Air fryer frozen french fries are the best and easiest way to enjoy golden, crispy, fast-food-style fries at home! The fries are done in just minutes, and there's no mess like with deep frying. Pop open a bag of frozen fries while your air fryer heats up, and get ready to serve the freshest french fries ever with your lunch or dinner!
Easy Air Fryer French Fries Recipe
There is something wonderful about the rapid air technology in air fryers that cooks up wonderfully crispy foods without the extra oil needed for deep frying! These easy-to-make fries are no exception. They turn out golden, delicious, and fast-food-fries crispy without the costly trip through a drive-thru!
Note that this is my recipe for making air fryer french fries using frozen french fries. If you are looking for homemade air fryer french fries, I have those, too!
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If you love making air fryer goodies, check out some more of my easy air fryer recipes! Cooking up a whole rotisserie chicken in your Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a GREAT way to enjoy a whole chicken!
🥘 Air Fried Frozen French Fries Ingredients, Notes, & Substitutes
If your frozen fries are already seasoned, you can leave the seasoning out altogether. Air fryer french fries are incredibly easy to customize!
- Frozen Fries - A 16-ounce bag of frozen french fries. Any variety or brand you enjoy!
- Spray Oil - A spritz or 2 of olive oil is great for coating the fries!
- Seasoning - Your preferred seasoning to taste. Salt, pepper, Lawry's seasoned salt, all-purpose seasoning, or Cajun seasoning come to mind.
- Optional Dips - Ketchup is pretty standard, or you could try my ranch dip, cajun dip, honey mustard sauce, or Hawaiian BBQ sauce!
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Air Fry Frozen French Fries
I've included instructions below for making French fries in a basket-style or oven-style air fryer! Other than your air fryer, you'll need some kitchen tongs to handle the hot fries.
A 16-ounce bag of frozen fries makes about 4 large servings or 6 smaller servings.
Convection Oven Style Air Fryer Fries
Step 1: Fry. Set the timer for 15 minutes and add 16 ounces (453.59 grams) of frozen french fries once the indicator says to 'ADD FOOD.' *Your timing may vary based on your type of french fries. See the timing section below.
Step 2: Turn. At the halfway point in the cooking time, turn the fries on the racks and rotate the top rack to the bottom and the bottom rack to the top. Close the door and finish the cooking cycle.
Step 3: Season. Remove the fries when they have reached your desired level of crispiness, sprinkle with salt or your favorite seasoning, and serve.
Basket Style Air Fryer Fries
Step 1: Fry. Set the timer on your air fryer for 15 minutes and add the basket with 16 ounces (453.59 grams) of frozen fries.
Step 2: Rotate. At the 8-minute point, rotate the fries in the basket thoroughly for even frying. Return to the air fryer and continue the cooking cycle.
Step 3: Season. Remove the fries when they have reached your desired level of crispiness, sprinkle with salt or your favorite seasoning, and serve.
🍗 What To Serve With Air Fryer French Fries
Classic choices to serve with french fries include boneless chicken wings, any burger recipe, or fried fish for fish and chips! A BLT sandwich or salami sandwich is an easy option for lunch or dinner, too.
It's almost harder to think about what doesn't go with french fries! Don't forget to grab your favorite dipping sauces, too. Enjoy!
💭 Tips & Notes
- Preheating your air fryer saves cooking time and also allows your air fryer to cook your food more evenly. While you prepare your fries, start preheating your air fryer to 400ºF (205ºC).
- Do you need to thaw your frozen french fries before air frying them? No, you will get better results when using the frozen french fries right out of the bag.
- A light coating of spray oil on your air fryer racks or the basket is recommended. If you do not have spray oil, use a paper towel with olive oil to coat the cooking surfaces.
- Unlike many other foods cooked in the air fryer, you do not need to arrange your frozen french fries in a single layer on your air fryer racks or the basket. A light layering is OK, but do not pile the fries too high. The number of fries you add will affect how long the french fries take to cook.
Air Fryer Times For Different Types Of French Fries
Generally, your air-fried frozen french fries will be cooked to perfection in 15 minutes. Your fries should always be checked at about the 10-minute mark, and the fries should be tossed or rotated from top to bottom shelf if using a convection-style air fryer.
- Shoestring Fries take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness.
- Crinkle-Cut Fries take about 15 minutes. My husband prefers extra crispy fries, so his crinkle cut and waffle fries are cooked for closer to 18 - 20 minutes.
- Steak Fries are thicker-cut fries, so they take about 15 - 18 minutes to be perfectly crispy on the outside and baked potato tender on the inside.
- Curly Fries will take a bit longer to cook fully, and mine have taken up to 20 minutes to be fully cooked.
- Waffle-cut fries are fries that you would think take longer to cook. However, due to the waffle cut letting air circulate through the holes, these fries cook rather quickly. They can be done in 8-10 minutes. Check your waffle-cut fries after 5 minutes of cooking time.
