The short answer is, YES, you can microwave frozen fries. However, you need to know the following important factor.
One of the details you need to know is that pre-packaged fries have been sliced, soaked in water, dried, and then fried to cook the inside before factories freeze, package in bags, and send to grocers.
When you cook it at home, you’re frying these for the second time, re-heating the creamy potato interior but giving it a crisp exterior.
This is why ‘twice-fried is the best!
Some swear that this can be achieved in a microwave.
As long as you have everything that is needed and you follow the instructions to a tee, you’ll be able to pull this off.
Read more: Veggies guide (from A to Z)
How to Proceed From There?
Just follow the steps below and you will be good to go.
Prepare:
- Microwave-safe dish
- Baking / Parchment / Wax paper
- Oil – your preference
- Salt – your preference
- Fries – any commercially bought potatoes
Directions:
First, line the microwaveable dish with a sheet of baking paper. This paper helps absorb the heat from the oven, transferring it directly to the surface of the food.
Evenly spread each fry on the lined dish. Make sure that no piece is on top of another. In a regular-sized microwave oven, you can probably fit 200 grams at a time.
Set the oven to low and then nuke the potatoes for 30 seconds to a minute. This will help thaw the food a bit.
Take the dish out of the oven and then drizzle a bit of oil over the taters. Using your hands, make sure that all surfaces of each potato string are covered with oil. Spread all of it evenly once more.
Set the oven to high (350 degrees Fahrenheit and up) and cook your spuds for 2 minutes.
Take the dish out once more to turn the potatoes on the other side (the part facing up should touch the baking paper this time)
Set the oven to high again and cook for another 2 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle with salt to season and then serve.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total: 6 minutes
The Upside:
- It’s a relatively quick method.
- Because you won’t use a whole lot of oil, this is a healthier option.
The Downside:
- You won’t be able to cook a huge batch at one go. Since you can only nuke as much as 200 grams at a time, that is just a little over one serving.
- Flipping the individual fry one at a time can be finicky work.
- This method won’t work for fresh potatoes unless you plan to pre-bake or boil them.
YES, If You Get the Right Brand
Just like the most successful microwaveable product – the popcorn, there are pre-packaged frozen taters which you can pop into the oven, zap and enjoy in less than five minutes.
Manufacturers haven’t changed anything with the formulation of the fries.
They’re still cut potatoes, dipped in hot oil for a few minutes, and then packaged in boxes similar to those frozen TV dinners.
What makes this work is the packaging.
Designed specifically for microwave ovens, the interior of the box is lined with crisping sheets – similar to baking parchment – which will come in contact with all sides of each fry.
Once cooked, lift the top cover and enjoy!
Directions:
Peel off the plastic covering.
Place inside the oven.
Set the oven to high (400 degrees and higher) for four minutes.
When you hear the ding, it’s cooked.
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total: 4 minutes
The Upside:
- Incredibly quick overall prep and cook time
- It comes in different variants: tater tots, crinkle cuts, hash browns, etc.
- It is already seasoned and comes in different flavors
- There is no need for vats of oil for deep-frying – another healthier option.
The Downside:
- A pack only contains 150g – this is just one serving.
NO, You’re Bound to Get Wet, Soggy Spuds
The truth is, the microwave oven can’t cook potatoes the way restaurants do.
If you want the real deal, you will have to follow the same process that pros do.
Deep Frying
The flavor and feeling people crave in the dish is brought about by salt and fat that is why many professionals and gourmands agree that this is still the best way to cook any potato dish.
Prepare:
- 500g of frozen fries
- 2 cups of vegetable oil (or any neutral-flavored oil)
- Deep pot for frying
- Strainer
- Paper towels
- Bowl or any dish
- Salt
Directions:
Thaw the potatoes for a minute or two.
While you’re waiting for this to soften a bit, heat two cups of vegetable oil in a medium-sized pot. When you see bubbles on the side of the pot, the oil is ready.
Put at least 250g of the taters into the oil. Stir it around a bit so the pieces won’t stick together and to make sure they aren’t crowded in the pot.
After six to seven minutes, when the fries turn golden brown, strain them out from the oil and transfer them to a dish covered in paper towels. Let the excess grease drain. Transfer to a bowl.
Do the same to the second 250g of potatoes.
Season the two batches with salt.
