I tested 6 major frozen potato brands and the best one is a complete steal at only $3

Quality frozen French fries don’t have to be expensive. In fact, when I tested six major brands, the less expensive option outperformed the more expensive names. Yes, you can get delicious, crispy French fries at home for just $3.

And guess what: Air fryer It is the most effective tool for their preparation. It provides a more consistent texture than a traditional oven and is the most efficient way to serve the batch. Plus, it’s very quick and easy to put a snack of French fries on the table.

While the powerful air fryer has emerged as the best way to prepare a bag of frozen items for a side dish or party platter, many succumb to common frying mistakes, like unbalanced potato-to-skin ratios, a lack of seasoning or a hint of freezer burn.

As a certified frying expert, I’ve rounded up six of the most popular varieties Amazon Fresh For the ultimate taste test. Flavor will always prevail, but these fried tubers were also judged on their ability to cook in one of our favorite appliances ever.

The Result: None of these potatoes were a complete failure, but here’s how they stacked up in my taste test and rankings.

How to air fry French fries

Although instructions will vary by brand, there are a few general tips to keep in mind before placing your fries in the air fryer basket and pressing the power button:

• Do not overfill the basket. They will turn to mush and/or stick together.
• Do not add oil. Most frozen French fries come pre-fried. Extra oil usually makes it soggy.
• Cooking times depend on the size of the fry. Obviously, it will take less time to marinate than a steak. Follow the directions on your bag and do a trial run to determine which option works best.
• If you need additional salt, add it after cooking. Too much sodium will draw out much-needed moisture.
• Shake the basket well every five minutes. This will ensure even heat distribution and not burn the ends.

Read more: Do you want to eat crispy french fries? Follow these four steps to get the perfect potato sticks

Arrange the best frozen French fries in the air fryer

It’s worth noting that there isn’t a single option on this list that I wouldn’t cover. The taste test was a reminder that frozen French fries are practically made for the air fryer, resulting in a hot, crunchy, and salty snack in less than 15 minutes.

As with all carb-filled delicacies, some were better than others. Taste, of course, is subjective, and one person’s Michelin star is another person’s junk food. But I can assure you that my taste buds have waited my whole life for this moment and I stand by my final rating.

6. Whole Foods Market 365 Organic French Fries Cut Small

In defense of this fry, it’s arguably the healthiest of the bunch. It comes with no added salt (blasphemous) and is made with organic potatoes, which makes its McDonald’s fries-like appearance funny, but also disappointing and deceptive.

If you prefer a crunchier band that you can pick up by the handful, this may be the button for you. But for serial divers like me who also crave a little less spice and a little more oomph, these are a miss and not worth the time, high price, or calories.

5. Ori-eda french fries, straight cut

Ore-Ida’s lower rating was definitely the biggest surprise for me. It’s one of the more well-known brands, however I found this to be very mushy and carried the stale flavor of leftover French fries that were reheated the next day.

If I had to go back in time, I would leave them in the air fryer a minute or two longer than the suggested cooking time, but I shouldn’t either. I’m a big believer in mass marketing, and the ease of getting foods right the first time, so I should worry less about my sanity and more about my appetite.

4. French fries with strong roots

I’d be lying if I said I wanted these to succeed. Of all the fry, the curly cuts aren’t the ones that particularly excite me, because they remind me of lunchtime in middle school, where I was often bullied. But this was a pleasant surprise, touting the potato’s wonderful flavor and perfect crunch.

They were very burnt on the edges due to their inconsistent sizes, so consider cooking on the lower end of the suggested time range. However, I wasn’t completely deterred by the char. In fact, it kind of enhanced the flavor and made up for the obvious lack of sodium.

3. Checkers, Raleigh’s waffle fries

Admittedly, these products are a hit thanks to their craving-worthy waffle shape and the famous Checker’s/Rally seasoning. While they were poised to sweep the competition, they ended up finishing in a solid third place.

My only problem is that it became a bit noticeable and clashed with my collection of dipping sauces. Those who prefer unaccompanied fry will find their new obsession. Those like me who are not satisfied with fry alone will want to consider our gold and silver medalists.

2. Hand-cut Idaho fries

If your idea of ​​perfect French fries is golden brown, with a light crust and a firm crunch, then this is the one for you. Honestly, Grown in Idaho was my favorite at first until I went back for seconds (and thirds and quarters) and realized that its mouthfeel might be a bit off-putting to anyone who prefers something a little softer.

But this was very tasty, and surprisingly, it had a pleasant potato taste that countered the bold and spicy barbecue sauce. This in itself is an amazing achievement as spices usually leave a lasting impression en route.

1. Straight cut Amazon potatoes

Although it pains me a little to give the highest honors to the giant company of our time, Amazon’s version takes top honors. This fry was well balanced: seasoned, crunchy, potato with flecks of earthy skin and the perfect size for dipping.

I couldn’t find anything wrong with this fish, unlike every first date I’ve ever been on. He was my potato soulmate and has now earned a permanent place in my life Amazon grocery rotation.