Air Fryer Frozen French Fries are the quickest way to make golden, restaurant-style fries at home, minus the grease! With a few simple seasonings and a quick air fry, you'll have crispy, flavorful fries in minutes.
I've always loved the satisfying crunch of well-cooked French fries, but deep frying has never been my thing - too much oil, too much mess! That's when I learned that the air fryer is magic and that frozen fries can be turned into crispy perfection with little to no effort. And I did some seasoning experimentation, and I found that garlic salt and a last-minute sprinkle of Cajun seasonings made for the best flavor combo.
Now these air fryer fries are an instant classic in my kitchen, be it for a snacking or a side dish for burgers and sandwiches. They're super flexible to customize, and a quick spray of oil before cooking yields crispier results than you'll ever achieve in a traditional oven. Trust me, you'll never go back to soggy oven fries after you try this method!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Main Ingredients
- How To Air Fry Frozen French Fries
- Pro Tips
- Notes and Variations
- What To Serve With Crispy French Fries
- Cook Times for Different Types of Fries
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Easy Potato Recipes
- Recipe
- How To Make Crispy Frozen French Fries In The Air Fryer
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super Crispy & Delicious - The air fryer makes for delicious, perfectly golden and crispy fries without all the excess oil from a deep fryer.
- Quick & Easy - No need to preheat an oven or wait forever - they're ready in about 20 minutes!
- Healthier Approach - The Air Fryer uses way less oil than regular frying and is therefore a guilt-free snack.
- Customizable & Versatile - Season with whatever you desire (garlic, paprika, parmesan or even truffle oil)!
- Easy clean-up, no deep frying. This is my favorite part about using my air fryer: all I have to do is wash the tray or basket (no pot of used frying oil to deal with afterwards!)
Main Ingredients
This basic dish calls for only a few ingredients. Here are the major items you'll need:
- Frozen French Fries - The base of the recipe giving you a crispy outside and fluffy inside when you cook it in the air fryer. Since they are pre-cooked and lightly oiled, they crisp nicely without the need for deep frying.
- Garlic Salt - A blend of salt and garlic powder that adds savory flavor to every fry without hiding the taste of the potatoes.
- Parsley - A refreshing, herbal garnish that adds a burst of color and a subtle earthy flavor. It balances out the richness of the seasonings, and it makes the fries look pretty.
- Cajun seasoning - A spicy warm blend giving heat and depth. Typically made using paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and other spices, it delivers smoky, spicy and slightly tangy flavor to the fries. Great for those who enjoy a bit of spice!
- Spray Oil - A light spray of oil helps the seasonings stick to the fries better and encourages them to crisp up in the air fryer. It also guarantees that even golden-brown coating without making the fries greasy.
How To Air Fry Frozen French Fries
- Preheat - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare - In a medium bowl, add frozen fries, then spray with a light coating of oil.
- Season - Add garlic salt to the fries and toss to coat.
- Cook - Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket midway through.
- Finish - Remove from air fryer and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and parsley.
- Serve - Gently toss and serve hot with your favorite dip!
Pro Tips
- Don't Overcrowd - Arrange the fries in one layer so they cook evenly and get the most crispiness.
- Shake the Basket - Halfway through cooking, toss the fries around in the basket to help them cook evenly on all sides.
- Season in Two Steps - Add garlic salt before cooking for deep flavor, then Cajun seasoning after for a boldly fresh flavor.
- Extra Crispy Hack - If you want them ultra crispy, spritz again with oil halfway through the cooking time, and air fry for 2-3 minutes longer.
Notes and Variations
- Adjust Spice Level - Increase or decrease Cajun seasoning to your spice preference. Add red pepper flakes for extra heat!
- Different Seasonings - Mix up the Cajun for paprika or parmesan or ranch seasoning or lemon pepper for something different.
- Cheesy Upgrade - Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the hot fries after cooking for a rich, savory touch.
- Taco seasoning: Taco seasoning (so good!) is another fantastic option to toss with your hot fries right after cooking for a bold, zesty twist.
