Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Ever wondered if you can cook frozen food in an air fryer? The answer is yes and it is seriously easy too. This post teaches you everything you need to know about cooking your favorite food in your gadget, cooking time, temperature, and more.

More importantly, I have rounded up about 15 of the best-frozen food you can cook in your air fryer from chicken wings to mozzarella cheese and lots more. These recipes are perfect for when time is of the essence or you just fancy cooking some frozen food and why not?

Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

What is an air fryer

An air fryer is a device that uses hot air to cook food (think of it as a compact conventional oven). It uses the same principle as cooking with oil but uses little to no oil at all to cook depending on the dish. The heat in an air fryer circulates evenly around the food for even cooking. The results are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with little to no oil needed! The best part is that you can cook frozen food in one!

I hope you like these roundups as much as I enjoyed putting the list together

Why you should cook frozen food in the air fryer

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying

Cooking frozen food in the air fryer is faster than using your oven plus no need to defrost or thawing before cooking.

it is economical and less messy than other cooking methods

The air fryer uses less energy than an oven or stovetop because it cooks with hot air instead of fire

Frozen vegetables cook quickly in the air fryer without any added water or oils 

 Air fryers are easy to use and will help you eat healthier by limiting your fat intake. 

Crispy food without the excess oil

Air fryer frozen food cooking chart

I hope this chart is useful to you? Please keep in mind that cooking time will vary depending on the brand of food and air fryer you use.

Food NameCooking TemperatureTimeFrozen French Fries200C/400F12-15 minsFrozen Burgers180C/365F12-15 minsFrozen Chicken Breast200C/400F20-25 minsFrozen Shrimps200C/400F5-8 minsFrozen Fish Sticks200C/400F6-8 minsFrozen Chicken Wings200C/400F15-18 minsFrozen Mozzarella Sticks180C/360F5-6 minsFrozen Chicken Quarters200C/400F20-25 minsFrozen Roast Potatoes200C/400F15-20 minsFrozen Bacon180C/350F12-18 mins

Tips

  • Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. Smaller-sized air fryers would cook faster than large-capacity ones.
  • Also, the brand of frozen food you cook will vary from one to another and this can also determine how long to cook and what the finished meal will look like
  • If using an oven style air fryer, you are best cooking in the middle shelf so that the food can cook properly and without burning quickly too
  • Cook frozen food directly in the air fryer basket for a crispy result.
  • If the air fryer basket is overcrowded or overloaded, food will not be properly cooked. Frozen foods can't be stacked in the air fryer, although fries are an exception.
  • This is a debatable point, but in my opinion, you will achieve a better result if you preheat the air fryer before preparing your frozen food.
  • Lastly, Cook in batches if need be especially if using a smaller air fryer

10 best air fryer frozen food

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast

This air fryer frozen chicken breast is made with 6 pantry staple ingredients. It is quick, easy and delicious. The chicken breast comes out tender and juicy at all times and it is ready in no time too.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe (Fresh or Frozen)

This air fryer shrimp will be on repeat as a favourite recipe in your kitchen. Easy 8 minutes dinner the whole family would love, the air fried shrimp is Juicy, tender, buttery and delicious. A perfect low carb option for a quick weeknight meal.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Air Fryer Frozen French Fries

Do you love French fries but can’t be hassled with making it from scratch? let me show you how to make air fryer frozen French fries in easy steps. the chips always come out crispy and perfect and the taste is not compromised too.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish Fingers)

Air fryer frozen fish sticks! It is convenient, quick and easy to make and comes out crispy at all times. No need to wait around for the fish to thaw and no oil is needed too.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Air Fryer Frozen Burgers

Ever wondered if you can cook frozen burgers in the air fryer. The short answer is yes, air fryer frozen burger patties are convenient and easy to make in this little but mighty gadget.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Air fryer chicken quarters

