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Blog / Best Frozen Foods to Cook in the Air Fryer

Best Frozen Foods to Cook in the Air Fryer

From crispy chicken tenders to golden chips and cheesy mozzarella bites, frozen food has never tasted better than it does straight from the air fryer. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best frozen foods to cook in the air fryer – easy, quick and totally delicious.

The ultimate guide to cooking frozen foods in the air fryer

Let’s face it — the air fryer has changed the game when it comes to quick, easy, and healthier home cooking. And if you’re anything like me, your freezer is probably packed with all sorts of frozen food just waiting to be thrown into the air fryer for a fuss-free lunch, dinner or snack.

Whether it’s a pack of chicken nuggets you bought “for the kids” (but really for yourself), or a bag of frozen chips you always have on standby — the air fryer makes cooking frozen food a total breeze. No need to preheat the oven, no soggy results, and everything just seems to cook up that bit crispier, quicker and tastier.

So, here’s my ultimate guide to the best frozen foods to cook in the air fryer. This post covers the essentials – from chicken wings and tenders to frozen chips, fish fingers, and those cheeky little mozzarella dippers. Perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends or when the fridge is looking a bit bleak.

Why Cook Frozen Food in the Air Fryer?

Before we dive into the food, let’s quickly talk about why cooking frozen food in the air fryer is such a win.

Speed: Most frozen foods cook in less than 20 minutes – way faster than a conventional oven.
Crispy Results: The air fryer gives that crispy finish we all love, without the need for loads of oil.
Less Washing Up: One drawer, one quick clean. Done.
Energy Efficient: Smaller and faster than an oven, so you’re saving on energy bills too.

Now, let’s get into the good stuff – the best frozen food to air fry, ranked and raved about.

Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Let’s start with a classic. Frozen chicken nuggets are one of the easiest things to throw into the air fryer, and they cook up perfectly golden and crispy every time.

How to cook: 200°C for 10–12 minutes, shake halfway through. No oil needed.

Frozen Chips (French Fries)

No list of frozen air fryer food is complete without chips. Whether you’re a fan of chunky oven chips, skinny fries, curly fries or crinkle cuts – they all cook brilliantly in the air fryer.

How to cook: 200°C for 15–20 minutes depending on the cut, shake or toss halfway.

Top tip: Spray with a little bit of oil and season with salt or chip spice for that takeaway-style flavour.

Frozen Chicken Tenders or Goujons

A step up from nuggets, frozen chicken tenders or goujons are brilliant for lunches, wraps, or even fakeaway-style dinners.

How to cook: 200°C for 12–15 minutes depending on size. Flip halfway through.

Serving ideas: Serve in a wrap with lettuce and mayo, chop over a salad, or dunk into sweet chilli or BBQ sauce.

Frozen Chicken Wings

If you’re a fan of wings, you’ll be obsessed with how good they turn out in the air fryer. Whether they’re already seasoned or just plain frozen wings, the air fryer gets them crispy without drying them out.

How to cook:180°C for 25–30 minutes. Shake or flip every 10 mins. Add sauce at the end if they’re plain.

Top tip: Toss in buffalo, BBQ or Korean-style sauce once cooked for maximum flavour.

Frozen Fish Fingers

A childhood classic that still absolutely slaps today. Frozen fish fingers cook up perfectly golden in the air fryer.

How to cook: 200°C for 10–12 minutes, turning once halfway.

Serving ideas: Fish finger sandwich with tartare sauce. Enough said.

Frozen Sausage Rolls

Whether it’s a mini party pack or full-size sausage rolls, they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer – flakey pastry and all.

How to cook: 180°C for 12–15 minutes. Keep an eye to make sure the pastry doesn’t overcook.

Why I love it: Perfect for snacks, picky teas or weekend brunches. Serve with baked beans or brown sauce.

Frozen Hash Browns

Crispy, golden and great with eggs or on a breakfast plate. The air fryer is the best way to get that proper crunch without deep frying.

How to cook: 200°C for 10–12 minutes. Flip halfway.

Why I love it: They’re like fried gold. And who doesn’t love a crispy hash brown?

Frozen Mozzarella Sticks or Breaded Cheese Bites

One of the best freezer treats. Frozen mozzarella sticks, halloumi fries, or breaded camembert cook up beautifully in the air fryer. Just be careful not to overcook – they can burst!

How to cook: 180°C for 6–8 minutes. Watch closely in the last couple of minutes.

Serving ideas: Serve with marinara, sweet chilli or even just ketchup.

Frozen Onion Rings

Another classic pub-style snack that’s way better from the air fryer than the oven.

How to cook: 200°C for 10 minutes. Shake halfway.

Why we love it: Light, crispy and totally addictive.

Frozen Spring Rolls

Mini spring rolls or full-size ones – they cook up with a golden crunch and warm, flavourful filling. A solid fakeaway addition.

How to cook: 190°C for 10–12 minutes. Spray with oil for extra crispiness.

Why we love it: Perfect on their own or as a side to a stir fry or rice bowl.

Frozen Meatballs

Surprisingly great from frozen. Beef, pork or chicken meatballs can be cooked straight from the freezer and used in loads of ways.

How to cook: 190°C for 12–15 minutes. Shake halfway through.

Serving ideas: Toss in a pasta sauce, pop in a sub roll with cheese, or serve with gravy and mash.

Frozen Pies or Pasties

You can air fry frozen mini pies, pasties, or even full-sized ones depending on your model. They’ll get a perfectly golden crust while staying hot inside.

How to cook: 180°C for 15–20 minutes. Cover with foil if the pastry starts browning too soon.

Why we love it: Tastes like a proper bakery-style pie with no effort.

Frozen Garlic Bread

Yes, really. Garlic bread cooks brilliantly in the air fryer. Whether it’s baguette slices, garlic pizza bread or stuffed crusts.

How to cook: 180°C for 6–8 minutes.

Top tip: If using a garlic baguette, slice it first so it fits the drawer better and cooks more evenly.

Frozen Pizza

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook frozen mini pizzas, French bread pizzas, or even slices of a larger one. Perfectly crisp base and melty cheese every time.

How to cook: 180°C for 8–10 minutes.

Top tip: Add extra cheese or toppings before cooking to make it feel like a real takeaway.

Other Honourable Mentions

Frozen waffles – Sweet or savoury, they toast up great in the air fryer.

Frozen toasties or grilled cheese melts – Pop in and air fry for a gooey inside and crispy crust.

Frozen burgers – Beef, chicken or veggie, they cook well and can be served in a bun straight after.

Frozen dumplings or gyoza – Spray with oil and cook for a crispy pan-fried style.

Frozen samosas – Crunchy and delicious with chutney or yoghurt dip.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Food in the Air Fryer

Give your food some space so it crisps up properly.
Shake or flip halfway (this helps everything cook evenly)
Use a bit of oil spray if needed
Keep an eye on things towards the end so nothing burns.
Always cook from frozen unless packaging says otherwise

Final Thoughts

There you have it — the ultimate guide to the best frozen foods to cook in the air fryer. Whether you’re putting together a picky tea, feeding the kids, or just need a quick dinner that doesn’t require a full supermarket trip, your freezer and your air fryer are the dream team.