When stored properly, you can refrigerate leftover fries for 3-5 days. By “properly,” I mean storing them in an airtight container within 2 hours after they have been cooked.
But that’s not the real issue. Once they sit in the fridge for a few minutes, they will lose their crispy texture and delightful flavor.
The good news is that this is one of the many pros of having an air fryer. It can crisp them up in just a few minutes.
Now, take your cold potato strips out of the fridge and let’s bring back their crunchy goodness.
Table of Contents
This guide on how to reheat fries in an air fryer applies to all kinds of this popular fast food side dish—whether it’s McDonald’s shoestring fries, New York Fries and Burger King straight-cut fries, Arby’s curly fries, Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries, Rally’s crusted straight-cut fries, White Castle’s crinkle-cut fries, steak fries, and so on.
How to Reheat French Fries in the Air Fryer?
The best way to reheat fries in an air fryer is to cook them at medium-high temperature for 4-6 minutes. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the amount of your french-fried potatoes, the specific type of air fryer you have, and your desired level of browning.
Follow these four simple steps for hassle-free cooking.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
For extra crispy french fries, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
To minimize browning, the ideal cooking temperature would be 360°F (182°C).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set your desired temperature and let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
Step 2: Transfer your leftover fries to the air fryer basket.
Once your air fryer is preheated, carefully transfer your leftover fries in the air fryer basket.
💡 Pro Tip: For optimal results, fill your air fryer basket only up to a quarter of its capacity. Overfilling can make it challenging to shake the contents of the fryer.
Step 3: Reheat fries in the air fryer for 4-6 minutes.
Now, air fry your leftover fries for 4-6 minutes, shaking once or twice, and cook until they are recrisped and golden.
💡 Pro Tip: To prevent overcooking, keep an eye on your fries. Take them out once they are slightly golden and crispy.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy your recrisped French fries!
There you go! Your fries are just as good as when you ordered them the last time.
Season the fries with salt and serve with your favorite dip.
This guide applies to all types of leftover fries, regardless of where they were purchased.
If you’re looking for a guide on how to cook frozen fries, that’s a completely different beast. They cook longer than cold fries in the fridge.
Limit Acrylamide Formation
Air fryers have been criticized for producing acrylamides. However, the truth is that using an air fryer instead of a deep fryer already diminishes the creation of acrylamides to a significant extent.
To further decrease the production of these harmful compounds while air frying, it is advisable to cook the food for the shortest possible time and only until it becomes golden brown, not charred.
To achieve this, you can preheat your air fryer at a lower temperature (360°F or 182°C), and ensure that you remove it as soon as it becomes lightly golden and crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can reheat fries in an air fryer. It’s one of the quickest ways to crisp up your leftover potato strips and enjoy them again.
To reheat fries in an air fryer, including McDonald’s fries or any other brands, cook them at 360°F (182°C) for 5-8 minutes. Be sure to shake them halfway through. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary based on the amount of fries you are reheating and the model of your air fryer.
To warm up your leftover fries in the air fryer, start by preheating it to 360°F (182°C). Then, cook the fries for 5-6 minutes and shake them halfway through. Remember that the cooking time may differ based on the amount of fries you have and the model of your air fryer.
The best temperature to reheat fries is 360°F (182°C). While it may take longer, this temperature will prevent excessive browning. However, it is still important to monitor the fries while reheating.
The best way to reheat French fries in an air fryer is to cook them at 360°F (182°C) for 5-8 minutes. Remember to shake the fries once or twice during the cooking process. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can increase the temperature to 380°F (193°C), but be sure to closely monitor the fries to prevent burning.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 1 pound French fries leftover
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). If you want to limit browning, reduce your temperature to 360°F (182°C). Please see note below if your air fryer is 4 quarts or smaller.
- Carefully add your fries in the air fryer basket.
- Reheat leftover fries for 4-5 minutes at 380°F or 5-6 minutes at 360°F. Shake them halfway through the cooking process. Continue cooking until they are slightly browned and recrisped. Then, promptly remove them to prevent overcooking.
- Serve and enjoy your reheated fries with your choice of dipping sauce! If desired, you can season them again with a little salt.
Notes
- For 4-quart air fryers and smaller, reduce the cooking temperature to 360°F (182°C). If you prefer to minimize browning, you can lower the temperature to 340°F (171°C). Compact air fryers tend to generate more heat due to the heating element being closer to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Vortex Plus to test reheating french fries in the air fryer. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, the amount of fries, and your desired level of browning.
- It’s best not to overfill your air fryer basket. It’s recommended to fill it up with only ¼ of its cooking capacity. Keep in mind that the more fries you add, the longer they will take to crisp up, and it may be more challenging to shake.
Nutrition
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