Question about the 'air fryer only' rule for frozen fries

I was at my cousin's barbecue in Sacramento last month and everyone was raving about how you should only cook frozen fries in the air fryer. They said the oven is dead for fries now. I tried it their way with a bag of crinkle cuts, following the box time of 12 minutes at 400. They came out dry and kind of tough on the outside. I went back to my old way, which is a quick 5 minute par-cook in my deep fryer first, then finish them in the air fryer for 8 minutes. The texture is way better, crispy outside and fluffy inside. It uses a bit more oil, sure, but the result is worth the extra step for me. I don't think the air fryer is the perfect single tool for every frozen food. Has anyone else found a two-step method that works better than just tossing stuff straight in?

2 comments

2 Comments

margaret_lane9d ago

Wow, that par-cook trick is genius, I'm totally trying that next time.

charles_henderson8d ago

Par-cooking saved me last Thanksgiving when my oven died mid-turkey. Had to finish the bird on the grill. What's the worst kitchen disaster you've had to fix?