Frozen steak fries in the air fryer come out crisp and golden outside and soft inside, in less than half the time the oven takes. Air fry them straight from frozen at 400°F for 13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. This works for both Red Robin and Ore-Ida steak fries, in a basket air fryer or an Instant Pot air fryer.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.
ℹ️ Introduction
Heating frozen foods is one of the best things an air fryer does, and thick steak fries are a good example. I like them better in the air fryer than the oven.
➡ More frozen fries in the air fryer: my crinkle cut fries, sweet potato fries and Instant Pot air fryer french fries. For other frozen potato sides, try tater tots and potato skins, or browse my list of the best frozen foods to cook in the air fryer.
🧂 Ingredients for Air Fryer Steak Fries
💡 Ingredient and Recipe Tips
Steak Fries
I used Red Robin steak fries for the photos. Ore-Ida steak fries cook exactly the same way, with the same time and temperature. Other brands should be about the same, though extra-thick fries may need a couple more minutes.
Air Fryers
I tested this recipe in a Cosori air fryer and an Instant Pot Duo Crisp. Both preheat on their own before the countdown starts. The Instant Pot air fryer lid and Pro Crisp work with the same time and temperature too.
Every air fryer is different. The first time you make these, check on the fries 2 minutes before the time is up. Then you’ll know if yours runs hot and needs a minute less next time.
Batches
Cook half a bag at a time. The fries need room for hot air to move around them, and a packed basket steams the fries instead of crisping them.
A full 22-ounce bag of Red Robin fries can be air fried in two batches. The second batch may cook a little faster, since the air fryer is already hot.
If I’m making more than three batches, I switch to the oven. Those directions are below.
Serving
I don’t season them after cooking. A bowl of ketchup on the side is all they need.
❓ FAQs
Air fry frozen steak fries at 400°F for 13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. That’s the time I use for both Red Robin and Ore-Ida steak fries, cooking half a bag at a time.
Yes, I’ve tested both brands. They cook the same way, so use the same time and temperature for either one.
No. Cook them straight from the freezer. They don’t need oil, and I’ve never had them stick to the basket.
Air fry them for another 2 to 3 minutes. If they still come out soft, the basket was probably too full, so cook a smaller batch next time.
Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes.
⏲️ How to Make Frozen Steak Fries in the Air Fryer
- Load the basket. If your air fryer doesn’t preheat on its own, preheat it for 5 minutes. Spread half a bag of steak fries in the basket straight from the freezer, without thawing.
- Air fry and shake. Cook at 400°F for 13 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the fries with tongs halfway through. They’re done when the outsides are golden and crisp.
🔥 Oven Instructions for Frozen Steak Fries
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 30 to 34 minutes, until golden.
Frozen Steak Fries in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen steak fries (22 oz.) or 623 grams [See Note 1]
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes.
- Add half a bag of frozen steak fries to the air fryer basket and make sure they're evenly spread out. [See Note 2]
- Close the air fryer and air fry for 13 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. [See Note 3]
- 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 steak fries are golden in color.
Notes
Nutrition
Thank you for visiting Paint the Kitchen Red. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please don’t use any content without prior written permission. If you’ve made this recipe and would like to share it with your friends, please link back to this recipe. Thank you!
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.
Did you know that the best way to support your favorite bloggers is to comment and rate recipes, and share on social media? If you loved this recipe, please comment and give it a five ⭐ rating in the comment section below. If you’re a pinner, pin this post using the Pin buttons at the top and bottom of this post and in the recipe card above. Thank you for your support!
Donna Lee says
I have an air fryer in my oven . Do I air fry the same time as a pot air fry?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Donna, I think you can use the same temperature but you might need to adjust the time (most likely, more time).
Gail says
What size air fryer do you use? Mine is a really big one, Power XL 6-qt. Could I do a whole bag of those fries at a time?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Gail, I think you could. I would shake them up a few times, though.