Are you looking for a super-easy way to get that perfectly crispy, delicious texture on your favorite frozen foods without all the oil and fuss of deep frying? Look no further than the air fryer! This kitchen superstar has revolutionized how we prepare everything from French fries and chicken nuggets to frozen pizzas and fish fillets. It’s truly one of the best frozen items for air fryer cooking.
Air fryers use rapid air circulation to cook food, giving it a similar crunch to deep-frying but with significantly less oil, making your meals healthier and lighter. No more waiting for your oven to preheat forever, or dealing with splattering oil on your stovetop! The convenience and delicious results make the air fryer an absolute game-changer for quick meals and snacks.
But with so many options out there, how do you pick the best air fryer to handle your frozen food addiction? We’ve rounded up five top-notch air fryers that excel at transforming your best frozen items for air fryer into golden, crispy perfection. Let’s dive in!
Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven
This isn’t just an air fryer; it’s a true kitchen powerhouse! The Emeril Lagasse French Door Air Fryer combines the magic of air frying with the versatility of a toaster oven, making it perfect for cooking large batches of your favorite frozen items. Imagine being able to air fry a whole bag of tater tots or a family-sized pizza with ease, getting that ideal crispiness every time. Its generous capacity and array of presets mean you can tackle almost any frozen meal, from quick snacks to full-blown dinner parties, with minimal effort.
- A Versatile Air Fryer and Multi-Cooker Combo: Elevates practically any meal, from air frying quick after-school snacks to roasting for large gatherings.
- Perfectly Done Toast: Oven turns off automatically when the toast countdown timer ends – no burnt toast!
- 25 Cooking Pre-sets: Provide a variety of cooking methods: Ribs, Defrost, Bake, Toast, Chicken, Pizza, Pastry, Slow Cook, Roast, Reheat, and Keep Warm.
- Dual-Speed Fan: Golden fried crisping at its finest with 360º superheated air circulation.
- 26-Quart Capacity: Suitable for preparing food for 4–6 people, can rotisserie a 6-lb chicken or bake a 12” pizza.
- Stainless Steel Exterior: A beautiful aesthetic with elegant French doors that open with a single pull, and an interior light to monitor food.
Pros:
– Huge capacity, great for families and entertaining.
– Highly versatile with 25 presets and multi-cooking functions.
– Excellent for achieving crispy results on large quantities of frozen food.
– Elegant design with French doors.
Cons:
– Takes up significant counter space.
– Can be more expensive than dedicated basket-style air fryers.
– Preheating might be slower than smaller models.
User Impressions: Users rave about its large capacity and ability to handle family-sized meals, especially how well it cooks frozen items to a crispy finish. Many appreciate the toaster oven functionality as a bonus, consolidating appliances.
COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact but Large 6 Qt
The COSORI 6 Qt air fryer is a fantastic choice for those who need a generous capacity without sacrificing precious counter space. What truly sets it apart for frozen food lovers is its Turbo Blaze Technology, which means lightning-fast cooking – perfect for those hungry moments when you need a frozen meal ready in minutes. Plus, it even has a dedicated “Frozen” preset, taking the guesswork out of cooking your best frozen items for air fryer recipes. You’ll enjoy unbelievably delicious, crispy, and juicy results thanks to its advanced 5-fan speed airflow system.
- Lightning-fast cooking: Advanced Turbo Blaze Technology boosts cooking efficiency for full family meals in minutes.
- 9-in-1 Versatility: Includes Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Frozen, Proof, Reheat, and Keep Warm.
- Unbelievably Delicious: 5-Fan speed airflow system ensures golden, crispy, and juicy results.
- 6-Qt Capacity & Compact Design: Spacious capacity in a compact size, perfect for family meals.
- 100+ App Recipes with Nutrition Facts: Provides calorie, carb, protein, and fat content for diet management.
- 95% Less Oil: Enjoy crispy textures with up to 95% less oil than traditional deep frying.
- Customizable Preheat Program: Adjusts time based on temperature; can be skipped for hassle-free use.
- Dishwasher-Safe: Non-stick cooking basket and detachable components for easy cleaning.
- Wide Temperature Range: 90°F–450°F covers all cooking temperatures.
Pros:
– Super fast cooking, ideal for busy households and quick frozen meals.
– Dedicated “Frozen” preset simplifies cooking.
– Excellent crisping with multiple fan speeds.
