How To Properly Warm Up French Fries [In Multiple Appliances!]

French fries are a tasty staple in many households, and if you consume French fries regularly, you might have some leftover fries in your refrigerator. Perhaps you have wondered how to reheat French fries. Or maybe you want to know which methods are most effective for increasing crispiness while reheating. We've looked into these questions and have found substantial results to share with you!

There are several methods to reheat French fries quickly in the comfort of your home kitchen. The most common method for reheating is placing them in the oven for about 10 to 12  minutes at high heat to help crisp up cold, soggy fries. Also, the toaster oven and microwave are great options for reheating small batches if time constraints are an issue. 

Would you like to learn more about reheating French fries in various kitchen appliances? Or what are the best temperatures for reheating fries in a traditional oven? Please continue reading; we have a lot of helpful information for you!

What temperature do you reheat French fries in the oven?

For best results, allow the fries an hour to warm up to room temperature and preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the baking sheet with crumpled aluminum foil and arrange the fries in a single layer onto the baking sheet. The crumpled effect of the aluminum foil will texturize the baking sheet and expose more of the fries' surfaces to the oven's heat.

Lightly brush or spray the fries with cooking oil and bake for five to ten minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven with mitts, and set the hot fries onto a clean plate. If the fries are oily, place them onto a sheet or two of paper toweling to absorb the oil droplets.

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How do you reheat French fries in the microwave?

Typically, reheating French fries inside the microwave would result in hot, soggy fries. Moreover, Leaf Tv has developed and tested a method that will not only reheat French fries but partially restore their crispiness. For the best results, allow the fries to warm up to room temperature.

Gently, apply olive or vegetable oil to lightly cover the French fries. To avoid wasting oil, you could use a brush to coat the fries.

Place two to three paper towels on a microwave-safe plate, and set the fries single layer on the paper toweling. Next, microwave at 20-second intervals at high temperatures until the fries are thoroughly heated. Remove the plate from the microwave and add extra salt if needed.

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Curious about what types of materials can be used in the microwave? Click here to read our article Can Wood Dishes And Utensils Go In The Microwave?

How do you reheat French fries in a toaster oven?

Firstly, set the cold fries on the counter for an hour to warm up before reheating them in the toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Secondly, place the fries in a single layer on an oven-safe dish covered with aluminum foil. Bake for five to ten minutes or until crispy and hot.

How do you reheat French fries in an air fryer?

Reheating French fries in an air fryer is the second fastest option for reheating fries next to the speedy microwave method. To begin, open the air fryer and arrange the fries single layer. Add one tablespoon of oil to the fryer, and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fry for three to six minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness or temperature. Add additional salt or seasoning, and remember always to wear your oven mitts when operating an air fryer!

Do you own an air fryer, or are you thinking about purchasing one? Wondering which oils are best to use? Click here to read our article 7 Best Oils For An Air Fryer.

How do you reheat French fries on the stove?

Adding additional oil isn't required, instead, rely on the residual oil in the cold fries. Place an un-oiled skillet on the stove and heat it on medium-high heat. Once the skillet is heated fully, add the French fries. Flip and stir continuously to prevent the fries from sticking to the skillet.

Continue stirring the fries for three to five minutes or until the desired temperature is reached. Remove the fries from the skillet and add salt or seasonings.

The time required to reheat the fries could vary based on the thickness and volume of the fries. Suppose you have a large batch of fries, reheat in small batches to prevent the fries from clumping together in the skillet.

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How long do cooked French fries last in the fridge? In the freezer?

French fries will last three to five days in the refrigerator. Provided the fries are stored inside an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil. Also, the fries should be wrapped and put in the refrigerator two hours after cooking for food safety purposes.

Suppose you are freezing cooked French fries; always freeze within two hours after preparing.  Wrap the fries in plastic wrap with aluminum foil around the plastic to prevent freezer burn, or place the fries in a freezer-safe airtight container. When properly wrapped, the fries will last 10 to 12 months in the freezer.

How do you make leftover french fries crispy?

The Food Network suggests removing the fries from the refrigerator for about an hour before heating to ensure the fries reheat evenly. To begin, place a non-stick frying pan on the stove with a few tablespoons of olive oil and a dash of salt.

Cover the bottom of the pan with oil and allow the oil to heat. Once the oil is hot, place the fries in a single layer in the pan, with enough space to not be crowded or stick to each other.

Once the fries are heated through, gently toss them to "refry" both sides for added crispiness. Consider adding spices, basil, chives, garlic, and sea salt are excellent pairings with French fries.

Remove the hot fries from the pan with a slotted spoon or metal tongs and place them on paper toweling to absorb the excess oil.  Sample one fry to see if they require additional salt. If so, add it while the fries are still hot from the pan.

Additional thoughts

Reheating and repurposing foods are great for diminishing food waste and saving your hard-earned money. If you don't have the interest or time to reheat the fries, you could always repurpose them by adding bacon, cheese and broiling them until the cheese is melted. Otherwise, you could make classic poutine, adding cheese and gravy, great for a hearty snack or side!

Generally, reheating fries in the oven is considered the best method for enhancing flavor and reducing sogginess. However, time and resources don't always allow for this option. If you are in a hurry, consider microwaving the French fries to save time.

Here are a few suggestions to help ensure you never have to toss leftover fries again!

• Always remove fries from to-go containers and place them into airtight containers.
• If you have a large number of fries, reheat in batches to reduce crowding on baking sheets.
• Only use a slotted spoon or metal tongs to remove foods from the hot oils.
• Use olive oil for enhanced flavor.
• Take an airtight container with you when you go to restaurants to put your leftover fries into.
• Do not reheat or consume fries that were in the refrigerator for longer than four to five days.

In closing

Learning the art of using your appliances interchangeably will help you gain more resourceful skills as a home cook. Resourcefulness is one of the most valuable skills that a home cook or professional can cultivate for reducing food waste.

We hope this article has helped you gain a few tips for the next time you need to reheat French fries. Please visit Kitchenseer.com soon for more helpful and inspiring content!

Be sure to check out some of our other posts before you go to help further your culinary knowledge base:

How To Make Extra Crispy French Fries [And Keep Them That Way]

How To Cut French Fries With A Food Processor

7 Best Potato French Fry Cutters