Cooking frozen chips and fish fingers together in an air fryer is absolutely possible. An air fryer uses hot air and convection to circulate heat and cook food, making it a great option for cooking frozen convenience foods quickly and evenly. With some simple tips on timing and preparation, you can easily make a delicious meal of fish fingers and chips in your air fryer.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
There are several advantages to cooking frozen chips and fish fingers in an air fryer:
– Speed – Air fryers can cook foods very rapidly, significantly faster than a traditional oven. This allows you to go from frozen to crispy and delicious in just minutes.
– Crispiness – The hot circulating air in an air fryer crisps up the outside of foods wonderfully. Both fish fingers and chips come out beautifully golden brown and crunchy.
– Convenience – Simply throw the frozen items in the basket and air fry. Minimal prep or cleanup required.
– Versatility – Most air fryers have adjustable settings for time and temperature, so you can customize for perfect doneness.
– Healthier – Air frying uses little to no oil compared to deep frying, resulting in healthier versions of typically oily foods.
Choosing an Air Fryer
When selecting an air fryer for cooking chips and fish fingers, look for the following features:
– Basket size – Choose an air fryer with at least a 3-quart basket to fit a generous amount of food. Larger families may want 5-quarts or more.
– Temperature range – Look for an air fryer with a range of at least 200°F to 400°F to allow for flexibility.
– Timer – An adjustable timer up to 30 minutes is ideal to accomodate different cooking times.
– Nonstick basket – A nonstick basket prevents food from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
– Automatic shutoff – This safety feature turns the fryer off automatically after the timer expires.
Popular quality air fryer brands include Philips, Ninja, Instant, Cosori, GoWise, and Chefman.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Chips and Fish Fingers
Follow these tips for foolproof air-fried frozen chips and fish fingers:
Chips
– Use fresh, high-quality frozen chips rather than thawed or stale ones. Straight/regular cut chips work better than crinkle cut.
– Toss chips in 1-2 tsp of oil before air frying for extra crispiness.
– Work in batches for even cooking, being careful not to overcrowd the basket.
– Flip/shake chips 2-3 times during cooking to ensure even browning.
– Check frequently and remove chips once they are golden brown. They can burn quickly.
Fish Fingers
– Separate any frozen together fish fingers before cooking.
– Brush fish fingers lightly with oil or cooking spray to promote browning.
– Air fry fish fingers in a single layer, not overlapping or stacked.
– Flip fish fingers over halfway during cooking.
– Cook fish fingers until hot throughout and golden brown on the outside.
– Double check internal temperature using a meat thermometer if concerned about doneness. Fish is safely cooked to 145°F.
Cooking Together
Chips take longer to cook than fish fingers. To sync up cooking times:
– Start the chips first and cook for 5-7 minutes to give them a head start.
– Then add the fish fingers to the basket with the par-cooked chips.
– Toss/flip everything together 2-3 times as they finish cooking.
– For food safety, make sure the fish fingers reach safe internal temperature as noted above.
– Adjust cooking times as needed based on the amount of food and your particular air fryer model.
Air Fryer Settings
Use these air fryer time and temperature guidelines when cooking frozen chips and fish fingers:
| Food | Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Chips | 18-22 minutes | 400°F |
| Fish Fingers | 6-10 minutes | 400°F |
– For crispier chips, use the higher end of the time range.
– Thinner fish fingers will cook faster than thicker fillets.
– Shake the basket or flip food halfway through cooking.
– Add 2-3 minutes if cooking a larger batch.
– If fish fingers or chips are very frozen, add 2-3 extra minutes.
– Adjust time down if you prefer less browned foods.
Internal Temperatures
Use an instant read thermometer to test the internal temperature and ensure food safety:
– Fish is safely cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.
– Hot chips are usually around 190-210°F internally when done.
Getting the timing down perfectly may take some trial and error depending on the specific foods used and your preferences. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to whip up perfect fish and chips from the freezer anytime.
Choosing Chips and Fish Fingers
While virtually any frozen chips or fish sticks can be cooked in the air fryer, selecting high-quality options can maximize flavor and texture.
Chips
Look for chips that are:
– Made from fresh, not reconstituted potatoes
– Lightly seasoned or unseasoned to control salt content
– Straight cut or regular style for even cooking
– Not too thick or too thin
Some good frozen chip brands include:
| Brand | Type |
|---|---|
| McCain | Home Chips |
| Ore-Ida | Crispy Crowns |
| Alexia | Shoestring Fries |
Fish Fingers
Choose fish fingers made from high-quality white fish like cod, haddock or pollock. Look for versions with:
– Whole fillets, not minced or chopped fish
– Minimal breading for less carbs
– No artificial colors or flavors
Some excellent brands include:
| Brand | Type |
|---|---|
| Birds Eye | Omega 3 Fish Fingers |
| Trader Joe’s | Beer Battered Fish Sticks |
| Whole Foods 365 | Breaded Cod Fillets |
Choosing top quality frozen items can make a big difference in the final meal.
