The easiest fries you'll ever make! These Air Fryer Frozen French Fries are super crispy and ready in under 15 minutes, you'll never cook them any other way!
Air Fryer French Fries
Have you jumped into the Air Fryer craze? Well, first it was the Instant Pot. I was skeptical of it at first, but once I dove in…I now own two Instant Pot’s and am obsessed. Then, it was the air fryer. Again, I was skeptical at first, but just got mine a few days ago and already LOVE it!
I had been hearing a lot of people talk about their love for the air fryer. Making things like chicken tenders, French fries, veggies, wings, and more! I was intrigued, but still not sold.
Well, then Costco did me in. You’re probably wondering….how did COSTCO sway me?? Well, I made the mistake of browsing the middle area of Costco. Do you know how dangerous that is?? There are all sorts of good stuff in that area. If you’ve ever been, you know where I am talking about! The seasonal items, the clothes, toys, books, COOKBOOKS, and more!
I typically can show great restraint in that store (well, kind of), and I try to avoid the middle section. Well, this time I didn’t. I had my hubby with me (also dangerous) and before I knew it, we finished shopping for groceries and ended up browsing for pool toys. That quickly led to buying swimsuits for the kids, and then somehow I was looking through cookbooks. The one that grabbed my attention was the air fryer book. I think it was because I was hungry and there were donuts on the cover. Smart publisher they are! I bought the book immediately, only problem, I didn’t own an air fryer. Definitely frivolous, right?!
Once we got home and unpacked our groceries, I sat down to browse the cookbook. I immediately tagged the ones I liked and realized the whole dang book was tagged! After showing my hubby, he too found several to try and jumped on board the air fryer train.
We ordered ours off Amazon after reading through tons of reviews. Ours is a beast, 6.3 quart, because we have a family of 5. When I first unboxed it, I immediately thought it was too big, no where I was going to be able to store it, and already was thinking it would end up returned.
The first night, I tried chicken tenders. I breaded the chicken tenders I had bought previously, laid them in the baking tray, set the timer and about 12 minutes, later, crispy chicken tenders came out that used no oil! Amazing!
The second night, I tossed an entire bag of frozen French fries into the pan and set the timer once more. 15 minutes later, out came the most perfectly cooked fries ever. My kids said they were even better than McDonald’s. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. It cut my cook time down from 30 minutes in oven, to 15! Way crispier too! Say goodbye to the guilt of indulging in french fries! When you are craving that salty, crispy hot fresh french fry, air frying is the only way to go. They taste just like they've been fried in oil, but they are not!
Since the chicken tenders I made were from the recipe book that came with it, I can’t call it my own! See picture below for recipe! As for the fries, not quite a recipe, but more like a method. Nonetheless, I have included it below because its perfection at its finest!
Why make fries in the Air Fryer
- Perfectly crispy every time! Plus they taste like deep-fried french fries, only healthier
- Cook more evenly than in the oven. Long gone are the days where some fries are crispy, and others are still soggy
- Done in only 15 minutes
- No additional oil needed! Meaning, go ahead and pile your plate with fries!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Fries
As you can guess, there are not too many ingredients to this simple recipe. Pick your favorite brand and type of frozen french fries and you’re set.
Frozen French Fries: Choose your favorite: straight cut, steak fries, curly, shoestring, waffle, sweet potato, crinkle cut. Your cook time will vary depending on the fry you pick, but all will be perfectly crisp and delicious.
Optional Seasonings: if you’re feeling adventurous, you can add more salt, onion powder, garlic powder, all-purpose seasoning, and/or any seasoning desired.
How to make Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found at the bottom of the page on the printable recipe card.
- Place frozen French fries in air fryer basket.
- Spread evenly over basket.
- Air fry French fries at 400 degrees for 16 minutes.
- About halfway through, shake basket around and toss fries to help them evenly cook. At this point, you can add a few minutes or deduct depending on desired crispness.
- Serve with your favorite dip. My go-to fav dipping sauce is Copycat Chick Fil A Sauce and Alabama White BBQ Sauce. Also try my Southern Comeback Sauce
Seasoning Options
Although frozen fries come partially cooked, seasoned, and oiled, you can definitely add some seasonings to make them even tastier. Here are some great options to try…
- Salt/Pepper- add a little, or add a lot, adjust to taste
- Cajun Seasoning- this is a fav of mine since its both savory and adds a kick
- Garlic/Onion Powder- adjust to taste, use both or one
- All-Purpose Seasoning- I use an all-purpose seasoning on just about everything, my go-to is Chupacabra
FAQ’s
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Nope! You don’t have to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.
How do I make fries crispy in the air fryer?
Make sure your fries are not crowded. Since you'll be shaking the basket halfway through, you don't have to place them in a single layer but make sure they have a bit of space between or around them.
Do I need to add oil for air fryer frozen french fries?
Nope! For this recipe, no oil is added. Many brands already use oil and salt on their fries.
Do I need to defrost frozen french fries beforehand?
Nope, in fact, I recommend keeping them in the freezer until ready to cook. This helps keep them perfectly crisp!
Storage
Once cooked, air fryer frozen french fries will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Wrap fries in parchment paper and store in an airtight container, but do not over-pack it. This helps the fries from getting soggy.
When reheating, place them back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 375 degrees F. They'll never be quite as crunchy as when they're first cooked, but should still be tasty!
What fries to use
There are several types of fries available and so they all cook a bit differently. These are good suggestions for starting times, adjust accordingly.
