• I made frozen fries using my oven, air fryer, grill, and stove to find the best cooking method.
• The air-fryer fries were the easiest to make, but the oven fries were the crispiest.
• Surprisingly, the winners were the panfried fries, which were the juiciest of the bunch.

French fries are hands down one of my top comfort foods. I can never resist picking up a small fry from a fast-food chain or heating some up after a night out. 

I usually make fries in the microwave when I'm feeling lazy, but I wanted to try leveling up.

I prepared a bag of frozen Ore-Ida shoestring fries in my oven, air fryer, pan, and grill to see which method would yield the best results. 

All I needed to panfry the frozen fries was a pan and some cooking oil.

I figured I'd start with the easiest household appliance to find — a simple pan. The Ore-Ida instructions said to heat ¼ cup of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium to high heat. 

I had vegetable oil handy, so I poured it into a pan and waited a few minutes for it to sizzle. 

After spreading out the fries in a thin layer, I waited for them to turn a nice golden brown.

I burned my first batch of panfried potatoes.

I'll admit, I wasn't paying close enough attention, and before I knew it, my pan was filled with dark brown, burned french fries. 

I forgot the most essential part of panfrying fries — turning them over frequently to avoid mishaps like this. I was too busy preheating my oven for the baked fries. 

Luckily, both my brother and father love crunchy fries, so they devoured this failed first batch.

This was a good opportunity to reuse the oil for my second batch.

Lacking confidence after my first attempt, I decided to stick with the amount of leftover oil in my pan and give the stove another chance. 

This time, I watched the pan and flipped my fries as often as I could. After about 10 minutes, I was satisfied with the golden, crispy fries and laid them out on a paper towel to soak up the extra oil. 

These fries were all-round perfection.

The stovetop fries were warm and juicy thanks to the vegetable oil, but they had a slightly toasty outer layer.

I couldn't imagine anything that could top this.

Next, I laid a layer of fries on a baking sheet to put in the oven.

My oven was already cranked up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so all I had to do was arrange the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. 

I wasn't quite sure how long to leave these fries in the oven.

Following the instructions, I heated up half of the fries in the bag for 13 to 21 minutes until they were a light golden color. 

This seemed like such a wide range, so I punched in 15 minutes and hoped for the best.

The oven-baked fries were the most aesthetically pleasing.

I was pleasantly surprised by the end result of the baked fries — especially since I was hesitant about the cooking time. They looked practically perfect, similar to my favorite McDonald's version.

I completely forgot to flip them while they were cooking, but apparently, this wasn't a super necessary step for good results. 

They were warm and tasty but a little drier than the juicy panfried fries.

I turned to my air fryer for the next taste test.

Although I had high hopes for the air fryer at the start of this test, right off the bat, I knew this option was the least practical cooking appliance.

I could only fit a handful of fries in my small basket.

The air fryer was super easy to use.

I sprayed the basket with olive oil and cranked it to 400 F for 10 minutes.

This was actually one of the easiest appliances to use since I didn't have to monitor the fries as closely as the pan or oven.

The air-fried fries were almost perfect.

I was amazed at how easy it was to make fries in the air fryer. It required almost zero effort, and they came out nearly perfect with minimal cleanup.

These fries had a nice, crunchy outer layer and a soft middle. However, they weren't as juicy as the panfried fries.

Lastly, I used my grill to cook some fries.

Making frozen fries on the grill doesn't seem much different than searing potato wedges.

I also thought it might be a nice option if I'm already grilling hot dogs, burgers, or chicken for dinner. 

The grill was easy to use, and it cooked the fries quickly.

I covered the grates with aluminum foil and threw a fistful of fries on top for 15 minutes.

They cooked pretty quickly and even had some nice char marks on them. 

I could imagine these fries served Greek-style, with lots of lemon juice and oregano.

These fries were also crispy with some nice smoky flavor, but they were still too dry and tough for my taste.

Although the small char marks were nice, the fries didn't turn golden brown and stayed somewhat pale despite being cooked thoroughly.

The stove was an easy winner, but the air fryer was a close second.

Although I struggled the most with the pan, it yielded the juiciest, crispiest fries. They got a bit soggy after a few minutes, but I honestly like them like that, too.

The air fryer was a close second, even though I could only cook a small pile of fries at a time. I could see future uses for my oven and grill as well.

Regardless of the method, next time, I'll definitely spice up the frozen fries by tossing them with salt and pepper or even oregano.

