Leftover French fries... wait, is that even a thing?! If by some miracle you happen to have an extra helping of these irresistible crispy potatoes, then you'll definitely want to know how to reheat them. Believe it or not, they really can taste just as good as they did on the first day you made them—and that's a good thing, because we all know that there are few things worse than a soggy, stale fry.
If you want to return your crispy French fries to former glory, you have to reheat them the right way. Read below for the best tips our top two fail-proof methods. 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 work wonderfully.
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?
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.
Can you reheat old French fries?
The answer here is: It depends. Sure, you can reheat them, but depending on how old they are, you may want to just toss them and make (or buy!) a new batch. French fries will only be good for a few days in the fridge; any longer than that, and they'll start to lose their texture and become crumbly. The moral of the story: Be sure to reheat and eat your leftover French fries in a timely manner!
