You can make the perfect frozen french fries quickly and easily with an air fryer. But, for them to be crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, there are a few tricks you need to know.
With just a few small tweaks to your ordinary preparation, your frozen fries can come out extra delicious. Here are four golden rules for getting superb air fryer fries every single time.
1. Preheat for the perfect crunch
Although some air fryer recipes say you don’t need to preheat, this is a crucial step. Starting with a hot chamber means your fries immediately begin to crisp up instead of gradually heating, which helps achieve that desired golden brown color. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, simply run it at your desired temperature for about five minutes before adding your fries. It will make a difference.
2. Give them a light spritz of oil
One of the best things about air fryers is that they use much less oil than deep frying. However, using a bit of oil at the beginning will help with that golden exterior you are looking for. Before you load your frozen fries into the air fryer basket, give them a very light mist of cooking oil, like olive or canola. This will help seal in moisture and the fries will brown more evenly.
3. Don’t overcrowd the basket
Sometimes you’re hungry and just want to make a big batch of fries all at once. But adding too many fries into the air fryer basket may lead to disaster. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, so if your fries are piled on top of each other, they’ll steam rather than crisp up.
To ensure even cooking, lay your fries in a single layer and leave a little space between them. You might need to cook in batches, but the extra effort will pay off with crispier fries.
4. Shake the basket for even cooking
Halfway through cooking, it’s time to give your air fryer basket a good shake. This step ensures that all sides of the fries are exposed to the hot air and cooked evenly. When you pull out the basket, shake it vigorously, and then spread the fries back into a single layer before popping them back in. This will help avoid any undercooked spots and will guarantee a tasty crunch on every fry.
Enjoy your perfect frozen french fries
By following these four simple rules—preheating, using a bit of oil, avoiding overcrowding, and shaking for even cooking—you’ll have crispy and delicious fries every time. Serve your fries with a juicy burger, some air-fried chicken, or even a light salad for a balanced meal. And remember that with the air fryer, you can make everything from bacon cheeseburgers to roasted veggies, all with minimal effort. Happy air frying!