Skip to Content

How to Cook Crispy Frozen French Fries: Easy Recipe

Golden crispy fries with a perfect crust belong in your home too! We don’t have to depend on the restaurant any more! I’ll show you how to cook frozen french fries: Easy Recipe (so that they taste good and are crispy!).

Crispy Frozen Fries

Crunchy, crispy and with a golden tasty edge and soft pillowy center, that’s the best results, right?

Today we will cover the best way to get that perfect fry (with different types of fries and different cooking process).

You’ll be making the best frozen french fries (our favorite fast food fries) with the best results in no time at all!

Here’s What You’ll Need for Golden Fries and This Easy Side Dish

  • French Fries
  • Oil
  • Air Fryer pan or baking sheet
  • Favorite Seasonings
  • A big bowl of ketchup for enjoying your great results!

Here’s How You Do It

STEP 1. Place frozen fries on a baking sheet covered in aluminum foil, pour on oil and seasoning salt, toss with your hands so that all of the fries are covered with oil and seasonings and then arrange so that the fries have plenty of space on the pan.

STEP 2. Bake for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees (refer to your package of fries for proper cooking time and temp). Serve Hot!

baking sheet and frozen fries.
STEP 1.
cooked frozen fries and spatula.
STEP 2

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

  • It uses a tiny amount of oil.
  • Adds the perfect seasoning to the fries
  • Puts a prefect crunch on the edge of the fries!

From Air Fryer to Oven: The Best Ways to Cook Frozen Fries

I fully recommend cooking french fries…

  • In the oven
  • Using a frying pan on the stove top
  • In an air fryer basket

But I do not recommend trying to cook frozen fries in the microwave. They turn out mushy every single time (unless you have the ones that come in a special package and are specifically formulated for cooking in the microwave.

Types of Fries

This process works with any type of fries! 

  • Waffle Fries
  • Steak Fries
  • Curly Fries
  • Shoestring Fries
  • Homemade Fries
  • Sweet Potato Fries
  • Crinkle Cut Fries
  • Even, leftover fries!

To Cook Fries in a Skillet

  • First heat oil at a depth of ¼ inch in the bottom of your skillet over medium high heat. (This makes your skillet like a deep fryer).
  • When the oil is glistening hot and when a drop of water spatters loudly
  • Add a large handful of frozen fries to the oil
  • Cook until the amount of crispiness that you prefer – they will be golden brown.
  • Dip from the oil with a slotted spoon or spatula and drain on a paper towel. If you want to cook more, you might need to add extra oil and allow it to heat before adding more fries from your bag of frozen french fries. 
  • Apply salt and pepper while draining. (And maybe some garlic powder and chili powder!) Be sure to give them a good shake!
  • If you prefer less oil, you may wish to follow the instructions in the recipe card below.

Air Fryer Recipe

  • Spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray
  • Put in the fryer frozen french fries in the amount that your fryer basket will allow (handful) in a single layer
  • Cook the Fries at 400 degrees for 10-12. 12 minutes should be about perfect cook time!
  • Shake the basket well during cooking at least once.
  • Air Frying turn out golden and delicious in less time !
  •  Try with a bit of onion powder!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can I Cook Without Using Any Oil At All?

  • Yes, actually you CAN cook your french fries without any oil at all, however, the crunchy exterior will not be as pleasing to your taste buds.
  • You can give your fries a burst of flavor by spraying them with cooking spray.
  • If oil is not your thing, you might try an airfryer!
  • If you are concerned about using vegetable oil, you can try a bit of olive oil as a healthier way.s

How To Reheat Fries

To reheat the fries, use 2 Tbs vegetable oil. Toss the fries to coat in oil. Bake in the oven at 400 for about 5-8 minutes till heated through.

Watch Sarah Make These Fries

Will You Help Me Out?

By leaving a 5 STAR  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Comment below. If you made this recipe, I would love for you to share it with me on social media or just email me at wendi(at sign)loavesanddishes.net. I love hearing from you.

