Air Fryer is a Godsend when it comes to cooking healthy food in less time with minimal effort. If you are using this modern kitchen appliance for the first time, you must be keen to know about putting frozen foods in the air fryer. Let’s find out.
Yes! You can put frozen food in an air fryer. It is an efficient way of cooking frozen items, such as fries, nuggets, wings, fish, and more in quick time. Air fryer produce the same crispy texture as you can experience while deep-frying.
Can You Cook Frozen Food In An Air Fryer?
Why Experts Recommend Cooking Frozen Food in Air Fryer
Air Fryers are a healthy alternative to traditional cooking methods. You can enjoy the goodness of deep-fried food without consuming any oil. Air fryer basically ‘fries’ your food with circulating hot air, giving it that perfect crunch.
Experts recommend air fryer for health-conscious people and those with dietary restrictions. Numerous studies have concluded that the use of Air fryers can have the following benefits on your health.
- Reduces the risk of obesity by cutting down your oil intake.
- Lowers Acrylamide levels in your food, which, as a result, prevents heart disease.
- Aids in losing weight by promoting healthy eating and reducing calorie intake.
Frozen meals can go a long way for people who do not have time to cook fresh food throughout the week. You can prepare and freeze batches of your favorite meal and pop it in the air fryer whenever you need. Cooking frozen food in Air Fryer will help you save time, energy, and money in some cases, too.
How To Cook Frozen Food In Air Fryer
Air frying frozen food is easy and quick. Almost every food brand prints cooking instructions at the back of the box with recommended cooking time and temperature. Below is a general guide to cooking frozen meal in an air fryer.
- Begin with preheating your air fryer for 4 minutes at 400F.
- Spray some oil on the bottom of your air fryer container so your food doesn’t stick, you can also use air fryer silicone mats or liners for this purpose.
- Don’t thaw your frozen foodstuffs. Place it in your air fryer directly after taking it out of the freezer.
- Set the time according to the instructions given at the back of the box. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your air fryer. You can check once or twice between cooking.
- If you are cooking in large quantities, don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Frozen food tends to bring down the temperature of the air fryer instantly, so cook in batches if you can.
Make sure you follow the above guidelines and you will master the art of cooking frozen foods in an air fryer in no time!
Trending Frozen Food Recipes For Air Fryer
Looking for ways to incorporate frozen food into your routine? Below is a list of some popular frozen foods that can be cooked in an Air Fryer.
- Chicken wings: Cook frozen chicken wings at 200C for 15-18 minutes
- Frozen fries
- Chicken nuggets
- Frozen pizza
- Frozen lasagna
- Fish sticks
- TV dinners
- Snacks like spring rolls, pizza pockets, samosa, etc
Air Fryer Frozen Food Cooking Chart
If you have got an air fryer for frozen foods, this chart will be very helpful for you.
Breakfast
| Food | Temperature | Cooking Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Bagels | 360° F – 176° C | 4-5 |
| Bantam Bagels Frozen NYC Mini Stuffed Bagels | 400° F – 204° C | 8 |
| Frozen Hash Browns | 370° F – 187° C | 15 |
| Frozen Sausage Patties | 400° F – 204° C | 10 |
| Frozen Sausage Links | 400° F – 204° C | 5-6 |
| Frozen Hash Brown Patties | 390° F – 199° C | 11 |
| Frozen Homefries | 390° F – 199° C | 15-20 |
| Frozen Mini-Quiche | 350° F – 176° C | 15-20 |
| Frozen Toaster Strudel / Pop Tarts | 350° F – 176° C | 7 |
| Frozen Waffles(Eggo) | 350° F – 176° C | 6 |
Entrees
| Food | Temperature | Cooking Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Chicken Breast (Small) | 350° F – 176° C | 10 minutes each side |
| Frozen Chicken Breast (Large) | 350° F – 176° C | 15 minutes each side |
| Frozen Chicken Nuggets | 390° F – 199° C | 12 |
| Frozen Boneless Wings | 360° F – 176° C | 14 |
| Frozen Chicken Fries | 390° F – 199° C | 8 |
| Frozen Chicken Fajita | 400° F – 204° C | 7 |
| Frozen Chicken Tenders | 390° F – 199° C | 12 |
| Frozen Chicken Strips | 390° F – 199° C | 12 |
| Frozen Corn Dogs | 390° F – 199° C | 8-10 |
| Frozen Mini Corn Dogs | 360° F – 176° C | 8 |
| Frozen Fish Sticks | 360° F – 176° C | 8-12 |
| Frozen Hoagie Patty | 400° F – 204° C | 6-7 |
| Frozen Meatballs | 350° F – 176° C | 10-12 |
| Frozen Turkey Filet (Bacon Wrapped) | 370° F – 187° C | 25 |
| Frozen Hot Pockets | 390° F – 199° C | 13 |
| Frozen Pizza | 400° F – 204° C | 10-15 |
| Frozen Salmon Fillet (thaw first) | 400° F – 204° C | 10 |
| Frozen Sausage | 400° F – 204° C | 5-10 |
| Frozen Shrimp | 390° F – 199° C | 10 |
| Frozen Veggie Burger | 350° F – 176° C | 10 |
| Frozen Burrito Frozen Burrito | 380° F – 180° C | 12 |