This story was originally published in August 2023 and most recently updated on February 24, 2025.

Click to check out the other appliances we've put head-to-head so far.

• I went to Culver's, Freddy's, and Sonic to see which chain has the best fries in the Midwest.
• All three serve different styles, so there's something for everyone on this list.
• Freddy's fries were beautifully thin and crispy, which is just how I like them.

I love french fries, but there are so many different varieties out there that I think it's hard to name an objective winner.

Despite this challenge, I ordered fries at three popular Midwest chains — Culver's, Freddy's, and Sonic — to see which one served my favorite fast-food side.

Here's how the fries stacked up.

First, I drove through Sonic.

Sonic started as a single restaurant in Oklahoma in the 1950s and has since grown to over 3,500 locations across 47 states.

I ran out to get my fries at 11 a.m. on a Sunday, and I was able to drive right up to the speaker without waiting.

My medium fry cost $3.25. Despite being the most expensive of the bunch, the container appeared to have the least amount of food.

Sonic's fries have been upgraded since the last time I got them.

If you haven't been to Sonic in a while, it might be time to swing through and get yourself some fries. Last year, the chain released its Groovy Fries — crinkle-cut potatoes with a crispy surface akin to the chain's famous tots.

They're quite different from the Sonic fries I remember.

Maybe the idea of having to choose between tots and fries was too much for people. Whatever the case, the fries had a great crunch, even if they were a bit nontraditional.

The ridges are also supposedly ideal for picking up dipping sauces, which I could see as a plus.

Next, I ran down the street to Culver's.

Since opening in the 1980s, Culver's has become an old-reliable in the Midwest. The Wisconsin-based chain, which now operates out of 26 states, is known for its Butterburgers, cheese curds, and frozen custard.

Even on a Sunday morning, it was hopping. The parking lot and drive-thru were both packed.

My medium fry from Culver's cost $2.74 and was the only one served in a paper bag instead of a cardboard container. However, I seemed to have gotten a few more fries than I received at Sonic, so I was content.

Culver's is great if you like a thick-cut fry.

If you like potato wedges, these may be your top choice. Culver's crinkle-cut fries have a similar soft, creamy interior with a thin outer layer.

Some of my fries had nice crispy edges, but unfortunately, they were few and far between.

However, I let the inconsistency in texture slide a little since the fries are so thick — noticeably larger than the other two — which I bet makes the cooking process more difficult.

I swung through Freddy's last before heading home.

Freddy's hasn't been around as long as the other chains — it was founded in 2002 — but it's expanded far beyond its humble beginnings in Wichita, Kansas. It now serves cheese curds, onion rings, and frozen custard in 500 locations across 36 states.

There were a few other Sunday morning customers and diners, but I easily placed my order and patiently waited for my food.

Freddy's medium fries come in an upright container — the biggest of the three — and it seemed absolutely overloaded. For $3.09, I was pleased with the generous portion.

Freddy's stood out from its competitors.

Visually, Freddy's thin fries are very different from the crinkle-cut ones I got at the other chains.

They tasted ever-so-lightly seasoned and almost had a shoestring texture. I'd say they're slightly thinner than a McDonald's fry.

Best of all, each one was delightfully crunchy, just how I like it.

All of these options were solid, but Freddy's fries were my favorite.

There is truly a french fry for everyone on this list. Although it's difficult to crown one singular winner, I think their distinctions are interesting to note.

Freddy's was my favorite, and if you're also a fan of consistently crispy, shoestring fries, it'll likely be yours as well.

However, if you prefer a thicker wedge-like fry, Culver's is probably your best bet.

Sonic kind of fell into its own unique category, but I guess if you can't decide between a tot and a fry, you now know where to go.

From exclusive items to portion sizes, we wanted to find all the differences between the US and UK Burger King menus in 2024 and see what's changed since 2020. This is "Food Wars."

• Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, likely has dementia, his lawyers say.
• Jeffries stands accused in an international sex-trafficking case.
• The illness means Jeffries won't be able to contribute to his own defense, his lawyers say.

Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries likely has dementia and possible Alzheimer's disease, casting doubt on his ability to stand trial in a sex-trafficking case, his lawyers have said.

According to court papers filed Monday and seen by Business Insider, a neuropsychologist has assessed that "the combination of Mr. Jeffries' cognitive impairments" means that he would be unable to contribute to his own defense.