This is a super easy air fryer chicken quarters recipe is for beginners and expert users alike. If you are wondering how to cook frozen chicken quarters in the air fryer, this fool proof recipe is right up your alley and all you need to make a quick, and flavorful side dish for dinner.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Credit: air fryer chicken quarters via Air fryer yum

Frozen Potatoes in Air Fryer (Roast Potatoes)

Ever wondered if you can cook frozen roast potatoes in your air fryer? Today, I will be sharing with you how to cook frozen potatoes perfectly in your air fryer at all times. It is quick, easy, and perfect for when time is of the essence.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

frozen mozzarella sticks in air fryer

Learn how to cook frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer in simple steps with this recipe. These air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks are ready in 8 minutes, perfect with marinara dipping sauce, you will love it!

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Air Fryer Frozen Bacon

Did you know you could cook frozen bacon in the air fryer? Perhaps you did or you didn’t. Whatever the case, You need to know this hack of cooking frozen bacon in the air fryer. No need to thaw in the microwave anymore. It defrosts nicely and cooks up crispy.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Credit: How to cook air fryer frozen bacon via Air fryer yum

Frozen chicken wings in air fryer

Air fryer frozen chicken wings recipe! Ever wondered if you can cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer without the need to thaw it first. Yes, you can, it is simple, easy, and quick too. Juicy, tender, and crispy wings! It makes a great party food or appetizer.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Learn how to cook frozen chicken nuggets in air fryer using this easy and quick tutorial. It is super easy and only takes a few minutes. Breaded or battered, the choice is yours and you will be a few minutes away from enjoying crispy nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.

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Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

More roundup you will love

Easy air fryer recipes for beginners

31 easy dinner recipes

Easy healthy salmon recipes for dinner

Rice recipes for dinner

21 easy boneless skinless chicken thighs recipes

Over to you

If you made any of these super easy frozen food recipes, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

Can you cook ready meals in an air fryer

Best Frozen Foods For Air Fryer

Ajoke

Fancy cooking from the freezer tonight then you will love this air fryer frozen chicken breast recipe. It is made with 6 pantry staple ingredients. It is quick, easy, and delicious.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American, British

Servings 3

Calories 265 kcal

Ingredients  1x2x3x

  • 3 Frozen boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon onion granules
  • 1 teaspoon garlic granules
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooking oil spray

Instructions 

  • In a small mixing bowl, combine parsley, garlic granules, onion granules, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper and set aside

  • Spray the chicken breast on all around with some cooking oil spray then sprinkle the seasoning mix all over it.

  • Spray the air fryer basket with oil (this step is optional) then place the seasoned frozen chicken breast in the air fryer basket.

  • Cook for 15 minutes at 200C/400F flip and cook for additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature register 165F/73C.

  • Carefully transfer to a plate cover with an aluminium foil loosely and rest for 5 minutes before serving. Use as desired and enjoy!

Video

Notes

how to storein the fridge: air fryer chicken breast is versatile and great for meal prepping. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.To reheat You can eat it cold or at room temperature, especially if serving with salad. If you would like it warm, simply microwave it for a few seconds or in the air fryer. Do not overcook it at this point so do keep an eye on it.

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 48gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 274mgPotassium: 869mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

Can I cook a ready made lasagne in an air fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the lasagna from the packaging and place it in the air fryer. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the lasagna is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

What Cannot be cooked in Airfryer?

Any food with a wet batter should not be placed in the air fryer. You also want to avoid putting food that has a wet batter, like corndogs or tempura shrimp, in air fryers.

Can I put frozen meals in air fryer?

Cooking frozen food in the air fryer is faster than using your oven plus no need to defrost or thawing before cooking.

Can I put microwavable plastic in air fryer?

Don't: Plastic Unfortunately you cannot heat up your foods in plastic containers, such as Tupperware and plastic takeaway containers in the airfryer (like you can in a microwave). The general rule of thumb is what can go in an oven, can also go in the airfryer.