Curly fries are one of those foods that come out better air-fried than any other cooking method I have tried. They come out perfectly cooked in a fraction of the time of oven cooking, and without the excess grease you get from deep frying.

Check out our FREE air fryer calculator for an easy way to convert pack instructions from oven to air fryer!

Air fryer curly fries in a white bowl.

What are the best frozen curly fries?

Do you have a favorite brand of curly fries? For us, it is Ore Ida curly fries, or McCain. The kids prefer the McCain curly fries (do they have plainer seasoning?), but I think Ore Ida have the edge, so that’s the choice if I’m serving them as a snack for the adults.

How to air fry curly fries

1

Preheat.

Preheat the air fryer to 180°C/ 360°F. Preheating is important for this recipe because the air frying time is relatively short, and so you want it to be up to temperature when you put the fries in.

If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat mode, just set it to air fry for 3-4 minutes.

2

Pop them in the air fryer.

Place the frozen curly fries in the air fryer basket. No need to place them in a single layer, but if they are piled up they will need to be shaken more often during cooking to ensure that they cook evenly. No oil spray is needed, but for extra crispy curly fries you can add a spritz or two of olive oil. 

3

Air fry.

Air fry the curly fries for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to redistribute the fries, until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the cooking time so they don’t get overcooked.

Air fried curly fries in a white bowl.

Variations and serving ideas

  • Make Cajun curly fries by tossing the fries with Cajun seasoning before cooking
  • Sprinkle grated cheese over the fries immediately after cooking.
  • Make loaded curly fries by topping the fries with crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions.
  • Go gourmet and make truffle curly fries: drizzle the curly fries with truffle oil and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over them while they are hot from the air fryer.
Air fryer curly fries in a white bowl.

Air Fryer Curly Fries (Frozen)

Air frying is the best way to cook curly fries – they come out perfectly crispy, with no need to turn your oven on or fuss with the deep fryer.
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb curly fries

Instructions

  • Pre-heat air fryer to 360°F / 180°C (approx 2-3 minutes).
  • Place frozen curly fries in the air fryer basket, ideally in a single layer.
    Note: If the curly fries are piled up, shake them more frequently and keep an eye on them duiring cooking to make sure they are cooking evenly.
  • Air fry curly fries for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to redistribute the fries.
  • Curly fries are cooked when they are golden brown, crispy and cooked through. If required, cook for additional 2-3 minute intervals until they are cooked to your liking.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1  Calories: 354kcal  Carbohydrates: 47g  Protein: 4g  Fat: 17g  Saturated Fat: 3g  Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g  Sodium: 238mg  Fiber: 4g

Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.