How To Refry Fries In An Air Fryer

If you're looking to revive your leftover fries, an air fryer is the perfect solution. In just 2 to 6 minutes, your fries will be crispy and delicious—a far cry from the sad, soggy results of a microwave reheat. While you don't need to preheat the air fryer, doing so may help you achieve even crispier fries. Simply place your leftover fries in the air fryer basket, set the temperature to between 325°F and 400°F, and cook for 2 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. No extra oil is needed, but feel free to add some for extra crispiness. Now you can enjoy your fries just like they were fresh out of the oil!

Reheating fries in an air fryer vs. a microwave

The Air Fryer Method

Air fryers are a great way to reheat fries, especially if you want to restore them to their former crispy glory. The air fryer's hot air circulation helps create a crispy exterior and evenly cooked interior.

To reheat fries in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to around 350-390°F. Place the fries in a single layer in the basket, adding a tiny bit of oil or a spritz of cooking spray to prevent them from drying out. Air fry for 2-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the quantity and thickness of the fries.

The Microwave Method

Microwaves are a quick and easy way to reheat food, but they are not ideal for reheating fries. When using a microwave, the fries tend to become soggy rather than crispy.

Comparison

While both appliances are meant to reheat food, they do so through different methods. An air fryer heats food from the outside-in, using hot air circulation to create a crispy texture. On the other hand, a microwave heats food from the inside-out using electromagnetic waves, which can make fries soggy.

If you're looking for a quick reheat option, a microwave might be your go-to choice. However, if you want to restore your fries to their original crispy texture, the air fryer is the way to go. It's worth noting that you might need to work in batches with an air fryer, especially if you have a large quantity of fries.

How to reheat different types of fries in an air fryer

The air fryer is a great way to reheat fries and restore them to their former glory. It's quick, easy, and will make your leftover fries crispy and delicious. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Let the air fryer preheat for about 3-5 minutes. The ideal temperature is around 350°F, but it can vary between 350°F and 390°F depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer.

Step 2: Prepare the Fries

Place the leftover fries in the air fryer basket or tray. It's best to arrange them in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to cook them in batches. You can also spritz the fries with a bit of cooking oil or spray to help them crisp up, but this is optional.

Step 3: Air Fry the Fries

Air fry the fries for 2-6 minutes, depending on the quantity and thickness of the fries. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn or dry out. Thicker fries like steak fries will take longer, while thinner fries will cook faster. Shake the basket or rotate the fries halfway through for more even cooking.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the fries are heated through and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy!

Tips for Reheating Different Types of Fries:

• For thicker fries, you may need to increase the temperature to 380°F and air fry for a bit longer.
• For thinner, skinnier fries, a shorter cooking time is best to avoid overcooking.
• If you're reheating loaded fries with lots of toppings, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly.
• Always try to arrange the fries in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. It's better to cook in batches if needed.
• You can reheat all types of fries in the air fryer, including steak fries, sweet potato fries, waffle fries, crinkle fries, and fast-food fries.

The benefits of reheating fries in an air fryer

Reheating leftover fries in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy them at their crispy best. Here are some of the benefits of using an air fryer to reheat your fries:

Quick and convenient

The compact size of an air fryer means it can cook food up to 25% faster than a traditional oven. It's also a more convenient option than a microwave, which can leave fries soggy, and a regular oven, which can dry them out. With an air fryer, you can have crispy, delicious fries on your plate in just 3 to 6 minutes.

No extra oil needed

Air fryers use the oil already in or on the fries to crisp them up, so there's no need to add more. This makes it a healthier option than deep frying, which adds a lot of extra oil, and gives you crispy fries without the grease.

No pan required

Unlike reheating fries in the oven, which requires a baking sheet, you can cook fries directly in the basket of an air fryer. That's one less item to wash up!

No need to preheat

While preheating your air fryer may help you achieve even crispier fries, it's not usually necessary. This saves you time and means you can get your fries cooking straight away.

Versatile

The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can handle any type of leftover fry, from McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A waffle fries to steak fries or sweet potato fries. It's also great for reheating other foods, like pizza, tortilla chips, grilled cheese sandwiches, and chicken nuggets.

Customisable

You can easily customise your fries by adding seasonings before or after cooking. A sprinkle of seasoned salt or some spices like rosemary or cayenne pepper can take your fries to the next level.

How to prevent fries from drying out in an air fryer

Yes, you can definitely refry fries in an air fryer! In fact, it's one of the best ways to reheat your fries to achieve the perfect crispiness without drying them out. Here are some tips to prevent your fries from drying out in an air fryer:

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer is usually not necessary, but it can help you achieve crispier results. To preheat, set the temperature to around 325°F to 350°F and run the air fryer for about 3 to 5 minutes. However, always refer to your air fryer's manual for specific instructions.

Arrange Fries in a Single Layer

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket by arranging the fries in a single layer. This allows for even cooking and proper air circulation, ensuring that all the fries reheat and crisp up evenly. If you have a large quantity of fries, consider reheating in batches.

Mist Fries with Water

Before placing the fries in the air fryer, lightly mist them with water using a spray bottle. Aim for about 8-10 spritzes, or drizzle a small amount of water by hand, ensuring the fries are evenly coated without any pooling of water. The water helps rehydrate the fries, creating a fluffy interior, and then evaporates from the exterior, leaving a crispy texture.

Set the Temperature and Timing

For optimal results, set the temperature of your air fryer to 325°F to 390°F. The cooking time will depend on the quantity and thickness of your fries, but generally, 2 to 6 minutes should be sufficient. Keep in mind that thicker-cut fries may require a longer cooking time.

Shake and Taste Test

Halfway through the cooking process, shake the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and taste-test one. If they're not hot and crispy enough, return them to the air fryer for an additional minute.

Rest, Re-season, and Serve

After removing the fries from the air fryer, let them rest on a paper towel-lined plate for a minute. This helps absorb any excess oil that may have been released during the reheating process. Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt or your favorite spices before serving.

By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy fries that are perfectly reheated in your air fryer without drying out!

How to store leftover fries

If you have leftover fries, the best way to store them is to let them cool completely. It is important to ensure that any steam from the cooling fries can escape, keeping them as crispy as possible. Do not leave them at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacteria growth. Once they are cool, place them in an airtight container or bag and remove as much air as possible. Adding a paper towel will help to soak up any extra moisture. You can then keep them in the fridge for two to three days.

If you want to freeze your leftover fries, the process is the same, but you can keep them for up to six months. Before freezing, consider placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet first so they preserve their shape and don't stick together.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover fries, you can reheat them in an air fryer, oven, deep fryer, skillet, or microwave. Reheating them in an air fryer will make them crispy again without drying them out, but you will need to work in batches as air fryers tend to be small. To reheat fries in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to between 350 and 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the fries in a single layer inside the basket and cook for two to six minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

If you don't have an air fryer, you can also reheat fries in the oven. Cook them at 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for eight to ten minutes. For both oven-based methods, you will likely need to turn or toss the fries halfway through to ensure even heating.

Frequently asked questions