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    Bites with Bri » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

    Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

    Published: Mar 16, 2021 · Modified: May 18, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These Air Fryer Frozen French Fries taste just like restaurant style deep fried french fries. They are much more crispy and golden compared to oven fries, but are still soft in the middle. These air fryer fries are much healthier than deep frying too.

    overhead of air fryer frozen french fries on sheet

    How many times have you baked frozen french fries and been super disappointed? They never come out as crispy or just don’t taste quite right. Not to mention how long they take in the oven.

    Most restaurants actually use frozen french fries, but they deep fry them. So that is why they taste far better than the ones you have made in the oven. 

    The air fryer is the answer. Air fryer frozen french fries taste like they have been deep fried, but use a fraction of the oil. 

    This is the only way I cook all frozen french fries now. And this recipe will work for a variety of types of fries (shoe string, curly, waffle, steak, etc.) You just have to keep an eye on them each time you shake the basket. When they look golden brown, they are likely done. 

    If you're looking for an easy main to go with fries, check out my Air Fryer Brats or Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer.

    Jump to:
    • Highlights
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Helpful Equipment & Tools
    • Instructions
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe Notes
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Watch the How to Video
    • Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

    Highlights

    • These air fryer frozen french fries are crispy and golden brown, almost like they have been deep fried. 
    • This recipe uses much less oil than traditional deep frying, but the fries still have that restaurant style taste.
    • Making frozen french fries in the air fryer is faster than baking them in the oven. 
    • Frozen french fries are a quick and easy side dish.
    • These french fries are definitely kid friendly.

    Ingredient Notes

    overhead of ingredients needed to make air fryer frozen french fries
    • Cooking Spray: I recommend avocado oil. Sometimes olive oil spray burns at this temperature. 
    • Frozen French Fries: The size of your air fryer basket determines how many fries you can cook at once. Rather than suggesting a specific measurement or size bag of frozen fries, I recommend filling the basket with enough fries to cover the bottom. A few fries can overlap but the majority should be in a single layer.

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    Helpful Equipment & Tools

    • COSORI Air Fryer Oven Combo 5.8QT: This air fryer is the best one on the market in my opinion. It is less than $100, has a great sized basket, and crisps food extremely well. 
    • 2 Pack Black Kitchen Tongs: These silicone tongs are completely safe to use with the air fryer basket. They are heat resistant and will not scrape the nonstick coating.

    Instructions

    Overview

    • Spray the basket.
    • Add the fries and spray them. 
    • Air fry, shaking a few times while they cook. 
    • Serve hot!

    Step by Step

    Step 1: Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the frozen fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket so that only a few fries are overlapping. Do not overfill the basket. Spray the fries generously with cooking spray.

    Step 2: Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

    steps 1 & 2
frozen french fries in air fryer basket spray with oil
air fryer frozen french fries after 10 minutes of cooking

    TIP - Spray the fries with oil so they get even crispier.

    Step 3: Shake the basket and spray the fries again with cooking spray. Air fry for another 5 minutes.

    Step 4: If the fries are golden and crispy, they are done. If not, shake the basket again and spray the fries again with cooking spray. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.

    steps 3 & 4
air fryer frozen fries after another 5 minutes of cooking
finished air fryer fries in basket

    TIP -  Check on and shake the fries a few times throughout the 15-20 minute cooking process.

    TIP -  Serve immediately. These air fryer frozen french fries do not hold well. 

    Make Ahead & Storage

    • Make Ahead: I do not recommend making these in advance. They are best served immediately and do not hold well. 
    • Refrigerator: I do not recommend storing leftover frozen fries. The texture degrades significantly. 
    • Freezer: I do not recommend refreezing cooked frozen french fries.

    Expert Tips

    • Preheat. Heat the empty basket at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. When the frozen fries contact the hot basket, they will immediately begin crisping. 
    • Do not overload the basket. This is the biggest mistake you can make when cooking with the air fryer. In order for the air to circulate and the food to get crispy, there has to be space around the food. The more full the basket is, the more you will need to shake it. 
    • Use oil. Spraying the fries with oil helps them get extra crispy. It also adds flavor and makes the frozen fries more reminiscent of restaurant style french fries. 
    • Shake the basket. Shaking ensures that every fry gets crispy and cooks evenly. 
    • Salt the fries with fine salt while they are hot. This helps the salt to stick.

