Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

The easiest fries you’ll ever make! Air fryer frozen french fries are super crispy and ready in under 15 minutes!

If you are looking for a quick and easy side dish for your summer BBQs, stock your freezer with frozen french fries, then cook in the air fryer for the ultimate crispy texture!

Plus they’re ready in a jiffy – less than 15 minutes for most varieties! And clean-up is easy. You don’t have to deal with the hassle of the at-home deep-fry – soaking your potato, heating oil to the perfect temperature, disposing of said oil, paper towel draining, etc. With the air fryer, you can achieve crispy, crunchy, salty fries with a perfectly soft center.

Even better, by using frozen fries, you can choose any style you want without taking the time to slice the perfect shape and the potatoes won’t go bad if you forget to use them up. 

Perfect for an easy and fun weeknight side dish, or even to bring to a summer cookout or potluck! 

Ingredients You’ll Need

Notes on Ingredients

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. See FAQs for more tips on cook-time. 

Equipment You’ll Need

Air Fryer (affiliate link – if you make a purchase I receive a small commission)

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Add frozen fries to air fryer basket in a single layer. 

Step 2: Air fry for 10-13 minutes, depending on the type of fry. Shake the basket every five minutes to check for desired level of crispiness.

Expert Tips

1. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You don’t need to have all the fries in a single layer but there should be some space in-between or around fries. I cooked a 16-ounce bag in two batches.
2. Air fryers vary in terms of cooking times and temperatures. It’s always best to use these instructions as a guide but to test with your specific air fryer. Toaster-oven-style air fryers tend to take a little longer than basket-style. We tested this recipe using the Phillips XXL Air Fryer.

Recipe FAQs

How long should I cook frozen french fries in the air fryer?

This will depend on the fry you choose and your air fryer. In my Phillips XXL Air Fryer (affiliate link), sweet potato and waffle fries took 10-11 minutes and straight cut and crinkle cut took 11-13 minutes. At the five minute mark when you shake the basket, take a look at the color and edges. Then, check again at the ten minute mark.

From there, you will be able to get an idea of how much more time to add. It could take up to 20 minutes, especially if you like your fries extra crunchy and/or you have a toaster-oven-style air fryer.

How do I make fries crispy in the air fryer?

Make sure your fries are not crowded. Since you’ll be shaking the basket every five minutes, you don’t have to place them in a single layer but make sure they have a bit of space between or around them.

It may take a few batches depending on how many you’re cooking for, but it will ensure ideal crispiness! I did two batches for a 1 lb bag of frozen fries.

Do I need to add oil for air fryer frozen french fries?

Nope! For this recipe, I did not add any oil. You can spray the fries beforehand with a nonstick spray but I didn’t find it was necessary. Many brands already use oil and salt on their fries.

Do I need to defrost frozen french fries beforehand?

Definitely not. I’d recommend keeping your fries in the freezer until you’re ready to use them. This will also help with crispiness. 

Do I need to season frozen french fries before or after air frying?

You don’t need to season frozen fries as most brands already season them with salt and/or spices. However, you can definitely add more if you’d like! I would add any seasoning after they are air fried so they stick to the fries better.

I added a little extra kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to my fries. They would also be delicious with spices like garlic powder, paprika, smoked paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or chili powder.

What dips can I serve with frozen french fries? 

These are delicious served with ketchup, mayo, aioli, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, blue cheese dressing, ranch, etc.

Storage and Preparation

For this recipe, no prep is needed! Simply have frozen french fries on hand, alongside salt and spices if you’d like. 

Once cooked, air fryer frozen french fries will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Wrap fries in parchment paper and store in a glass container, but do not overpack it. This will help to keep fries from getting soggy. 

When looking to reheat, toss them in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 375 degrees F. However, know they’ll never be quite as crunchy as when they’re first cooked. Thicker fries will also have a better shot at reaching crispiness upon reheat. 

Recipes That Pair Well

For more air fryer recipe inspiration, check out my other recipes below!

If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!

Print