Appetizers
| Food | Temperature | Cooking Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Battered Cauliflower | 400° F – 204° C | 15 |
| Frozen Egg Rolls | 390° F – 199° C | 12 |
| Frozen Empanadas | 400° F – 204° C | 8 |
| Frozen Jalapeno Poppers | 340° F – 171° C | 8 |
| Frozen Mac and Cheese Bites | 360° F – 176° C | 8-10 |
| Frozen Mozzarella Sticks | 380° F – 180° C | 7 |
| Frozen Pizza Rolls | 380° F – 180° C | 7 |
| Frozen Potato Skins | 370° F – 187° C | 5 |
| Frozen Soft Pretzel Bites | 400° F – 204° C | 5-7 |
| Frozen Potstickers / Dumplings | 390° F – 199° C | 8 |
| Frozen Spring Rolls | 390° F – 199° C | 8 |
| Frozen Taquitos | 400° F – 204° C | 7 |
Sides
| Food | Temperature | Cooking Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Fries: Curly Fries | 400° F – 204° C | 11 |
| Frozen Fries: French Fries | 400° F – 204° C | 18-20 |
| Frozen Fries: Steak Fries | 370° F – 187° C | 14 |
| Frozen Fries: Waffle Fries | 390° F – 199° C | 16 |
| Frozen Garlic Bread: French Bread Style | 360° F – 176° C | 6 |
| Frozen Garlic Bread: Texas Toast | 320° F – 160° C | 6 |
| Frozen Tater Tots | 400° F – 204° C | 8-10 |
| Kale Puffs | 390° F – 199° C | 9 |
| Frozen Onion Rings | 400° F – 204° C | 8-10 |
Note: This is an estimated cooking guide that will help you achieve the perfect results. According to cooking experts, the time to cook frozen food in an air fryer may vary slightly depending on the brand of Air Fryer and the quanity of food you are cooking.
Benefits Of Cooking Frozen Food In Air Fryer
Frozen meals can go a long way for people who do not have time to cook fresh food throughout the week. You can prepare and freeze batches of your favorite meal and pop it in the Air Fryer whenever you need. Here are some more benefits of preparing frozen meals in the air fryer.
Cook Healthy Food With No Oil
Air Fryers are a healthy alternative to traditional cooking methods. You can enjoy the goodness of deep-fried food without consuming any oil. Air fryer basically ‘fries’ your food with circulating hot air and gives it that perfect crunch.
Saves Your Time
Frozen foods have been a hot favorite of people who have 9 to 5 jobs. Having a proper meal at the end of the day is nearly a requirement and frozen meals provide you just that! Just pop your favorite frozen dinner in the Air fryer and sit back and relax. Your piping-hot dinner will be ready in no time!
Saves Your Money
Precooked frozen foods are cheaper than meals you prepare from scratch. Your nearest supermarket freezer aisle is filled with frozen meals, popularly known as TV dinners. If you can’t think of any air fryer recipes for frozen food, just stop by your local supermarket and pick up a batch of frozen dinners for the week.
Crisp And Crunch
Air fryers are famous when it comes to cooking crispy and crunchy. You can achieve that perfect crisp of French fries, hash browns, and chicken wings just by setting the recommended temperature and time to cook frozen food in an air fryer. Additionally, you can reheat leftover food without losing its crisp.
FAQs
Do you have to defrost food before air frying?
No, there is no need to defrost food before air frying. You can place frozen food directly in the air fryer. Cooking frozen food straight from the freezer will give you the best cooking results. Frozen food may take a little longer to cook, but it turns out crispy and juicy.
Can you cook meat in the air fryer from frozen?
Yes, you can cook all types of frozen meat in an air fryer, including chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. Just make sure to cook it at the recommended time and temperature.
Can you cook frozen fries in an air fryer?
Frozen fries and all its variants, including frozen hash browns, tater tots, and roasted potatoes, can be cooked in the air fryer. For perfect crunch, you have to cook it at 200C for 12-15 minutes.
Can I cook frozen lasagna in my air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen lasagna in an air fryer. Keep an eye on the cooking time and recommended temperature, and you are good to go. Average frozen lasagna may take up to 25-30 minutes to cook, depending on the size.
Can you put frozen chicken in an air fryer?
Frozen chicken cooks perfectly in an air fryer, for perfect results, cook the chicken at 200C for 20-25 minutes, depending on the size. You can cook frozen chicken in the form of tender pops, fillets, and chunks.
Wrapping Up!
Now that's a wrap-up from my side. When running out of time, do not let yourself starve to death and air fry frozen food without a second thought. Not only is air frying a healthy approach over deep frying, but it is also less messy and takes less time and effort from you to cook your favourite frozen food. Okay, I think you all will be pretty happy knowing that it's so easy to cook frozen food in an air fryer. It is time to grab that frozen food packet stored in your fridge for so long, air fry it, and thank us later!