The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
Craving French fries but only have a frozen bag in the freezer? No problem – because air fryer frozen French fries are a crispy treat!
You can make them as a quick side dish for a larger meal or enjoy a helping of hot and crispy fries as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce!
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Ingredients
- Frozen French Fries – Frozen French Fries of your choice; we use crinkle-cut here, but you can also use regular-cut or thick-cut fries (will take slightly longer to cook).
- Oil – Optional; we like to use avocado oil, but you can also use vegetable oil, canola oil, or similar.
- Salt – Optional; we usually add a bit of regular table salt, but you can also add some (seasoning) salt of your choice.
Recipe Tips
- You can make different kinds of frozen French fries in the air fryer. We have made crinkle-cut and regular straight-cut ones in around 17-18 minutes. You can also make frozen steak fries in the air fryer, just keep in mind that fry thickness will impact the cooking time.
- Adding extra oil is optional because frozen fries usually contain some oil.
- Adding salt is also optional. We recommend adding it at the end if you’re not adding extra oil. Otherwise, the salt might fly around in the hot air and get caught in the heating elements.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer or the fries may not cook and crisp evenly. If your air fryer is very small, make less or cook in batches.
Step by Step Instructions
If you want to add some oil for a little extra crisp, place the frozen fries (no need to thaw them first!) into a bowl and add one teaspoon of avocado oil. Toss until the fries are evenly coated.
Keep in mind that adding extra oil is completely optional since frozen french fries usually already contain some oil.
If you decided to add oil, feel free to also add some (seasoning) salt at this stage. Otherwise, add it at the end.
Preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the air fryer is hot, place the frozen fries evenly in the air fryer tray.
Try to get the fries to take up one layer with little overlapping. If your air fryer is very small, you might have to cook them in two batches.
Cook the fries for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown but not burnt at the tips. Shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes to allow for even cooking.
Since every air fryer is different, your cooking time may vary. The thickness of the fries will also affect the cooking time.
Remove the cooked fries from the air fryer and place them in a bowl.
Optional: Add your favorite seasoning salt or regular table salt – if you haven’t already done so earlier. Toss until the salt is evenly distributed.
Serve the fries with your favorite dipping sauce.
Storage Tips
These French fries should be enjoyed hot and fresh out of the air fryer.
If you have leftover fries, place them in a sealed container and store them in the fridge. We recommend eating them the next day since they will get soggier over time.
You can reheat these fries in the air fryer to regain some of their crispiness. Keep an eye on them since you don’t want the ends to burn.
Related Recipes
Looking for more air fryer potato recipes? Check out these creations – some made with fresh potatoes and some from frozen:
- Air Fryer Fresh Cut French Fries
- Homemade Potato Wedges
- Air Fried Tater Tots
- Air Fried Frozen Steak Fries
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen French fries
- 1 teaspoon oil, optional
- seasoning salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For a little extra crisp, place the frozen fries in a bowl, add oil and toss until the fries are evenly coated. Oil is completely optional. If you add oil, feel free to add some (seasoning) salt now. Otherwise, add it at the end.
- Once the air fryer is hot, place the frozen fries in the air fryer basket. They should be in one even layer with little overlap.
- Cook the fries at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes or until fully cooked and golden brown. Shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes for even cooking. Since every air fryer is different, your exact cooking time may vary.
- Remove the fries from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. Add your favorite seasoning salt or regular table salt and toss until the salt is evenly distributed.
- Serve the fries with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- The cooking time above is for regular cut/crinkle-cut frozen fries – thicker cut “steak fries” will need slightly longer.
- If your air fryer is very small, you may have to cook the fries in two batches. Overcrowding the air fryer is not recommended and can prevent the fries from getting crispy.
- Adding extra oil is optional because frozen fries usually contain some oil.
- If you’re not adding extra oil, add the salt at the end.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
This recipe was first published in February 2021 and updated in June 2024.
