We’re sure some of you are already familiar, but an air fryer microwave oven combo is one of the most useful kitchen appliances, capable of cooking a frozen variety of foods more efficiently and healthily without the need for cooking oil, which may pose several health concerns.
But, from frozen fries to pizza, you must admit that it’s hard to decide which frozen food to eat after a long day at work. Fortunately, frozen meals are among our favorite things to make, and we’re here to provide a list of easy and tasty air fryer foods you should try!
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
An air fryer circulates excess heat throughout the compartment, like an oven, allowing foods to cook brown and crispy on the outside while remaining moist and tender. Air frying is easier and less messy than deep frying or traditional oven baking, not to mention that the air fryer consumes very little oil.
Whether using Cuisinart or Ninja, two of our top air fryer toaster oven brands for 2023, frozen foods are wonderful starter meals, especially for newbies learning how to use their air fryers.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Air Fryers: Reviews, Recipes, Tips, and More!
Tips on Cooking Air-Frozen Foods
- Keep your foods frozen until you’re ready to air fry them.
- Before putting the frozen food in the air fryer, preheat it.
- Provide enough space around the food for better air circulation.
- Spray oil on your food to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the basket.
- You may use parchment paper to keep the food from sticking, but make sure to leave a gap for air to flow.
- To ensure even cooking, flip the item halfway through the process.
- To guarantee that frozen meats are properly cooked, use a food thermometer to test the temperature.
Top 20+ Frozen Foods For Air Fryer in 2023
Fries
1. Frozen French Fries
No Oven? Not a problem! Air frying frozen french fries saves a lot of time and delivers crisper results than baking or deep frying.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer. 2. Add half a bag of frozen french fries to the basket and distribute them evenly. 3. Close the lid and air fry for 15 minutes at 400 °F. 4. Open the lid and lift the basket to thoroughly mix the fries. Put the lid back on and continue cooking. 5. When the cooking time is complete, open the lid and check the fries to ensure they are cooked to your preference. 6. Using tongs, transfer the fries to a serving plate and season with salt and pepper to taste. |
Get yours at Walmart!
2. Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
Sometimes all you need is a quick and simple method to prepare a wonderful dinner! In this instance, frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer are an excellent choice! Simply spray oil on it, then sit back and watch your air fryer work its magic.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 360°F. 2. Place half a bag of frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket and spread them out evenly. 3. Close the lid and air fry for 15 minutes at 360 °F. 4. Shake the fries twice, once after 5 minutes and once after 10 minutes. Use tongs or shake the basket to mix the fries well after opening the lid. Put the lid back on and carry on cooking. 5. When the cooking time is complete, remove the lid and check that the fries are cooked to your liking. |
Get yours at Walmart!
3. Frozen Steak Fries
Air-frying steak fries is like a walk in the park! Whether you cook fresh or frozen steak fries in the air fryer, you’ll enjoy the crispy edges and soft insides that come with well-cooked and seasoned fries.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. For 5 minutes, preheat the air fryer. 2. Place half a bag of frozen steak fries in the air fryer basket and spread them out evenly. 3. Close the air fryer and cook for 13 minutes at 400 °F. 4. Open the lid halfway through and use tongs or shake the basket to thoroughly mix the fries. Put the lid back on and carry on cooking. 5. When cooking is done, open the lid and inspect the fries to ensure they are cooked to your preference. |
Get yours at Walmart!
4. Frozen Chicken Fries
Once you’ve had these air-fried chicken fries, you’ll want to make them again and again. These frozen meals are an excellent substitute for chicken fingers or nuggets, which your child will certainly enjoy!
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Place parchment paper inside and preheat to 400 °F for five minutes. 2. Place the frozen chicken fries in the air fryer basket. 3. Air fry chicken fries for 9 minutes at 400 °F, turning them over with tongs or shaking the basket every 5 minutes. 4. Transfer the chicken fries to a serving tray and top with a dipping sauce such as ketchup, mayonnaise, sriracha mayo, or bbq sauce. |
Get yours at Walmart!
Potatoes
5. Frozen Potato Skins
Sometimes you simply don’t have the time or energy to create a tedious meal from scratch. Thank goodness for potato skins; all you have to do is throw them in your air fryer and enjoy a great appetizer while relaxing and watching tv.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Place the parchment paper inside and turn the heat to 360 °F for 4 minutes. 2. Put the frozen potato skins in the air fryer basket. If they are overcrowded, air fry them in two batches. 3. Air fry for 9 minutes at 360 °F. 4. Transfer the potato skins to a serving tray and top with chives, green onions, sour cream, parsley, or cilantro. |
Get yours at Walmart!
6. Frozen Tater Tots
Frozen tater tots are a great kid-friendly snack that cooks up beautifully in the air fryer, becoming crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. These tater tots are a great alternative to french fries that your children will like.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Place the parchment paper inside and turn the heat to 400 °F for 5 minutes. 2. Toss the frozen potato tots in the air fryer basket. 3. Cook for 12 minutes at 400 °F, shaking the basket every 5 and 10 minutes. 4. Put the tater tots on a serving plate and serve. |
Get yours at Walmart!
