Frozen Seasoned French Fries in the Air Fryer
Frozen seasoned fries in air fryer are better than fast food chains. I said what I said. These are the easiest fries and a total game changer side dish and my favorite snack. With crispy outer edges and a tender center, coated in a salty and flavorful homemade seasoning, these are the best French fries at home! The cooking process and cooking time are simple, effort is minimal, and crispy air fryer fries are an easy recipe anyone can make. Just add your favorite ranch dressing, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce for dipping. Let me show you how to make the best air fryer French fries. Full recipe card below.
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What is an Air Fryer?
Unless you do not have the internet, you have likely heard of the culinary phenomenon of the air fryer. But every time I share a video of me air frying dinner on Instagram, I get a lot of questions about what it tastes like. So let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
In my opinion, the best way to describe an air fryer is they are really powerful convection ovens that are portable. The hot air makes food very crispy without drenching your food in added oils making it a healthier option. Unlike a deep frying, air frying can be done with a small amount of oil and sometimes none at all. I personally don’t enjoy super greasy and heavily oiled fried food so the air fryer is a great way to have crispy fries without the deep fried taste.
One of the most common questions I get is does it taste like deep fried food? No. They taste very different in my opinion. With the air fryer you get the crispiness of something that has been fried but without all the the oil taste. This is a game changer when it comes to French fries.
Why This Recipe Works
Air fryers are really just a powerful countertop convection oven that crisp up frozen fries faster and more evenly than any oven ever could. And bonus, the fries will probably be done before your real oven even gets up to temp. By using frozen fries, you save time and energy that you can spend focusing on the main dish and keep the oven open if needed.
Seasoned French Fry Ingredients
This easy side dish only requires a few basic ingredients and steps to make. Let me walk you through what I use and why and what ingredients will give you the best results.
Frozen French Fries – I use frozen French fries 90% of the time I make fries. Why? Because it is super convenient, I always have a bag in my freezer, and I can make as little or as much as I want. You can use any brand or type of fries you want, straight cut, crinkle cut, waffle fries, or even curly fries. Just note if you use skinny fries like shoestring fries they may cook a lot faster. And if you use thicker fries like steak fries or potato wedges, they may take longer.
I’ll be honest, I have tried a lot of different types of fries from the grocery store and I think the best frozen French fries are Walmart’s Great Value brand and bonus, they are affordable! (not sponsored)
Olive Oil – A little bit of olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the frozen fries. You can also use a little extra oil on the bottom of the air fryer basket. I use extra virgin olive oil but you can also use avocado oil or cooking spray if you prefer less oil.
Fry Seasoning – A simple blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne, salt and pepper makes the best fry seasoning and it makes enough for next time too 🙂 This is my go to seasoning on fries, sweet potatoes, and homemade fries! But feel free to use one of your favorite seasonings too. On occasion I also use my Cajun seasoning from my sauce recipe and truffle seasoning.
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Frozen Seasoned French Fries in the Air Fryer
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy delicious and crispy seasoned French fries without the drive thru. These easy frozen seasoned French fries in the air fryer crisp up perfectly in just 20 minutes! They are one of the easiest side dishes, that can be made without all the fuss of dicing and cooking fresh potatoes. Simply season and add your favorite brand of frozen fries to the air fryer while you make the rest of your meal. This is a great recipe for busy weeknight dinners or an easy snack. No matter when you make them, these easy air fryer fries will quickly become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 lb Plain Frozen French Fries (16-ounce bag)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 tbsp Fry Seasoning
Instructions
- Combine all the spices for the fry seasoning in a small bowl or jar and mix together. I add mine to a glass spice jar and shake it with the lid on. You will not use all of it. Any extra can be stored in an airtight container in the pantry.
- Set the temperature of your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Pre-heating is not required, but I think it helps for the fryer to heat up for a couple of minutes prior to adding my fries.
- Spray the inside of the air fryer with nonstick spray or a little oil to prevent the fries from sticking to the bottom. I use a small pan that fits inside my air fryer. You can also use parchment paper.
- In a medium size bowl or a small pan, coat the frozen fries in the olive oil. You want all the fries to be well coated so the seasoning will stick.
- Sprinkle the coated fries with a 1/2 tbsp of the fry seasoning and mix well until all the fries are well seasoned.
- Lay the fries out in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer or on a small pan.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes giving the air fryer basket a good shake halfway through to make sure all sides get crispy. Cook until golden brown or they have reached the desired crispness.
- When the fries are done, do not allow the fries to cool in the fryer. I find that this makes my fries less crispy. As soon as the time ends, open the fryer and turn it off. Cool for a few minutes with the drawer or lid off.
- Serve with your favorite fry sauce.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Notes
- Note: You will NOT use all of the fry seasoning. I usually make a batch of seasoning and save the leftovers in my spice cabinet in a glass spice jar.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer cook time and quantity may vary.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sides
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Looking for a tasty sauce to dip them in? Try one of my favorite dipping sauces. Curry Lime Yogurt Sweet Potato Fry Dipping Sauce, Macaroni Grill Gourmet Balsamic Ketchup Recipe, Easy Copycat Homemade Kraft Chipotle Aioli Sauce, and Easy Spicy Mayo Ketchup Fry Dipping Sauce Recipe!
Looking for more crispy French fries? Try my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Crispy Frozen Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries, or my Frozen Crispy Tater Tots in the Ninja Air Fryer.
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try my Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites, Air Fryer Breakfast Egg in the Hole Everything Bagel, or my Air Fryer Caribbean Jerk Chicken Tacos.
Leftover Storage/Reheating
Leftover fries can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the air fryer, not the microwave. The microwave will turn leftover fries into sad, soggy sticks. The air fryer brings back most of the crispness. Reheat at 350°F for three to five minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
When to Make Frozen Seasoned Fries
This simple recipe is the perfect side dish for weeknight meals, backyard BBQs, or even quick snacks. By using frozen fries, they are ready in less time and can be cooking while you focus on something else. Unlike homemade French fries, these can be made on short notice with great success. Pair them with a smash burger, salmon patties, or a ribeye steak. Air fryer frozen fries are a simple side dish the whole family will love!
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