How to Reheat Fries in Air Fryer

Are you looking for instructions on how to reheat fries in air fryer? Stop right here because you’ve just hit the jackpot! Below you’ll find simple, easy-to-follow directions on how to reheat fries in air fryer in a way that will restore your limp, leftover fries to crispy, golden perfection. Plus, I’m dishing up a few secrets about this ubiquitous treat that might just blow your mind. So, grab the ketchup and let’s dive in!

From So-so Spud to Spectacular

Most people like potatoes, but can we all agree that this starchy staple is a little boring on its own? Sure, we know how to dress them up. We load them with butter and pile on the sour cream. Sometimes we add cheese, bacon, and gravy, too. And there’s nothing wrong with all that. But let’s face it. All that stuff is really just camouflage to make them taste better, isn’t it?

However, when we simply cut those potatoes up and give them a bath in hot oil, something magical happens. Suddenly our so-so spuds turn into the spectacular side dish we all adore—french fries!

Crispy on the outside. Soft and fluffy on the inside. Hot, golden, and with just the right amount of salt. How could you not love french fries? We all do, so much so that you’ll find them on practically every restaurant menu in the world. From fine dining to fast food, there is always a place at the table for this tasty treat.

But here’s a big shocker for you: French fries are not actually French at all.

Surprising Origins

Yup, it’s true! We’ve all been had! French fries were not invented in France. They did not gain popularity there until the late 1700s. In fact, in 1742 it was even illegal to grow potatoes in France. Back then, the French thought that potatoes caused leprosy! According to historians, people first began cutting up and frying potatoes in Belgium in the 1600s, and some even suspect that the method originally came from Ireland.

So, why do we call them french fries? Because they were popularized by the French, and it was in France that Americans like Thomas Jefferson first fell in love with them. Thus, they’ve been “french fries” to us ever since. However, the term is not universal. In England, they’re “chips.” Many other countries simply refer to them as “fries.” And if you go to France and ask for “french fries” you might just get a snooty glare. They call them “frites” there, and they don’t really appreciate our appropriation of their word either!

The Best Fries on the Planet

We might all agree that we love them, but chances are, you have your own personal favorite. Is it the thin, tender-crisp fries served at McDonald’s, by chance? If so, you are not alone. McDonald’s fries are beloved worldwide, and many people swear they are the best on the planet. McDonald’s was one of the first fast-food restaurants to offer them, but not the first. White Castle beat them to that in 1921 (and hamburgers, too!).

Of course, nowadays, every fast-food chain vies for french-fry supremacy. We’ve got curly ones at Arby’s. Waffle-shaped ones at Chick-fil-A. Sea-salted ones at Wendy’s… Our options are endless, and the truth is, they are all darned good. Plus, when you want to make them at home, the freezer section of your grocery store has terrific choices, too. And some people even take the time to make them from scratch.

But there is still a serious problem with all of those fries: They typically do not reheat well. Those leftover fried spuds are duds, folks—unless you learn how to do it properly.

Reheating Methods

No matter what your favorite fry of choice is, it is really the texture that makes it great. It’s all about the crispy outer layer surrounded by the tender interior. But when we reheat them, they tend to lose that balance and contrast.

When you microwave fries, it is nearly impossible to get a crispy exterior again. And even worse, they can get gummy. It’s my least favorite method to reheat fries, but I will concede that it is also the fastest and most convenient. If the microwave is your method of choice today, it’s not hopeless, but you are in the wrong place. This article explains how to reheat fries in air fryer. To microwave them, check out my tutorial on that here.

The oven is a better option, but the fries can get dried out and hard that way. Plus, the oven takes a long time to preheat and is not energy efficient. The toaster oven works too, but those fries face the same quality issues as the conventional oven.

Is it any wonder that some of us throw our leftover fries away? A tragedy, but true! But take heart, because there is a way to reheat fries that can get you very close to their original, glorious perfection—the air fryer! When you learn how to reheat fries in an air fryer, you are really doing it right.

Air fryers have only been around since 2010, but they have already revolutionized the way we cook at home. Can you reheat food in an air fryer other than fries? Absolutely! There is no doubt that this appliance is the invention of the century. (If you don’t have one yet, check out this top-rated one by Ninja.) But since you’re here, I’m betting you’ve got one. So, without further ado, here’s my take on how to reheat fries in air fryer the right way:

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Instructions on How to Reheat Fries in Air Fryer

Start with fries that are cold out of the fridge.

Tip: Make sure they are cold. That will help prevent the interior of the fry from getting too overdone. If you want to know the biggest secret of how to reheat fries in air fryer and get close to the original texture, that’s it!

Set your air fryer for 400ºF and preheat it for a few minutes.
Place your fries in a thin layer in your basket, but do not crowd the basket. You don’t want them more than two-fries deep. Otherwise, they won’t reheat evenly. If you have a larger amount, do them in batches instead.
Air fry for a minute, then give the basket a shake to ensure that they are reheating evenly, and put them back in.
Check the fries after another minute, and keep checking (and shaking) every minute or two until they are hot and crispy. Then, serve and enjoy!

Tip: Thin-cut fries can be ready as quickly as two minutes, while thicker fries can take a few minutes more. The important thing is to catch them as soon as they are done.

Frequently Asked Questions

I understand how to reheat fries in air fryer, but is it really necessary to preheat the fryer?

Yes! If you start with a cold air fryer, the inside of the fry will warm up too much and you could lose that ideal fluffy interior texture you want.

I want to know how to reheat Mcdonalds fries. Is the air fryer good for that?

Yes, the air fryer is great for McDonald’s fries. It works for any kind of french fries!

Is this also how to reheat chips?

If by “chips” you mean the British equivalent of french fries, then yes. But if you mean you want to reheat potato chips, you can do that on a cookie sheet in a preheated 350º oven for 5 minutes.