- Crinkle-Cut/Waffle Fries: 10 minutes
- Sweet Potato Fries: 15 minutes
- Lattice Cut Fries: 12 minutes
- Shoestring Fries: 10 minutes
More Air Fryer Recipes to try
I love using my air fryer as much as possible because it makes the best main dishes, side dishes and more. Here are some tried and true air fryer recipes to try.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks– homemade cheese sticks made perfectly crispy in the air fryer
Crispy Air Fried Onion Rings– the ultimate onion rings made way healthier
Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Tenders– crispy and delicious chicken tenders made quickly
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp– a copycat recipe from Bonefish Grill!
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Air Fryer Frozen French Fries Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen French fries *we love Checker’s frozen fries
- Salt/Pepper (to taste) *or buy the already seasoned fries
Instructions
- Place frozen French fries in air fryer basket.
- Spread evenly over basket.
- Air fry French fries at 400 degrees for 16 minutes.
- About halfway through, shake basket around and toss fries to help them evenly cook. At this point, you can add a few minutes or deduct depending on desired crispness.
- Remove basket and serve warm!
Nutrition
Recipe updated 10/21/2022
ALex says
I have an air fryer and I kinda don’t like it, takes like 30 minutes to make fries & more for frozen fries and there’s barely any space with the middle part rotating and only an on/off button
Kristin says
Oh no! Sorry to hear that! Have you tried roasting veggies in it?? Or chicken tenders? Try to experiment until you find what you like! There are so many fun things you can try!
Mark says
I have the Emeril 360 air fryer. It only came with about 25 recipes. Tried making bag frozen French fries tonight. They weren’t very crispy. I didnt use oil and didnt preheat. They could have used another 5 minutes maybe.
Kristin says
Did you try flipping them over once through?? It could also depend on what brand/type of fry you use as I use the Checkers frozen French fries. If I go over 16 minutes with those, it is more burned. However, when I do the Ore Ida brand, I typically have to cook for about 20 minutes.
Sheila Lawrence says
How long did you cook the baked potato and at what temperature?
Kristin says
These are frozen French fries put into the air fryer. Not the fresh kind from potatoes, 🙂
Laura Gibson says
Baked potatoes are amazing in the air fryer
Kristin says
Agreed! I just tried diced potatoes and they are great too!
Mimi says
I am a newbie at this. Bought a Ninji Foodie and spending my time reading recipes. Anyone know how steak comes out when cooked in one of these?
Kristin says
I have tried it a few times and its great! Place the steak inside the air fryer basket, set the temperature to 400 degrees and the cook time for 7 minutes if you prefer medium-rare. Flip the steak about halfway through cooking, remove it from the air fryer, and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing
brian says
I rub with olive oils and few drops of truffle oil make taste little better.
Kristin says
Sounds delicious!
Leslie says
Got an Emeril but it only came with a booklet that had like only 25 recipes everything from so appetizers to dessert but only the 25 and no other instructions
Kristin says
Oh that’s frustrating! Browse through Pinterest too as they have lots of recipes! I am still trying new things so I don’t have many, but mine are slowly increasing as well!
Bob says
You said to spread the french fries out in an even layer in the basket. But the picture does not show that it shows groups of french fries like they were just thrown in. So how should I do this?
Kristin says
Sorry for the confusion, I meant to spread them evenly in your basket. No need for an even layer as you will toss them halfway through to cook evenly. Just distribute them evenly in the basket, but it won’t be one layer, no worries! Enjoy!!
debbie maloy says
my air-fryer has a rotating basket and I spritz my Checkers fries with a bit of olive oil and they are the best. having them tonight.
Kristin says
Oh yum! Enjoy!!
Verna says
It helps if you preheat the air fryer for about 2 minutes, then add the french fries. They come out a little more crispy and cooking time a little less.
Kristin says
Good idea! I have read about doing that! My user manual specifically said mine didn’t need to preheat, but I may give it a try regardless! Thanks!
Regina Danley says
I would love to know the name of the air fryer cookbook you bought!
Thank you!
Kristin says
Hi!! Here is the one I have and LOVE, https://amzn.to/2KhiN9A
NANCY says
I know this is an air popper but most reviews I have read say you have to put a little oil in the cooking tray…..recipe doesn’t say.
Kristin says
Depends on the recipe, but this one doesn’t require any oil added! I have a few others (chicken tenders and veggies) that require a spritz or two of oil spray, but not this one! Enjoy!
Joan Kuhnke says
I love my Bella air fryer, we use it most for granddaughter, we used it to make Gluten free recipes, and always looking for new recipes.
Kristin says
Oh fun! So far, I am loving my air fryer. I plan to try a few new recipes in it this week so stay tuned!
Teresa says
I have recently purchased an air fryer too, but have not used it yet. I’m going to start out with the french fries. I hope you continue to post more air fryer recipes. One question about your chicken tenders, could milk be used in place of eggs? My grandson has an allergy to eggs.
Thanks
Kristin says
Oh how fun! You are a newbie with me then!! We’ll experiment together, hehe! Let me know what you think of the fries, I think you’ll LOVE them!
As for the chicken, I have heard that heavy cream is a great substitute! Will that work??
Mira Mokhat says
What brand air fryer did you get??
Kristin says
Hi! I got an Innsky, here is the link, https://amzn.to/2XJu0SZ
After doing some research, this one came in with the highest reviews and best price!