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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    20 Best Frozen Foods for Air Fryer

    By: Summer Yule · This post may contain affiliate links. · Leave a Comment

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    20 best frozen foods for air fryer

    What are the best frozen foods to cook in an air fryer? The air fryer is my favorite way to cook a variety of frozen foods, including appetizers, side dishes, and entrees. Whether you’re using a Ninja Foodi, Cuisinart, Philips, Power Air Fryer, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Cosori, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, or Kalorik Air Fryer, you’re going to love the airfryer frozen food recipes in today’s roundup!

    20 best frozen foods for air fryer

    With today’s busy lifestyles, cooking frozen foods in an air fryer is something everyone can enjoy. In the time it takes to preheat the oven, an airfryer can often finish cooking the frozen food you want to eat!

    Those following, keto, low carb, vegan, gluten free, and plant based diets can all appreciate the health benefits of owning an air fryer. With air frying, you can skip the messy clean up (and gobs of added oil) that comes with deep frying.

    However, you still get the crispy texture of all of your favorite snacks and bar foods. That includes wings, poppers, breaded mozzarella sticks, fries, and so on.

    Do you like free things?

    Get new recipe ideas biweekly, our 5-Day Air Fryer Quick Start Guide, and more totally FREE exclusive goodies!

    Are all of the below foods healthier with air frying? Nope! In some cases, the only benefit of the air fryer is that it makes cooking time a little shorter. (Which, in turn, may make life a little easier- not a bad thing!)

    Saving time by not having to thaw the frozen foods we want to eat is a big advantage in my book. The dry circulating air in the air fryer does an amazing job removing moisture and crisping up frozen foods. In some cases, the texture of frozen foods improves immensely with air frying versus microwaving or other cooking methods.

    So, what are the best frozen foods to air fry? Here’s my list!

    Jump to:
    • 🥟 Appetizers
    • 🍗 Chicken
    • 🍤 Seafood
    • 🍕 Pizza
    • 🍟 Side Dishes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Best Frozen Foods for Air Fryer

    🥟 Appetizers

    Have company coming over soon? You can air fry just about any appetizer that you’d typically bake or pan fry. Throw one of these frozen appetizers in the air fryer and be ready to feed a crowd on the fly.

    I don’t think that a lot of people realize the large range of frozen foods you can put in an air fryer. Air frying is so easy, takes up very little counter space, and doesn’t heat the house like an oven does. I can see why it’s such a popular cooking method!

    I use my air fryer almost every day. It’s one of my most-used kitchen appliances.

    If you get some last-minute guests, or want to focus on the party (not the food) let these air fryer frozen appetizer recipes come to the rescue! Everyone will wonder how you managed to get these tasty snacks ready so fast!

    air fryer frozen potstickers
    1. Air Fryer Pot Stickers (Frozen Dumplings + Gyoza + Wontons)
    Here's how to make the BEST crispy air fryer pot stickers with no sugar dipping sauce!
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks
    2. Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks (Keto, Low Carb)
    These keto mozzarella sticks made with pork rinds have only 1.4 grams of net carbs per serving!
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen meatballs
    3. Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer
    Can you cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer? Yes, you can! Try my air fryer frozen meatballs recipe when you need a quick appetizer or entrée.
    Check it out here

    🍗 Chicken

    Winner, winner, chicken dinner! My life has changed for the better since I figured out I can air fry frozen chicken. No more needing to figure out something else for dinner when I haven’t thawed the chicken in time!

    If you have kids, don’t miss the recipe on air frying frozen chicken nuggets. I’m providing tips on choosing the healthiest chicken nuggets in the grocery store along with the recipe!

    I’ve also got directions for air frying one of Trader Joe’s most popular items, their frozen Mandarin orange chicken. I like how it turns out even better than when I make it in the oven. As an added benefit, it takes much less time to air fry vs oven bake!

    Chicken is a rich source of high-quality protein, as well as essential nutrients including vitamin B12 and niacin. With these frozen chicken air fryer recipes in your culinary toolbox, you can get your dinner entrée on the table fast!

    TJs orange chicken broccoli rice
    4. Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken (Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken)
    This Trader Joe’s orange chicken air fryer recipe makes deliciously crunchy orange chicken. Air fry frozen orange chicken in 12 minutes!
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen chicken wings
    5. Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings | Keto Buffalo Wings
    Can you air fry frozen chicken wings? Yes! Follow this recipe to make the best air fryer frozen chicken wings around! These healthy keto Buffalo wings come out crispy without deep frying.
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen chicken strips
    6. Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders | Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Strips
    Can you air fry frozen chicken strips? Yes! This air fryer frozen chicken tenders recipe will work with any of your favorite frozen breaded chicken strips brands. 
    Check it out here
    tyson popcorn chicken air fryer
    7. Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken (Frozen Popcorn Chicken in Air Fryer)
    This air fryer frozen popcorn chicken recipe cooks in under 15 minutes!
    Check it out here
    frozen chicken nuggets air fryer
    8. Frozen Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer Recipe (Time and Temp)
    Can you air fry frozen chicken nuggets? Yes! These air fryer frozen chicken nuggets turn out just like chicken nuggets baked in the oven.
    Check it out here

    🍤 Seafood

    We’re supposed to get two servings of seafood per week, according to general nutrition recommendations. Unfortunately, very few of us in the U.S. are eating that much fish or shellfish. Putting your frozen seafood in the air fryer can make increasing your seafood intake easier.

    Thawed raw fish isn’t supposed to sit in the refrigerator for more than a day or two. It’s really easy to forget to thaw it in time when you want fish for dinner.

