Frozen are the true unsung heroes of British kitchens. They're always there in the freezer when you need a quick and delicious side for , or when you're craving a simple savoury snack.
It's also a whole lot quicker to cook these compared to making your own chips from scratch. However, one common problem when it comes to frozen chips is how soggy they can go in the . This is never ideal when you want that crispy, crunchy and golden texture, and there's one mistake that can result in limp chips without you even realising.
According to chef David Nayfield from Che Fico, frozen chips can taste restaurant quality every time you cook them, but it's got to be done right.
This means no more overcrowding your oven trays or air fryer baskets, which is the 'biggest mistake' you can make when cooking fries at home.
In order to get the perfect crunch, your chips must have enough room to crisp up, and placing too many too close together will just make them steam instead of bake.
It's also 'vital' to pre-heat your appliance before cooking up a storm, according to David. Shoving them straight in a cold oven or air fryer means they're likely to end up soggy or unevenly cooked.
A good rule of thumb is heating your appliance up to around 200C before cooking the chips, in order to get that perfect golden texture.
And when it comes to the debate of air fryer vs traditional oven for cooking your chips, there's a clear winner that chefs love.
George Duran, a celebrity chef in New York City, says that putting your chips in the air fryer is like 'giving them a fast-track to crispy heaven'.
It's often quicker than cooking them in the oven too, meaning you can enjoy those gorgeous crispy fries so much faster. And, unlike deep frying, it means no potential injuries from trying to deal with hot cooking oil, making it a much safer option too.