    Recipe Notes

    • Every air fryer cooks differently. Be sure to check on the fries as they cook so they do not burn. You also might find after 20 minutes they are still not done. This could be because the air fryer was overloaded. Continue air frying the fries in 3-4 minute increments until golden, shaking in between. The longer you cook the fries, the crispier they will become. Oven style air fryers often take longer than basket. Add about 5-7 minutes for these. 
    close up shot of air fryer frozen french fries

    Variations

    • Different types/shapes of fries: The recipe was written for traditional straight cut french fries, but of course you can cook any shape in the air fryer. You just need to adjust the time, always shake the basket a couple times through the cooking process.
      • Waffle Fries: 10-12 minutes
      • Shoestring Fries: 8-10 minutes 
      • Curly Fries: 11-13 minutes 
      • Steak Fries: 12-14 minutes 
      • Sweet Potato Fries: 14-16 minutes 
      • Crinkle Cut Fries: Same as the recipe.
    • Seasoning: Try adding some of these seasonings, in addition to salt, to doctor up frozen fries after cooking. 
      • Fresh cracked pepper
      • Parmesan cheese
      • Garlic powder
      • Cayenne pepper

    FAQs

    What dipping sauce do I serve with these air fryer frozen french fries?

    - Ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, mayo, or ketchup 
    - Homemade chipotle lime crema
    - Homemade jalapeño crema
    - Fry sauce
    - Queso or cheese sauce

    What temperature do you air Fry frozen French fries?

    I always recommend air frying fries at 400 degrees. The time will vary depending on the cut, but your eyes will tell you when they are done. Once they look golden and crispy, take them out.

    Can you cook store bought frozen French fries in an air fryer?

    Yes. Air fry a single layer of fries at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes depending on the cut. Be sure to shake the fries a couple times throughout the cooking process. You may find that you will need to cook them a couple of minutes longer to reach desired crispiness.

    How long do fries take in an air fryer?

    Fries take anywhere from 10-20 minutes in the air free at 400 degrees depending on the thickness. 

    Are frozen fries in air fryer healthy?

    They are much healthier than deep fried restaurant or fast food french fries, but they are still french fries after all. 

    How much oil do you put in an air fryer for french fries?

    I recommend using a generous amount of spray oil to coat the fries completely. However, you technically do not have to use any. I find they come out much better with oil though. 

    Why did my french fries burn in the air fryer?

    It was likely because you did not shake the basket to rotate the fries during the cooking process. Shaking helps them cook more evenly. 

    Should I preheat my air fryer for frozen French fries?

    You should preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Turn it on empty and let it heat at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. This will help the fries get extra crispy. 

    Do I need to defrost frozen fries?

    No. It often says on the packaging that it does not thaw. Regardless, I do not recommend thawing. 

    How do I reheat leftover fries in the air fryer?

    Air fry at 400 degrees for 3-5 minutes, shaking a few times throughout. 

    Related Recipes

    • Air Fryer Spinach Dip
    • Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tacos
    • Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
    • Mini S’mores Pie

    Watch the How to Video

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    5 from 1 vote

    Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

    These Air Fryer Frozen French Fries taste just like restaurant style deep fried french fries. They are much more crispy and golden compared to oven fries, but are still soft in the middle. These air fryer fries are much healthier than deep frying too.
    Servings2 people
    Cook20 minutes
    Total20 minutes
    Course: Appetizer/Snack, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • Air Fryer
    • Tongs

    Ingredients:

    • cooking spray*
    • frozen french fries, standard straight cut*

    Optional

    • salt

    Instructions:

    • Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
    • Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the frozen fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket so that only a few fries are overlapping. Do not overfill the basket. Spray the fries generously with cooking spray.
    • Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
    • Shake the basket and spray the fries again with cooking spray. Air fry for another 5 minutes.
    • If the fries are golden and crispy, they are done. If not, shake the basket again and spray the fries again with cooking spray. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.

    Notes:

    Cooking Spray: I recommend avocado oil. Sometimes olive oil spray burns at this temperature. 
    Frozen French Fries: The size of your air fryer basket determines how many fries you can cook at once. Rather than suggesting a specific measurement or size bag of frozen fries, I recommend filling the basket with enough fries to cover the bottom. A few fries can overlap but the majority should be in a single layer. 
    Waffle Fries: 10-12 minutes
    Shoestring Fries: 8-10 minutes 
    Curly Fries: 11-13 minutes 
    Steak Fries: 12-14 minutes 
    Sweet Potato Fries: 14-16 minutes 
    Crinkle Cut Fries: Same as the recipe.
    Refrigerator: I do not recommend storing leftover frozen fries. The texture degrades significantly.
    Preheat. Heat the empty basket at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. When the frozen fries contact the hot basket, they will immediately begin crisping. 
    Do not overload the basket. This is the biggest mistake you can make when cooking with the air fryer. In order for the air to circulate and the food to get crispy, there has to be space around the food. The more full the basket is, the more you will need to shake it. 
    Use oil. Spraying the fries with oil helps them get extra crispy. It also adds flavor and makes the frozen fries more reminiscent of restaurant style french fries. 
    Shake the basket. Shaking ensures that every fry gets crispy and cooks evenly. 
    Salt the fries with fine salt while they are hot. This helps the salt to stick.

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 556mg | Fiber: 5g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
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    Hi, I'm Bri!

    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

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