How to reheat leftover fries in the air fryer so they’re perfectly crispy
Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
- Reheating fries in an air fryer yields crispy results in just 5 minutes with no pan required.
- Don't overcrowd the fries: if they overlap in the basket, they may not cook evenly or crisp up.
Leftovers are a special treat. They allow you to re-experience a meal you loved, save you the effort of cooking from scratch, and offer the added peace of mind that you didn't waste any food. But leftover fries present quite a conundrum: if they aren't reheated properly, they'll end up limp and soggy or dry and overly crunchy. That's where the air fryer comes in.
Whether you made a few too many frozen fries for dinner last night or have some leftovers from a local restaurant, an air fryer is easily the best way to bring those spuds back to life. Not only is this method super quick, but it also yields extra crispy results every time.
Here's how to reheat fries in the air fryer in just five minutes.
Why reheat French fries in an air fryer?
Here are some of the top benefits of reheating French fries in an air fryer.
- It's quick: According to chef Paul Sidoriak, creator of the air fryer recipes at Grilling Montana, since the air fryer is so small, it cooks the food 25% faster than a traditional oven.
- It won't heat up your entire kitchen: Firing up the oven can make the temperature soar in your kitchen — which isn't exactly ideal during the summer months. An air fryer won't emit that same level of heat since they're so compact, says Sidoriak.
- It makes food ultra-crispy: Reheating French fries in a microwave makes them soft and soggy, whereas reheating them in an oven tends to make them dry. In an air fryer, the powerful circulation of super hot air can crispy the fries up in a pinch before they dry out.
- No pan is required: Reheating fries in the oven requires using a baking sheet, but in an air fryer, you can cook them right on the basket — leaving you with one less item to wash.
Quick tip: Preheating the air fryer is usually not required — unless the manual says so, says chef-instructor and recipe creator Dana Beninati. However, it may help you achieve even crispier fries because the air fryer will already be at the desired temperature when you start the reheating process.
How to reheat fries in an air fryer
Below are Sidoriak's step-by-step instructions for reheating fries.
- Preheat the air fryer. Again, this step is optional. To preheat the air fryer, just set the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and run the air frying process for about 3 minutes.
- Place fries in the basket: Make sure not to overcrowd the fries, or they're less likely to get crispy. They should be placed in a single layer with no overlapping. If you have a lot of fries to reheat, work in batches to ensure they all reheat and crisp up evenly.
- Set the temperature and cook time: After placing the basket into the air fryer, select 325 degrees Fahrenheit for the temperature and 5 minutes for the cooking time. Keep in mind that thicker-cut fries may need longer.
- Check on the fries: Once the 5 minutes are up, Sidoriak recommends opening the air fryer, removing the tray, giving the fries a shake, and taste testing one. If they're not yet hot and crispy, place the tray back in the air fryer and cook them for 1 additional minute.
Quick tip: Beninati recommends adding herbs or spices — like rosemary, oregano, garlic and onion powder, or cayenne pepper — to amp up the flavor. Since the circulation of hot air can cause spices to fly off, Beninati suggests spraying the fries with oil before adding seasonings and air frying, or seasoning them after they're done.
Best air fryers
Revive leftover fries using one of the best air fryers we tested and recommend for quick, crispy, and delicious results.
- Best overall: Philips Premium Digital Airfryer, $249.95 at Amazon
- Best large capacity: Ninja Foodi Two-Basket Air Fryer, $199.99 at Amazon
- Best on a budget: Dash Compact Air Fryer, $49.99 at Target
- Best multitasking: Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, $189.99 at Walmart
Insider's takeaway
If you're craving extra crispy fries in a pinch, reheating them in an air fryer is a game-changer. This method is fast, easy, and reliable — thanks to the small size of the appliance and the speed at which the hot air circulates.
The key to achieving crispy, evenly cooked fries in the air fryer is to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes and arrange them in a single layer. Consider adding spices and seasonings after the air frying process is done for best results.