- Potato Wedges (also called Jo-Jo's) will take about 15 minutes to be done but a few minutes longer to get crispy.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Once they have cooled, any leftover french fries should be put in a shallow, airtight container in the fridge. They are best enjoyed within 4-5 days.
Freezing Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
I don't recommend refreezing your once-frozen french fries, but you can do so in a pinch. The reheated fries will not be as good as the first time, but still tasty!
Let them cool, then place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag with the air squeezed out. They will typically last another 3-4 months and can be reheated from frozen.
Reheating Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
The easiest way to reheat your leftovers is back in the air fryer! Start by cooking them in the air fryer at 400ºF (205ºC) for just 5 minutes.
Check your fries. You can put them in for a few minutes longer if they aren't crispy enough.
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❓ FAQ
Overcrowding the basket, using too much oil, or not shaking the basket during cooking could lead to less crispy results. You also want to make sure you preheat your air fryer for the crispiest fries!
While oil is not a MUST, it will help your fries crisp up nicely and keep them from sticking to the air fryer basket. You only want to use very light sprits of oil because too much can lead to soggy fries.
The seasoning will stick better to hot fries that have just come out of the air fryer. I like to season them while they're still in the basket so I can toss them for even coverage!
😋 🍟 More Great Air Fryer Appetizers
- Hot Dogs - Everyone will love a juicy hot dog fresh out of the air fryer!
- Chicken Legs - Crispy skin and tender, flavorful chicken meat in half the time they take in the oven!
- Potato Skins - This classic party appetizer has never been easier to make!
- Ham & Cheese Sandwich - The air fryer toasts the bread, melts the cheese, it does it all!
- Fried Pickles - These crispy breaded air fryer pickles are delicious with a side of ranch for dipping!
- Coconut Shrimp - Golden and crispy coconut shrimp is the perfect way to start any seafood dinner!
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📖 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Ingredients
- 16 oz frozen french fries
- spray oil (light spray for air fryer or fries)
- seasoning (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
- Spray or coat your air fryer basket or racks with spray oil or using a paper towel to coat the cooking surfaces.
- Arrange the frozen french fries on your air fryer racks or in the air fryer basket so that there is a lightly layered amount of french fries.
- Convection Oven Style Air Fryer: Set the timer to 15 minutes and add the fries when the indicator says to 'ADD FOOD'. When the indicator says to 'TURN FOOD' turn the fries on the racks and rotate the racks from top to bottom and bottom to top. Close the door and complete the cooking cycle. Remove the fries when they have reached your desired level of crispness.Basket Style Air Fryer: Set the timer to 15 minutes and add the basket with fries. At the halfway point in the cooking time, turn the fries thoroughly and return to the air fryer. Continue the cooking cycle until the fries have reached your desired level of crispness.
- Season your air fryer frozen french fries with salt or your favorite seasoning and serve.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- Preheating your air fryer saves cooking time and also allows your air fryer to cook your food more evenly.
- Do you need to thaw your frozen french fries before air frying them? No, you will get better results when using the frozen french fries right out of the bag.
- A light coating of spray oil on your air fryer racks or the basket is recommended.
- Unlike many other foods cooked in the air fryer, you do not need to arrange your frozen french fries in a single layer on your air fryer racks or the basket.
- To Store: Cooled, leftover french fries should be put in a shallow, airtight container and stored for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
- To Reheat: Heat your leftovers in the air fryer at 400ºF (205ºC) for just 5 minutes. Check your fries. You can put them in for a few minutes longer if they aren't crispy enough.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
Clémence says
Bonjour
Quel frites utiliser quand on prend en surgelé celle qui vont au four ou celle qui vont à la friteuse?
"Good morning
Which fries to use when you take frozen ones that go in the oven or those that go in the deep fryer?"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
En règle générale, j'utilise des frites fines (coupe fine) qui sont surgelées. Cependant, n'importe quelle frite peut être cuite dans la friteuse à air, vous devrez peut-être juste ajuster le temps de cuisson.
"Typically, I use the shoestring fries (thin cut) that are frozen. However, any fry can be cooked in the air fryer you just may need to adjust the cooking time."
Rosane says
Est-ce que je peux cuire en même temps des filets de poulet et des frites surgelés?
"Can I cook frozen chicken breasts and fries at the same time?"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Je ne cuisinerais pas de poulet cru congelé avec des frites car le moment sera différent. Certaines lanières ou pépites de poulet précuites (congelées) peuvent être cuites avec succès avec des frites.
"I wouldn't cook frozen raw chicken with fries as the timing will be different. Some pre-cooked (frozen) chicken strips or nuggets can be cooked quite successfully with fries. "
Leonardo Lemoine Hilarion says
Buen día, estoy aprendiendo a usar correctamente la olla freidora de convección Oster
Gracias por su receta para papas fritas.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
¡Gracias, espero que te guste la freidora que hago! Muchas recetas son tan fáciles de hacer con él.