Frozen Chips in the Air Fryer
Oven chips take 25 to 30 minutes and the tray needs turning at least once. Frozen chips in the air fryer are crisp in about 15 minutes, with no need to defrost them or preheat the oven. The key is not to overfill the basket and to shake it halfway, and the timings below cover every cut from skinny to chunky.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 18min
- Prep
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 195kcal
Why the air fryer works for frozen chips
Cooking frozen chips in air fryer baskets is faster than the oven because the fan pushes very hot air through the layer of chips. The ice on the surface evaporates in the first minute or two and the outside crisps instead of steaming, which is why the chips come out golden and crunchy rather than limp. You also save the time it takes to preheat and the energy of heating a large oven for one tray.
Frozen chips air fryer batches are best kept small. A 4–6 litre basket holds a portion for two people in one go, so cook larger amounts in batches. Check the bag for the manufacturer's oven times and shorten them by about 40%, which is a good starting point for any brand. Homemade chips from fresh potatoes need a different method, covered in the guide to chips in the air fryer.
How to cook frozen chips in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for . A hot basket starts crisping the chips at once, so they do not turn soft as they thaw.
- Add the chips Tip the chips straight from the freezer into the basket. Spread them out so they are no more than two chips deep. A 4–6 litre basket takes about 300 g at a time, so cook 600 g in two batches.
- Cook Cook for , shaking the basket well after . Most oven chips are already coated in a little oil, so you do not need to add any.
- Check The chips are ready when they are golden and crisp at the edges and hot all the way through. Add if some are pale.
- Season and serve Tip them into a bowl, toss with the salt and serve immediately. They lose their crunch quickly if left standing.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Frozen Chips | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-cut oven chipsShake halfway | 200 °C | 15–18 min |
| Skinny frozen chips | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Crinkle-cut chips | 200 °C | 12–15 min |
| Chunky frozen chipsLower heat for the centre | 190 °C | 18–22 min |
| Frozen sweet potato fries | 200 °C | 12–15 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
- Never overfill the basket. A half-full basket crisps best. More than that and the middle layer steams.
- Shake properly. Give the basket a firm shake halfway through, so the chips at the bottom swap with those on top.
- Salt at the end. Salt added before cooking can draw out moisture. Season when they are hot and out of the basket.
Serving
Serve frozen chips with fish fingers, chicken nuggets or a hamburger for a quick midweek tea, or with a fried egg and baked beans. Cooking times for common frozen foods are on the air fryer cooking times page, which helps if you want to cook the whole plate at once.
Storing and reheating
Leftover cooked chips keep in the fridge for 1 day in a covered container. Reheat in the air fryer at 190 °C for 3–4 minutes until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Do not refreeze chips that have already been frozen and then cooked.
Variations
- Cheesy chips: Top the hot chips with 60 g grated cheddar and return them to the basket for 1 minute to melt.
- Garlic and herb: Toss with a little garlic granules and dried parsley when they come out.
- Frozen sweet potato fries: Cook at 200 °C for 12–15 minutes; for the fresh version, see sweet potato fries.
Troubleshooting
- The frozen chips are soggy
- The basket was too full, so the chips steamed. Fill it no more than half, shake halfway through and cook in batches.
- Some chips are burnt and some are pale
- They were piled on top of each other. Spread them out, shake twice and use 190 °C for thin cuts so they do not catch.
- The chips taste dry
- Very low-fat chips can dry out. Add a light spray or 1 tsp of oil and toss before cooking for a better finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long do frozen chips take in an air fryer?
Straight-cut oven chips take 15–18 minutes at 200 °C. Skinny chips take 10–12 minutes and chunky chips 18–22 minutes.
Do you need to defrost chips before cooking them in an air fryer?
No. Cook them from frozen. Defrosting makes the surface wet, and wet chips do not go crisp.
Do you need oil for frozen chips in the air fryer?
No. Most are pre-coated with a little oil. A teaspoon is optional if you want a golden, crunchier finish.
What are the best frozen chips for an air fryer?
Standard straight-cut or crinkle-cut oven chips with a thin coating work best. Thick-cut or battered chips need longer and a lower temperature.
Is it better to cook frozen chips in an air fryer or oven?
The air fryer is faster, about 15 minutes against 25–30, and gives a crisper result with less energy. The oven is better if you need to cook a very large batch.
Rate this recipe
No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this recipe.
