Making frozen fries on the grill is absolutely possible, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they turn out crispy and delicious. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about grilling frozen fries, from what type of fries work best to tips for getting the perfect crispiness.
Can You Grill Frozen French Fries?
Yes, you can absolutely grill frozen french fries! Grilling gives the fries a nice char and crispiness that you just can’t achieve in the oven. Any type of frozen french fry will work on the grill, but some varieties hold up better than others.
The best frozen fries to use on the grill are:
- Crinkle cut fries – The nooks and crannies hold onto seasoning and get ultra crispy on the grill.
- Waffle fries – Like crinkle fries, the shape allows for lots of crispy edges.
- Thick-cut fries – Thicker fries won’t burn as quickly as thin versions.
- Russet potato fries – Sturdier russets don’t fall apart as easily as other potatoes.
Thinner and lighter fries like shoestring or fast food-style can be a bit more challenging on the grill because they tend to burn quickly and can fall through the grates. Heavier fries made from potatoes like russets hold up best.
Do You Have to Thaw Frozen Fries Before Grilling?
Thawing the fries first is ideal, but you can absolutely grill frozen fries straight from the freezer. They will just take a bit longer to cook through.
Thawing first helps the fries cook more evenly all the way through. It also shortens the grilling time, reducing the risk of burning.
If you want to skip thawing, keep the temperature on the lower side and flip the fries frequently. And expect it to take nearly twice as long for frozen fries to grill compared to thawed.
How to Grill Frozen French Fries
Grilling up crispy, perfectly golden frozen fries is easy to do at home. Here are some tips:
1. Thaw (Optional)
For evenly cooked fries, thaw them first. This can be done either in the refrigerator overnight, or by placing them in a single layer on a sheet pan at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
2. Toss in Oil and Seasonings
Toss the fries lightly in oil – you just need enough to coat them. Olive, vegetable, canola, or avocado oil all work well. Then, sprinkle on the desired seasonings. Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and salt and pepper are all tasty options.
3. Preheat Grill
Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F. The grates need to be hot to achieve crispy fries.
4. Grill the Fries
Place the coated fries directly onto the grill grates in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd. Close the lid and grill for 12-18 minutes, flipping every 4-5 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Remove and Enjoy!
Transfer the crispy grilled frozen fries to a plate lined with paper towels. Immediately sprinkle with salt and any other desired seasonings while hot. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Grilling Frozen Fries
Follow these tips for getting perfect grilled frozen french fries every time:
- Use a grill basket – This helps contain smaller fries and makes flipping easy.
- Preheat grill properly – You need it hot! Medium-high heat is ideal.
- Don’t overcrowd – Crowding leads to steaming versus crisping.
- Flip frequently – Every 4-5 minutes prevents burning.
- Use thick-cut fries – Thinner fries burn more easily.
- Cook fully – Frozen fries take longer, make sure they’re golden brown.
- Let rest briefly – A 1-2 minute rest helps finish cooking internally.
How Long Does it Take to Grill Frozen Fries?
Frozen fries take longer to grill than fresh fries or thawed frozen fries. Here are some estimates for grill times:
| Fry Type | Grill Time Frozen | Grill Time Thawed |
|---|---|---|
| Thin/fast food-style | 8-10 minutes | 4-6 minutes |
| Shoestring | 10-12 minutes | 6-8 minutes |
| Medium/regular cut | 12-15 minutes | 8-10 minutes |
| Thick cut | 15-18 minutes | 10-12 minutes |
| Crinkle cut | 15-18 minutes | 10-12 minutes |
| Waffle cut | 18-22 minutes | 12-15 minutes |
Check fries frequently and remove once golden brown. Thicker cut fries are ideal for grilling since they take longer to burn.
Should You Soak Frozen Fries Before Grilling?
Soaking the fries in water beforehand is not necessary. In fact, it can make the fries soggy and prevent them from getting as crispy on the grill.
The best way to prep frozen fries for grilling is to simply thaw them first, coat in oil, and season. You want the surface as dry as possible so they fry up nice in the grill instead of steaming.