- Prep Time: 3-4 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes (for two batches)
- Total: 15-18 minutes
Skillet Frying
This is almost the same as deep frying except that you won’t be using too much grease.
Instead of letting the potato slices ‘swim’ in oil, you’ll be pan-frying these.
Prepare:
You’ll be preparing the same materials and ingredients as above. The only difference is you’ll use a skillet and lessen the amount of oil to just half a cup.
Directions:
The step-by-step process is also the same. Most cooks will insist that deep-frying is the way to go but this is the next best thing, especially if you don’t have that much oil in your pantry.
- Prep Time: 3-4 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes (for two batches)
- Total: 15-18 minutes
Baking in a Convection Oven
If you want your fries healthier, pop them in an oven – specifically the convection type. This is also a better alternative to microwaving because it can properly cook food through and crisp it more effectively outside.
Prepare:
- 500g of frozen fries
- 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil (or any neutral-flavored oil)
- Baking tray/sheet
- Baking paper
- Aluminum foil
- Salt
Directions:
Thaw the frozen fries for a minute or two. If it has warmed a bit, drizzle the oil over it, making sure every piece is greased.
Line the baking tray with waxed paper and spread the potatoes on it evenly. Cover the tray with aluminum foil.
Put the tray in a preheated 425-degree oven for 7-10 minutes.
Check now and then to see if it’s golden brown. Once it is, pull the tray out and transfer the contents to the bowl.
Season with salt and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 3-4 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-10 minutes
- Total: 10-14 minutes
The Real Deal with Microwaving Frozen Fries
To be honest, a microwave oven is a must-have at home.
There is no doubt that it makes kitchen work in general faster and easier.
For frozen fries, yes, you can microwave them.
But when it comes to making crisp on the outside, fluffy inside, restaurant-style fries that will satisfy the taste buds, you will have to do it the traditional way – deep frying it or baking it in a conventional oven.
But if you’re in a rush and you’re OK with good enough taters to snack on, go ahead and try the tips mentioned above.
If you get the technique right, you’ll be nibbling on to-die-for fries any time you want it.
Do You Need To Defrost The Frozen Fries Before Microwaving?
When microwaving frozen chips, you do not need to thaw them. Alternatively, you can put them straight into the microwave from the freezer.
Never defrost chilled fries since the factory has sealed the potato surface while drying. Hence, these pieces are crispy.
However, if you thaw the chips before heating them, they will absorb more oil and become greasier.
Since these pieces might include ice particles, do not overfill the pan. It would be best to divide into smaller batches. This tip helps speed up the cooking time.
How To Microwave The Frozen Fried Potatoes?
These instructions can help your microwaved chips crispier than they are often:
- Spread the pieces evenly. Make sure that they don’t overlap.
- Lay parchment paper on a plate.
- Check to determine if your microwave has a 1000-watt power source.
- Avoid using the thaw setting and reheat the fries on high power.
- To ensure consistent cooking, turn the pieces over at regular intervals.
- Keep an eye on the pieces, and don’t overcook them. Otherwise, they will dry up and lose their freshness quickly.
Are The Frozen French Fries Cooked?
They are all pre-processed foods before being delivered to the stores, although we often cook them to eat.
The manufacturers have blanched the raw potatoes. Then, they fry these potatoes in oil. The final products are partially cooked chips.
How Long To Heat The Chips In Microwaves?
A cooking time of eight to ten minutes is ideal for microwaving the fries.
Remember to set the temperature too high. After that, cook your food for approximately three minutes.
Next, flip the pieces over, put them back in the microwave, and cook for another five to seven minutes.
What Are Alternatives For Microwaving The Chips?
You have two more options for this purpose:
Oven
Baking in the oven is a healthier alternative. It will take roughly 15 minutes for them to get browned.
Remember to shake the pan now and then to prevent the pieces from burning.
Skillet
Using a skillet is also a viable alternative. You just need some oil on the base of the skillet over medium heat to fry a larger quantity at once.
Take the chips out when they’re done, depending on how crispy you want them. Once you take them out, absorb the oil with a paper towel.
Conclusion
Frozen chips are convenient because you can prepare them within a few minutes. Microwaving can help you serve your food quickly.
You can try other methods, such as the oven or skillet to achieve the same effect.
If you have any questions regarding the article, don’t forget to leave them in the comments section. We will reply as soon as possible.
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. Thank you for reading!