Flavoring Ideas
Beyond just salt and malt vinegar, try these quick ways to add extra flavor to air fried fish fingers and chips:
Chips Flavorings
– Sea salt, smoked salt, or seasoned salt
– Lemon pepper or cajun seasoning
– Grated parmesan, chili powder, or paprika
– Ranch seasoning or dressing
– Spicy mayo or aioli
Fish Fingers Flavorings
– Tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, or creamy dill sauce for dipping
– Lemon wedges or zest
– Malt vinegar
– Caper butter
– Quick marinara or salsa
– Honey mustard glaze
Get creative with spice blends, herbs, sauces, and more to take your air fried meal to the next level.
Pairing Sides and Drinks
Beyond the classic “fish and chips”, try serving your air fried meal with these tasty accompaniments:
Side Dishes
– Homemade coleslaw or vinegar slaw
– Garden salad with vinaigrette
– Steamed broccoli florets
– Buttered peas or carrot sticks
Sauces for Dipping
– Seafood cocktail sauce
– Curry mayo or curry ketchup
– Ranch dressing
– Savory onion gravy
– Green goddess or chimichurri sauce
Drinks
– Tart lemonade, fresh or homemade
– Iced tea
– Ginger beer or root beer floats
– Milkshakes – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry
– Beer or hard cider
With the right sides and drinks, your air fried fish and chips dinner can please the whole family. Get creative and make it your own!
Recipe and Method
Follow this easy recipe and method for perfect air fryer frozen fish fingers and chips:
Ingredients
– 1 lb frozen chips or fries
– 1 lb frozen fish fingers or fish sticks (about 20)
– 1-2 tsp olive oil or canola oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Malt vinegar, lemon wedges, and tartar sauce, for serving
Method
1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
2. Pat chips dry with paper towels. Toss chips with oil in a bowl until lightly coated.
3. Arrange chips in air fryer basket in single layer. Cook for 5 minutes, shake basket.
4. Cook chips 5 more minutes. Remove basket and shake chips.
5. Place fish fingers in bottom of basket. Top with par-cooked chips in an even layer.
6. Cook 8 minutes. Shake basket to toss fish fingers and chips.
7. Cook 4-6 minutes longer, until fish fingers reach 145°F and chips are browned.
8. Transfer fish fingers and chips to a platter. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Serve immediately with malt vinegar, lemon wedges, and tartar sauce.
10. Enjoy your crispy fish and chips straight from the air fryer!
Tips
– For spicier chips, toss with cajun seasoning before air frying.
– Brush fish fingers with mustard, honey, or lemon juice before cooking.
– Add an extra 1-2 minutes if food is extra frozen.
– Adjust time down if you prefer less browned results.
– Use a meat thermometer to confirm fish fingers reach safe temp.
Cleaning Your Air Fryer
It’s important to clean your air fryer properly after cooking frozen fish and chips to keep it performing its best. Follow these tips:
– Unplug and allow oil to cool completely before wiping out.
– Remove basket and wash with hot soapy water.
– Clean the basket with a brush or non-abrasive sponge.
– Hand wash the basket if it’s not dishwasher safe.
– Wipe down the fryer body interior with hot, soapy water.
– Never immerse the base in water. Wipe down exterior with a damp cloth.
– Dry all parts fully with towels before reassembling.
– Absorb stubborn grease stains with baking soda and rinse.
– Deodorize smells by air frying citrus peels or baking soda.
Proper air fryer cleaning after each use prevents flavor transfer and keeps the appliance in top shape.
Storing Leftovers
Follow these guidelines for storing any uneaten fish fingers and chips:
– Allow cooked food to cool slightly before refrigerating in airtight containers.
– Use shallow containers for fast cooling.
– Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
– Store fish fingers and chips separately.
– Consume leftovers within 3-4 days.
– Reheat in the air fryer or regular oven until hot, 165°F.
– Do not microwave fish fingers or chips as they will get soggy.
Properly stored, air fried leftovers can make a great next-day snack or meal. But consume quickly for maximum freshness and flavor.
Troubleshooting
Having trouble getting perfect results? Try these troubleshooting tips:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Uneven cooking | – Cut foods evenly for uniform sizes – Do not overcrowd basket – Shake/flip frequently |
| Soggy chips | – Pat chips very dry before cooking – Use fresh, not thawed chips – Cut thicker for crisper texture |
| Burnt exterior | – Reduce time and check often – Lower temperature slightly |
| Undercooked interior | – Increase time 2-3 minutes – Raise temperature 25 degrees |
Getting the perfect crispness outside while the inside cooks through takes a little practice. Adjusting time, temperature, and amount can help fine-tune the results.
Cooking Other Frozen Foods
Beyond fish sticks and fries, the air fryer does a fantastic job cooking other frozen foods including:
– Chicken nuggets and tenders
– Mozzarella sticks
– Potato skins and tots
– Pizza rolls and bagel bites
– Frozen appetizers like wontons, egg rolls, and dumplings
– Frozen veggies like broccoli and cauliflower florets
Simply adjust times and temperatures as needed based on food type and package instructions. Feel free to mix and match for easy frozen meals!
Conclusion
Cooking frozen fish fingers and chips together in the air fryer is quick, convenient, and delicious. Allowing the chips a few extra minutes to start crisping up before adding the fish prevents uneven cooking. With the right timing for your preferred level of doneness, plus a quick spray of oil, you can enjoy a fast weeknight meal with that perfect fish and chips flavor. Round out your hot crispy feast with some tangy sauce and cool drinks. In no time, you’ll get the hang of making this classic takeaway food anytime at home with your air fryer.