If you are looking to use your air fryer to heat waffle fries, this easy tutorial will show you how to cook frozen waffles in the air fryer. I test out two types of air fryers so you know which will make the crispiest fries! It is all about that crispy crunch!

A big bowl of air fryer waffle fries in a bowl.

If you love fries, I have a treat for you today. Learn how to cook frozen waffle fries in your air fryer in just minutes! They make a great side dish in a lot less time than baking them in the oven!

Why This Shortcut is Great For Crispy Fries:

  1. You get that delicious deep-fried flavor with fewer calories.
  2. You use less oil because you are not deep frying the waffle fries.
  3. Frozen waffle fries cook really fast in an air fryer compared to oven baking time.
  4. They make the perfect snack or side dish!

If you are trying to decide on what air fryer to get, I have a great list of the best air fryers for gluten free. I include a great pros and cons list for each model.

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

Step 1: The first step to getting crispy waffle fries is to preheat your air fryer. Putting the fries into hot air will help them crisp up quicker so they don’t get soggy.

Frozen waffle fries in the air fryer basket.
These are the frozen waffle fries in the fryer basket.
Frozen waffles on a tray in the oven style air fryer.
Here are the frozen waffle fries on a tray in the oven-style air fryer.

Step 2: Open the bag of fries. Place the waffle-cut fries into the basket or tray. Be sure your fries are in a single layer so hot air can circulate the fries easily. You want to add them in an even layer that won’t crowd the fries. This is the best way to get crispier fries.

Step 3: If you want extra flavor, sprinkle salt and garlic powder over the fries before cooking them.

Step 4: Close the air fryer and set the power to 375º F and the cooking time to 10 minutes. Note the basket-style model needs 1-2 minutes of additional minutes cooking time.

A photo of the air fried waffle fries on a rack.

Step 5: At the end of the cooking time, carefully remove the basket or tray from your air fryer and serve the fries hot. The waffle fries on the tray in the oven style got a lot crispier.

Recipe FAQ:

What style of air fryers is best for fries?

I tested two types of air fryers. A basket-style air fryer, the Ninja Foodi, and an oven-style air fryer by Sur La Table (available at Costco). I found the oven-style and got the fries crispier.

Do you need to use extra oil in the air fryer?

You do not need to use extra oil in the air fryer. Frozen fries are already pre-fried, so they have oil for crisping.

Also, remember to never use cooking spray because it can leave a residue that is hard to clean off. If you want to learn more about what oils are safe for the air fryer, read my Air Fryer Oil Guide.

How do you store leftover waffle fries?

Store the leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. To reheat the fries, put them in the air fryer at 375º F for 5 minutes.

Can you cook other types of French fries in the air fryer?

You can cook any type of French fries, sweet potato fries, potato wedges, or tater tots in an air fryer!

A top view of a large bowl of waffle fries.

Try this air fry frozen hash brown cubes recipe if you love cooking frozen potatoes.

Dipping Sauces:

I have a lot of favorite dips for homemade fries. My kids laugh and say ketchup is the only sauce to dip your fries into, but I have a few more favorite sauce ideas for you to try:

Serve These Main Dishes With Waffle Fries:

These crispy fries make the best side dish for so many meals! Here are a few of my favorite recipes:

a top view of a large bowl of waffle fries.

How To Cook Frozen Waffle Fries In The Air Fryer

Sandi Gaertner
A tutorial to show you how to make crispy waffle fries in two types of air fryers.
5 from 2 votes
dairy free allergen icon
an egg free allergen icon
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Course Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 369 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 20 ounces waffle fries * see note

Instructions
 

  • The first step to getting crispy waffle fries is to preheat your air fryer to 375º F. Putting the fries into a hot air will help the fries crisp up quicker so they don't get soggy.
  • Open the bag of fries. Place the waffle-cut fries into the air fryer basket or tray. Be sure your fries are in a single layer so hot air can circulate around the fries easily. You want to add them in an even layer, a number of fries that won't crowd the fries. This is the best way to get crispier fries.
  • If you want extra flavor, sprinkle a little salt and garlic powder over the fries before cooking them.
  • Close the air fryer and set the power to 375º F and the cooking time to 10 minutes. Note the basket-style air fryer needs 1-2 minutes additional minutes cooking time.
  • At the end of the cooking time, carefully remove the basket or tray from your air fryer and serve the fries hot. The waffle fries on the tray in the oven-style air fryer got a lot crispier. 

Notes

  1. I like Alexia and Ore Ida frozen waffle fries best. I tested Alexia’s brand for this post. They do not contain any gluten ingredients,
  2. You do not have to spray oil on the frozen waffle fries before cooking.
Dipping Sauces For Fries:
I have a lot of favorite dips for homemade fries. My kids laugh and say ketchup is the only sauce to dip your fries into, but I have a few more favorite sauce ideas for you to try:

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1personCalories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 695mgPotassium: 610mgFiber: 6gVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 2mg
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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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