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    Home » Air Fryer, Instant Pot, & Crock-Pot

    Published: Feb 16, 2023 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries

    Jump to Recipe

    For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen crinkle-cut french fries in the air fryer, try this recipe. Frozen crinkle fries will be hot on the inside and crispy on the outside in minutes.

    Once you've tried air frying fries, you will never want to go back to baking them in the oven again. Say goodbye to oven-baked fries and hello to air fryer fries.

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries PN1 plated fries with ketchup

    Jump to:
    • Best French Fry Brands for Air Frying
    • Why Air Fry Frozen Fries
    • Ingredients
    • How to Air Fry Frozen Crinkle Cut French Fries
    • What Temperature to Air Fry Crinkle Fries?
    • How Long to Cook French Fries in the Air Fryer
    • How to Tell When Air Fryer French Fries are Done 
    • Dips & Seasonings for French Fries
    • What to Serve with Crinkle French Fries
    • FAQ
    • Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries

    Best French Fry Brands for Air Frying

    This recipe works for air frying any crinkle-cut french fry brand including Ore-Ida, McCain, Walmart, Grown in Idaho, and others. It is so quick and easy and minimal preheating when you air fry frozen french fries. They come out perfectly and you get to enjoy them your favorite way.

    Always have a bag of these frozen crinkle-cut fries in your freezer. Then when you need a quick side dish, snack, or appetizer you can have one hot & ready in less than 15 minutes.

    Why Air Fry Frozen Fries

    Cooking them in the air fryer makes them more crispy.  Unlike deep-frying, this recipe requires no oil, making it a healthier choice. For a low-fat french fry, this recipe is the best. Whether you are reheating fries or cooking from frozen, air frying is the way to go.

    If you like french-fried potatoes, you will love my recipe for homemade sweet potato fries cooked in a deep fryer. They are crispy & sweet.

    Ingredients

    Frozen french fries of any shape, size, and brand typically have other ingredients than just potato.  That other ingredient is usually some sort of vegetable oil, like in Ore-Ida Golden Crinkles.  Because of this, you DO NOT need any oil when cooking frozen fries in the air fryer. 

    All you need for this french fry air fryer recipe is the frozen Golden Crinkles or another crinkle-cut french fry. Many other items may need a spray of avocado oil when air fryer but not frozen crinkle french fries.  

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries ingredients frozen fries and salt pepper shaker

    This recipe is for cooking 2 servings, each about 3oz.  Wondering how many fries are in 3 ounces? Depending on size and brand, it is roughly about 13 fries.

    How to Air Fry Frozen Crinkle Cut French Fries

    Add frozen crinkle french fries to your air fryer basket or tray.  Make sure they are in a single layer.  It is also best to not overcrowd the basket or tray when air frying.   

    If you can spread them out, that is my recommendation so that the hot air can circulate. The heat reaches all sides of the frozen french fries ensuring they cook evenly. This will give you the crispiest frozen fries with browning on all sides. 

    An air fryer does take some time to heat up before cooking. However, you do not need to wait to put your food until after it is preheated.  No preheating with this recipe so set it and forget it.

    What Temperature to Air Fry Crinkle Fries?

    Once the frozen fries are in the air fryer, time to program your air fryer.  Set it to air fry at 400°. 

    Whether you like them soft or extra crispy, this temperature is the best for air-frying frozen fries. I share my guide for cooking them for different times so you can enjoy them just the way you like them - soft to extra crispy.  

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries frozen fries on the tray ready to cook in the air fryer

    How Long to Cook French Fries in the Air Fryer

    For how long to cook frozen fries in the air-fryer, I recommend 12-15 minutes.  I set the timer for 12 minutes and they come out hot on the inside. The fries are perfectly golden brown and crunchy on the outside. 

    For extra crispy crinkle fries, set the air fryer timer for 15 minutes.  If you like them super crispy, cook the crinkle fries for up to 18 minutes in the air fryer. If by chance you like them barely done, go as short as 8-10 minutes.

    • Soft & Limp Fries - 8-10 minutes
    • Crispy & Golden Brown - 12 minutes
    • Extra Crispy Fries - 15 minutes
    • Well Done Fries - 18 minutes

    How to Tell When Air Fryer French Fries are Done 

    Frozen french fries will be done when they are hot on the inside. They will also not be soft or soggy when you pick them up. They should be light to dark brown, depending on your preference.

    Once the french fries are done air frying, carefully remove them from the oven with an oven mitt and plate. Sprinkle them with salt or any other desired seasoning while still hot.   

    Serve with ketchup or your favorite dip.  For tasty flavored seasoning powders and dip ideas, check out my recommendations below. 

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries plated with ketchup in front of the air fryer

    Dips & Seasonings for French Fries

    Once these crinkle-cut french fries are cooked and hot out of the air fryer, they can be seasoned with more than just salt. Flavored seasoning powders are great on popcorn and french fries.   

    Serve your air-fried french fries with a delicious dip or ketchup.  You can also sprinkle on a flavored seasoning powder to add so much more flavor to the best air fryer crinkle french fries. 

    Besides ketchup, a good dip is important with french fries if you ask me.  My favorites are ketchup or homemade ranch dressing to dip my fries into. For the best dip recipes to serve with french fries, try one of these ideas.  

