The Ultimate Guide to Frozen Frying: Which Budget Brands Are Really Worth It?

Spending a premium on frozen potatoes is a rookie mistake. A direct test of six major brands revealed that the $3 bag actually outperforms its more expensive competitors in both texture and taste. You can skip the gourmet aisle and end up with a plate of perfectly fried fries, which taste like they came from a professional kitchen.

The real magic happens when you throw in the oven for an air fryer. This countertop powerhouse uses high-speed convection to ensure traditional no-touch baking. It’s the fastest, most consistent way to get a mountain of food on the table without the greasy mess or high price tag.

Although a powerful air fryer is already the best way to fill a bag of frozen varieties to get a mealtime side or a party dish, too many succumb to common frying mistakes, such as uneven proportions of potato and skin, lack of seasoning or the advice of freezer burn.

As a self-confessed roasting expert, I’ve collected six of the most popular brands from Amazon Fresh final taste test. Flavor will always reign supreme, but these fried buns were also judged on their ability to cook in one of our all-time favorite appliances.

The result: None of these spuds were complete duds, but here’s how they stack up in my taste tests and rankings.

Watch this: How to Cook a Perfect Chicken in an Air Fryer in 60 Minutes

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How to fry french fries

Although instructions will vary by product, there are a few general tips to consider before tossing the fries into the air fryer basket and pressing the open button:

• Do not fill the basket. They will turn to mush and/or stick together.
• Do not add oil. Most frozen fries come fried. More oil will usually make it sour.
• Cooking times will depend on the size of the roast. A shoestring will obviously take less time than a steak. Follow the instructions on your bag and conduct an experiment to determine which option produces the best result.
• If you want more salt, add it after cooking. Too much sodium will rob you of much-needed moisture.
• Give the basket a good shake every five minutes. This will ensure even heat distribution and no burnt ends.

Read more: Craving Crispy French Fries? Follow These 4 Steps To Get The Perfect Potato Sticks

Rating the best air fryer french fries

It’s worth repeating that there wasn’t a single option on this list that I wouldn’t eat. The taste test was a reminder that the frozen fries were made for the oven, providing a hot, crunchy and salty snack in less than 15 minutes.

As with all carb-laden treats, some were better than others. Taste, of course, depends and one person’s Michelin star is another person’s fast food. But I can assure you that my palate has waited all my life so far and I am standing in my last place.

6. 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Shoestring Cut Fries

In this defense of this fry, there is no doubt that it is the healthiest of the bunch. It comes with no added salt (blasphemy) and is made from organic potatoes, making the McDonald’s-fry-like look ridiculously, but also disappointingly, deceptive.

If you prefer a crunchier shoelace that you can handle, this might be the fry for you. But for serial dippers like me who crave spice and extra oomph, these are lost and not worth the time, high price or calories.

5. Straight fried Ore-Ida

Ore-Ida’s low quality was certainly a big surprise to me. It’s one of the more recognized brands, but I still found this biscuit to be a great touch and it has the classic taste of reheated toast the next day.

If I had to go back in time, I would have left these in the air fryer a minute or two longer than the suggested cooking time, but it also shouldn’t be necessary. I’m a firm believer in mass-market, easy-to-find food for the first time, so I can worry less about my brain and more about my passion.

4. Strong roots fry them

I would be lying if I said that I want these to succeed. Of all the fried conditions, the crinkle-cut is not my favorite, as it reminds me of lunchtime in middle school, where I used to get bullied. But this was a delicious surprise, offering a great potato flavor and a decent crunch.

It was a touch too burnt around the edges due to the inconsistent sizes, so consider cooking on the lower end of the suggested time range. That said, I wasn’t completely blocked by char. In fact, it improved the taste and made up for the obvious lack of sodium.

3. Checkers, Rally’s fried waffles

Granted, these got a leg up because of their crave-worthy waffle shape and Checker’s/Rally’s spice. And while they were aiming to sweep the competition, they ended up placing a solid third.

My only gripe is that they become too much of one thing and conflict with my list of dipping sauces. Those who choose fry without accompaniment will have found their new item. Those like me who aren’t satisfied with frying alone will want to consider the gold and silver medalists.

2. Idaho grown hand roasted

If your idea of ​​a perfect fry is golden brown, with a thin coating and a strong crunch, this is for you. In fact, I grew up in Idaho was my first favorite until I went back for seconds (and thirds and fourths) and realized that its mouth would be delicious for anyone who prefers something soft.

But this was very tasty and, oddly enough, had a sweet potato flavor that stood up to the spicy chili sauce. That, in itself, is an amazing feat as it is often the condiment that leaves a lasting impression on the way down.

1. Amazon Grocery direct fries

While it pains me a little to give top honors to the corporate behemoth of our time, Amazon’s iteration has had top honors. This roast was perfectly seasoned: seasoned, crisp and forward with earthy skinned potatoes and the perfect size for dipping.

I couldn’t find a single thing wrong with this fry thing, unlike every first date I’ve ever been on in my life. It was my soul potato and now it has found a permanent place in me Amazon grocery rotation.