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Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

Instant Pot Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

Published: Sep 15, 2021 | Updated: Aug 2, 2023 | Author: Neena Panicker

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French fries with sea salt and parsley wrapped in white parchment and three glass bowls with condiments

There’s no need to turn on the oven to cook frozen french fries anymore! Air fryer frozen french fries turn out crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. And you can make them in less time than it takes to cook them in the oven or deep-fry them.  If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can also use a traditional air fryer or bake them in the oven.

Instant Pot air fryer frozen french fries with sea salt and parsley wrapped in white parchment and three glass bowls with condiments

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Table of Contents


  1. Introduction
  2. Tips
  3. FAQs
  4. Ingredients
  5. Instant Pot Step by Step Instructions
  6. Oven or Grill Instructions
  7. Recipe Card – Printable
  8. Related Recipes and Guides

Introduction

There’s nothing faster or easier than making frozen french fries in the air fryer. I now rarely use the oven to cook them. This recipe for air fryer frozen french fries was tested in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer but will work with the Instant Pot air fryer lid accessory and traditional stand-alone air fryers.

Yes, ideally making french fries from scratch would be best. But more often than not, I just don’t have the time! I keep a bag of frozen french fries in my freezer and whip it out when we’re grilling burgers or having sandwiches.

I could probably eat air fryer fries much more often (technically, potatoes are a vegetable, right?!) but they are more of a special occasion indulgence. Also, make sure you check out my recipe for frozen steak fries in the air fryer.

➡ Get the complete list of best frozen foods for air fryer!

Try some of my other Instant Pot Air Fryer Recipes like Instant Pot Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Instant Pot Air Fryer Pound Cake, or Instant Pot Air Fryer Cauliflower.

Tips and Substitutions


Oil

Although you can spray the fries with oil using a spray mister, you really don’t need to with frozen french fries.


Frozen French Fries

  • My favorite brand of frozen french fries is good-ole Ore Ida french fries. I also like Alexia frozen french fries.

Types of French Fries

Frozen french fries come in many sizes and shapes. Here are the cooking times for the different types. Remember to toss the fries partway through cooking.

TYPE OF FRIESCOOKING TIME
Waffle Fries13 minutes
Shoestring fries12 minutes
Steak fries16 minutes
Crinkle-cut fries15 minutes
air fryer frozen sweet potato fries12 minutes

Flavorings

Most of the time, I just dip the fries in ketchup without adding any seasonings but sometimes I like to change things up and sprinkle seasoning on the fries.

While the fries are still hot, sprinkle your choice of seasonings on the french fries. If you find that the seasoning isn’t sticking to the fries, lightly spray them with an oil spray first.

Here are some ideas for flavorings. Just watch out for the salt content. Each brand is different:

  • Lawry’s seasoned salt
  • Old Bay seasoning
  • Creole seasoning
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Homemade spice mix of:
    Garlic powder + onion powder + paprika (equal quantity of each) + salt (optional, to taste)

FAQS


Do I need to air fry the frozen french fries in a single layer?

No, you can add the fries to the basket in a bunch. Just make sure the fries are evenly spread out.

Should I thaw the french fries before air frying them?

No, keep the french fries frozen until you’re ready to air fry them and put them into the air fryer still frozen.

Do I need to coat the air fryer basket with oil?

Although I usually recommend spraying the basket and food with oil to avoid sticking while air frying, I don’t find the need to spray with oil before air frying frozen fries.

If you find that the fries are sticking to the bottom, spray the basket with a light spritz of oil. Don’t use the canned oil spray but an oil spray mister that can be filled with vegetable or olive oil. [Read More: Go to the section Air Fryer Tips in my guide on how to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp]

How long does it take to cook french fries in the air fryer?

Depending on the type of french fries, it can take from 12 to 20 minutes to cook frozen french fries in the air fryer. Ore-Ida golden fries take about 15 minutes.

Can I use the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid to make these french fries?

Yes, you can use the same timing and temperature to make air fryer fries using the air fryer lid.

Can I use another brand of air fryer?

