Step by step
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- 2. Single layer. Arrange without crowding — air needs to reach every side.
- 3. Cook 15–20 minutes. Shake the basket or flip at the halfway mark.
- 4. Check doneness. Look for deep golden color and check a piece from the middle of the basket.
The tip that matters
Thin shoestring fries finish 3–4 minutes earlier than thick-cut; check at the low end.
Times vary — here's why
Air fryers differ in wattage and basket size, so treat 15–20 minutes as a range, not a promise: check early the first time, then note what your machine needed. Quantity matters too — a full basket can add 2–3 minutes, and anything stacked will steam instead of crisp. Converting your own oven recipe instead? Use our air fryer conversion calculator.
More frozen foods
Frozen Chicken Nuggets · Frozen Chicken Tenders · Tater Tots — or see the full air fryer cooking times chart.