Last Updated on 12 June 2026 by cooksimply
To cook frozen French fries in an air fryer, preheat to 200°c/400°F, then air fry the fries at 185°c/365°F for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. No oil, no defrosting. Below is my full method, the timings for every type of fry, and answers to the questions readers ask most.
If there’s one staple food item I have in my freezer at all times, then it’s frozen French fries and frozen chips – whether they’re thicker steak fries, curly fries, waffle fries, straight-cut, or crinkle cut fries, I always have a bag to hand. Who doesn’t like French fries? They pretty much go with everything, and cooking them from frozen means that they’re quick and easy to make, too, whenever you want them.
If you’re a fan of French fries, you’ll love the convenience of cooking them in an air fryer. Not only is it quick and easy, but it also results in perfectly crispy French fries without the need for extra oil. Follow my simple steps below to cook frozen French fries in an air fryer. Perfect for side dishes or for eating them on their own alongside a bowl of ketchup, they’re a winner every time.
Why cook fries in an air fryer?
I won’t deny that deep-fried French fries are really tasty and moreish, think of those you get from the fast food chains sprinkled in tons of salt. However, air fryer French fries really do taste just as good but are most definitely a healthier option. With less oil, simply a blast of hot air, as well as a reduced cook time, you’ll have amazing French fries every single time.
I own a Cosori air fryer – so if you follow my easy recipe below, the timings will suit this model. Don’t worry if you don’t have the same appliance; check your instruction booklet and experiment with the timings and heat settings. However, I think my recipe should be the ultimate guide. As you can see, I use the same method for different types of chips – skinny fries and crinkle cut fries below.
Will these frozen French fries in an air fryer be crispy?
Most definitely, you just need to ensure you air fry your frozen fries for long enough. Should you use extra oil? I don’t. Frozen French fries or different types of fries are already pre-coated in oil. As an experiment, I have used cooking spray – both vegetable and olive oil, and I’ll be honest, I don’t think it yields better results. So to make these air fryer fries as healthy as possible, I leave out the oil – and I don’t even spray the basket beforehand.
How to make these air fryer crispy French fries?
The first step to cooking frozen French fries in an air fryer is to preheat your appliance. This will ensure that your fries cook evenly and become crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes. Once it’s heated up, you need to grab your bag of frozen French fries.
Spread the frozen fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket
To ensure that your frozen French fries cook evenly and become crispy, it’s important to spread them out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the fries to cook unevenly and become soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches to achieve the best results. Once your fries are spread out in a single layer, you’re ready to start cooking them.
Cook the fries at a high temperature for 20 minutes
Set your air fryer to a high temperature – on my Cosori air fryer I choose to set the temperature to 185°C (365°F) and cook the frozen French fries for 20-25 minutes. Shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure that the fries cook evenly on all sides and prevent them from sticking together. Simply remove the basket from the air fryer, give it a good shake, and then return it to the machine to finish cooking. Depending on the thickness of the fries, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Cooking times for different types of fries
Cooking time depends on the thickness of the fry, so use this as a rough guide and keep checking once you’re near the end. All timings are at 185°c/365°F after preheating, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
- Skinny or shoestring fries: 12 to 15 minutes
- Standard straight-cut fries: 15 to 18 minutes
- Crinkle cut fries: 18 to 20 minutes
- Steak cut or chunky chips: 20 to 25 minutes
- Waffle fries: 12 to 15 minutes
- Curly fries: 12 to 15 minutes
- Sweet potato fries: 15 to 18 minutes
Thicker chips need longer and a few extra shakes. The fries are done when they’re golden brown and crisp at the edges.
Serve with your favourite dipping sauces
Once your frozen French fries are cooked to perfection in the air fryer, it’s time to serve and enjoy. Sprinkle them with your favourite seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika, for an extra burst of flavour. You can also dip them in your favourite sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, or chilli sauce dressing. Whether you’re enjoying them as a snack or as a perfect side dish, these crispy fries will be a hit. And the best thing is that this is such a simple recipe.
Can you make homemade fries in the air fryer too?
Absolutely, If I make homemade chips from scratch, then I peel and slice the potatoes, then parboil them in salted water for around 5-8 minutes. You want the fries to still hold their shape and not fall apart. After letting them cool slightly, spray oil over them and make sure they’re all coated. This is when you can add your seasoning, salt and pepper, or any spices you want. Combine them well and then add them to a lined basket – I use a sheet of baking paper. Much like the frozen method, lay your fries on a single layer – and cook in the same way, making sure to turn the fries so they cook evenly on both sides.
Can you reheat air fryer French fries?
Yes, but they take less time. If you have any leftover fries that have been stored in the refrigerator, preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes then add the fries to the basket as above – in a single layer. Cook for around 5 minutes at 200°C (400°F).
Tips for making air fryer French fries for the first time
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You don’t need extra oil for your frozen French fries
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You don’t need to defrost the French fries prior to cooking
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Preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before you begin cooking
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Avoid overcrowding your French fries and try to cook them in a single layer. You know how big your basket is – so if it’s smaller, you may have to do it in a few batches
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Make sure to shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even, crispy French fries. It also helps to prevent them from sticking together.
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Add your seasonings once the fries are cooked and crispy.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to preheat the air fryer for frozen fries?
It helps. A 3 to 5-minute preheat gets the fries crisping from the moment they hit the basket, rather than slowly warming through. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, just run it empty at 200°c/400°F for a few minutes first.
Do you need oil for frozen French fries in an air fryer?
No. Frozen fries are already coated in oil at the factory, so they crisp up perfectly without any extra. I’ve tested it with and without a spray of oil, and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference. Leaving it out keeps them as light as possible.
How do you cook chunky chips from frozen in an air fryer?
Same method, just give them longer. Chunky chips and steak cut fries need around 20 to 25 minutes at 185°c/365°F, with a shake every 5 minutes. They’re thicker, so check a couple are soft in the middle before serving.
Why are my air fryer fries soggy?
Usually overcrowding. If the basket is packed, the hot air can’t circulate, and the fries steam rather than crisp. Keep them to a single layer and cook in batches if you need to. Salting too early can also draw out moisture, so season once they’re cooked.
Can you stack fries in the air fryer?
Try not to. A single layer gives you the crispiest results. If you have to pile them a little, shake the basket more often so every fry gets its turn near the heat.
When should you add salt?
After cooking, not before. Salt draws moisture to the surface, which can stop the fries from crisping. Sprinkle and toss them the moment they come out, while they’re still hot, so it sticks.
Here are some of my other air fryer recipes
Air fryer crispy chicken wings
Air fryer char siu BBQ pork
Air fryer sesame prawn toast
How to cook frozen French fries in an air fryer
Ingredients
- 400 g frozen French fries of your choice
- 1-2 tsps sea salt
- Dipping sauces to serve
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for around 3-5 minutes.
- Set your air fryer to around 185°C (365°F) and then place your frozen fries into the air fryer basket. Make sure to spread them out evenly, and try to keep them in a single layer.
- Cook the frozen fries for around 20 minutes, making sure to shake the basket every five minutes. If you'd like them crispier, cook for a further 3-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with salt and toss then serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauces
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make these French fries?
Please let me know if you made this air fryer frozen French fries. Leave a comment below and tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram. You can find other easy meal ideas here.
I have a frozen option in the programmes what would you recommend for chunky frozen chips. Thankyou
Pretty much the same method for chunky chips. Sometimes it’s trial and error with specific settings. Keep checking on them and shaking them every 5 minutes until you’re happy.