Are you craving some crispy and seasoned curly fries? Well, guess what? You can easily make them at home using your air fryer! With just one ingredient and 10 minutes of your time, you can satisfy your curly fry cravings any time you want. No need to go to a fast-food joint or fire up the oven. Let me show you how!
Curly fries are undeniably one of life’s greatest joys. They’re bouncy, crispy, and seasoned to perfection. While I have always loved Arby’s curly fries, I’ve discovered a way to make them at home using frozen curly fries and an air fryer. It’s so incredibly easy and achievable any night of the week.
Ingredients
- Frozen curly fries
How to Cook Frozen Curly Fries in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF.
- Add the frozen curly fries to the air fryer in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then flip or shake the basket and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- If you want to add seasoning, do it immediately after cooking.
That’s it! In just 10 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked curly fries with a crispy exterior and a tender interior. Feel free to dip them in your favorite sauce or enjoy them on their own.
Top Tips and Questions
What brand of curly fries is best?
While I personally love Ore-Ida fries in all varieties, including their seasoned curly fries, you can use any brand of frozen curly fries for this recipe. Whether it’s Arby’s, McCain, or your favorite store brand, the results will be equally delicious.
Can I air fry the whole bag of fries at once?
To achieve the best results, it’s important to only cook as many fries as can fit in a single layer in your air fryer. This means you may need to cook the fries in 2-3 batches if you have a large bag. Stacking the fries will result in soft and soggy fries, so it’s best to allow the air to circulate around them for that perfect crispiness.
Should I thaw my curly fries before air frying?
No, you don’t need to thaw the fries before air frying. They will cook best and be more crisp if you cook them directly from frozen.
Do I need to use oil in the air fryer?
You don’t need to use oil to cook frozen curly fries in the air fryer. However, if you want extra crispy fries, you can spray them with a little cooking spray before air frying.
What kind of air fryer should I buy?
There are many great air fryer options available on the market. Personally, I use the Ninja Foodi, which not only air fries but also has functions for grilling, baking, and dehydrating. If you’re looking for a more affordable option that focuses solely on air frying, I recommend Ninja’s 4qt Air Fryer or the Corosi Air Fryer. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the appliance.
Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen fries?
For this recipe, I don’t recommend swapping the frozen fries for fresh potatoes. The frozen fries have already been cooked before freezing, which gives them their unique texture. Air frying fresh potatoes would require a different preparation and cooking method.
How long are air fryer curly fries good for?
Air-fried foods are best enjoyed soon after cooking for optimal crispiness. However, you can store any leftover curly fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply air fry them again (you’ll only need half the time) or bake them at 400ºF until crispy. Keep in mind that microwaving them won’t give you the same level of crispiness.
Tips for customizing air fryer curly fries
- Try using a different bag of seasoned frozen curly fries to change up the flavor.
- Serve the fries with homemade veggie nuggets and dip them into sriracha ketchup for a tasty combination.
- Swap the curly fries in for loaded waffle fries for a twist on a classic dish.
- Experiment with different dips, such as spicy BBQ sauce, to elevate the flavor.
- Substitute the baked potato with these air fryer curly fries in your BBQ tempeh stuffed baked potato recipe.
- If your frozen fries are unseasoned, toss them with my oven-baked potato wedges seasoning after cooking.
More Side Dish Recipes
- Loaded Air Fryer Waffle Fries
- Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
- Air Fryer Home Fries
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Oven Baked Potato Wedges
- Mashed Potatoes with Boursin
- Mashed Potatoes without Milk
- Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or share it on Instagram with the tag #theliveinkitchen. And remember, you can always find more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration at Ekilove. Happy cooking!
