For the most part, I try to avoid wasting food. When I go out to dinner with my boys, we often bring home a box of whatever didn’t get eaten to save for later. Generally these leftovers are gone within a a day, but one restaurant leftover that seldom gets eaten….french fries!
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My boys are definitely “microwave chefs”, and try as they might to microwave those leftover fries, they never turn out very good! The fries get hot, but they’re also mushy and tasteless. So despite my efforts to avoid food waste, into the trash they go. But I recently made a great discovery – a simple method that will transform those sad, leftover fries back into perfectly crispy and tasty fries! And it’s so easy that even my boys can handle it. :-)
Start by adding a neutral-flavored cooking oil to the bottom of a large skillet, just enough to coat the bottom in a thin layer. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot.
When the oil is sufficiently hot, place the leftover fries in the pan in one layer. If you have more fries than will fit in one layer, reheat them in batches.
When the bottoms are crispy and golden brown, flip the fries over and cook for another couple of minutes until they’re crispy and golden brown all over. Remove the fries from the pan and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
Add salt and seasonings, if desired, and serve immediately with the dip of your choice! Fry sauce anyone?
How easy is that? I’m predicting no more leftover fries being thrown away in this house. ;-)
What is your preferred way to eat leftover fries?
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[…] The Best Way to Reheat Leftover French Fries [One Good Thing by Jillee] […]
I always use the toaster over and they come out amazing. Definitely never use the microwave to reheat fries.
Another vote for toaster oven. Comes out perfect & no added calories w/ the oil. ;)
I put leftover fries in the freezer (I do this with leftover fried chicken as well) the night before and reheat in the a preheated oven at about 350-400 degrees for about 20 minutes for the fries and about 30-45 minutes when reheating fried chicken. While I do lightly spray a baking sheet for the fries, there’s no need to add extra oil if reheating leftover fried chicken.
Turn fries once about 10 minutes and chicken once at about 15 minutes.
Once ready, remove from oven immediately and enjoy crispy fries or chicken that taste just fried.
Anyone ever tried using an electric griddle?! It’s great for re-heating tons of things ~ and fries! But the very best is heated & “crisped” pizza that comes from the delivery guys! Pop it onto the griddle straight from that cardboard box, and even re-heat any that’s left over! It doesn’t take long at all till it’s hot & crisp & the cheese is melted! Just watch it, b/c it can get a bit “too brown” if you turn it too high!
I warm them up in a non-stick pan. Then I make them into chili cheese fries. My husband now loves them so much, he always makes sure we take some fries home.
I discovered this trick a few months ago while heating leftovers for my dad. He loved them!
We always make an egg bake with them, works perfectly!!!
What a clever idea!
I use a oil free fryer. No need to add more oil. It works perfectly!
What kind of oilless maker do you have?
Left over French fries….You slay me….snicker, snicker….
I agree. Left over fries? Never heard of ’em.