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How to air fry frozen French fries in just 15 minutes until golden and crispy. They’re quick, simple, and so much better than takeout!
Want fast food fries from home with little effort? Then make these air fryer frozen french fries. They are delicious and crispy, take less than 20 minutes, and cooking them in the air fryer means no oily mess in the kitchen. Once air fried, just season and serve with your favorite dip!
Table of contents
Ingredients
Enjoy these air fryer French fries with just two ingredients.
- French fries: Use your favorite brand of frozen French fries (I used thin fries). Note that the cooking time will vary based on the different types of fries.
- Salt: Or seasoning of your choice.
- Oil: Optional, but I recommend using some for the air fryer basket.
How to air fry frozen French fries
First, if you want, spray or brush your air fryer basket with a bit of oil (not cooking spray) to avoid sticking. Then, add the frozen French fries straight from the freezer. Fill up to half the basket in total (they don’t have to be in a single layer).
Air fry the frozen fries for about 15 minutes at 400ºF/200ºC. Shake the basket every 5 minutes and keep an eye on them in the last few minutes. Depending on the type of fries and your air fryer, the cooking time may vary by a couple of minutes, so monitor them towards the end.
Once air-fried, lightly season the fries with salt (to taste) or your choice of seasoning. Then enjoy!
How long to air fry different types of fries
- Sweet potato fries: Usually require an extra 2-4 minutes.
- Steak fries/Crinkle-cut fries: Usually require an extra 2-4 minutes.
- Waffle fries/Lattice fries: 10-12 minutes in total.
- Curly fries: Usually take a similar time, around 14-16 minutes.
- Shoestring fries: 7-10 minutes in total.
How to serve frozen french fries
These make an easy side dish to burgers, sandwiches, and meats. Plus, they are a quick snack to enjoy with your favorite dips like:
- The classic: ketchup, mayo, mustard.
- BBQ Sauce: smoky and sweet, it will add a delicious twist.
- Fry sauce: a creamy and tangy sauce specifically for french fries.
- Yum yum sauce: it combines sweet, tangy, and savory notes – perfect for dipping!
- Ranch dressing: a tangy and creamy sauce that everyone likes.
Top tips for the perfect frozen fries
- Make sure to shake the basket: This ensures the fries are evenly cooked on all sides.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Only fill the basket halfway. Otherwise, you run the risk of limp fries. Cook them in batches if necessary.
- Air frying time varies: Based on the thickness of the fries, your air fryer, and how crispy you want them to be. After following my cooking guidelines, continue to air fry them in 1-minute increments if desired until you reach your desired results.
- Avoid cooking spray: Products like PAM can wear away the non-stick coating in your air fryer basket over time. Instead, use some regular oil (like olive oil, avocado oil, etc.)
- Preheat if necessary: While not all brands require it, preheating the air fryer will ensure food cooks evenly.
More air fryer side dishes
If you try this easy air fryer frozen French fries recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen french fries including sweet potato fries, steak fries, crinkle cut, waffle, lattice, curly fries, shoestring, etc.
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Optionally, spray or brush your air fryer basket with a bit of oil (not cooking spray) to avoid sticking. Then, add the frozen French fries straight from the freezer. Fill up to half the basket in total (they don't have to be in a single layer).
- Air fry the frozen fries for about 15 minutes at 400ºF/200ºC. Shake the basket every 5 minutes and keep an eye on them in the last few minutes.Depending on the type of fries and your air fryer, the cooking time may vary (see the Notes below)
- Once air-fried, lightly season the fries with salt (to taste) or your choice of seasoning. Then enjoy with your favorite dip!
Notes
- Sweet potato fries: Usually require an extra 2-4 minutes.
- Steak fries/Crinkle-cut fries: Usually require an extra 2-4 minutes.
- Waffle fries/Lattice fries: 10-12 minutes in total.
- Curly fries: Usually take a similar time, around 14-16 minutes.
- Shoestring fries: 7-10 minutes in total.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What temperature for the air fryer french fries for 18 minutes? I read up and down your article/ recipe twice without finding any temperature recommendations.
Thanks in advance
Lew
Hi Lew,
Sorry about that! It’s 200°C or 400 F
Hope this helps,
Samira