mix up your own tasty dipping sauces. Try my Cajun Dipping Sauce or Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce for unique, savory options that will keep you coming back for more! Ranch, sriracha mayo, or buffalo sauce would also make a great spread for French fry dipping.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t ever freeze previously frozen fries, but I do refrigerate leftovers and reheat them right back in the air fryer again. Just pop them back in the basket for a few minutes until warmed through!
Crispy Frozen French Fries In The Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16- ounce package frozen fries hand-cut or crinkle style
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 ℉
- Place fries evenly in basket
- Sprinkle seasoned salt over fries in basket
- Cook for 10 minutes and shake occasionally
- Flip fries and cook for additional 5 minutes
- Check for doneness and cook at 1-minute intervals until they reach desired crispiness
Notes
- Store leftover French fries in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer.
- Fries can be slightly stacked, but if you use a 4-quart or smaller air fryer, divide the fries into batches.
- Thinner fries will take less time to crisp, while thicker steak and waffle fries will take longer.
- Serve with your favorite seasonings and dipping sauces.
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries FAQs
- Is oil needed when air-frying frozen French fries? You do not need any oil in the air fryer with frozen French fries. This is one of the advantages of using the air fryer! You can still achieve a crispy texture without the grease.
- Why are my frozen French fries soggy in the air fryer? French fries will turn out soggy if stacked too high or tightly packed together in the air fryer basket. It is important to leave space for the heat to circulate and evenly crisp them up.
