How to Reheat French Fries at Home
Whether you make them at home or order them from your favorite fast-food restaurant, French fries are the salty, crispy side dish no one can resist. The only problem? If you stash leftover French fries in your fridge and try to reheat them the next day, they can be disappointingly limp, soggy, and not particularly appetizing. The good news is that you can reheat French fries so they taste just as good as when they were fresh out of the fryer. Want to know the best ways to reheat fries? Here's how.
There are a few ways you can reheat French fries to get that same crispy, crunchy texture, and each one of them is super easy. These are the four best ways to reheat fries.
1) Reheat Your Fries in the Oven
Popping French fries in the oven to reheat them is many people's go-to method for enjoying leftover fries. Preheat your oven to 425°F – the hotter the better as this will get your fries nice and crispy again. Arrange your fries on a baking tray in a single layer, and try not to overcrowd them, if possible. Once your oven is ready to go, bake the fries for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they're crisp, but before they start to brown. Give the tray a shake or two to help them reheat evenly. For a fool-proof way to reheat fries in the oven, place them on a rack positioned over a baking sheet. This will let the air circulate better and ensure your fries reheat perfectly.
2) Refry Your Fries
Did you know you can reheat French fries by frying them a second time? This method is ideal if you have a lot of leftovers you want to bring back to crunchy perfection. Heat neutral oil (like vegetable, canola, or safflower oil) to 350°F and dunk your fries into the hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes. Work in batches so you don't overcrowd the fries. Lay them on a paper towel to drain, then serve.
3) Reheat Your Fries in an Air Fryer
If you're looking for a healthier option to deep frying your French fries a second time but want similar results, look no further than your handy air fryer. Heat your air fryer to 375°F and lightly toss the leftover fries in oil then arrange them in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Cook them for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they're heated through and crispy.
4) Use a Skillet to Reheat Fries
Don't have an air fryer and aren't keen on refrying your fries? You can reheat French fries in a large skillet. Heat some oil in a skillet set over medium-high heat. Once it's good and hot, cook the fries for 4 to 6 minutes or until they're hot and crispy. Again, make sure to place them in a single layer so they'll cook evenly.
A final word. Be sure to give your reheated fries a taste test before serving them. They may need a little extra salt. Of course, you can always jazz them up with your favorite seasonings to give yourself a real salty, savory treat.
