Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries – Crispy Perfection in Minutes!
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If you’re craving perfectly crispy and golden fries without the hassle of deep frying, these Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries are the answer! Made straight from frozen, these fries come out crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside—just like restaurant fries. The air fryer does all the work in minutes, making this the easiest way to enjoy your favorite beer-battered fries at home with no extra oil and no mess.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries
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Perfectly Crispy and Golden Every Time — These fries come out beautifully crisp on the outside with a soft, fluffy inside that tastes just like your favorite restaurant fries. The beer batter coating gives them a deliciously rich flavor and perfect crunch. You don’t need to worry about soggy fries—these turn out amazing every time! Your air fryer makes them effortlessly golden brown without any deep frying.
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No Need to Thaw or Preheat — Just open the bag and pop them straight into the air fryer! No need to wait for the fries to thaw or preheat your air fryer, making this the ultimate quick and easy snack or side dish. Whether you’re making them for a fast dinner or a game day treat, they’re ready in minutes. You’ll love how convenient and mess-free this method is.
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Healthier Than Deep Frying — Get that satisfying crunch without all the oil and grease. Since these fries are cooked in the air fryer, you skip the extra fat from deep frying but still get that amazing crispiness. It’s a lighter way to enjoy a classic comfort food. Perfect if you’re watching your oil intake but still want something indulgent!
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Great for Small or Large Batches — Whether you’re cooking just for yourself or for a crowd, this recipe is easily adjustable. You can make half a bag for a quick snack or the whole bag for a party—just shake them a few extra times if you’re making more! The fries cook evenly and crisp up beautifully no matter how many you make. So flexible and easy!
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Restaurant-Quality Fries at Home — No need to go out when you can make fries that taste like they came from your favorite pub! The beer batter makes them taste extra special, and they’re so good you’ll want to make them again and again. Perfect as a side for burgers, sandwiches, or on their own with your favorite dipping sauce. Everyone will be asking for seconds!
Ingredients For Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries
- McCain Beer Battered Fries (frozen) – These are thick, crispy fries coated in a delicious beer batter that gives them extra flavor and crunch. You can find them in the frozen section of most grocery stores.
For the exact measurements of the ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.
Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries
- Air fryer – The key appliance for cooking these fries to crispy perfection without oil.
How To Make Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries
- Open the bag of frozen McCain Beer Battered Fries—no need to defrost them.
- Place the fries into the air fryer basket. To get them extra crispy, avoid overcrowding; it’s best to cook half a bag at a time.
- Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the fries for 13 minutes.
- Halfway through, pause the air fryer and give the basket a good shake to help the fries cook evenly on all sides.
- Once done, check if they’re as crispy and browned as you like. If you want them crispier, just pop them back in for a few more minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy your perfectly crispy, golden fries!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries as a delicious side dish with turkey burgers, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, or BBQ chicken grilled cheese sandwich.
- Enjoy them as a snack on their own for movie nights or game days—perfect for sharing!
- Pair them with a fresh tomato and mozzarella salad or grilled chicken thighs boneless for a quick and easy meal.
- Add them to a platter with other appetizers like mozzarella sticks or baked chicken wings for a fun party spread.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like homemade sriracha mayo, sour cream and onion, or barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
Tips For Success
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Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Adding too many fries at once prevents hot air from circulating, which can make the fries soggy. For best results, cook half a bag at a time. If cooking a full bag, shake more often and add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
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Shake the basket during cooking. Shaking the fries halfway through cooking helps them cook evenly and get crispy on all sides. If you’re making a larger batch, shake them 2-3 times for best results.
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Watch the fries in the last few minutes. Every air fryer is a little different, so check on the fries as they cook. If they’re not as browned as you like, add 2–3 more minutes until they reach your perfect level of crispiness.
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No oil needed! The fries already have a beer batter coating that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. Adding oil isn’t necessary and could make them greasy.
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Serve immediately for best texture. These fries are best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the air fryer. If cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in the oven at 200°F until ready to serve.
Variations And Substitutions
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Make a larger batch: If you need to cook more fries, you can definitely do that! Just be aware that you may need to shake the basket a few more times and possibly extend the cooking time by a few minutes to ensure they crisp up evenly.
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Different types of fries: While this recipe focuses on McCain Beer Battered Fries, you can use other frozen fries like straight-cut, crinkle-cut, or waffle fries. Cooking times may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them as they cook and adjust as needed.
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Add seasoning: Want to add extra flavor? After air frying, sprinkle the fries with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, or your favorite seasoning blend while they’re still hot. This will help the seasoning stick and give them a fun flavor twist!
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Gluten-free option: If you need a gluten-free alternative, look for frozen fries that are labeled gluten-free. Some brands make fries without beer batter or wheat ingredients. Always check the package to be sure!
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Low-sodium option: To reduce sodium, you can choose plain frozen fries without a coating, though they won’t have the same beer-battered texture. Add your own low-sodium seasonings after cooking if desired.
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Serve with different dips: Even though we kept dipping sauces out of the recipe card, you can always enjoy these fries with whatever dip you love—like spicy mayo, cheese sauce, or even vinegar for a tangy touch.
