How to air fry frozen chips

At a glance:

• Temperature: 180 °C to 200 °C (no need to preheat)
• Cooking time: 15–20 minutes
• Golden rule: Shake regularly! It’s the only way the hot air reaches every side of your chips.

Whenever a sudden chip craving hits, I love reaching for frozen chips. They’re super convenient and much quicker in the air fryer than in the oven. But I’ll be honest with you: my first few attempts didn’t turn out that well. So that doesn’t happen to you, I’m sharing my two-stage rule and what else to look out for when cooking frozen chips in the air fryer.

My tips for frozen chips in the air fryer 

1. No extra oil: Frozen chips are already part-fried in the factory, so unlike fresh potatoes, you don’t need to add any extra oil at all.
2. The right amount: Fill the air fryer basket no more than halfway. If the chips are piled too closely on top of each other, the hot air can’t circulate properly.
3. The two-stage rule for perfect frozen chips in the air fryer: 180 °C to cook + 200 °C for the crunch = perfect results.
4. Don’t overfill the basket! Shake the basket regularly and fill it halfway at most! It’s the only way the hot air reaches every side of your chips. If you’re cooking for lots of people, do two batches – otherwise you’ll end up with burnt chips on top and soggy ones in the middle. 

Frozen chips in the air fryer: step-by-step guide

• Fill: Tip the frozen chips straight from the freezer into the cold air fryer basket – no need to defrost.
• Stage 1 – cook: Start the air fryer at 180 °C for 10 minutes. After about 5 minutes, pull the basket out for the first time and give everything a good shake.
• Stage 2 – cook (the crispy finish): Now turn the air fryer up to 200 °C for another 5 to 10 minutes. The thinner the chips (e.g. skinny fries), the quicker they’re done.
• Season: Only salt your hot chips or add chip seasoning after cooking, in a separate bowl. Otherwise the salt falls through the gaps in the air fryer basket and burns at the bottom. 

Prefer fresh chips? Want to use fresh potatoes instead of ready-made chips? Then check out my guide to making your own chips in the air fryer. 

FAQs

How long do frozen chips take in the air fryer? 

Between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on how thick the chips are and your air fryer model. Skinny fries are ready sooner, while thick crinkle cut chips need the full time.

• Thin straight cut chips: 15–17 minutes at 180–200 °C
• Crinkle cut or thick chips: 16–20 minutes at 180–200 °C
• Steak cut chips: 20–25 minutes at 180–200 °C

Why do my chips turn out dry instead of crispy in the air fryer?

This happens when you leave them in too long at too low a temperature. All the moisture escapes from the inside of the potato, and they end up tasting like cardboard. Stick to my two-stage rule (180 °C first, then 200 °C) to keep the middle fluffy.

Do frozen chips need to be defrosted first?

No. Put the chips straight into the air fryer basket from frozen. If you let them thaw, the starch softens and the chips will fall apart when you shake the basket.

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