Air fryer crinkle cut fries turn out crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The air fryer does such a great job that it’s my favorite way to cook frozen crinkle fries!
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One of the best things an air fryer does is to cook frozen foods. Some foods turn out better in the air fryer than the oven! These include popcorn chicken, tater tots, samosas, falafels, and so much more.
Crinkle-cut fries are no exception. The rapid air circulation within the small compartment of the air fryer crisps the fries up perfectly without the mess of frying in oil.
The air fryer is also great for cooking smaller quantities of frozen fries, so you don’t have to heat up the big ‘ole oven.
Be sure to check out my post that has all the cooking times for the air fryer, organized by type of food.
💡 Tips for Making Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle Cut Fries
- Preheat the air fryer. Don’t just put the frozen fries into a cold air fryer basket. Allowing the air fryer to fully preheat ensures the fries start crisping up immediately. Most models take 3-5 minutes to preheat.
- Keep the crinkle cut fries frozen until you’re ready to stick them in the air fryer.
- Use a single layer. Overcrowding the basket will result in steamed fries instead of crispy ones. The fries need room to allow hot air to circulate around each one. Work in batches if necessary, depending on your air fryer’s capacity.
- Shaking the basket halfway through cooking or every 5 minutes helps cook the fries evenly instead of just crisping on one side. Use a silicone spatula or silicone tongs to toss the fries.
- It’s best to add any seasonings like salt, pepper, roasting seasoning, etc. after the fries are cooked, but I don’t find it necessary since I usually eat them with ketchup.
- Your air fryer’s times may vary due to wattage and capacity. Check on the fries a few minutes before the cooking time is up. They can go from perfect to burnt in a matter of a minute.
❓FAQS
I used Ore-Ida crinkle-cut fries, but you can use any brand, including store brands. Just keep an eye on the fries while they’re cooking to make sure they don’t burn.
Overcrowding the air fryer basket, which prevents the hot air from circulating freely, can cause soggy fries.
Ketchup, aioli, sriracha mayonnaise, honey mustard, fry sauce and Chick Fil A sauce pair perfectly with crispy air fried crinkle fries.
📝 How to Cook Frozen Crinkle Cut Fries in Air Fryer
- Keep fries frozen until ready to use. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and place the frozen crinkle cut fries in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry crinkle fries at 400 degrees for 13 minutes, till crispy and golden, tossing them halfway through the cooking time, or every 5 minutes, so the fries cook evenly. Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.
See recipe card below for details
You can air fry other frozen potatoes such as shoestring fries, steak fries, potato skins, and tater tots. Or for a healthier option, try air fryer frozen sweet potato fries.
✅ MY FAVORITE AIR FRYER ACCESSORIES
EVO oil sprayer is great for spraying oil on food. This is the best I’ve tried.
An instant-read thermometer is invaluable when air frying meats or frozen foods.
Perforated parchment sheets come in handy when making messy foods.
Frozen Crinkle Cut Fries in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen crinkle cut fries (22 oz.) or 623 grams *
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 5 minutes.
- Add half a bag of frozen fries to the air fryer basket and make sure they're evenly spread out.
- Close the air fryer and air fry for 13 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius).
- At the halfway mark, open the lid and use tongs or shake the basket so the fries are tossed well. Close the lid and continue cooking.
- When the cooking time is up, open the lid and check to make sure the fries are cooked to your liking. Toss the fries again and air fry for another 2 minutes, if desired.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spread fries in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 to 34 minutes or until the crinkle fries are golden in color.
Notes
- * A bag of Ore Ida golden crinkles were used in this recipe.
- Every air fryer is different. Check on the fries 2 minutes before time is up.
Nutrition
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I am not a certified nutritionist. I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers. If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons, I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.
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More Air Fried Potatoes
Ann says
Came out great!
Neena Panicker says
Ann, I’m glad to hear that it worked for you!