Did you give in to your toddler’s tantrum and get them those waffle fries they were begging for? Or do you have a bag of waffle fries sitting in your freezer that you’re dying to have? If you answered yes to these questions, then you’re in the right place. This guide on how to perfectly cook waffle fries in an air fryer will make waffle fries your next best friend.
Air-fried waffle fries, or what people prefer to call fancy fries, are a healthier substitute for deep-fried french fries as you cook them in nominal cooking oil. From being a side dish with your burger or steak to serving them with eggs for breakfast, waffle fries are versatile and delicious, and you and your kids are sure to love them.
What You Need
Frozen Waffle Fries – Use your favorite ready-to-cook brand of waffle fries. You can even use frozen sweet potato fries or zucchini waffle fries if you prefer.
Seasoning – Even though frozen fries are already slightly salty, you can add salt and pepper as per your taste, or try your preferred seasoning, whether it’s oregano, paprika, chili, or garlic salt.
Sauce – If you serve your fries without a thick lip-smacking dipping sauce, you don’t know what you’re missing. Use your favorite dipping sauce, whether it’s your regular mustard and ketchup or homemade peri-peri dip.
Oil (optional) – The advantage of air frying is you can get crispy food without using any cooking oil. But, if you see your fries getting a little dry during cooking or want them to have a bit of extra crunch, spraying a little oil from an oil mister can give them the perfect balance of crunchy exterior and juicy interior.
Air Fryer – An air fryer is the key component in this air fryer waffle recipe. Choose from any of the amazing brands available or refer to our suggestions for the best air fryer under $50
Step-By-Step Guide On How To Cook Waffle Fries In Air Fryer
This recipe is a quickie! Time your hot dogs, wings, and sandwiches accordingly, because thanks to this latest kitchen appliance, your fresh crispy fries will be ready in a flash.
1. Loading the fries
To cook your frozen waffle fries, start by loading them into the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single even layer, so they don’t overlap. Do not overcrowd the basket.
2. Cooking
Air fry the waffle cut fries for 12 minutes at 360 °F/180 °C, and don’t worry about preheating the device.
3. Shaking and Flipping
Shake the air fryer basket at regular intervals while the fires are cooking. Doing so prevents the fries from sticking to the basket or clumping together.
4. Spraying the oil
You may mist some olive oil or your favorite cooking oil if the sticking intensifies or if the fries start to dry out.
5. Some More Cooking
Now set the temperature to 400 °F/200 °C and cook for a final two to three minutes until the desired color and crispiness is reached.
6. Unloading and Plating the Fries
Remove the waffle cut fries from the air fryer onto a paper towel and sprinkle them with the seasoning of your choice.
7. Bon appetit
Serve immediately, either with your favorite condiment or by pairing it with steak or fish for a complete meal.
How Long To Cook Waffle Fries in an Air Fryer?
You can air fry waffle fries from frozen to golden in just 15 minutes from start to finish.
Storing And Reheating
If you have some leftover waffle fries, you can store them by transferring them to an airtight container and refrigerating them. They will keep for as long as five days, and you can pop them back into the air fryer to reheat them when you’re ready for more by following the steps below.
You can also freeze the fries for up to ten months by storing them in tightly wrapped aluminum foil or special freezer-safe zip-lock bags to ensure that the food remains safe to eat, even after the extensive storage period.
For reheating your leftover waffle fries:
- Let the fries reach room temperature for about half an hour before starting.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 °F/180 °C.
- Place the fries in the fryer drawer (in a single layer, just like before).
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Some Tips To Remember
Here are some things to keep in mind to make sure you get a crispier fry when you cook frozen waffle fries.
- Do not overfill your basket. A little overlapping is fine, but layering fries over fries results in uneven cooking due to irregular hot air distribution.
- More fries means a longer cooking time and more frequent shaking. Hence, you get better results if you cook large quantities in small
- Waffle fries of different brands vary in size and thickness, influencing the cooking time. Don’t forget to adjust the timer accordingly, depending on the brand of frozen waffle fries you use.
- There is no need to thaw these frozen waffle fries. You can use them right from the freezer.
- You can use the same general steps to cook tater tots, steak fries, or curly fries.
- You don’t have to spray any oil unless you notice the air fryer waffle fries drying out.
- Season your friends after they are done cooking. Pre-seasoning can cause the herbs to burn or fall off the fries during cooking.
