Chips are a British food staple. But when heading to the seaside for a classic fish and chips isn't an option, frozen oven chips are an easy way to recreate this classic dish from home. Or, if you're not keen on the classic chunky or crinkle cut, you could try some tasty skin-on seasoned fries instead. Perfect for burger nights!
We've put together a guide with everything you need to know about different kinds of chips, from which are the healthiest to which you can pop in the microwave, the oven or air fryer, and of course, which are best for frying. Once you've read that, check out our ranking of the 10 best frozen chips to buy from brands like McCain, and Aunt Bessie's. We have also partnered with Nutritionist Tara Corbett for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information to our users.
Quick List - Top Frozen Chips
McCain
Garlicky Chips You Can Season to Your Preference
mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
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Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. She specialises in helping busy parents improve their eating habits with ease and get them back on track so that the whole family can benefit.
Standard chips come in various thicknesses from regular to chunky but interestingly, it's actually healthier to go for chunkier chips, especially when frying them, as they absorb less fat and therefore usually have fewer calories. Most shop-bought chips are pre-fried before being frozen, so thicker ones will have absorbed less oil during this process, too.
You've seen the different cuts, like crinkle, straight and ridge, but did you know that crinkle and ridge cut chips go crisper without burning because they have a larger surface area? You'll get a satisfying crunch alongside a fluffy inside. Straight chips, meanwhile, tend to be soft all the way through.
OK, so French fries aren't necessarily the healthiest option as they absorb more fat than thicker chips, but cooking them from frozen at home is much better than getting your fix at McDonald's. You can always opt for slightly thicker fries over the very thin ones if you're concerned about your health.
They may be best enjoyed in moderation, but fries taste delicious. Once you cook them, they have a pleasing crispy outer layer. Fries have a lot less potato inside, so the taste of the outer layer – which contains all the flavour – is more prominent.
Curly fries are popular with chip lovers of all ages owing to their delicious coating which usually consists of wheat flour and/or rice flour, paprika, garlic and onion powder. It gives them a unique look and taste, which may not be traditional but appeals more to anyone looking for something with a bit more flavour.
Lattice fries can have different names like waffle fries and cross-cut chips, but either way, they're cooked in the same way as regular fries and have a flat shape which gives them a much crispier texture. Unfortunately, frozen waffle fries can end up stuck together, which makes them harder to cook thoroughly.
Sweet potato fries and chips may hail from America, but they've become just as popular in the UK over the last few years. If you haven't already tried them, we think you should! They have a more pungent taste than regular chips, which is mildly sweet and starchy and goes well with spicy or creamy dips.
Sweet potatoes are considered a bit healthier because they contain lots of vitamin A - you need this in your diet because it contributes to a healthy immune system. When comparing the two on the GI scale (the glycemic index that measures how quickly a food causes blood sugar to rise), sweet potatoes rank lower than white potatoes. This means they are less likely to cause a spike in sugar levels and can stabilise energy.
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Plain chips are great because you have complete freedom to do what you want with them! You can eat them as is, or you can flavour them with your own seasonings. There are lots of combinations you can try, like peri-peri salt or thyme and basil. The options are endless and there are lots of recipes online to help you out.
If you haven't got the time or patience to create your own seasonings, buy chips that have been pre-seasoned. You can find lots of different options nowadays like salt and pepper, smoked paprika and garlic and herb. These added seasonings will give the chips some flavour and a bit of a kick.
To peel or not to peel, that is the question! Unlike the inside, potato skins are high in vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, calcium and potassium, all of which you'll be consuming if you go for skin-on chips – and who doesn't want to feel like they're being healthy when they're eating a bowl of fries?
Skin-on potatoes also contain more fibre which can help lower the risk of certain diseases and improve your digestion. However, for some people, eating too much fibre can cause bloating, so if you eat lots of nuts and wholegrain foods, you might want to opt for chips without the skins.
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How are you going to cook your chips? Oven chips are, of course, the most popular and come seasoned in lots of different ways. These are also the best choice if you're looking for chips you can cook in an air fryer. Either way, you can also add a little olive oil to them to help the chips brown off and taste delicious.
Or, look out for microwavable options which only need zapping for a couple of minutes and voila, they're done! Unfortunately, there isn't a wide selection of frozen microwave chips to choose from and they'll never come out as crispy as the other varieties.
You can also choose chips suitable for the deep fat fryer or for cooking in a regular frying pan with hot oil. Not all oven chips are suitable for frying and vice versa, so check before you order. Obviously, it's not the healthiest method, but all good things can be enjoyed in moderation!
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | McCain Crinkle Cut Home Chips |1.6 kg | ![]() | The Nation's Favourite Crinkle Cut | |
2 | Strong Roots Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries | ![]() | A Healthier Choice Made With All-Natural Ingredients | |
3 | McCain Flavour Maker Garlic & Herb Chimichurri Skin-on Fries |759 g | ![]() | Garlicky Chips You Can Season to Your Preference | |
4 | Fries to Go Microwave Fries to Go Original|3 x 90 g | ![]() | Get Your Fry Fix in Under Three Minutes | |
5 | ASDA Curly Fries|750 g | ![]() | Spicy Peppered Curls You Can Bake or Deep Fry | |
6 | Tesco Salt & Pepper Ridge Chips|750 g | ![]() | A New Take on Chips for Those After Something Different | |
7 | McCain Straight Cut Quick Chips |4 x 100 g | ![]() | Speedy Microwave Fries Made With British Potatoes | |
8 | Aunt Bessie's Crinkle Cut Chips|900 g | ![]() | Gluten-Free Coated Chips With a Tasty Paprika Seasoning | |
9 | ASDA Extra Special Skin-On Beef Dripping Chunky Chips|750 g | ![]() | Decadent Chunky Chips, Gastro-Pub Style | |
10 | Tesco Potato Lattices|550 g | ![]() | The Best Supermarket Lattice Fries With a Mild Spice and Crispy Texture |
We guarantee you'll love these delicious crinkle cut chips. The cut gives them a delicious crispy texture which is complemented by McCain's mouthwateringly good special coating. You can also experiment with your own seasonings if you fancy.