7. Frozen Hash Browns
Let’s face it: our breakfast isn’t complete without hash browns. They make our mornings more special! The air fryer is a quick, no-mess, and crispy way to make hash browns.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Place the frozen hash browns in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle salt and pepper equally over the hash browns. 2. Spray the basket with oil spray. 3. Set the air fryer to 375 °F for 4 minutes with parchment paper inside. 4. Air fry for 7 minutes at 375 °F. Stir the potatoes with a spatula and spray with extra oil. 5. Continue to cook the hashbrowns in the air fryer for 7 minutes, checking them after about 5 minutes to ensure they are not over-browning. 6. Serve the hash browns in a serving dish. |
Get yours at Walmart!
Chicken Nuggets, Fish, etc.
8. Frozen Chicken Popcorn
Chicken popcorn is one of our all-time favorites! Did you know you could cook Foster Farms Popcorn Chicken in an air fryer? These frozen foods are air fried from raw to crispy perfection in less time than baking them. Just add some fries or vegetables as a side dish.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Place the parchment paper inside and turn the heat to 400 °F for 5 minutes. 2. Toss the frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer basket. 3. Air fry for 10 minutes at 400 °F, turning them over with tongs or shaking the basket after 5 minutes. 4. Transfer the popcorn chicken to a serving plate and top with the dipping sauce. |
Get yours at Walmart!
9. Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Kids love chicken nuggets. After all, who doesn’t? These frozen chicken nuggets are an excellent snack for your children, especially if you don’t have time to prepare a dinner from scratch. And, let’s face it, our kids are picky eaters, so dinosaur-themed food is a no-brainer.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Place the parchment paper inside and turn the heat to 400 °F for 5 minutes. 2. Toss the frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer basket. 3. Air fry for 9 minutes at 400 °F, turning them over with tongs or shaking the basket after 5 minutes. 4. Transfer the chicken nuggets to a serving plate and top with the dipping sauce. |
Get yours at Walmart!
10. Frozen Fish Fillets
Making frozen fish fillets in the air fryer is incredible! Who knew you could perfectly cook fish to crispness without deep frying it? These delicate fish wrapped in a crisp coating may be cooked in the air fryer in less than 15 minutes.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone spatula |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 °F for 4 minutes. 2. Place the frozen fish in an even layer in the air fryer basket. 3. Close the air fryer and cook for 12 to 13 minutes at 380 °F. 4. At the halfway mark, lift the lid and carefully turn the fish with a spatula to prevent shattering the fish. Put the lid back on and keep on cooking. 5. When cooking is up, open the air fryer and check to see if the fish is done to your preference. If it’s not crisp enough, raise the temperature to 400 °F and air fry for another 2 minutes. |
Get yours at Walmart!
Appetizers and Side dishes
11. Frozen Egg Rolls
Do you enjoy Chinese cuisine? Say no more since this air-fried egg roll is extremely simple to make! Air frying this appetizer is far superior to baking it in the oven.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 370 °F. 2. Place the frozen egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. 3. Close the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes at 370 °F. 4. Open the cover halfway and turn the egg rolls with tongs. Put the lid back on and resume cooking. 5. When cooking is complete, open the air fryer and check the egg rolls to ensure they are fried to your liking. If they aren’t crisp enough, raise the temperature to 400 °F and air fry for another 2 minutes. |
Get yours at Walmart!
12. Frozen Onion Rings
Did you have the dips? We’ve got the rings! Air frying everyone’s favorite onion rings saves time and produces crispier results than baking them. Not to mention healthier!
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350 °F. 2. Without overcrowding, add the frozen onion rings to the air fryer basket. 3. Air fry for 12 minutes at 350 °F, turning them over with tongs or shaking the basket after 6 minutes. 4. Transfer the onion rings to a serving tray and top with ketchup, fry sauce, bbq sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. |
Get yours at Target!
Snacks for Kids
13. Frozen Pizza Rolls
There’s no better quick snack for a crowd of hungry kids than a pizza roll. This crowd-pleaser of a tasty frozen snack is incredibly simple to make.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 380 °F. 2. Half-fill the air fryer basket with frozen pizza rolls. 3. Cook for 8 minutes at 380 °F, flipping with tongs or shaking the basket after 4 minutes. 4. Transfer the pizza rolls to a serving dish and serve with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as ranch dressing, sriracha sauce, marinara sauce, or salsa. |
Get yours at Walmart!
14. Frozen Cinnamon Rolls
For breakfast or brunch, you could never go wrong with cinnamon rolls. We’d love to make these from scratch, but Rhodes Bake N Serv Cinnamon Roll is an easy shortcut if you don’t have time.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 320°F. 2. Lightly spray the basket with oil. 3. Add the cinnamon rolls to the air fryer in a single layer and without crowding. 4. Air fry for 10 minutes at 320 °F. 5. Transfer the cinnamon buns to a serving tray and top with the included icing. Serve right away. |
Get yours at Walmart!
