Air Fryer Frozen French Fries Time & Temp Guide (Crispy Every Time)
By Airfryer Conversion Chart Culinary Team • Reviewed on 2025-08-14
If you want crispy air fryer frozen French fries, stick to high heat and shake at least once.
Across tests in Ninja AF101, Cosori Pro II, Instant Vortex Plus, and Philips Essential, the sweet spot was 400°F (204°C) with a single-layer load and 1–2 shakes. Most people ask “how long to cook frozen fries in air fryer?”—our benchmarks confirm:
- Shoestring: 10–12 min
- Crinkle cut: 14–16 min
- Thick steak fries: 16–20 min
No thawing is needed. Spray lightly with oil if your fries are very dry, avoid overcrowding, and shake at the halfway point (and again near 2/3 for thicker cuts).
For oven recipes, use our oven to air fryer conversion: reduce temp by ~25°F (≈14°C) and time by ~20% as a starting point, or plug values into the air fryer conversion calculator / air fryer conversion chart to get precise air fryer time conversion.
If you need to go the other way, our air fryer to oven conversion (and air fryer to oven calculator) increases temperature slightly and adds time to match oven dynamics.
Leftovers tip: Skip the microwave; reheat fries in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 4–5 minutes to restore crispness.
Pro tip: Season after cooking (garlic salt, paprika, parmesan). Toppings added too early can burn at 400°F.
Additional Information
Cooking Variants
- • Shoestring: 10–12 min @ 400°F / 204°C
- • Crinkle Cut: 14–16 min @ 400°F / 204°C
- • Thick Steak Fries: 16–20 min @ 400°F / 204°C
Brand Adjustments
- • ninja: ±0°F, time ×1
- • cosori: -5°F, time ×0.95
- • philips: ±0°F, time ×1.1
- • instant: 5°F, time ×1
Frozen Instructions
Cook straight from frozen—no thaw. Shake at least once (better: twice) for even crisping.
Sauce Cautions
- • Add cheese, sauces, or toppings only after cooking—these can scorch at 400°F.
Visual Doneness
- • Golden edges, dry surface, crisp exterior; interior stays fluffy.
Troubleshooting
- • Not crispy? Spread in a single layer, shake twice, and avoid overcrowding.
- • Too dry? Reduce cook time by 2 minutes or lower temp by 10°F.
- • Uneven browning? Rotate the basket/pan and shake more frequently.
Leftovers
Store up to 2 days. Reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 4–5 min in the air fryer; avoid microwaving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long to cook frozen fries in the air fryer?
Most frozen fries need 10–16 minutes at 400°F (204°C), depending on cut and thickness. Shake at least once.
What temperature is best for frozen French fries in the air fryer?
400°F (204°C) gives the best crisp without overdrying. For extra crispness, add 1–2 minutes.
Do I need to thaw frozen fries before air frying?
No. Cook directly from frozen and shake the basket halfway (and again at 2/3 time for even results).
Can I use the air fryer conversion chart for oven times on fries?
Yes—use our air fryer conversion chart or calculator to adapt oven directions to air fryer time & temp.
How do I convert air fryer to oven for fries?
Use our air fryer to oven conversion: increase temperature slightly and add ~20% time as a baseline.
Shoestring vs crinkle vs steak fries—what timing?
Shoestring 10–12 min, Crinkle 14–16 min, Steak fries 16–20 min at 400°F. Shake for even browning.
