Save time and calories with the air fryer curly fries that are ready in under 15 minutes. These golden, crispy spirals of potato goodness are a staple at fast-food restaurants, but you can enjoy them from the comfort of your own home with an air fryer. These frozen curly fries made in an air fryer not only taste just as delicious as their deep-fried counterparts, but they're also healthier since they require no oil.
Air fryers have revolutionized the way we cook our favorite foods, and curly fries are no exception. From making bread in an air fryer to making pakoras and Manchurian you can make them all!
These golden, crispy spirals of potato goodness are a staple at fast-food restaurants, but now you can enjoy them from the comfort of your own home with an air fryer. Not only do they taste just as delicious as their deep-fried counterparts, but they're also healthier since they require little to no oil.
Air fryers have expertise in cooking frozen French fries. Be it the plain-cut French fries, crinkle cut fries, or waffle fries.
Jump to:
- 🍟 Why does this recipe work?
- 🍽 Ingredients for making air fryer frozen curly fries
- 🔪How to make frozen curly fries in an air fryer
- 🥔 How to make air fryer curly fries from scratch
- 🍽 How to serve
- 🫙Storage and reheating curly fries in air fryer
- 💭Pro tips
- ❓Frequently Asked Questions
- 📝Air fryer curly fries recipe card
- Air Fryer Curly Fries
- 📋 Nutrition Facts
An air fryer is the kitchen equipment that you must entrust with this job. And did I tell you that it cooks perfect sweet potato fries and frozen veggies? Do try making these frozen Brussels sprouts, frozen okra, and frozen cauliflower using an air fryer.
In this air fryer recipe, I'll show you how to make the perfect air fryer curly fries that are sure to become a new favorite in your household.
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in crispy and golden-brown textures without the need for excess oil.
Frozen curly fries are typically made from spiral-cut potatoes that are seasoned with various spices and seasonings. They often have a distinctive spiral shape, which gives them their name. When cooked in an air fryer, frozen curly fries usually become crispy on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside.
In terms of taste, air-fried frozen curly fries are generally delicious and flavorful. They often have a slightly salty and savory taste due to the seasonings used, which can include salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and other spices.
The taste and texture can vary slightly depending on the brand and specific seasonings used, but overall, Arby's frozen curly fries made in an air fryer are popular for their crispy and flavorful appeal.
🍟 Why does this recipe work?
There is nothing fancy in this air fryer recipe. But the timing matters.
- Air frying is the easy, simplest, fuss-free way to make curly fries that are crispy and delicious.
- There is no need to thaw the frozen curly fries. Just put them in the air fryer basket as such.
- You do not have to use any oil if you do not want to. Make them healthy just like it did!
- The air fryer does not take much time to preheat like an oven and the air fryer curly fries taste better in all ways than the oven-baked ones.
Hence, cooking curly fries in the air fryer is quick, or rather the quickest and healthiest way to make them.
🍽 Ingredients for making air fryer frozen curly fries
Frozen curly fries
For making curly fries from frozen curly fries you do not need anything other than frozen curly fries. You can use any of your favorite brands. Arby’s seasoned curly fries and Ore-Ida zesty curly fries are more popular but are not easily available in every store. But you will find private-label curly fries in the grocery store. You can use any one of them and you can flavor them as per your taste by adding extra seasoning like black pepper, chili lime, garlic powder, etc.
Cooking spray or vegetable oil ( optional)
As far as oil is concerned, you can use some cooking oil spray but I like to keep it oil free. That is the beauty of an air fryer, that we do not need any oil.
But adding a little bit of oil does make them more delicious. A quick-cooking oil spray is all you need. So, choose for yourself. I usually do not use any oil on my fries.
🔪How to make frozen curly fries in an air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. To do this all you need to do is operate the air fryer with an empty basket for 5 minutes.
- Place frozen curly fries in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Do not add the whole pack in one for the best results. Overcrowding will prevent them from being crispy. So it is ideal to make only half of the pack at a time. If you have a smaller air fryer basket consider making one-third of the 22oz bag at a time.
- If desired, lightly coat them with cooking spray to help them crisp up even more.
- Place the basket inside the air fryer and cook for 12-13 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Shake or toss the basket halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning.
- Remove the air-fried curly fries from the air fryer basket and serve them with your favorite sauce alongside an air fryer burger.
If you want to air fry the complete bag, it will take you about 22-23 minutes. The issue with it is that the fries will be overlapping in the basket, and all will not cook evenly. Some will stay soft and not crisp. So, unless you are in hurry or entertaining a large group, always air fry in batches.
🧂Seasoning options:
Some of the seasoning options for air fried curly fries that you could try are:
- Peri-Peri seasoned curly fries.
- Chaat masala: If you are an Indian you would be using it anyway. But if you are not, chat masala is a tangy Indian spice mix that is usually sprinkled over fried foods. And trust me it goes great with French fries.
- Taco seasoning: It is a tangy and spicy seasoning that pairs nicely with fries. Do try it out.
- Chili lemon flakes
You can also go for fries seasonings. There are numerous options to choose from.
🥔 How to make air fryer curly fries from scratch
Air fryer curly fries are a delicious and crispy snack that can be easily made at home using an air fryer. Here's a simple recipe to make air fryer curly fries:
Ingredients:
2 large potatoes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Wash and peel the potatoes. Use a spiralizer or a curly fry cutter to create curly fries from the potatoes.
- In a large bowl, toss the curly fries with vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure the fries are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place the seasoned curly fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.