15. Frozen Pizza
Who’s in the mood for pizza? You don’t have to starve while waiting for uber to deliver your favorite local pizza because frozen pizza is one of the easiest foods to make to satisfy your cravings or impress your guests.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone spatula |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for 4 minutes. 2. Half-fill the air fryer basket with frozen pizza. 3. Air fry for 11 minutes at 370 °F. 4. Transfer the pizza to a cutting board with a large spatula, cut, and serve immediately. |
Get yours at Walmart!
16. Frozen Taquitos
Frozen taquitos are one of the quickest ways to feed a hungry crowd! Enjoy taquitos with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, green onions, or cilantro as a dip.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for 5 minutes. 2. Half-fill the air fryer basket with frozen taquitos. 3. Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 °F, turning over with tongs or shaking the basket after 4 minutes. 4. Serve the taquitos with salsa, sour cream, or Mexican crema on a serving platter. |
Get yours at Walmart!
Honorable Mentions
Trader Joe’s Frozen Goods
17. Frozen Samosas
Take a journey to the southeast with these lovely Trader Joe’s samosas, which are an all-around great snack. The delicious samosas are air-fried to perfection and turn golden brown in minutes, with the perfect balance of crispiness and spice.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 °F for 5 minutes. 2. Place the frozen samosas in the air fryer basket in a single layer. 3. Close the air fryer and cook for 11 minutes at 380 °F. 4. Open the lid halfway through and use tongs to turn the samosas or shake the basket. Put the lid back on and continue cooking. 5. When cooking is up, open the air fryer and check the samosas to ensure they are cooked to your desire. If they aren’t crisp enough, raise the temperature to 400 °F and air fry for another 2 minutes. |
Get yours at Trader Joe’s!
18. Frozen Falafel
The falafel at Trader Joe’s is out of this world! They make a quick snack, appetizer, or main meal because of their pillowy soft interior and crunchy crust.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F for 5 minutes. 2. Place the frozen falafel in the air fryer basket in a single layer. 3. Close the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 350 °F. 4. Open the lid halfway through and use tongs to turn the samosas or shake the basket. Put the lid back on and continue cooking. 5. When the cooking time is up, open the air fryer and check the falafels to ensure they are cooked to your desire. If they aren’t crisp enough, raise the temperature to 400 °F and air fry for another 2 minutes. 6. Serve on warm pita bread with any of the following: mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled vegetables, tahini sauce, tzatziki sauce, and fresh herbs. |
Get yours at Trader Joe’s!
19. Frozen Empanadas
Do you have a strong desire for something savory? Then we have what you’re looking for. These mouthwatering frozen empanadas stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables are wonderfully crisp when air-fried.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer to 360 °F for 4 minutes. 2. Fill half of the air fryer basket with frozen empanadas. 3. Air cook empanadas at 360° for 9 minutes. 4. Flip the empanadas halfway through air frying. 5. Serve the empanadas with a dipping sauce on a serving platter. |
Get yours at Trader Joe’s!
20. Frozen Gyozas
In the mood for love? And by that, we mean this lovely Trader Joe’s frozen gyoza. Air frying this Asian delicacy makes it crispy on the exterior and soft and properly cooked on the inside.
| Equipment | Air Fryer Silicone mitts Silicone tongs |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. 2. Place the frozen empanadas in the air fryer basket in a single layer. 3. Close the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes at 380 °F. 4. Spray lightly with oil spray to keep them from becoming hard and dry. 5. Open the lid halfway through and use tongs to turn the samosas or shake the basket. Put the lid back on and continue cooking. 6. When the cooking time is up, open the air fryer and check the empanadas to ensure they are cooked to your desire. If they aren’t crisp enough, raise the temperature to 400°F and air fry for another 2 minutes. |
Get yours at Trader Joe’s!
FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Cook Frozen Foods in an Air Fryer?
Most frozen foods will take 8-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer. However, some foods, such as chicken nuggets, will take a little longer. Cooking time usually depends on the size, shape, and style of food.
Related Article: Air Fryer Cheat Sheet: A Guide On How Long To Cook Your Favorite Foods
At What Temperature Should I Cook Frozen Foods in an Air Fryer?
The temperature at which frozen meals should be cooked varies depending on the type of food, air fryer model, and crispness preference. However, we recommend that you begin at 350 °F.
If you want your empanadas, hash browns, or tater tots to be extremely crispy, cook them at a higher temperature, such as 380-400 °F.
Bottomline
And with that, we’ve concluded our list of the greatest frozen foods for you! There are numerous frozen food options and brands available, but we hope we have provided you with a tasty recommendation that you should try next time you feel like chilling for the rest of the night or when you have visitors around for a party. With an air fryer at your aid, you could always serve these culinary delights on the table.
To understand more about air fryers, visit the link to discover everything you need to know about this handy kitchen appliance.
