How To Reheat McDonald's Fries For First-Fry Flavor

Air fryer

To begin, select the fries setting on your air fryer (approximately 375°F) and preheat it by running it for a minute or two before adding the fries.

Next, arrange the fries in a single layer in the lined air fryer basket and cook for 3-4 minutes, giving them a toss halfway through. Take them out when they are hot and crispy.

Oven bake

Next, let's use a conventional oven. Begin by preheating it to around 425 or 450°F.

Arrange the fries in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet. (Avoid stacking them, as this will cause them to steam and prevent even crisping.) Bake them on the center rack for 3-4 minutes.

You can shake the tray or turn the fries halfway through, but given the short cooking time, it's not essential. Take them out when they appear slightly more golden.

Pan fry

If you don't have an oven or air fryer in your kitchen, or if you simply prefer not to wait for preheating, you can easily reheat your leftover fries in a pan on the stove.

Begin by placing a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and adding a small amount of oil. Next, add the fries to the pan and cook for a few minutes, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning.

This method is quick and allows you to keep a closer eye on the fries compared to using an oven or fryer. However, it does require your attention, as there's a risk of burning or hardening the fries if you step away. So, stay nearby while they cook!

Microwave

To start, arrange your fries on a microwave-safe plate, ensuring they are spread out evenly—similar to the oven method, avoid stacking them. Next, heat the fries in 30-second intervals on regular power until they reach your desired temperature. We found that about a minute in the microwave was sufficient for our taste.

Using the microwave is a quick and convenient method, but the texture of the fries will not be ideal. While they will be hot, they won’t have that crispy finish. If you have an alternative method available, we suggest opting for that instead.

Which method is best?

Reheating in the oven produced the best results. The fries came out perfectly cooked, crispy, and tasted almost as if they were fresh. Although preheating the oven takes longer, these fries had the best flavor and texture. If you have the time, using the oven is definitely worth it.

The air fryer and frying pan also delivered decent results, but the air fryer is the better choice when you need a quick option and want to keep the kitchen cool. It preheats much faster than the oven—an advantage on a hot day—and can get the job done in just a few minutes. Plus, cooking this way doesn’t require any additional oil, unlike pan frying.

When you're short on time and don’t want to bother with kitchen equipment, you might resort to using the microwave. That’s understandable. Microwaves are the ultimate hands-off solution for quick results. However, they heat food from the inside out, which doesn’t create a crispy exterior. Some foods simply don’t fare well in the microwave, and leftover McDonald's fries definitely fall into that category.