Air fryer is a product that many families have, but in the market, has different brands, types, and features, they all say they are the best, but what is the real situation? Our team purchased air fryers from various e-commerce platforms and officials. Then we test them in our labs and in real life use at home, we evaluate them in terms of actual performance, ease of use, energy efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Why Air Fryer Frozen Foods Are a Game-Changer
Air fryers have revolutionized the way we prepare frozen foods, offering a quick, convenient, and healthier way to enjoy crispy, delicious meals without the excess oil of traditional frying. Frozen foods specifically designed or suited for air fryers cook faster, retain better texture, and often taste as good as freshly made dishes. From crispy fries to juicy chicken wings, the right frozen foods can elevate your air fryer game. This guide dives into the best frozen foods for air fryers in 2025, based on performance, taste, and ease of preparation, along with a detailed buying guide to help you choose wisely.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Frozen Foods for Air Fryers
Not all frozen foods are created equal when it comes to air frying. Here are key factors to keep in mind:
- Cooking Time and Temperature: Look for products with clear air fryer instructions, as this ensures optimal results. Foods designed for air fryers often cook in 10-20 minutes at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F.
- Texture and Coating: Foods with breading or coatings, like chicken nuggets or mozzarella sticks, tend to crisp up beautifully in an air fryer. Avoid overly saucy or wet items unless specified for air fryer use.
- Portion Size: Consider the size of your air fryer basket. Smaller pieces or foods that don’t need to be layered work best to ensure even cooking.
- Nutritional Value: Some frozen foods are healthier, with lower sodium, less fat, or plant-based ingredients. Check labels if you’re aiming for a balanced diet.
- Brand Reputation: Trusted brands often provide consistent quality and reliable cooking instructions tailored for air fryers.
By focusing on these factors, you can ensure your frozen food choices make the most of your air fryer’s capabilities.
Top 6 Frozen Foods for Air Fryers in 2025
Here are our top picks for frozen foods that shine in an air fryer, delivering unbeatable flavor, texture, and convenience. Each product has been selected based on performance, customer feedback, and compatibility with air fryer cooking.
Tyson Any’tizers Honey BBQ Boneless Chicken Bites
These boneless chicken bites from Tyson are a crowd-pleaser, offering a sweet and tangy BBQ flavor that crisps up perfectly in an air fryer. They’re pre-cooked, so you’re just heating and crisping them, which takes about 10-12 minutes at 400°F. The bite-sized pieces ensure even cooking without overcrowding the basket.
Why We Love It: The honey BBQ glaze strikes a balance of sweet and savory, and the breading stays crunchy without being greasy. It’s a versatile option for snacks, appetizers, or even a quick dinner with a side salad.
Customer Review: “These are my go-to for a quick meal. They come out so crispy in the air fryer, and the flavor is amazing. My kids love them too!” – Amazon Customer, January 2025
Shop Tyson Any’tizers Honey BBQ Boneless Chicken Bites on Amazon
Alexia Sweet Potato Fries
Alexia’s sweet potato fries are a staple for air fryer enthusiasts. These fries are lightly seasoned and cut to the perfect thickness, ensuring a crispy exterior and tender interior when air-fried at 390°F for 15-18 minutes. They’re a healthier alternative to regular fries, packed with flavor and nutrients.
Why We Love It: The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs beautifully with the slight seasoning, and they cook evenly without sticking. They’re also vegan-friendly and a great side dish for any meal.
Customer Review: “Best sweet potato fries ever! They get so crispy in my air fryer, and I love that they’re not overly greasy like some other brands.” – Amazon Customer, December 2024
Shop Alexia Sweet Potato Fries on Amazon
Trader Joe’s Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Trader Joe’s mozzarella sticks are a must-have for cheese lovers. The thick, golden breading crisps up perfectly in an air fryer at 370°F for 6-8 minutes, delivering a gooey, melty center. They’re ideal for a quick snack or party appetizer.
Why We Love It: The breading is well-seasoned, and the cheese doesn’t leak out during cooking, which is a common issue with lesser brands. Pair with marinara sauce for a classic treat.
Customer Review: “These are hands-down the best mozzarella sticks for air fryers. They come out crispy and the cheese is so stretchy and delicious!” – Amazon Customer, February 2025
Shop Trader Joe’s Mozzarella Cheese Sticks on Amazon
Caulipower All Natural Chicken Tenders
For a healthier twist, Caulipower’s chicken tenders are coated in a cauliflower-based breading, making them gluten-free and lower in carbs. They cook in about 12-14 minutes at 400°F, delivering a crispy texture and juicy interior.
Why We Love It: These tenders are a great option for those with dietary restrictions, and they don’t sacrifice flavor or texture. They’re perfect for kids and adults alike.
Customer Review: “I was skeptical about cauliflower breading, but these are fantastic! Super crispy in the air fryer and my picky eater loves them.” – Amazon Customer, January 2025
Shop Caulipower All Natural Chicken Tenders on Amazon
Banquet Mega Meats Original Crispy Chicken Fritters
Banquet’s Mega Meats chicken fritters are hearty, oversized pieces of breaded chicken that cook up crispy and flavorful in an air fryer at 380°F for 15-18 minutes. They’re perfect for a filling meal or game-day snack.