Can You Grill Frozen Fries From Raw?
It is possible to grill raw fries from a frozen state, but it isn’t ideal. Raw fries will take much longer to cook through and will very easily burn on the outside before the inside is done.
For food safety, raw fries need to reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F. This is difficult to achieve without burning the outside when grilling frozen raw fries.
For the best results, opt for grilling fully cooked frozen fries. Or if using raw fries, thaw them first before tossing them on the hot grill.
How to prevent frozen fries from sticking on the grill
Nothing’s worse than excitedly anticipating those perfect grilled fries, only to have them turn into a stuck, crusty mess on the grill grates. Luckily, it’s easy to prevent them from sticking with just a few simple tricks:
- Use a non-stick cooking spray to coat the grates before heating. This creates a barrier between the food and metal.
- Allow the grill to properly preheat before adding food. If the grates aren’t hot enough, food is more likely to stick.
- Don’t move or flip the fries too soon. Let them develop some color before disturbing them or they could tear and stick.
- Use a metal spatula or tongs instead of a plastic utensil which could cause sticking. Metal can scrape under fries easier.
- Avoid overcrowding the grill. Too many fries steaming instead of searing leads to sticking.
- Brush or spray oil on the grates during cooking if fries start to stick. Oil will help release them.
- Allow fries to develop color on each side before flipping. Frequent flipping can lead to tearing.
A little oil, patience, and the right tools go a long way in preventing a stuck, gluey mess. Crisp, golden grilled fries await with just a few simple precautions.
How to reheat grilled frozen fries
Got leftovers after grilling up a batch of frozen fries? Reheating them is simple.
Here are a few ways to reheat grilled frozen french fries:
Oven
Place fries on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy.
Air Fryer
Add fries to the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 4-8 minutes, shaking halfway.
Skillet
Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add fries and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until warmed through.
Microwave
Place fries on a microwave-safe plate and microwave in 30 second intervals until hot, around 1-2 minutes total.
The oven or air fryer will help recrisp the exterior the best. Microwaving makes fries soggy so only use that if desperate! Refrigerate any uneaten reheated fries.
Delicious Seasonings for Grilled Frozen Fries
An easy way to take basic grilled frozen fries from boring to boldly flavored is by experimenting with different seasonings. Here are some tasty options to use:
| Seasoning | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Cajun | Spicy, paprika forward |
| Ranch | Cool, herbaceous |
| Lemon pepper | Zesty, citrusy |
| Garlic powder | Warm, savory garlic flavor |
| Chili powder | Mild heat, southwest flavor |
| Steak seasoning | Umami, savory depth |
| Italian herbs | Pizza-like flavor |
| Seafood seasoning | Robust flavor of seafood spices |
The options are endless for unique frozen fry seasoning blends on the grill. Get creative and try out flavor combos until you discover your favorites.
Best Dips for Grilled Frozen Fries
What good are picture-perfect grilled frozen fries without an equally crave-worthy dipping sauce? Cool off sizzling hot fries with any of these tasty dip options:
Ketchup
The classic pairing works for a reason – sweet, tangy ketchup complements the salty fries beautifully.
Ranch
Creamy, herb-filled ranch is hard to beat alongside crispy grilled fries.
Mayonnaise
Fry dipping perfection lies within the silky richness of mayo.
BBQ sauce
Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is the ideal match to smoky grilled fries.
Buffalo sauce
Give those fries a kick with the spicy, vinegar tang of buffalo sauce.
Honey mustard
Sweet honey and zesty mustard combine for fry magic.
Spicy ketchup
Add some heat to classic ketchup for an extra punch with fries.
When it comes to dipping sauces, anything goes with crispy grilled frozen fries! Match flavors to please your personal palate.
Conclusion
Grilling up frozen fries results in a deliciously crispy, charred version of the classic. With the right techniques, from thawing to frequent flipping, you can achieve perfect grilled frozen french fries packed with smoky flavor. Oil those babies up, get creative with seasonings, and dip to your heart’s content. In no time, you’ll have bar-worthy gourmet fries off your grill that everyone will crave.