- Smoky & spicy blend: Try ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon chili powder for a seriously moreish seasoning combination.
What To Serve With Crispy French Fries
- Burgers & Sandwiches - Cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or Philly cheesesteaks, which are classics.
- Grilled or Fried Proteins - Serve with grilled steak, fried chicken, or crispy fish or shrimp for a substantial dish.
- Dipping Sauces - up the flavor with garlic aioli, spicy mayo, cheese sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing.
- Loaded Fries - Cheese, sour cream and chives will turn them into a loaded fries platter (or make them into a meal).
- Fresh Sides - Pair crispy fries with coleslaw, a fresh salad, or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
- Steak frites: For a steak and frites vibe, make shoestring fries in the air fryer, then keep them warm in the oven while you make air fryer steak.
Cook Times for Different Types of Fries
Certain types of fries, such as waffle fries or thicker fries, require a bit more time to cook than standard thin fries. Use the cooking times listed for your fry type as a guide and add more time if needed.
- Thin/Regular Fries: 10-15 minutes
- Crinkle-Cut Fries: 12-18 minutes
- Waffle Fries: 12-18 minutes
- Curly Fries: 12-14 minutes
- Shoestring Fries: 8-12 minutes
- Steak Fries (thick cut): 15 minutes
- Sweet Potato Fries: 15-16 minutes
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Store any leftover air fryer frozen fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes, until heated through and crispy.
- Freeze: We don't recommend refreezing cooked fries; they turn soggy when thawed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air fry, turning the basket halfway through for even crispiness, at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes. Add 2-3 more minutes if you want extra crunchiness.
Other than garlic salt and Cajun seasoning, consider topping them with paprika, black pepper, parmesan, Italian herbs, ranch seasoning or chili powder for a different flavor. You might even squeeze in a touch of lemon or lime zest for some bright lift.
No, but a light spray of oil helps them get crispier and makes the seasoning stick better. If your fries already have oil, though, feel free to skip this step.
Yes! To bring back their crispiness, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes, shaking during cooking. The microwave is the enemy; it makes them soggy.
You don't! Cook the fries right out of the freezer for optimal results. They will become less crispy and mushy after thawing.
Yes! You can cook any kind of frozen fry, including curly, waffle, thin, crinkle-cut, steak cut, and sweet potato. Simply modify the cooking time according to the type and thickness of fry you're using.
For a typical 16-ounce bag, a 6-quart air fryer is ideal. If you are making smaller batches for one or two people, a smaller 2-quart air fryer works well. For optimal results, fry the fries in batches if your bag is larger.
While the next batch cooks, keep your air fryer frozen fries heated on a baking sheet in the oven at 250°F once they are as crispy as you like.
If you tried this Crispy Air Fryer Frozen French Fries or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
More Easy Potato Recipes
- Crockpot Steak and Potatoes
- Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes
- Louisiana Voodoo Fries Recipe (Wingstop Copycat)
- Air Fryer Cheesy Potato Wedges
- Oven Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
- The Best Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes
- The Best Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- How to Make Crispy Frozen French Fries in the Air Fryer
- How to Make Potatoes on the Blackstone Griddle
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes
Recipe
How To Make Crispy Frozen French Fries In The Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb frozen French fries 450 g
- 1 teaspoon cooking spray
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- fresh parsley for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat - 400°F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes
- Prepare - In a medium bowl, add frozen fries, then spray with a light coating of oil.
- Season - Add garlic salt to the fries and toss to coat.
- Cook - Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket midway through.
- Finish - Remove from air fryer and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and parsley.
- Serve - Gently toss and serve hot with your favorite dip!
NOTES
- Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer - Spread the fries in a single layer for even cooking and crispiness. If you have a large batch to prepare, do so in multiple batches.
- Season in Two Steps - Sprinkle garlic salt on before cooking for deep flavor, and Cajun seasoning after cooking for a bold, fresh taste.
- Crispiness - For super crispy fries, continue cooking 2-3 minutes longer, giving them a light spray of oil midway.
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