Curly Fries in the Air Fryer
Curly fries are fiddly in the oven, because the spirals tangle, stick and cook unevenly on a tray. Curly fries in air fryer baskets come out crisp and well seasoned in about 13 minutes, straight from the freezer, and they hardly need any oil. This page covers the usual frozen bag first and a homemade version made from spiralised potato.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 15min
- Prep
- 2min
- Servings
- 3
- Per serving
- 275kcal
Why the air fryer works for curly fries
Curly fries in air fryer baskets suit the shape of the spiral. In the oven, a flat tray lets the curls lie on top of each other, so some are crisp and others stay soft. In the air fryer the basket and the circulating hot air work from every side, and shaking the basket rearranges the tangle so each spiral is exposed. Frozen curly fries are also coated in a seasoned batter that crisps fast at 200 °C.
For frozen packs, that means you only need to preheat, tip them in and shake once. Air fryer curly fries are done in 12–14 minutes without defrosting and use little or no extra oil. For a small amount, they also beat heating a full oven. The main limit is space: curls take up more room than ordinary chips, so a basket of around 4 litres handles about 450 g at once.
How to make curly fries in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Do not defrost Take the fries straight from the freezer. Thawing makes them damp and limp. Shake the bag to loosen any pieces that have frozen together.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for . A hot basket sets the coating at once and helps the spirals crisp.
- Fill the basket Tip in the fries and spread them out loosely. Keep the basket no more than half full, because tangled curls steam instead of crisping. Toss with the oil if you like a deeper colour, though the coating usually contains enough.
- Cook and shake Cook for , shaking the basket hard after to separate the curls. They are ready when deep golden at the edges and crisp all the way through.
- Season and serve Check the packet for the cooking instructions of the brand you bought and make sure the fries are steaming hot all the way through. Add a pinch of salt and serve immediately, while the coating is crisp.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Curly Fries | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen curly fries, 450 gShake halfway | 200 °C | 12–14 min |
| Small portion, 200 g | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Large portion, 700 gShake 3 times | 200 °C | 16–18 min |
| Homemade spiralised potatoSoak and dry first | 180 °C | 14–16 min |
| Reheating leftovers | 180 °C | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Frozen food in an air fryer
Tips
- Keep the basket half full. Spirals are bulky and trap air. A lighter load lets the hot air reach every curl, and a second batch is quicker than rescuing soggy ones.
- Shake properly. A gentle jiggle does not separate the curls. Pull the basket out and give it a firm shake, or toss with tongs.
- Leave the oil off first. The coating on frozen fries usually has enough fat in it. Add oil only if the first batch looks dry. For other frozen foods, see frozen food in the air fryer.
Serving
Serve curly fries with a hamburger, a few chicken wings or chicken nuggets for a casual meal, or on their own with ketchup, mayonnaise or a spicy dip. If you prefer straight cuts, frozen chips follow similar timings, and potato wedges give a softer centre. Curly fries air fryer batches also work well as a topping for loaded fries with cheese and spring onions.
Storing and reheating
Cooked curly fries lose their crunch quickly, so cook only what you will eat. Leftovers keep in a covered container in the fridge for 1 day. Reheat them in the air fryer at 180 °C for 3–4 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through, then season again. Never refreeze fries that have been cooked.
Homemade curly fries
To make curly fries from scratch, you need a spiraliser with a blade for thick curls. Use 2 large floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper, about 500 g in total. Spiralise them, soak the curls in cold water for 15 minutes to remove surface starch, then drain and dry thoroughly with a clean tea towel. Toss with 1 tbsp rapeseed oil, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic granules and a pinch of salt.
Cook at 180 °C for 14–16 minutes, shaking after 5 and 10 minutes, until golden and crisp at the ends. Homemade spirals are thinner than frozen ones and brown faster, so check them early. They are less sturdy than the frozen version, so serve them straight from the basket. The same spiral works with sweet potato, which cooks a minute or two faster.
Troubleshooting
- The curly fries are soft in places
- The basket was too full, so the spirals steamed each other. Cook smaller amounts, shake well halfway and add 1–2 minutes if needed.
- The fries stick together in a clump
- They were frozen into a block or were not shaken. Break them up before cooking and shake or stir with tongs at 6 minutes.
- The ends burn while the centres stay pale
- Smaller curls cook faster. Take out the dark, crisp pieces and return the rest for another minute or two.
Frequently asked questions
How long do curly fries take in an air fryer?
Frozen curly fries take 12–14 minutes at 200 °C, shaken once halfway. A smaller amount of around 200 g needs 10–12 minutes.
Can you cook curly fries from frozen in the air fryer?
Yes, and you should. Do not defrost them first. Cook from frozen, shake well and they crisp up without any added oil.
Can you make homemade curly fries in the air fryer?
Yes, spiralise potatoes, soak in cold water for 15 minutes, dry well and toss with a spoonful of oil. Cook at 180 °C for 14–16 minutes, shaking twice.
What temperature do you cook curly fries at in an air fryer?
200 °C suits frozen seasoned curly fries. Homemade spiralised potato is thinner and fine at 180 °C, since it browns faster without a coating.
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