Can You Reheat McDonald’s Fries in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can reheat McDonald’s fries in an air fryer. An air fryer works by circulating hot air around food to quickly heat it up and make it crispy. This makes an air fryer a great option for reheating McDonald’s fries and restoring their signature crunchiness.
Why Reheat McDonald’s Fries in an Air Fryer?
There are a few advantages to using an air fryer instead of a microwave or oven when reheating McDonald’s fries:
- Gets fries crispy again – The hot air circulated in an air fryer will make limp, soggy fries crispy again by drying out the exterior.
- Avoids getting fries rubbery – Microwaving fries can make them rubbery, while an air fryer avoids that texture issue.
- Quick and easy – Air fryers reheats faster than an oven.
- Uses less oil – An air fryer doesn’t require adding more oil when reheating.
So if you have leftover McDonald’s fries that have gotten cold and limp, an air fryer is your best bet for bringing them back to their crisp, golden, just-out-of-the-fryer state.
How to Reheat McDonald’s Fries in an Air Fryer
Reheating McDonald’s fries in an air fryer is simple and takes just a few minutes. Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Add the cold French fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
- Reheat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Fries may need a minute or two longer if refrigerated.
- Carefully remove the hot fries from the air fryer and season or dip as desired.
The key is to spread the fries out in the air fryer and avoid overcrowding so the hot air can properly circulate around each fry. Reheating times may vary based on how large your air fryer is and how many fries you are reheating.
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your reheated McDonald’s fries come out crispy and delicious:
- Use within 2 days – For best texture and flavor, reheat fries within a day or two of purchasing.
- Cut large fries – Cut any extra long fries in half so they heat evenly.
- Toss halfway – Shake up or toss the fries midway through reheating.
- Season immediately – Season with salt right after taking them out.
- Avoid overcrowding – Leave space between each fry for air circulation.
Following these simple tips will ensure your reheated McDonald’s fries have that hot, crispy, golden-brown texture you love.
Common Air Fryer Reheating Mistakes
It’s easy to end up with less than satisfactory results when reheating fries in an air fryer if you aren’t careful. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Overcrowding – Too many fries blocks airflow and prevents even reheating.
- Not preheating – Make sure to preheat the air fryer before adding fries.
- Cooking too long – Fries can quickly go from crispy to burnt and dried out.
- Not shaking/turning – Gotta shake those fries up midway for even reheating.
- Using old fries – Reheating fries more than 2 days old will lead to poor texture.
As long as you avoid these pitfalls and follow proper air fryer reheating techniques, you’ll be all set.
How Long Do Reheated Fries Last?
Once reheated in the air fryer, McDonald’s fries are best eaten right away. But if you have leftovers, here are some guidelines on how long they will last:
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 2-3 hours |
| Refrigerator | 3-4 days |
| Freezer | 1-2 months |
To maximize freshness and texture, aim to eat or freeze any uneaten reheated fries within a few hours. Simply reheat refrigerated or frozen fries in the air fryer again when ready to eat.
Other Ways to Reheat McDonald’s Fries
While an air fryer is the best reheating method, here are a few other ways to reheat McDonald’s fries if you don’t have one:
- Oven – Place fries on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 4-7 minutes.
- Skillet – Fry leftover fries in a skillet with a little oil for 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat.
- Microwave – Microwave fries on a plate in 30 second intervals until hot, may lose crispness.
The oven will be the next best option after an air fryer, though the fries may not get quite as crispy. Be sure to stir and flip them a few times.
Best Dips and Seasonings for Reheated Fries
Reheated McDonald’s fries pair great with any of the signature McDonald’s dipping sauces, especially:
- Ketchup
- Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce
- Ranch
- Barbecue Sauce
- Honey Mustard
Beyond that, here are some other tasty dip and seasoning ideas:
- Malt vinegar
- Buffalo ranch
- Sriracha mayo
- Chipotle aioli
- Garlic aioli
- Spicy ketchup
- Chili sauce
- Parmesan and truffle oil
- Cajun seasoning
Get creative with unique sauce and spice blends to give reheated McDonald’s fries new life. The crispy fries provide the perfect vehicle for all kinds of flavors.
Best Air Fryer Models for Fries
Almost any air fryer will do the trick, but larger models with higher wattages tend to work best for reheating fries quickly and evenly. Here are some top-rated models:
| Air Fryer | Wattage | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja Air Fryer AF101 | 1500W | 4 qt |
| Instant Vortex Air Fryer | 1700W | 6 qt |
| Philips TurboStar Airfryer | 1425W | 3 qt |
| COSORI Air Fryer Max XL | 1700W | 5.8 qt |
| GoWISE USA Air Fryer | 1700W | 5.8 qt |
Look for a model with at least 1400W – 1700W of power and a capacity of at least 4 quarts to give you flexibility for reheating larger batches.
Troubleshooting Reheated McDonald’s Fries
Having some trouble getting perfect results when reheating your fries? Here are some tips if you encounter any of these common issues:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Not hot enough | Increase air fryer temperature to 420°F. Reheat for longer, shaking basket occasionally. |
| Soggy or limp | Make sure to spread fries out in single layer. Reheat at higher temp for less time. |
| Burnt or dried out | Lower temp to 380°F. Watch closely and remove as soon as crispy. |
| Unevenly heated | Cut large fries in halves or thirds. Shake basket more frequently while reheating. |
A little trial and error will help you figure out the optimal times and temperatures for your particular air fryer model.
Storing Leftover McDonald’s Fries
To make your McDonald’s fries last as long as possible:
- Let fries cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
- Store in a sealed airtight container or zip-top bag.
- For maximum freshness, use within 2 days.
- To freeze, spread out fries in single layer on a sheet pan and freeze. Then transfer to a zip-top bag.
- Frozen fries last 1-2 months in the freezer.
With proper storage in the fridge or freezer, you can enjoy reheating leftover McDonald’s fries again and again.
McDonald’s Fries Reheating Safety
When reheating any leftover food, it’s important to follow food safety guidelines:
- Only reheat fries once – Don’t keep reheating.
- Discard if they smell or look spoiled.
- Ensure fries reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Serve immediately after reheating – Don’t let fries sit out.
- Avoid keeping at room temperature more than 2 hours.
- Refrigerate within 2 hours if not serving right away.
Being mindful of these food safety best practices will help avoid the risk of any bacterial growth when enjoying your reheated McDonald’s fries.
Enjoy Fries Just Like Fresh from McDonald’s
Reheating McDonald’s fries in the air fryer truly does restore them to that hot, crispy, right-out-of-the-fryer texture we all crave.
Now you’re ready to reheat your leftover fries like a pro and avoid soggy, rubbery microwave fries. With the perfect McDonald’s fry reheating tips and tricks, you can continue to enjoy your fries for days after purchase.
So next time you have leftover fries that seem destined for the trash, break out your air fryer and give them new life. Happy fry eating!