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
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 make extra crispy fries in and out? ›
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. If you like a really fried fry you can even ask for extra well-done, but those will come out nearly burnt.
How do you keep french fries crispy after cooking? ›
There's an easy way, borrowed from restaurants that deep-fry food every day, to keep your fried foods crispy and delicious! The best way to keep fried foods crispy? Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.
What is the secret to reheating fries? ›
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 keep 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 do restaurants make french fries so crispy? ›
Blanching. Another restaurant trick is to blanch the fries in water, then freeze them, which allows more of the potato's moisture to escape, thus producing a crispier fry.
How does McDonald's make their fries crispy? ›
This is where they add the dextrose and sodium acid pyrophosphate. Then, the fries are dried and partially fried. The first frying gives the potatoes their crispy outer shell (then the rest of the frying is done at the restaurant).
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.
Fries tend to lose a lot of moisture when stored as leftovers, becoming dry and hard when reheated. Here's how water helps: Adding a bit of water will rehydrate the fries from the inside out by creating steam. As they absorb moisture from the steam, the starches within the fries swell up, creating a fluffy interior.
Can you make fries crispy again in the oven? ›
Reheat Your Food
Fries / Tots / Brussels: Heat oven to 350F. Spray or lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil. Remove your side from its container and spread evenly across a baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes and remove.
Reheating Method: Pan-Fried
The idea is simple and doesn't require a deep-fry, or really even that much oil: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat; pour in a few tablespoons of oil; add your sad fries; cook, flipping once; and have happy fries again!
How to reuse leftover french fries? ›
Reheat the leftover fries, sprinkle cheese curds over them, and drizzle with warm gravy. You can also add additional toppings like shredded chicken, bacon, or sautéed mushrooms. Crispy Snack: Give your leftover fries a crispy makeover by reheating them in the oven.
How to crisp frozen fries in the oven? ›
Cook from frozen.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Arrange fries in single layer on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Bake 25-30 min. or until desired crispiness.
While waiting for your oven to warm up, spread your chips on a baking tray in a single layer and avoid overlapping. To note: there's no need to add any extra oil as your chips will already have oil on them from when they were originally cooked. Place the tray in the oven and set a timer for five minutes.
What makes fries soggy? ›
Fries have a very high starch content. When they are cooked at high temperatures, they absorb moisture which gives them their signature crispy exterior. When they are left out to cool, the starches secrete moisture, which eventually makes the fries' crust soggy.
