Trust us, this doesn’t happen very often! But on the rare occasion when we don't finish all our French fries, the extras are stashed in the fridge as leftovers. We know what you're thinking… how is it even possible to reheat French fries?! The crispy potatoes just don't seem like the kind of thing that would taste nearly as good the next day. And nobody wants to dig into soggy fries—you're not wrong about that! There's nothing quite like the taste of golden French fries that are hot out of the fryer (or air fryer for that matter!), but you'd be surprised by how close you can get to the original texture with just a few helpful tips. Here, you'll find the best methods for reheating French fries so you can return them to their former glory.
Whether you make them yourself or order takeout, French fries are known for not having a long shelf life. They’ll only be good for a few days in the fridge; any longer than that, and they'll start to lose their texture. Another important factor to consider? You should never microwave your leftover fries! More on that and our top three fail-proof methods below. Whether you're simply heating up a basket of good ol' shoestrings to serve with chicken tenders or transforming your day-old fries into cheesy loaded fries or garlic-parmesan fries, these reheat methods will work wonders for making them hot and crispy.
What is the best way to reheat French fries?
No matter what, do not—we repeat, do not—use a microwave! If you do, you're all but guaranteed to get soggy fries. No one wants this. Instead, the best way to reheat French fries is in the oven at a high temperature. This will ensure that the outside gets as crispy as can be while the inside stays light and fluffy. But if you do happen to own an air fryer, you can use that, too! It works just as well.
How do you reheat leftover French fries in the oven?
First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Then, spread your French fries out on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure none of them are touching (if they're too crowded, they won't get as crispy). Heat them in the oven for about eight to ten minutes, then give them a quick toss. If you like them a little crispier, we recommend continuing to bake for two to three more minutes.
How do you reheat leftover French fries in the air fryer?
The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral Air Fryer
Using an air fryer is an excellent and easy way to give your fries that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch. Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees, then place your leftover fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Heat them for three to five minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness. Just like with the oven method, make sure you don't crowd the air fryer basket so the fries get nice and crispy.
How do you reheat French fries on the stovetop?
Grab your trusty skillet! Reheating French fries on the stovetop is a great option for those who want to reheat their fries in oil without actually deep frying them again. Start by using a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add a couple of tablespoons of oil, then add in the fries. Be sure they're in a single layer and cook, flipping occasionally, until the fries are heated through and crispy.
FAQs
The oil helps to “fry” the French fries a second time and get them extra crispy. Put the leftover fries in the hot oil in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the pan. Work in batches if need be. Cook the fries undisturbed until they're warmed through, then toss in the skillet until they're crisp.
How do you keep french fries crispy after cooking? ›
Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.
In much the same way, putting fried food on a cooling rack means the excess oil will drip off, but there's enough air circulating underneath the food that the bottoms don't get soggy.
How do you keep french fries warm without getting soggy? ›
To keep fried food warm for a party, preheat your oven to around 200°F and place the fried items on the wire rack over a baking sheet while avoiding overcrowding. Keep the oven door slightly open to maintain airflow. If possible, use chafing dishes, warming trays, or heat lamp warmers for consistent warmth.
How to keep fries from getting soggy in a lunch box? ›
Wrap in Paper: Line the bottom of the container or bag with parchment paper or unbleached paper towels. This helps absorb excess moisture and prevents the fries from sticking to the container, maintaining their crispness.
How do you make reheated fries taste good in the microwave? ›
Place the fries on a plate and layer them with moistened paper towels. Microwave for 20 seconds. Check your fries. Eat and enjoy or continue microwaving for 20-second intervals until you reach your desired temperature.
How do you crisp up french fries in the oven? ›
The next best method, if you don't have any convection-style equipment, is to reheat your fries in the oven. Get your oven nice and hot, like 450 F. Now, and arrange your fries on a flat sheet pan in a single layer and give them a light spritz of cooking spray. Heat for 5 to 10 minutes, flipping once during heating.
Why is McDonald's French fries so crispy? ›
The suppliers we work with first peel, cut and blanche the potatoes. They then dry, partially fry and quickly freeze the fries for our restaurants. Once in our kitchens, we cook them in our canola-blend oil so you can have them crispy and hot—just the way you like them. Want to hear more about our fry ingredients?
How do you make extra crispy fries in and out? ›
This order might be too impromptu for some locations, so if they can't complete the request, just ask for an animal fry and flying Dutchman separately. Well-Done: If you like your fries extra crispy, this is the way to order them. These fries come out golden brown and so crispy, they're almost crunchy.
How do you make frozen fries extra crispy? ›
How to Make Frozen Fries Crispy in the Oven
- Preheat your oven. ...
- Use a perforated sheet tray. ...
- Don't thaw your fries before baking. ...
- Bake two bags or less per tray. ...
- Load the oven quickly. ...
- Place trays on every other rack. ...
- Use heat lamps or holding cabinets with vents that release moisture.
Heat a few tablespoons of the oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat just until it starts to shimmer. Think about covering the entire bottom of the skillet in oil, erring on the side of using more oil than less. The oil helps to “fry” the French fries a second time and get them extra crispy.
The issue lies specifically in the potato itself, explains Live Science. Potatoes are full of starch, and when the starch is hydrated, it fluffs up. When it's dehydrated, they get grainy and soggy. The problem with reheating french fries, then, isn't about heat — it's about moisture.
How to make cold chips crispy again? ›
Method
- Place your chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture.
- Microwave the chips in bursts of 30 seconds to ensure they don't overcook and become too soft.
- Remove the dish from the microwave and let the chips cool for a few minutes before serving.
If a fry is soggy, it's because oil has seeped into the fry. When you bite into a soggy fry, it's probably going to feel and taste extra oily. The most common reason fries would be soggy is because it wasn't fried at a high enough temperature.
How to make fries floppy? ›
Then a second frying at around 425F for a couple of minutes, until crisp and golden brown. So to make them soggy? Drop that initial temperature to say 275F and cook the fries once, as if they were being boiled. Put the second frying temp at about 350F.
How long do fries last in the fridge? ›
Cooked potatoes and other cooked vegetables can be safely kept in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.