    With the air fryer, you no longer need to worry about thawing frozen shrimp and fish. You can air fry thin frozen fish fillets, such as tilapia, in about the time it takes to preheat the oven. Once you try air frying frozen seafood, you might wonder why you ever cooked it any other way!

    I'm always amazed at how good air fryer frozen foods are. Breaded fish comes out perfectly crisp, without lots of added fat and oil. Frozen shrimp with no breading also turns out well, ready to dip in cocktail sauce. Yum!

    breaded fish
    9. Frozen Fish in Air Fryer (Breaded Fish Fillets)
    Can you cook frozen fish in air fryer? You sure can! Air fryer frozen breaded fish fillets take only 12 minutes to cook without thawing!
    Check it out here
    frozen shrimp air fryer recipe
    10. Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer
    Air fryer frozen shrimp is a high protein entrée that is low carb, keto, low calorie, dairy free, and gluten free.
    Check it out here
    air fried tilapia
    11. Air Fryer Tilapia (Frozen or Fresh Fish Fillets!)
    Learn how to cook fresh tilapia and frozen tilapia in the air fryer. Air fryer tilapia fillets are gluten free, low carb, and keto!
    Check it out here

    🍕 Pizza

    Craving Italian food? You can air fry frozen pizza in less time than it would take to order take out! These air fried recipes are great for college kids or anyone who wants a quick and easy meal.

    Well... perhaps the pizza isn’t quite an entire meal by itself. I usually like to grab a bag of salad mix to get some more veggies on my plate. There are also some side dish recipes in the next section that could work well with pizza.

    Whether you like a full pizza, hand-held English muffin pizza, or bite-sized pizza rolls, you’ll find a recipe here that appeals to you. Whatever your frozen pizza preference, you can have it ready fast with the air fryer!

    Air fryers are also great for reheating leftover pizza. The cheese will get melty and the crust will crisp back up. The air fryer is a wonderful kitchen tool that can help prevent food waste.

    air fried mini pizza pepperoni
    12. Frozen Mini Pizza in Air Fryer (English Muffin Pizzas)
    These air fryer English muffin pizzas are perfect for portion control, and EVERYONE loves them!
    Check it out here
    totinos pizza rolls air fryer
    13. Totinos Pizza Rolls Air Fryer (Air Fry Totinos Pizza Rolls)
    Learn how to air fry Totinos pizza rolls!
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen pizza and salad
    14. Air Fryer Frozen Pizza
    Can you air fry frozen pizza? Absolutely! Today I'm going to show you how you can cook a whole frozen pizza in an air fryer.
    Check it out here

    🍟 Side Dishes

    Side dishes are another category of frozen foods to make in the air fryer. When you’re putting together a meal, do you ever feel like managing separate recipes for the main dish and sides is a bit much?

    Making one pot meals is one solution, and another is to go the low-effort route with your side dishes. Just grab a bag of frozen veggies from the freezer and pop them in the air fryer. With a little oil and seasoning, you’ve got a healthy side dish without having to think much about it.

    One of the most popular vegetables (at least in the U.S.) is the humble potato. That’s why I have a bunch of different air fryer frozen potato recipes for you here. Frozen hash browns, frozen fries, frozen tater tots... if you have frozen potatoes, we can air fry them!

    And if you aren’t looking for a carb fix, I’ve got some sides for you too. Learn to air fry keto frozen onion rings and air fryer frozen veggies such as broccoli. It's amazing just how delicious frozen foods in the air fryer can be!

    Air fryer broccoli square image
    15. Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables (No more mushy frozen broccoli!)
    Guess what?!? You can get air fryer frozen vegetables to turn out like fresh roasted veggies, complete with the crispy edges. Make my air fryer butternut squash, air fryer cauliflower, air fryer Brussels sprouts, or air fryer broccoli recipe and say goodbye to soggy, mushy cooked-from-frozen vegetables forever.
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen hash browns
    16. Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns
    Can you make hash browns in an air fryer? Yes, you can! This air fryer hash browns recipe is the BEST way to cook frozen hash browns.
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen onion rings
    17. Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings (Keto, Low Carb)
    My air fryer frozen onion rings have only 4.3g of net carbs per (generous!) serving. Learn to make keto frozen onion rings with less mess!
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen sweet potato fries
    18. Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
    You’ll love this air fryer frozen sweet potato fries recipe for a delicious appetizer or side dish. 
    Check it out here
    air fryer frozen fries with ketchup
    19. Air Fryer Frozen French Fries (Healthy Recipe with Calories, Nutrition Info)
    Do air fryers cook frozen french fries? Yes, they do! This air fryer frozen french fries recipe makes perfectly crispy and delicious fries every time. 
    Check it out here

    📖 Recipe

    Like this recipe?Leave a rating by clicking the ⭐ below!
    cauliflower tater tots

    Best Frozen Foods for Air Fryer

    Summer Yule
    Here's the best frozen foods to cook in an air fryer, including these air fryer frozen tater tots!
    5 from 2 votes
    Rate Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 130 kcal

    Equipment

    Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces frozen tater tots (340 grams; I used Birds Eye Cauliflower Tots, other veggie tots may be used too)
    • dipping sauce (optional)
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    Instructions

    • Put the tater tots in a single layer on a tray in the top rack position of the air fryer oven. Air fry for 8 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shake the rack, and air fry for 7 more minutes at 400°F (200°C).
    • Serve cooked tots with your favorite dipping sauce.
    Save this Recipe Saved!

    Video

    Notes

    The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 17gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 0.5gSodium: 320mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 2g
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    In your opinion, what are some of the best frozen foods to air fry? Drop me a comment below and let me know!

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