Yes, the timing and temperature works with other brands of air fryers such as a traditional air fryer or a Ninja Foodi.

What should I do if the french fries are limp?

If the fries are limp at the end of the cooking time, shake the basket and air fry for another two minutes.

What should I do if the frozen french fries are too crispy?

The next time you make them, decrease the cooking time by two minutes or decrease the temperature to 350 degrees. Different air fryers may have slight variations, so you have to find a time and temperature that works for you.

Can I reheat fries in the air fryer?

Yes, for sure! You can reheat restaurant fries in the air fryer and they come out good as new. Air fry them for 2 to 3 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have leftover frozen fries, they can also be reheated the same way.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

I don’t preheat the air fryer before air frying the fries. When I make two batches, I do notice that the second batch cooks faster since the air fryer is quite hot. So preheating will probably save you a couple of minutes.

What quantity of fries can I air fry at one time?

I generally do no more than half a bag of fries in a batch. If I want to do the whole bag, I air fry in two batches.

If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, you might find it helpful to first read one of the following guides and then come back here to learn how to make this recipe.

  • General Instant Pot Instructions for Beginners
  • Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
  • Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
  • Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
  • Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
  • Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
  • Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual
  • Instant Pot PRO CRISP Beginner’s Manual

Air Fryer Frozen French Fries – Ingredients

Bag of Ore Ida golden fries french fried potatoes
  • Frozen french fries

More details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post

How to Cook Frozen French Fries in the Duo Crisp Air Fryer (Step by Step Instructions)

  1. Add fries to basket and close lid
  2. Program the air fryer
  3. Remove lid to turn the fries partway through cooking
  4. Shake the basket to turn the fries and continue cooking
  5. Remove lid after cooking is complete
  6. Remove fries and season

Add fries to basket and close lid

Instant Pot Air Fryer French Fries Instructions collage - empty basket, add fries, close lid
  • Place air fryer basket in the Instant Pot.
  • Add frozen french fries to the basket.
  • Put the air fryer lid on the base unit.

Program the Instant Pot to Air Fry for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

Duo Crisp Air Fry 15 minutes 400F collage - temp, time and air fry buttons circled, start button circled
  • Press the Air Fry Button.
  • Press Temp + or – until the temperature says 400F.
  • Press the Time + or – until the time says 00:15.
  • Press Start.
  • The display will say On, and once it has heated up, it will start counting down from 00:15 to 00:00.

Remove lid partway through cooking to turn the food

Duo Crisp turn food collage - turn food on display, lid being lifted, lid placed on pad
  • Partway through air frying, the Instant Pot will beep and the display will say Turn Food.
  • Lift the air fryer lid and place it on the protective pad.

Shake the basket to turn the fries and continue cooking

Fries Instructions collage - lift basket, shake basket, cover with air fryer lid
  • Using silicone gloves, lift the basket by the handles and shake the fries up a couple of times.
  • Close the lid.
  • Cooking will automatically continue.

Remove lid after cooking is complete

Duo Crisp End of Air Fry collage - says End on display, lid being lifted, lid placed on pad
  • When the timer runs down, the Instant Pot will beep and the display will say End.
  • Lift the air fryer lid and place it on the protective pad.
  • If the food’s not cooked to your liking, program the Instant Pot to air fry for another few minutes.

Remove fries and season

Fries Instructions collage - cooked fries, stir with tongs, fries with seasonings
  • Remove the fries to a serving dish.
  • Season while still hot, with your choice of seasonings, if desired. See tips for ideas.

Oven Instructions for Frozen Fries


To make this recipe in the oven:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Spread fries in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 30 minutes or until the fries are golden in color.
  4. Season with your choice of seasonings, if desired.

