The Secret to Reheating Fries Without Losing Crispiness

One of the greatest disappointments known to mankind is when you get the perfect meal with a thick, juicy burger, a side of crispy salty fries, and the perfect drink to go with it, but you reach home, and find out the fries are SOGGY! Ugh, soggy fries are wilted, flavorless, and very disappointing. 

Don’t worry though, we are here to save your meal and give you the best tips to reheat fries. This guide will help you resurrect your sad fries into the perfect, crispy, and flavorful fries that they once were. Hop on along with us to know everything about the tips and tricks and the best way to reheat your fries. 

Why Do Fries Lose Crispiness After Reheating?

So why do fries get so soggy after reheating? Well, there are a couple of reasons why fries lose their crispiness quickly after they are taken out of the fryer.

Moisture Migration

Potatoes generally retain a lot of water inside them. Once fried, a crispy crust forms on the top of the layer of the potato and the moisture is trapped inside the crust. As they are let to rest, the water inside the fry starts migrating outside turning the crispy crust soggy. This is also partly why they taste less salty after a while.

Oil Saturation

During the initial frying process, the fries are fried evenly in hot oil creating that crispy crust. Reheating the fries results in an uneven distribution of oil and the fries become greasy and limp. 

The Best Method for Reheating Fries: Air Fryer Magic

There is nothing easier for reviving soggy, limp fries than in an air fryer. Air fryers have become a magical cooking equipment for easy meal prep and reheating. The “magic” lies in the utilization of convection cooking and rapid heat technology. 

• Convection Heat: Convection heat ensures that the hot air circulates in the equipment evenly and heats up your food evenly. This mimics a deep fryer with the benefits of even cooking and reducing moisture.

• Rapid Cooking: Intense heat swiftly circulating around the fries ensures quick cooking and reduces the amount of exposure to heat. This retains the original texture and flavor to the maximum capacity. 

• Less Oil: The principle of convection heat mimics what the hot oil does to the fries. This ensures minimal oil usage and prevents the fries from going limp and soggy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheat Fries Using an Air Fryer

If you do not have the hang of using an air fryer to reheat food or do not have the equipment, don’t worry! We are right here to provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide on how to reheat fries with an air fryer and how to still get a crispy exterior without one.

• Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to about 375–400° Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes. This ensures a hot environment where the fries can start crispening up immediately.

• Prepare the Fries: Lay your fries flat out in the fryer basket evenly without overlapping or overcrowding. This ensures even reheating and optimal air circulation. 

• Oil Spray (Optional): If you want a crispier exterior, lightly spray a neutral oil on top. This can slightly enhance the texture and flavor. 

• Reheat: The time for reheating depends on the type of fry that you’re reheating. For shoestring fries, it is somewhere between 3-5 minutes. For crinkle cut, 5-7 minutes, and for thicker fries like steak fries or wedges, the time can vary from 7-10 minutes. 

Halfway through the reheating, ensure to take the basket out and shake it around so that the heat is evenly redistributed on all sides. Voilà! Your fries are reheated to perfection with that signature crisp and amazing flavor. 

Alternative Method for Reheating Fries Without Losing Crispiness

Everyone deserves some crispy fries, but not everyone has access to an air fryer. So what do you do? Well, convection cooking is also possible with an oven. Here are some tips for reheating fries without an air fryer.

Oven Reheating

Oven reheating was the OG method before the fancy air fryers took over. Similar to an air fryer, ovens provide an even distribution of heat, which results in the heating of fries evenly. You can control the crispiness of your fries by customizing the temperature and duration of the oven. 

Maximize the Crispiness of Your Fries in Oven

• Preheat: Similar to an air fryer, the oven needs to be preheated so that the circulating air is hot. Preheat the oven to a temperature of around 375-400° degrees Fahrenheit. This heats the fries evenly. 

• Baking Sheet: Spread the fries evenly on the baking sheet. For better results, line the baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent the fries from sticking to each other.

• Reheat: Place the baking sheet in the oven. Depending on the type of fries, reheat the fries for about 5-10 minutes, and enjoy the golden-brown goodness.  