Why We Love It: The large size makes them satisfying, and the breading holds up well in the air fryer without drying out the chicken. They’re budget-friendly, too.
Customer Review: “These are huge and so tasty! They crisp up great in the air fryer, and I love how filling they are for the price.” – Amazon Customer, November 2024
Shop Banquet Mega Meats Chicken Fritters on Amazon
Whole Foods 365 Frozen Vegetable Fried Rice
For a plant-based option, Whole Foods’ 365 Frozen Vegetable Fried Rice is a fantastic choice. This mix of rice, veggies, and seasonings cooks up in about 8-10 minutes at 360°F, offering a quick side dish or base for a meal.
Why We Love It: It’s a versatile, vegetarian-friendly option that pairs well with proteins or can be enjoyed on its own. The rice stays fluffy, and the veggies retain a slight crunch.
Customer Review: “This fried rice is a lifesaver for quick dinners. It tastes fresh and works so well in the air fryer!” – Amazon Customer, January 2025
Shop Whole Foods 365 Frozen Vegetable Fried Rice on Amazon
How We Reviewed These Air Fryers
Our team of 8 people, tested 26 air fryers, after 3 weeks of real life use, cooking chicken wings, French fries and vegetables separately for air fryers, analyzing the taste, color of their production. At the same time, we also evaluated its performance, ease of use of the interface, size, capacity, energy consumption compared to the overall cost-effective evaluation. In addition to our own evaluations, we also compare the data reported by other authoritative media. So you can be assured of approval, these are all through our audit.
You can also quickly get the ideal air fryer for you with the tool we built below:
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Frozen Foods for Your Air Fryer
Selecting the right frozen foods for your air fryer can make all the difference in achieving restaurant-quality results at home. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make informed choices:
Check for Air Fryer-Specific Instructions
Many brands now include air fryer cooking instructions on their packaging, which takes the guesswork out of preparation. These instructions typically specify the ideal temperature and cooking time, ensuring perfect results. If a product lacks air fryer instructions, look for foods that cook well at 350-400°F for 10-20 minutes, as these are standard air fryer settings.
Prioritize Texture-Friendly Foods
Air fryers excel at crisping up foods with breading, coatings, or natural textures. Items like chicken nuggets, fries, and spring rolls are ideal because their exterior becomes golden and crunchy without absorbing excess oil. Avoid foods with heavy sauces or loose batters, as they can stick to the basket or create a mess. For example, frozen pizzas may not cook evenly unless they’re specifically designed for air fryers, as noted in a helpful guide from The Kitchn.
Consider Your Air Fryer’s Capacity
Air fryer basket sizes vary, so choose foods that fit well without overcrowding. Smaller pieces, like chicken bites or tater tots, allow for better air circulation, resulting in even cooking. For larger items like chicken fritters, cook in batches to avoid steaming instead of crisping. Check your air fryer’s manual for capacity guidelines, typically ranging from 2 to 6 quarts for home models.
Balance Flavor and Nutrition
While frozen foods are convenient, they can vary widely in nutritional content. Look for options with whole ingredients, lower sodium, and minimal additives. Plant-based or vegetable-heavy options, like cauliflower wings or fried rice, can add variety to your diet. Websites like EatingWell offer great tips on choosing nutritious frozen foods for air fryers.
Experiment with Versatility
Choose foods that can be used in multiple ways. For example, frozen chicken tenders can be served as a main dish, chopped into salads, or used in wraps. Similarly, vegetable fried rice can be a side or a base for adding proteins. This versatility maximizes value and meal-planning options.
Read Reviews and Test Small Batches
Before buying in bulk, check customer reviews on platforms like Amazon to see how others rate a product’s performance in an air fryer. Testing a small batch can also help you fine-tune cooking times and temperatures for your specific model. For additional tips on air fryer techniques, Bon Appétit provides expert advice on getting the most out of your appliance.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Foods in an Air Fryer
To ensure the best results, follow these practical tips:
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheating for 3-5 minutes at the recommended temperature helps food crisp up faster.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange food in a single layer with space for air to circulate. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Shake or Flip: Shake the basket or flip food halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Use a Light Oil Spray: For extra crispiness, lightly spray foods with oil, especially if they’re not pre-coated.
- Check for Doneness: Air fryer models vary, so check food a minute or two before the recommended time to avoid overcooking.
These tips can help you achieve consistent, delicious results every time you use your air fryer.
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Final Summary
Our expert team, after 3 weeks of real use, and then according to the performance, intelligence, practicality, quality, price of the air fryer to go through a detailed analysis, for the above we recommend the dishwasher, you can rest assured that you can choose. If you have any questions, you can leave us a message in the comments section.
At the same time, we also provide a quick selection of dishwasher tool, you can use our tool, choose more in line with your product.