- Cook the fries in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Check the fries for desired crispiness. If needed, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Once the curly fries are crispy and golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.
- Enjoy your delicious and crispy homemade air fryer curly fries as a tasty snack or side dish!
🍽 How to serve
Curly fries make great finger food. A perfect quick snack for kids, a games day snack, a picnic snack, and an ideal side for meals. Enjoy them with an air fryer frozen burger, air-fried gobi Manchurian or as a side dish to air fryer spaghetti squash. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or humble tomato ketchup.
🫙Storage and reheating curly fries in air fryer
Store the leftover curly fries that are cooked in an air fryer in an air-tight container or a zip-locked bag and refrigerate for a day. To reheat, air fry them at 380 0F for 4-5 minutes and serve.
💭Pro tips
- Do not bother to defrost frozen French fries, they are better this way.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket as this will result in uneven cooking. Overcrowding will prevent them from being crispy. So it is ideal to make only half of the pack at a time. If you have a smaller air fryer basket consider making one-third of the 22oz bag at a time.
- Remember to shake or stir occasionally during the cooking time for more uniform browning.
- For added flavor variations you can sprinkle some garlic powder, paprika, chili flakes, etc.
- Adding oil is optional. You can cook frozen fries without oil.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Curly fries are a type of French fry that is distinct in its appearance and texture. The main difference between curly fries and regular straight-cut fries is the way they are cut and shaped.
1. Shape: Curly fries are typically spiral-shaped or have a twisted or curly appearance. This is achieved by cutting the potato into a long, continuous spiral shape, often using a special cutting tool or a spiralizer. The resulting shape gives curly fries their unique and visually appealing appearance.
2. Texture: Curly fries often have a different texture compared to straight-cut fries. The spiral shape of curly fries results in more surface area, which can make them crispier on the outside and softer on the inside. This texture can provide a different eating experience compared to regular fries, with a combination of crispy and tender bites.
3. Seasoning: Curly fries are often seasoned with a variety of spices and flavors, which can be different from the seasonings used on straight-cut fries. Some common seasonings for curly fries include salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and other herbs and spices, which can add to their unique taste.
4. Cooking method: Curly fries may require a different cooking method compared to regular fries due to their shape. They may need to be cooked for a longer time or at a different temperature to ensure that they are cooked evenly and achieve the desired texture and crispness.
5. Presentation: Curly fries are often served in a different way compared to regular fries. They are often piled or stacked in a spiral shape, which can make them visually appealing and add to their unique presentation.
Overall, the main differences between curly fries and regular straight-cut fries are the shape, texture, seasoning, cooking method, and presentation, which contribute to their distinct appearance and taste.
Curly fries are typically made from potato strips that are cut into a spiral or curly shape before being cooked. The curly shape is created by using a special cutting tool or machine, like spiralizers that cut the potato into thin, spiral-shaped strips. The potato strips are then usually coated with a seasoning or batter before being fried until crispy.
The process of cutting the potato into a curly shape increases the surface area of the potato, which results in a greater amount of crispy, crunchy texture when fried. The shape also allows for more seasoning or batter to adhere to the potato, enhancing the flavor.
In some cases, the potato strips used for curly fries are pre-soaked in water or other solutions to alter the texture and make them easier to curl. This can help create a more consistent curl shape and ensure that the fries cook evenly.
Overall, the unique curly shape of curly fries is achieved through the process of cutting the potato into a spiral shape, which results in a distinctive appearance and texture when fried.
More Frozen air fryer recipes:
More air fryer frozen foods recipes that you might want to try are:
- Frozen Onion Rings in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Corn on the Cob
- Frozen Green Beans in Air Fryer
- How to fry frozen okra in air fryer? Breaded and plain cut okra
- Frozen Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
- How to cook frozen pizza bites (veggie pizza rolls) in air fryer
- Frozen potstickers in air fryer: The best way to make frozen dumplings
- Frozen spring rolls in air fryer: Quick, easy, and crispy!
- Best way to cook frozen garlic bread in air fryer
Curly fries are a popular snack and side dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. If you're a fan of crispy and delicious curly fries but want to avoid the hassle of deep frying them in oil, an air fryer is your best friend. Not only is it a healthier alternative, but it's also quick and easy to use. Here's how to make frozen curly fries in an air fryer.
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📝Air fryer curly fries recipe card
Air Fryer Curly Fries
Equipment
- air fryer 8 Qt
Ingredients
- 11 oz Frozen curly fries (311g) half bag
- Cooking spray optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Just operate the air fryer with an empty basket for 5 minutes.
- Spread the frozen curly fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not add the whole pack at once. Overcrowding will prevent them from being crispy. So it is ideal to make only half of the pack at a time. If you have a smaller air fryer basket consider making one-third of the 22oz bag at a time.
- If desired, lightly coat them with cooking spray to help them crisp up even more.
- Place the basket inside the air fryer and cook for 12-13 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Shake or toss the basket halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning.
- Remove the air-fried curly fries from the air fryer basket and serve them with your favorite sauce.
Notes
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket as this will result in uneven cooking. Overcrowding will prevent them from being crispy. So it is ideal to make only half of the pack at a time. If you have a smaller air fryer basket consider making one-third of the 22oz bag at a time.
- Remember to shake or stir occasionally during the cooking time for more uniform browning.
- For added flavor variations you can sprinkle some garlic powder, paprika, chili lemon, etc.
- You can use a tad bit of oil if you want to make them really stand out.
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