These gorgeously golden chips are ideal for large families as they come in a 1.6-kilogram bag for a pretty decent price. Plus, they're healthier than fries because they're thicker. It's no surprise they're the nation's favourite home chips!
These sweet potato fries from Strong Root are a great alternative if you're looking for something healthier, and they don't compromise on flavour either! Plus, they're gluten-free, and dusted in rice flour for added texture.
They're easily cooked in the oven and they're guaranteed to come out crisp and tasty every time. They don't have excessive seasoning, nor do they need it, as the sweet potato flavour is wonderfully unique and mouthwatering all on its own.
These chips are part of the McCain flavour range, which comes in garlic and herb or smoky BBQ. The best bit is that the spices are in a separate sachet, so you have complete control over how much you add! It's a great idea as we all have different preferences.
The garlic and herb flavouring is particularly nice because it's tangy but doesn't have a spicy kick. Plus, they have their skins on, so they contain more vitamin B and C than those without. They're also slightly thicker than other fries, so they're satisfying to eat but they still have a crispy texture.
Sometimes you don't have the time or patience to wait for chips to bake in the oven. These fries cook in just over two minutes if you pop them in the microwave. They're made from mashed potatoes covered in a coating to give them a crispy texture that other microwave chips don't have.
They come in pre-portioned small boxes, so they're a great snack for kids. They're a treat that requires minimal preparation because you can microwave them straight from frozen. Very handy!
If you're a curly fry devotee, you have to try these ones from Asda. They're seasoned with a tasty mix of onion, garlic, paprika and cayenne pepper, making them perfect for anyone who prefers spicer flavours. You can also deep fry them if you want that fast food taste.
Unlike some frozen curly fries, these ones cook evenly and have a nice and crispy texture, which the whole family will enjoy. You can add some extra salt to boost the flavour if you like, or just serve them with ketchup and any of your other favourite condiments.
These chips have a really unique shape that, along with the ridges, gives them the crispy texture of fries. Yet, the large surface area makes them healthier. Win-win! The chips are seasoned with salt and pepper, which is a bit more interesting than plain varieties but isn't overpowering or spicy.
Some oven chips take longer than the specified time on the bag to cook, but not these ones! If you leave them in for the recommended 20 to 25 minutes, they'll be ready to eat. Furthermore, there are five servings in the bag, so they're good value and they'll last a while.
You only have to pop these chips in the microwave for three minutes, so they're ideal as a quick and no-nonsense meal if you're in a rush. They're also made with 100% British potatoes, so they'll have a traditional taste.
However, while McCain's oven chips are perfect, their frozen microwavable ones still need some development. They don't always cook so well as some of the chips can end up still raw even after the three minutes. Good for emergencies, though!
Made with rice flour instead of wheat flour, here's a gluten-free option that's suitable for coealics or anyone who can't tolerate gluten. These chips have the perfect crispy outside, which tastes delicious. They're also lightly seasoned with paprika to add some flavour.
They're also healthier as they have slightly less fat than other options. Sadly, the inside of these chips is a bit mushy, so they might not be everyone's cup of tea. You'll enjoy them if you like your chips very soft in the middle.
These gourmet thick-cut chips have the skins left on and a unique pub-grub flavour thanks to the British beef dripping they're cooked in. These are ideal for anyone who doesn't like the standard garlic and paprika seasoning and wants something a bit special.
While the skin-on potatoes used do boost the vitamin and fibre content, the added beef dripping does mean they are higher in saturated fat. Still, they're a glorious treat and have been approved by the Good Housekeeping Institute, so you know they'll taste great!
You have to try lattice fries if you haven't before! These ones from Tesco have the best crispy texture and a mild spice to give them some extra flavour. You can even cook them in a little bit of olive oil if you prefer your chips softer. You won't have to wait too long to enjoy them either, as they'll be done in 15 to 20 minutes.
Sometimes these chips can end up broken in the bag or stuck together, so you may not get full lattices. That makes them trickier to cook evenly, but they'll still taste the same. Overall, they're a cheap and tasty find!
Although they're a great choice for convenience, frozen chips aren't necessarily the healthiest food option. Many manufacturers use excessive amounts of fat, salt and sugar in the production process. If you want the healthiest fries, it's best to make them at home by chopping and boiling potatoes and oven-cooking them with a little oil.
This will vary based on your needs and the product. For the healthiest option, airfrying takes the top spot, but if you're looking for the tastiest method, deep-frying tends to be the most popular. You should always refer to the manufacturer's instructions on the packet, as the suitability of each method will vary.
Written and researched by Rosa Fairfield
No. 1: McCain|Crinkle Cut Home Chips |1.6 kg
No. 2: Strong Roots|Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
No. 3: McCain|Flavour Maker Garlic & Herb Chimichurri Skin-on Fries |759 g
No. 4: Fries to Go|Microwave Fries to Go Original|3 x 90 g
No. 5: ASDA|Curly Fries|750 g
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