Jeffries, 80, along with his partner Matthew Smith and a third man, were arrested in October on federal sex-trafficking charges.

Earlier this month, lawyers for Jeffries filed a motion to determine his competency to stand trial.

The neuropsychologist found "a significant neurological deficit" after examining him in October last year and said her "initial diagnostic impressions" were consistent with dementia, the latest filing states.

Follow-up tests this year gave further "diagnostic impressions" of dementia and "probable" late-onset Alzheimer's, it says.

A diagnostic impression is a preliminary assessment of a patient rather than a final diagnosis.

"The Michael Jeffries who presented himself did not even come close to resembling a Master's degree-educated individual," the filing said.

The issues include "impaired memory, diminished attention, processing speed slowness, and ease of confusion," it continued.

The doctor has deemed his disease to be "irreversible" and said it will worsen over time, the filing said.

A so-called competency hearing has been scheduled for June next year, the BBC reported.

Jeffries, who left Abercrombie & Fitch in 2014, has pleaded not guilty to the sex trafficking charges, as have Smith and the third accused man.

Prosecutors say that they ran an international sex trafficking and prostitution business, coercing vulnerable men connected to the company into taking part in "sex events."

Between about 2008 to 2015, the accused men used the "so-called casting couch system" in their scheme, Breon Peace, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, alleged in a news conference announcing the charges in October.

The indictment states that the men used Jeffries' power and wealth "to run a business that was dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret, thereby maintaining Jeffries' powerful reputation."

His arrest came after a high-profile BBC investigation cited a number of men who said they were exploited or abused as part of the events Jeffries is accused of.

Jeffries was hired as CEO in 1990, ushering in a period in which the brand relied heavily on sex appeal to sell its preppy outfits. Huge popularity came alongside a 2003 class-action lawsuit that alleged racialized and looks-based discrimination against staff and prospective employees, which was settled in 2004 without admission of wrongdoing.

• Attorneys for Mike Jeffries asked a judge to rule on whether he is mentally fit for trial.
• Federal prosecutors would likely challenge the move, adding months to pretrial proceedings.
• The former Abercrombie CEO is accused of running an international sex-trafficking business.

The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is seeking to delay his federal sex-trafficking case on mental competency grounds.

Attorneys for the brand's former top executive, Mike Jeffries, asked a Manhattan judge on Monday to schedule a hearing to determine whether Jeffries is competent to stand trial, a spokesperson for the US attorney's office of the Eastern District of New York told Business Insider in a statement. Federal prosecutors are expected to challenge the move, which could add months to pretrial proceedings.

The defense would have until December 24 to file papers telling US District Judge Nusrat Choudhury how much of their competency motion can be sealed. The rest of the competency battle will play out throughout the first months of 2025.

The spokesperson said the defense has until February 6 to file a doctor's report supporting the competency motion, and the prosecution has until April 8 to file their own doctor's report. The competency hearing itself has yet to be scheduled, the spokesperson said. Jeffries is due back in court on March 13, 2025.

"We filed a motion to Determine Mr. Jeffries' Competency to Stand Trial, which will be dealt with in Court as, and when, appropriate — according to the Judge," Brian Bieber, an attorney for Jeffries, told BI in a statement. A competency hearing is meant to determine whether a defendant is able to understand the charges against them and the role of the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney.

On October 22, Jeffries, his partner, and a third man were arrested in Florida on federal sex-trafficking charges. Prosecutors allege they ran an international sex-trafficking and prostitution business. The men used Jeffries' position at the company to coerce dozens of men, many of whom wanted to become Abercrombie models, to partake in "sex events" in America and abroad, prosecutors say. Jeffries and Matthew Smith, his partner, have been accused of paying for men to travel to their New York homes and international hotels, where they performed sex acts.

Jeffries, 80, served as Abercrombie's CEO from 1992 to 2014. The indictment alleges that the sex-trafficking spanned from about 2008 to 2015, though Breon Peace, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said his office believes "dozens and dozens of men" were victims between 1992 and 2015.

During his time at Abercrombie, Jeffries steered the brand toward a more sexualized image, complete with shirtless models greeting shoppers. He was first hired by Les Wexner, a Jeffrey Epstein associate. At the peak of his career, Jeffries earned an annual eight-figure salary. His retirement package was reportedly around $25 million and he earned yearly payments of $1 million that ended last year.