Bonus Tip: Place a cooling rack on top of the baking sheet. This allows the heat to evenly circulate even from under the fries. 

Stovetop Reheating

Stovetop heating may not be the most optimal way, but if that’s all you have access to, heating a small batch of french fries can actually be pretty decent on the stovetop. Here’s some tips to change that decent fries into great!

Step-by-Step Guide for Reheating Fries on Stovetop

• Choosing the right pan: A non-stick pan or an iron skillet works best for reheating. They retain heat and help prevent the starchy potatoes from sticking.

• Add Oil: A small amount of oil is necessary for the fries to not stick to the pan. The oil should be hot but not smoking. If it’s too hot, the surface crust will burn with the insides being cold and soggy.

• Small Batches: Reheat the fries in small batches. Overcrowding can trap steam and make the fries soggy.

• Toss and Turn: Although tedious, it is necessary to flip the fries every 1-2 mins to ensure even heat distribution. 

Tips for Stovetop Reheating

• Pat Dry First: Pat dry the fries to take away excess moisture and grease. 

• Season after reheating: Seasonings should always be added after reheating. The salt captures the excess moisture from the surface and maintains the crispy exterior. 

Oven-reheating is the preferred method to reheat a large batch of fries. Stovetop cooking is only ideal when you have a small batch – it is quite time-consuming and tedious to reheat fries in a pan. 

What About Microwave Heating? Does it Work?

Reheating fries in the microwave may be very convenient and easy. Pop it in, wait for mins and there you go – “reheated” fries. These should truly be your last resort for heating and it would be a crime to not follow our tips.

Challenges of Reheating Fries in the Microwave

• Uneven Heating: Microwaves use radiation to heat food, and the distribution of heat can be very uneven. This results in some parts being overcooked and others still being soggy.

• Steam: Microwaves trap steam and let the moisture migrate to the surface of the fry, preventing a crispy exterior from forming.

• Texture: While microwaves can heat the fries, the uneven heat damages the texture even more, making it soggier and very rubbery.

Salvage Those Fries!

Well let’s say you did use the last resort and reheated the fries in the microwave… well, what now? Don’t worry we can still save your fries.

• Microwave-safe crisper tray: Crisper trays are designed to absorb radiation and turn them into heat waves – in short, mimicking an oven. This allows a more even distribution of heat and retains some of the crispiness. 

• Transfer to an Oven or Air Fryer: If all fails, transfer the soggy fries yet again on a baking tray evenly, and let the convection oven do its witchcraft. Preheat the oven to 375-400° and heat them for about 3-5 minutes. 

Pro Tips for Storing Fries for Reheating

To enjoy delicious, crispy fries, ensure that you store them properly from the get-go to avoid the sogginess later on. The following steps ensure that you enjoy fries in the best way possible. 

• Cool Fries Completely: Storing hot fries in a container can lock in the steam and moisture, resulting in soggy fries. Allow them to cool down before transferring them into an airtight container.

• Airtight Containers: Airtight containers ensure minimal exposure to air and can prevent those fresh fries from going stale.
• Layer Paper Towel: Paper towels soak in all the moisture from the fries and keep them dry. These fries, when reheated often result in the crispiest reheated fries. 

If you plan on consuming the leftover fries within 1-2 days, you can conveniently store fries in the fridge. To store them for longer periods, you seal them up in zip-loc bags.

To give you an insider insight — never add salt to fries before taking it off the heat. Salt draws out moisture to the surface and causes sogginess. Always reheat them and then add the seasoning of your choice. 

Conclusion

Soggy fries can truly be dreadful when you’re trying to enjoy that fast-food experience after a hectic day. However, we’re always here for the rescue.

BurgerFi ensures that our fries are always top-notch quality and fresh for a long time. Our intricate process ensures the golden-brown goodness with each bite. Order from our extensive menu and enjoy some of our amazing sides, including fries. Now that you are equipped with all the tips and tricks to reheat fries you can order one of our meals even if you live a little farther from one of our locations.