Ya’ll MAKE MY DAY when you leave me a comment  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 or send me an email!

Join me on social media by clicking the links at the top of the page!

Crispy golden fries on a white plate for how to cook frozen fries

HOW TO COOK FROZEN FRIES

Golden crunchy perfect restaurant quality fries made right at home in the oven using less oil and more flavor!  You can’t go wrong!
4.65 from 14 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer fries, how to cook frozen fries, frozen french fries
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 824kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb frozen french fries
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbs Season All salt
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil (Optional step but it does make clean up easier)
  • Spread the fries out across the baking sheet
  • pour oil and season all salt onto the baking sheet with the fries
  • Using your hands, mix the oil, seasoning and salt well.  Spread the french fries out so that they are not touching as much as possible. 
  • Sprinkle with a small bit of additional salt and pepper according to taste.
  • Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes (refer to the package instructions for time and temp for your particular french fries)
  • Remove from the oven and serve hot

Notes

  • Make sure to refer to your own package of french fries for time and temp baking settings, as this will differ with different brands.
  • If you like your fries more crispy, allow to bake longer.
  • It’s important to mix by hand so that the oil is evenly distributed.  Keep a towel close by to wipe your hands on afterward! 
  • Change up the season all salt with garlic or onion powder and cayenne pepper for a slight change. 
PRO TIP: Fries taste good and have an excellent crunch for about 10 minutes.  After that time, they start to become limp.  Plan ahead so that the fries are the last thing you are preparing and can serve them hot from the oven.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
HOW TO COOK FROZEN FRIES
Amount Per Serving
Calories 824 Calories from Fat 549
% Daily Value*
Fat 61g94%
Saturated Fat 32g160%
Sodium 4599mg192%
Potassium 975mg28%
Carbohydrates 68g23%
Fiber 10g40%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin C 14.3mg17%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

***This post first appeared on the pages of Loaves and Dishes in January 2019 and has been updated with new information, equipment, protips, updated recipe instructions and alt tags for images***

A VERSE TO SHARE

There will be a lot of rejoicing.

Luke 15: 5-7

Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Mistakes

Monday 21st of February 2022

Don’t fry your fries in oil I followed the recipe and it set my stove on fire.

Joe

Saturday 8th of January 2022

I look forward to trying this but I'm concerned about the foil toxicity issue. As it is I'm a lousy cook. I freeze all meats and cook them from frozen in the Ninja air fryer. While a steak is cooking I'll use this method to cook up fries since these air fryers have limite space. Thanks.

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 9th of January 2022

Hi Joe, I think you'll be pleased. You don't have to use the foil on the sheet pan, it just saves you from having to wash the pan. If you leave me some comments about some things that you would like to learn to cook, I'll be happy to try to write up some recipes to help you! :)

Tara Page

Tuesday 18th of May 2021

Was a hit with the family. Very tasty! Will make again.

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 19th of May 2021

That's wonderful news, I'm so glad ya'll enjoyed it!

Beverly Hopkins Everage

Sunday 14th of June 2020

So yummy & crunchy!!! I love how our frozen fries turned out! I use the Ninja Foodi (compact) Thank you for your directions!!!

Beverly Hopkins Everage

Wendi Spraker

Monday 15th of June 2020

Hi Beverly, I'm tickled that they turned out just like you want! Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Please come back and look for other recipes too. Have a great week!

Sandra

Thursday 14th of May 2020

Thank you for the simple, effective tips. I've tried everything and just couldn't get frozen fries to turn out right. The over method worked great and what I did wrong before was failing to toss. Delicious and crispy! Thank you.

Wendi Spraker

Friday 15th of May 2020

Hi Sandra, Yep, you got it! The tossing makes ALL the difference with the frozen fries! It makes for messy hands though. I've tried using tongs and spatulas, but those never work as well as just digging in with your hands. Take care! Thank you for leaving a comment!

15585

Want My 9 Secrets to Immediate Kitchen Confidence?