– Good capacity for family use while remaining relatively compact.
– Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts.
Cons:
– Some users might prefer physical buttons over touch screen controls.
– The included recipe book is a starting point, but the app is needed for 100+ recipes.
User Impressions: Customers love the speed and efficiency, often noting how quickly frozen items cook to perfection. The “Frozen” preset is a big hit, making it incredibly user-friendly. Many praise the minimal oil usage for healthier results.
COSORI Air Fryer Pro 9-in-1, Compact 5QT, 450℉
If maximum crispiness and juiciness are your top priorities, especially for frozen meats and protein-heavy dishes, the COSORI Air Fryer Pro 5QT is an excellent contender. With a powerful 450℉ setting and “JuiceLock technology,” it ensures your frozen chicken wings or pre-made steak fries come out golden and perfectly cooked on the outside, while staying tender and juicy inside. It’s designed for rapid heating, meaning your family meals are ready in a flash, making it one of the best frozen items for air fryer prep in a busy kitchen.
- Enjoy Maximum Crisiness and Juiciness: Create golden, crispy chicken and perfectly seared steak with up to 450℉ and advanced JuiceLock technology.
- Versatile Meat Cooking Programs for Low-Carb Diets: Featuring 9 cooking functions including steak, chicken, seafood, bacon, and more.
- Prepare Quick Family Meals in Minutes: High-temperature setting of up to 450℉ for faster cooking times.
- 130+ Wellness Recipes and 19 Nutritional Facts: Includes a 30-recipe cookbook and 100+ app recipes with detailed nutritional info.
- 5-Qt Large Capacity for Family Meals: Easily prepare 2-3 servings at once with the spacious square basket.
- Compact Design: Saves counter space and is easy to store.
- Healthy Meat Meals with 85% Less Oil: Enjoy crispy textures with up to 85% less oil than traditional frying.
- Dishwasher-Safe: Effortless cleanup with non-stick cooking basket and detachable components.
Pros:
– Achieves exceptionally crispy exteriors and juicy interiors.
– High maximum temperature (450℉) for faster cooking of frozen foods.
– Great for meat lovers and specific dietary needs.
– Good capacity for small to medium families.
– Easy to clean and store.
Cons:
– Slightly smaller capacity than the 6-Qt model.
– While versatile, its strong suit is arguably meat, which might not be all users’ focus.
User Impressions: Reviewers are consistently impressed by the crisping power and how well it handles frozen foods like chicken tenders and fries, making them taste almost deep-fried without the grease. The quick cooking time is also a frequently praised feature.
CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer – Digital Space-Saving
For individuals or couples, or those with limited counter space, the CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer is a fantastic compact option. Don’t let its size fool you; this little powerhouse can still air fry your favorite frozen snacks and small meals up to three times faster than a conventional oven. It uses very little to no oil for healthy cooking, and even includes helpful “shake notifications” to ensure your frozen fries, nuggets, or spring rolls cook evenly to crispy perfection. It’s perfect for whipping up those smaller best frozen items for air fryer portions.
- Fast and Easy: Customize cooking time and temperature up to 400°F; cooks food up to three times quicker than an oven.
- Healthy Cooking: Uses little-to-no oil to make delicious, healthier meals.
- Supreme Space-Saver: Square basket maximizes 2-quart capacity within a sleek, narrow design.
- Shake Notifications: Audible alarm notifies you to shake your food halfway through for crispiest results.
- Compact Storage: Perfectly sized for healthy meals for 1-2 people, fits easily on countertops or in cabinets.
- Simple Clean-Up: Nonstick 2-quart basket and rack are both dishwasher safe.
- Safety First: Automatic shutoff technology for added safety.
Pros:
– Ideal for small households, dorms, or single servings of frozen snacks.
– Extremely fast cooking, beating traditional ovens.
– Very compact and easy to store.
– Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup a breeze.
– Shake notifications are a helpful touch for even crisping.
Cons:
– Limited capacity means it’s not suitable for family-sized meals.
– Fewer advanced features or presets compared to larger models.
User Impressions: Users love how convenient and quick this mini air fryer is for personal portions of frozen foods. They highlight its small footprint and the ease of cleaning as major advantages, making it a go-to for daily snacks.
CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie, 10-Liter
If you’re serious about your frozen food game and want ultimate versatility, the CHEFMAN 10-Liter Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie is a prime contender. This appliance can air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast, opening up a world of possibilities for your best frozen items for air fryer cooking. Imagine perfectly roasted frozen chicken or crispy frozen wings thanks to its rotisserie function. Its extra-large capacity means you can cook entire family-sized frozen pizzas, large batches of appetizers, or even meal prep significant quantities of food with ease. Plus, the clear viewing window lets you monitor your food’s progress, ensuring no more burnt edges!
- Versatile countertop cooking: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast to crispy perfection in one convenient appliance.
- Cook faster: No need to preheat like traditional ovens. Uses rapid air heating elements for fast, even, and crispy food.
- Healthy cooking made easy: Make healthy meals using 98% less oil than traditional fryers.
- Simplified set-up: 17 preset options and an easy-to-use capacitive touch control screen.
- All-inclusive: Includes three air flow racks, stainless steel rotisserie oven spit with retrieval tool, and a drip tray.
- Family-size meals: Extra-large 10-Liter capacity, great for meal-prepping large quantities.
- Monitor cooking progress: Interior lights and extra-large air fryer oven window.
- Minimal clean-up: Removable drip tray and dishwasher-safe parts.
Pros:
– Exceptionally large capacity for large families or entertaining.
– Highly versatile with multiple cooking functions including rotisserie.
– No preheating required, saving time.
– Clear viewing window is a major plus for monitoring.
– Many presets for easy use with various frozen items.
Cons:
– Requires significant counter space due to its size.
– Might be overkill for single users or small households.
– Cleaning multiple racks can be more involved than a single basket.
User Impressions: Users love the sheer capacity and the ability to cook entire meals, or multiple frozen items at once. The rotisserie function for things like frozen pre-marinated chicken is a popular feature, and the easy-to-use digital interface makes it simple to operate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What kinds of frozen foods can I air fry?
A1: Almost any frozen food that you would typically deep fry or bake can be air fried! Popular options include French fries, tater tots, chicken nuggets/tenders, fish sticks, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, egg rolls, spring rolls, frozen burritos, pizza rolls, and even some types of frozen vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
Q2: Do I need to preheat my air fryer for frozen foods?
A2: While not always strictly necessary, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding frozen food can lead to better, crispier results. It helps the food cook more evenly from the start, preventing soggy spots and ensuring that golden-brown finish. Some air fryers, like the CHEFMAN 10L, are designed to cook fast without preheating.
Q3: How do I get my frozen foods extra crispy in an air fryer?
A3: For maximum crispiness:
* Preheat your air fryer.
* Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if necessary to allow air to circulate.
* Lightly spray or toss with a tiny bit of oil (like avocado or olive oil spray) before cooking.
* Shake the basket or flip the food halfway through cooking.
* Cook at a slightly higher temperature (e.g., 400°F) for a shorter time.
Q4: Is it healthier to air fry frozen foods?
A4: Yes, generally it is healthier. Air frying uses significantly less oil (often 85-98% less) compared to traditional deep frying, which means fewer calories and less unhealthy fat in your meal. While the food is still “frozen,” the cooking method itself is a healthier alternative.
Q5: Can I put aluminum foil or parchment paper in my air fryer with frozen food?
A5: Yes, you can use aluminum foil or parchment paper in your air fryer, but with caution. Make sure they are weighed down by food, as loose paper/foil can fly into the heating element and cause a fire. Avoid covering too much of the basket to ensure proper airflow, which is essential for air frying. It’s best for messy foods to make cleanup easier.
Q6: What temperature and time should I use for common frozen items like fries or chicken nuggets?
A6: Most frozen items have air fryer instructions on their packaging. If not, a good starting point is usually 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C).
* Frozen French Fries/Tots: 380-400°F (195-205°C) for 12-20 minutes, shaking every 5-7 minutes.
* Frozen Chicken Nuggets/Tenders: 375-400°F (190-205°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
* Frozen Fish Sticks: 380°F (195°C) for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Always check the internal temperature to ensure food is cooked thoroughly, especially for poultry.
Q7: How do I clean my air fryer after cooking greasy frozen foods?
A7: Most air fryer baskets and inserts are non-stick and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easy. For stubborn grease, soak the basket in warm, soapy water for 15-20 minutes before gently scrubbing. Avoid abrasive pads to protect the non-stick coating. Wipe down the interior of the air fryer with a damp cloth after it has cooled.