Fries are a beloved side dish for burgers, sandwiches, and more. When you have leftover fries that have gotten cold, you’ll want to reheat them properly so they come out crispy again. Here are tips for reheating french fries of all kinds in the oven, microwave, and toaster oven.
Reheating Fries in the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. This high heat will help refry and crisp up the fries.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. The lining prevents sticking.
- Spread the cold fries out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure not to overcrowd them.
- Drizzle 1-2 tbsp of oil over the fries and toss to coat evenly. The oil helps facilitate even reheating.
- Optional – Season with salt, pepper, spices as desired. Herbs like rosemary, paprika, and garlic powder taste great on oven fries.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through. The time will vary based on amount of fries.
- Check frequently towards the end to prevent burning. The fries are ready when hot and crispy again.
- Serve the reheated oven fries immediately to enjoy them at their peak crispy state. Dip in sauces like ketchup, aioli, or ranch.
Reheating Fries in the Microwave
- Place the cold, leftover fries on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding.
- Add a teaspoon of water to the plate. The water will create steam to help heat the fries without drying them out.
- Microwave the fries in 30 second intervals, checking frequently. Microwaves vary in power.
- Carefully remove the plate and turn the fries over halfway through reheating. This allows even heating.
- Microwave until the fries are hot, 1-2 minutes total. Be careful not to overheat as they can get dried out.
- Let the reheated fries stand for 1 minute before eating. The steam will help further soften them.
- Season with salt and any other desired spices like cajun or garlic powder.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and taste. The fries won’t get as crispy as oven reheating, but will be hot and tender.
Reheating Fries in a Toaster Oven
- Preheat your toaster oven to 400°F. The high heat will help recrisp the fries.
- Line the toaster oven tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents sticking.
- Place the cold fries in a single layer on the lined tray. Avoid overcrowding.
- Drizzle 1-2 tbsp oil over the fries and toss to coat evenly. The oil facilitates reheating.
- Cook for 7-10 minutes, tossing halfway through. Time varies based on amount of fries.
- If needed, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to crisp up further. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Season with salt, pepper, or other spices as desired. Smoked paprika and garlic powder are tasty.
- Eat the fries immediately out of the toaster oven for optimal fresh texture and flavor.
Reheating Cheese Fries
- How can I reheat cheese fries without getting soggy? Put them on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 5-10 minutes to melt the cheese without getting fries soggy.
- Should I add more cheese when reheating cheese fries? You can add more shredded cheese on top before reheating cheese fries to get an extra cheesy crisp topping.
Q&A
What kind of oil is best for reheating fries in the oven?
Use a high smoke point oil like canola or vegetable oil to reheat fries in the oven. Olive oil can burn at high heat.
How do you keep the fries from sticking together when reheating?
Toss the fries in a little oil or non-stick spray before reheating so they don’t stick together in clumps. Spread them out on the baking sheet.
Why do reheated fries taste different than fresh fries?
The starch molecules in fries can retrograde when cooled, changing the texture. Reheating will help but won’t perfectly recapture the fresh crispness.
Tips for Better Results
- Cut larger fries into smaller pieces before reheating. This increases the surface area that gets crispy.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet or plate. Fries need breathing room to crisp up properly.
- Reheat fries on a wire cooling rack placed on a baking sheet. Air circulating under the fries crisps the bottom side too.
- Toss fries in cornstarch before reheating. This helps revive the crispiness.
- Preheat your oven, toaster oven, or air fryer fully before adding fries. Proper preheating is key.
- Flip and rotate fries a few times during reheating for even coverage.
- Brush fries lightly with oil or non-stick spray before reheating. This adds back a touch of fat needed for crispness.
- Finish fries under the broiler if they need an extra cripsness boost. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Allow fries to rest 1-2 minutes out of the oven or microwave before eating. The residual heat finishes cooking.
Recipes
- Chili Cheese Fries – Top leftover fries with chili, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and hot sauce before reheating.
- Loaded Tater Tots – Toss tater tots with bacon pieces, scallions, and shredded cheese before reheating for loaded snacking.
- Fries with Aioli – Dunk reheated fries into flavorful garlic aioli for an easy upgrade.
Here are some recommended models for microwaves, ovens, and toaster ovens that would work well for reheating fries:
Microwaves:
- Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven – 1.2 cu. ft. capacity, 1100 watts, sensor cooking technology for even reheating.
- Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S – 2.2 cu. ft. capacity, inverter technology, turbo defrost, good for large batches.
- Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL – Brushed stainless steel, 10 power levels, presets for common foods like pizza, potatoes, and popcorn.
Ovens:
- LG LDE4415ST Electric Double Oven – Spacious 5.0 cu. ft. capacity, convection baking for faster, crisper reheating.
- GE JB645RKSS Electric Single Oven – Self-cleaning with extra power and adjustable broil settings. Reliable mid-range option.
- Bosch HGI8054UC 800 30″ Speed Oven – Quick preheat, built-in air fry function makes reheated fries extra crispy.
Toaster Ovens:
- Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven Airfryer – Countertop convection oven with air fryer setting, spacious 0.95 cubic foot capacity.
- Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air – Element IQ system for precise temperature control, fits 6 slices of bread, air fry setting.
- Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Toaster Oven – Flip-up and flip-away design, fits 8 slices of bread, air fry, dehydrate functions.
Reheating fries in the oven is the best way to restore their original crispiness. For quick reheating, use the microwave in short increments to prevent sogginess. With these tips, you can enjoy leftover fries that taste just-cooked.