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Make it a meal: Turn these fries into a fun loaded fries meal by adding toppings like shredded cheese, bacon bits, green onions, or sour cream. Pop them back in the air fryer for a minute to melt the cheese if desired.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: If you have leftover fries, let them cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating in the air fryer: To bring back their crispiness, place the fries in the air fryer basket and heat them at 400°F for 3-5 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even reheating.
- Reheating in the oven: You can also reheat fries in the oven by spreading them on a baking sheet and baking at 400°F for about 5-7 minutes until hot and crispy.
- Avoid microwaving if possible: Microwaving is not recommended because it makes the fries soft and soggy instead of crispy.
- Freezing leftovers: It’s best to cook only what you plan to eat because once cooked, these fries don’t freeze well for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook the whole bag of McCain Beer Battered Fries in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook the whole bag if needed, but for best results, it’s better to cook them in smaller batches. If you decide to cook the whole bag, make sure to shake the basket several times during cooking to help them cook evenly. You may also need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to get them as crispy as you like. Avoid overfilling the basket too much, as overcrowding can prevent the fries from getting properly crispy.
Do I need to add oil to the fries before cooking them in the air fryer?
No, you do not need to add any oil. The McCain Beer Battered Fries already have a coating that crisps up beautifully on its own in the air fryer. Adding extra oil may make them greasy instead of giving them that light, crunchy texture. The air fryer’s circulating hot air does all the work of crisping them up—no extra oil required!
How long does it take to cook McCain Beer Battered Fries in the air fryer?
It takes about 13 minutes at 400°F to cook these fries in the air fryer. If you want them extra crispy, you can add an additional 2-3 minutes. Remember to shake the basket halfway through cooking so the fries crisp up evenly on all sides. If cooking a larger batch, keep an eye on them and add a few more minutes if necessary.
What should I do if my fries aren’t crispy enough?
If your fries are not crispy enough when the timer goes off, just add a few more minutes of cooking time. Check them every couple of minutes until they reach your preferred level of crispiness. Also, make sure you’re not overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent the fries from getting properly crispy. Cooking smaller batches makes it easier to get that perfect crunch.
Can I season the fries before or after air frying?
Since these fries are already beer-battered and seasoned, you don’t need to add anything extra for flavor. However, if you want to customize them, it’s best to add additional seasonings after they’re cooked while they’re still hot. This helps the seasoning stick to the fries. You can sprinkle on garlic powder, smoked paprika, or even a little grated Parmesan cheese for a fun twist!
What are some good ways to serve these fries?
These fries are perfect as a side dish with burgers, sandwiches, or hot dogs. You can also enjoy them on their own as a snack or appetizer. For a fun variation, turn them into loaded fries by topping them with cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. They’re super versatile and go with just about anything!
Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking the fries?
No preheating is needed for this recipe! You can put the frozen fries directly into the air fryer basket and start cooking. This makes it even quicker and easier to whip up a batch of crispy fries without any extra steps.
How do I prevent the fries from sticking together in the air fryer?
To prevent the fries from sticking together, avoid overcrowding the basket and make sure to shake the basket at least once during cooking. Shaking helps separate the fries and allows the hot air to move around them for even cooking. If you’re cooking a large amount, it’s better to do it in batches for the best results.
Other Easy McCain Recipes
Air Fryer McCain Baby Cakes – These crispy, golden McCain Baby Cakes cook perfectly in the air fryer for an easy and delicious potato side dish.
McCain Potato Smiles in Air Fryer – Air fryer McCain Potato Smiles turn out crispy and fun, making them the perfect quick snack or kid-friendly side.
Other Easy Fries Recipes
Root Vegetable Fries in Air Fryer – These air fryer root vegetable fries are a healthy and colorful alternative to regular fries, ready in minutes.
Crispy Frozen Chicken Fries in Air Fryer – Frozen chicken fries cook up crispy and golden in the air fryer—perfect for a fast, protein-packed snack or meal.
Acorn Squash Fries in Air Fryer – These air fryer acorn squash fries are a healthy, low-carb option that turns out perfectly crispy and delicious.
Delicata Squash Fries – Easy Oven Baked – Baked delicata squash fries are a sweet and savory side dish that’s easy to prepare and naturally healthy.
Frozen Zucchini Fries in Air Fryer – Air fryer frozen zucchini fries are a quick and crispy veggie snack that’s ready in minutes without any prep.
Air Fryer McCain Beer Battered Fries
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 package McCain Beer Battered Fries frozen
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
Instructions
- Open the package of McCain Beer Battered Fries. No need to thaw—air fryer cooks them perfectly from frozen.
- Remove the air fryer basket and add the fries. For best results, cook only half the package at a time to avoid overcrowding. If cooking the whole package, shake the basket multiple times during cooking and add a few extra minutes if needed.
- Insert the air fryer basket into the air fryer.
- Set the temperature to 400°F and the time to 13 minutes.
- Halfway through cooking, remove the basket and shake the fries to ensure even cooking.
- Return the basket to the air fryer and let the fries finish cooking.
- Once done, check if the fries are golden brown and crispy. If needed, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they reach your desired crispiness.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- If making a larger batch, shake the fries 2-3 times during cooking to ensure they crisp up evenly.
- If the fries aren’t as crispy as you’d like, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- No extra oil is needed—the air fryer makes them perfectly crispy without deep frying.