How to Get Your Leftover French Fries Perfectly Crispy Again

November 29, 2011 - Posted in Tips & Techniques - 13 Comments

I’m excited to introduce a new category today: Tips & Techniques. I hope this will turn into a section that can provide you all with helpful tips to make home cooking a little easier. Feedback is much appreciated, so if you have any great tips or techniques to share, please add them via the comment form. The first tip I’m sharing is quite simple but very helpful nevertheless.

How to Reheat your Leftover French Fries the Right Way

I think this is a fitting first post in the new category. We all love French fries, but often times we have leftovers – my husband and I typically do since we try to limit our portions to avoid overeating. So last night we went to a great neighborhood bistro here in Brooklyn, NY and ended up with way too many fries for us to finish. And since I hate wasting food, I’ve decided to show you how I reheat my fries so they regain most of their crisp texture. The key here is high heat in a heavy-bottom pan, as opposed to throwing the fries into the oven or microwave. We need the direct contact to make them crispy.

Check out my other entry in the Tips & Techniques section, How to Make Homemade Garlic Mayo with a Hand Blender. It would go great with French fries.

Instructions below…

Soggy leftover fries right out of the fridge.

Heat a heavy-bottomed pan on medium-high with oil. I used my wide stainless steel pan.

Stir fries around the pan frequently to evenly crisp up.

Fries are crispy and golden brown. Ready to eat!

Coat pan with a high smoke point oil such as grapeseed or canola. Heat pan on medium-high, or until the oil begins to smoke. Add fries and coat with oil, stirring frequently. Depending on the thickness of your fries, cook for about 3-5 minutes.

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13 Responses to “How to Get Your Leftover French Fries Perfectly Crispy Again”

Dani C. November 30, 2011 at 11:28 am #

Thank you so much for posting this! I believe you may have made my Hubby’s day. We hate leftover fries because they are so soggy and nasty.

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- Barb November 30, 2011 at 2:44 pm #
  
  No problem, Dani! I hate soggy fries too so thought I’d share. I was so happy the first time we tried it
  
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Lauren @ hey, who cut the cheese? November 30, 2011 at 7:23 pm #

Such a simple thing, yet I wouldn’t have gotten it right until seeing this! Thanks for this one!

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- Barb November 30, 2011 at 9:57 pm #
  
  I know, it’s like a whole new batch of fries Thanks for commenting!
  
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ann December 1, 2011 at 1:36 pm #

Thank you for this great time! I hate wasting food, even if its just fries.

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- Barb December 1, 2011 at 2:49 pm #
  
  Yes, same here. Thanks for stopping by, Ann!
  
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Susan December 7, 2011 at 5:23 pm #

Thanks for sharing, and the lesson hands on…I presume you could do the same with sweet potato fries too! Always enjoy learning something new…

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- Barb December 7, 2011 at 5:51 pm #
  
  Thanks, Susan. Yes, you can definitely do the same with sweet potato fries!
  
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Simply Tia February 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm #

This is a wonderful trick! I will be using this. Thanks for sharing

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Decks January 23, 2013 at 11:27 pm #

Thanks! I just discovered this and it worked like a charm.

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- Barb January 23, 2013 at 11:31 pm #
  
  Glad you found this method, isn’t it great?
  
  Reply
Lisa C February 9, 2013 at 2:53 pm #

Thanks!! Just looked this up-tried it & YUMMY!!!

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- Barb February 9, 2013 at 3:51 pm #
  
  Awesome! Glad it worked out for you
  
  Reply