See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Air Fryer Favorite Recipes
I think one of the air fryer’s greatest strengths is how good frozen foods turn out. the foods cook fast and they are super crispy on the outside!
– Air fryer corn dogs
– Frozen shrimp in air fryer
– Frozen chicken tenders in air fryer
– Frozen chicken wings in air fryer

French fries with sea salt and parsley wrapped in white parchment and a glass bowl with ketchup

Instant Pot Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

There’s no need to turn on the oven to cook frozen french fries anymore! Air fryer frozen french fries turn out crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. And you can make them in less time than it takes to cook them in the oven or deep-fry them.  If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can also use a traditional air fryer or bake them in the oven.
5 from 7 votes
PRINT RATE
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 90
Author: Paint the Kitchen Red
Prevent Screen from Going Dark

Equipment

  • Instant Pot Air Fryer or
  • Traditional Air Fryer
  • Silicone tongs
  • Silicone mitts

Ingredients
  

  • ½ bag frozen french fries (16 oz.) or 500 grams *

Instructions
 

Air Fryer Instructions (See Note!)

  • Place the air fryer basket in the air fryer.
  • Add half a bag of frozen french fries to the basket and make sure they're evenly spread out.
  • Close the lid and air fry for 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • If you are using an Instant Pot air fryer, partway through cooking, the display says turn Food. If you are using an air fryer without this feature, set a timer to turn the fries 10 minutes into the cooking process.
  • Open the lid and using silicone mitts, lift the basket and shake the contents 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.
  • Transfer the fries to a serving dish using tongs and coat with your choice of seasonings, if desired. **

Oven Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Spread fries in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the fries are golden in color.
  • Season with your choice of seasonings, if desired.

Notes

  • Note: Every air fryer’s cooking time will vary due to wattage, capacity, and other factors. Always check on the food 2 to 3 minutes before the time is up to make sure it’s not burning or overcooking!
  • * Ore Ida brand of golden fries were used in this recipe.
  • ** Fries are already salted. Seasoning choices include Old Bay, Lawry’s, Creole, Cajun seasoning or garlic powder + onion powder + paprika + salt (optional).

Nutrition

Serving: 14 pieces | Calories: 90 kcal | Carbohydrates: 14 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 290 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g
Course Sides
Cuisine American
Main Ingredient vegetarian
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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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If you’ve just purchased the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, this beginner’s manual will help you get started. This user manual tells you about all the parts, the most important buttons, and functions, and gives you instructions on how to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp for the first time by doing the water test (initial test run). And you’ll also learn how to use air fryer functions using the air fryer lid.
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Comments

  1. Terri White says

    June 19, 2023 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    Simply put, this recipe worked like a charm! I’m new to Instant Pot and I’ve found other recipe bloggers to be confusing or lacking real instructions. I realize french fries should be a no brainer, but they aren’t. I was thrilled to read I could make a half bag at once, with a simple shake! Thank you for giving such great detail and hints.

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      June 20, 2023 at 6:10 pm

      Terri, thank you so much for commenting – I’m glad you liked the detailed instructions for air fryer french fries!

      Reply
  2. Roberta says

    March 28, 2023 at 9:22 pm

    I have a instant pot duo crisp air fryer I need to know how long to cook shoe string French fries for.

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      March 30, 2023 at 2:58 pm

      Hi Roberta, because shoestring fries are thinner, I would check on them at the 9 to 10 minute mark. Good luck.

      Reply
  3. Jan says

    June 27, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks, I followed your instructions for the frozen fries in my Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid and they turned out perfect!

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      June 27, 2022 at 3:22 pm

      Awesome, Jan! Thank you for taking a moment to comment – much appreciated!

      Reply
  4. Caroline says

    January 26, 2022 at 9:04 am

    How would one use the parchment liners when cooking? Do you use at all?

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      January 26, 2022 at 10:32 am

      Caroline, I use them with some recipes, especially meats. But no, I don’t use them all that often. You can get parchment rounds with holes in them or you can punch holes.

      Reply
  5. Shanu J says

    January 07, 2022 at 7:11 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you! I wasn’t sure whether my duo crisp lid would have the same time as other airfryers. Turned our crisp and cooked well.

    Reply
    • Paint the Kitchen Red says

      January 08, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      Shanu, I’m glad it worked out for you – thank you for your comment!

      Reply
5 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I'm Neena Panicker, and welcome! I am the creator, photographer, and author of recipes and tips at Paint the Kitchen Red. I live in the glorious west in Salt Lake City, Utah with my family.

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