How to Reheat Fries So They’re Crispy, Tender + Delicious — Plus the Surprise Step You Should Actually Skip
This air fryer pro's tips are sure to enhance the crisp!
Enjoying leftover fries doesn’t have to involve munching on cold and limp potatoes. With the help of an air fryer, you can warm them up back to their crispy state. This process is simple as it mimics the even cooking of an oven and the quick heat time of a microwave. Within 5 minutes, you’ll have a batch of piping hot fries to eat as a snack or side dish. Even better, we asked an air frying pro for expert tricks on reheating fries in the machine so they’re crunchy and fully heated. Keep reading to learn how to reheat this finger food in the air fryer so you’ll never have to serve soggy fries again!
How to keep leftover fries from getting soggy
It’s hard to imagine a batch of fries not being devoured quickly. But, for times when you can’t enjoy them all at once, they’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Their texture will soften a little as they sit in the fridge, but an airtight container blocks out excess air that could make them super soggy. The good news: Crisping up those fries a second time around is hassle-free when you turn to your trusty air fryer!
Related: The Cold-Water Secret to Making Waffle Fries *Better* Than Chick-fil-A
Why the air fryer is perfect for reheating fries
If you’re looking to reheat those fries so they’re golden brown and tender, the air fryer is your best bet. This appliance is able to warm up food fast and evenly using its circulating heat function. Not only does this save you time, but it produces a delicious snack. “It honestly makes them taste just like they did when they were first made!” Rebecca Abbott, co-owner of AirFryingFoodie.com and co-author of Air Fryer All Day (Buy from Amazon, $22.21), says.
Her surprise tip for best results? “You don’t need to spray any additional oil because the fries already have enough oil to prevent them from sticking to the basket while still getting crispy.” Add too much oil and the fries are more likely to stay soggy and mushy instead of turning nice and crunchy on the outside.
How to reheat fries in an air fryer
Below, Abbott describes the four steps to using your air fryer to reheat fries in 5 minutes:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Arrange a single layer of fries in the machine’s basket as it allows air to circulate around each piece, resulting in super crispy spuds.
- Air fry for 3 to 5 minutes, ensuring they’re heated throughout and don’t burn or dry out. (Note: This process may take slightly longer if the fries are loaded with toppings.)
- Remove from the air fryer and eat warm with a dipping sauce, if desired.
A mouthwatering French fry recipe worth reheating
Preparing your own fries is great when you’re craving a lighter version of the drive-thru staple. Here, our test kitchen shares a recipe for Rosemary-Garlic Steak Fries — which are seasoned with herbs and spices before they’re cooked in the air fryer.
Rosemary-Garlic Steak Fries
Smoked paprika in our spice blend makes these crispy-outside, tender-inside spuds even more delectable.
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- ½ tsp. smoked paprika
- 1½ lbs. fingerling potatoes, peeled, cut into ½-inch-thick sticks
- Ketchup and hot sauce (optional)
Directions:
- Active: 40 mins
- Total time: 40 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Heat air fryer to 375°F. In bowl, combine oil, rosemary, garlic, paprika, ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper; add potatoes. Toss until evenly coated.
- In batches, spread potatoes in single layer in air-fryer basket. Airfry until crisp-tender, about 15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through cooking. Transfer to serving bowl. If desired, in bowl, mix ketchup with hot sauce to taste; serve with fries.
- Sweet ’n’ Spicy: Omit rosemary and garlic. Add 1 Tbs. brown sugar and ½ tsp. ground cumin. Sub in sweet potatoes for the fingerlings. Continue with recipe as directed.
Keep reading for more chef’s tips for reheating weeknight favorites!
Top Chef’s Easy Trick for Reheating Burritos So They’re Crispy, Not Soggy
How to Reheat Shrimp So They Stay Sweet and Succulent — Chef’s #1 Secret
How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken So It’s as Delicious as the Day You Bought It
