We Ranked the Greatest Frozen French Fries to Make in an Air Fryer

Fries earlier than guys has turn into my life mantra. Favoring reliable potatoes appears extra cheap than fleeting love pursuits, however as with dateable males, not all fries are created equal. With loads of soccer video games, together with the massive one, simply days away you may be questioning how finest to make fries for a watch social gathering. 

That one’s straightforward. 

Whereas the mighty air fryer has emerged as one of the best ways to crisp up a bag of frozen varieties for a mealtime facet or social gathering platter, far too many succumb to frequent fry blunders, comparable to unbalanced potato-to-skin ratios, an absence of seasoning or a touch of freezer burn. 

So, as a self-certified fry knowledgeable, I rounded up six of the most well-liked varieties from Amazon Recent to place them to the last word style check. In fact, taste will at all times reign supreme, however these fried tubers have been additionally judged on their capability to cook dinner in what has quick turn into one among our all-time favourite home equipment. 

The end result: None of those spuds have been complete duds, however here is how they stacked up in my taste-test and rating. 

The best way to air fry french fries

Whereas directions will differ by model, there are a handful of common tricks to think about earlier than tossing fries into an air fryer basket and urgent the on button: 

• Do not overcrowd the basket. They’re going to flip to mush and/or stick collectively. 
• Do not add oil. Most frozen fries come pre-fried. Extra oil will normally make them soggy. 
• Cooking instances will depend upon fry measurement. A shoestring will clearly take much less time than a steak. Observe the directions in your bag and conduct a trial run to find out which choice yields the most effective end result. 
• Should you demand additional salt, apply it after cooking. An excessive amount of sodium will draw out much-needed moisture. 
• Give the basket shake each 5 minutes. It will guarantee even warmth distribution and no burnt ends. 

Learn extra: Craving Crispy French Fries? Follow These 4 Steps to Perfect Potato Sticks

Rating the most effective frozen french fries in an air fryer 

It is price reiterating that there wasn’t a single choice on this record that I would not eat. The style check was a reminder that frozen fries have been virtually made for an air fryer, yielding a sizzling, crunchy and salty snack in lower than quarter-hour. 

As with each carb-packed delicacy, some have been higher than others. Style, after all, is subjective and one individual’s Michelin star is one other individual’s quick meals. However I can guarantee you that my palate has waited all my life for this second and I stand by my closing rating. 

6. 365 by Entire Meals Market Natural Shoestring Minimize Fries

On this fry’s protection, it is arguably the healthiest of the bunch. It comes with no added salt (blasphemy) and is constituted of natural potatoes, making its McDonald’s-fry-like look hilariously, but in addition disappointingly, misleading. 

Should you desire a crunchier shoestring that you could choose up by the handful, this can be the fry for you. However for serial dippers like me who additionally crave a little bit of seasoning and extra oomph, these are a miss and never well worth the time, the excessive worth or the energy. 

5. Ore-Ida straight-cut fries 

Ore-Ida’s decrease rating was actually the most important shock for me. It is one of the crucial recognizable manufacturers and but I discovered this tater to be a contact too mushy and harbouring the stale taste of a leftover fry that is been reheated the following day. 

If I had to return in time, I would depart these within the air fryer for a minute or two longer than their prompt cooking time however I additionally should not need to. I am a agency believer in mass-market, straightforward meals getting it proper the primary time in order that I’ve to fret much less about my mind and extra about my urge for food. 

4. Sturdy Roots crinkle fries

I would be mendacity if I mentioned that I needed these to succeed. Out of each fry form, crinkle-cut shouldn’t be one which notably excites me, because it jogs my memory of lunchtime in center faculty, the place I used to be most frequently bullied. However these have been a nice shock, touting a really potato-forward taste and an excellent crunch. 

They have been a contact too burnt on the perimeters attributable to inconsistent sizes, so think about cooking on the decrease finish of their prompt time vary. That mentioned, I used to be not utterly deterred by the char. The truth is, it form of enhanced the flavour and made up for the very apparent lack of sodium. 

3. Checkers, Rally’s seasoned waffle fries

Admittedly, these obtained a leg up attributable to their craveworthy waffle form and iconic Checker’s/Rally’s seasoning. And whereas they have been primed to comb the competitors, they ended up putting a strong third. 

My solely gripe was that they turned a bit too one-noted and clashed with my array of dipping sauces. Those that desire a fry with out accompaniments may have discovered their new obsession. These like me who aren’t glad with a fry alone will wish to think about the gold and silver medalists. 

2. Grown in Idaho hand-cut-style fries 

In case your thought of an ideal fry is golden brown, with a slight coating and a strong crunch, that is the one for you. Frankly, Grown in Idaho was my preliminary favourite till I went again for seconds (and thirds and fourths) and realized its mouthfeel could also be barely off-putting for anybody who prefers one thing a bit softer. 

However this was fairly darn scrumptious and, weirdly, had a pleasant potato aftertaste that stood as much as daring and spicy barbecue sauce. That, in and of itself, is an unimaginable feat because it’s normally the condiment that leaves an enduring impression on the best way down. 

1. Amazon grocery straight-cut fries

Whereas it pains me a little bit to offer prime honors to the company behemoth of our time, Amazon’s iteration took prime honors. This fry was well-balanced: seasoned, crisp and potato-forward with flecks of earthy pores and skin and a measurement superb for dipping. 

I could not discover one factor mistaken with this fry, in contrast to each first date I’ve ever been on in my life. It was my potato soul mate and has now secured a everlasting spot in my Amazon grocery rotation.