    • Dips for Sweet Potato Fries featured overhead plate of fries and 2 dipping sauces
      Dipping Sauces for Sweet Potato Fries
    • Hot Honey
      Hot Honey
    • homemade keto ranch dressing in a glass cup with celery and carrots to dip
      Homemade Ranch Dressing Without Mayo (Keto & Low-Carb)
    • closeup overhead of dipping sauce and a bowl of charred shishito peppers
      Shishito Pepper Dipping Sauce

    Try tasty flavored seasonings like cheesy jalapeno, dill pickle, ranch, buffalo, garlic parmesan, white cheddar, and more to flavor french fries. The dill pickle flavoring honestly is amazing. Add dill pickle seasoning to these freshly cooked french fries for a great kick of sour flavor - if you like salt & vinegar or pickle potato chips, you will love this! 

     

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! #ad

    What to Serve with Crinkle French Fries

    Let's be real, french fries are pretty fantastic with just about anything. This is a great fast side dish to just about anything. But here are my favorite dinner ideas that go well with air-fried french fries.

    Great gluten-free recipes, sandwiches, fried foods, BBQ, and more. Other air fryer recipes are perfect to serve with these crinkle fries. One of my favorites is fish & chips, so make these fries a side along with my crispy crunchy air-fried fish filets.

    • plate of ready to eat fish sticks with ketchup on the side
      Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
    • Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken recipe card plated with fresh parsley and ranch dressing
      Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Chicken
    • A bun topped with 3-ingredient sloppy joe meat and cheese.
      3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)
    • Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder (pork butt) Featured Pulled Pork with BBQ sauce on a bun plated with chips
      Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder (pork butt)
    • How to Cook Brats in the Oven featured plated brown bratwurst with mustard and kraut
      How to Cook Brats in the Oven
    • Smoked Beef Short Ribs featured close up on a plate with parsley and fork to the right
      Smoked Beef Short Ribs
    • plate with crispy ready to eat gluten free keto nuggets
      Grain/Gluten-Free Fried Chicken Nuggets (Keto & Low-Carb)
    • Toasted grilled cheese sandwich plated.
      Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries dipping one into ketchup and a plate of fries

    FAQ

    Do you need to preheat the air fryer to cook fries?

    I find it best to put the food in and then set it; therefore, the food can be inside while preheating. I worry that I won't be right there when it beeps as the preheat stage ends. 

    You can get busy in the kitchen or step away. This will then delay me getting the food in and the time will tick down without the food actually in the air fryer.  For cooking frozen french fries, there is no need to preheat or wait to get the food in. 

    Do you have to shake or rotate fries in the air fryer?

    When I make a full tray, I like to shake the tray or move them around a bit with some tongs midway through cooking.  This helps them cook evenly. It also ensures all sides get brown and crispy.

    If I am making only 1-2 servings I usually do not need to shake them around. With few in the tray, they really are spaced so far apart they don't need any adjusting (like those seen above).  I have a large tray but if you have a small cooking surface, you may need to shake them around. 

    Do you need spray oil to air-fry fries?

    Since most frozen store-bought fries contain some sort of oil in the ingredients, the simple answer is no. You do not need to add any additional oil or spray frozen crinkle fries before cooking in the air fryer. They will be crispy without any avocado oil or other cooking spray.

    Do you defrost frozen fries before cooking them in an air fryer?

    Frozen fries are a convenience food; therefore, they are made to be quick and easy. For that reason, you do not need to defrost them first. In fact, they are meant to be cooked from frozen - do not defrost.

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries PIN plated fries ketchup red napkin and salt shaker
    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries PINREDO closeup overhead image of plated fries and ketchup
    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries recipe card plate with ketchup ready to eat

    Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries

    Angela
    For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen crinkle-cut french fries in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot, crispy, and yummy with just the right amount of time to cook in the air fryer. Plus delicious dips and seasonings to add for the best air fryer french fries.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 min
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 13 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 oz frozen crinkle-cut french fries
    • salt to taste
    • ketchup, dips, seasonings optional

    Instructions
     

    • Add frozen crinkle french fries to your air fryer basket or tray. 
      Depending on the size of your air fryer basket or tray, add only as many as will fit without overcrowding.  Be sure to leave some space between the fries and that they are in a single layer.   
    • Once the frozen fries are in the air fryer, set to cook.   Set to air fryer at 400°.  Next set the timer for 12 minutes.  For extra crispy, set it for 15 minutes. 
    • Shake or rotate fries midway through cooking if needed. This is not necessary but the more you have piled in the more likely they may need to move around the cook on all sides.
    • When they are done cooking, carefully remove them from the oven and plate.  Sprinkle with salt or any other desired seasoning.   Serve with ketchup or your favorite dip. 
    • OPTIONAL - For seasoning powders and dip ideas see above

    Notes

    Nutrition will be based on the brand and amount of fries made. 
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 1
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 120
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 4.5g 6%
    Saturated Fat 1g 5%
    Cholesterol 0mg 0%
    Sodium 290mg 13%
    Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
    Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
    Total Sugars 1g  
    Protein 2g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 0mg 0%
    Iron 0mg 0%
    Potassium 380mg 8%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword air fry, appetizer, crispy, crunchy, dairy-free, dip, easy, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, potatoes, salty, seasoned, side dish, sides
     

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe - #ad:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

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    Tag @theshortordercookblog (Instagram & Facebook) or @shortorder_cook (Twitter). 

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jennifer says

      November 27, 2021 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      Best way to make frozen fries. I can never remember the temperature or for how long so this was very helpful.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 27, 2021 at 3:49 pm

        I am glad this was helpful.

        Reply
    2. Brenda says

      December 06, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      Yum. Hot and crispy. Just the right amount of time for the fries. Thank you.

      Reply
    3. Logan says

      January 04, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that hopes you find something new & tasty to love while you are here.

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