Your leftovers deserve an encore! Here's the right way to reheat fries in an air fryer.
How to Reheat Fries (and Other Leftovers) in Your Air Fryer
Updated Feb. 27, 2024
Even if you’re eating the best fries in the USA, sometimes you just can’t finish them all. Is there anything sadder than good french fries going to waste? Nope—but you don’t have to toss ’em. If you’ve got an air fryer at home, you can give your delicious fries new life in just a few minutes.
Become an expert on air fryers with this guide.
How to Reheat Fries
Set your air fryer to 350°F and preheat it for a couple of minutes. (I find that preheating helps the fries cook more evenly.) Spread out the fries in the basket. Don’t fill the basket more than half full or the fries won’t crisp up as well. And if you have a lot of leftovers, it’s best to reheat them in batches.
Heat the fries for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you have steak fries, add an extra minute or two of cooking time. Either way, keep your eyes on the fries—they can go from crispy to burnt in the blink of an eye. Here’s how to reheat McDonald’s fries at home.
See what else you can do with that magical air fryer of yours!
How to Reheat Other Leftovers
Fries aren’t the only fast food leftovers that would love a few minutes in the air fryer (here’s how that works). Plenty of fast food and takeout will come out perfectly crispy the second time around.
Pizza
Preheat the air fryer to 320°F. Lay the leftover slices in the basket—but don’t overlap them. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then for 30-second intervals if the slices aren’t done.
Fried Chicken
Made one of our best fried chicken recipes? Let the chicken come to room temperature before you start. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes at 320°F. Again, don’t overcrowd the basket. Here are a few tips for reheating fried chicken.
Egg Rolls
Set the oven to 350°F. Preheat a few minutes and add the egg rolls. Cook them till just warmed through—about 3 to 4 minutes.
Of course, an air fryer is good for much more than heating up leftovers. You can make Southern fried chicken that’ll help you forget drive-thrus even exist, or even crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts. It’s unlikely there will be any leftovers when you do!
Find Air Fryer Recipes for Apps, Mains & More
Air-Fryer Chicken StripsTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Chicken tenderloins, panko bread crumbs
Level: Beginner
Who needs frozen chicken tenders when they're this easy to make at home? The breading for this recipe is made with more than just bread crumbs: Crushed potato sticks, cheese crackers and crumbled bacon are added to give these tenders a burst of flavor with each bite. It's easiest to make these with chicken tenders, but you can substitute chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips if you can't find tenders.
These crispy air-fryer chicken tenders are perfect for dipping. Try with your favorite honey mustard, ranch or barbecue sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer SalmonTotal Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Salmon, olive oil
Level: Beginner
If you’re new to cooking fish or inimidated to try it in general, using an air fryer is a pretty straightforward way to go about it. After marinating for a few minutes, cod, one of the best fish to eat, comes out flaky, light and delicious.
Preparing salmon in the air fryer is, hands down, one of the easiest ways to cook it. Air-fryer salmon stays succulent, but still gets lightly browned on the outside. Use this simple salmon recipe as a starting point for different flavors and styles of salmon. The possibilities are endless! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Zucchini FriesTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Zucchini, panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese
Level: Intermediate
Fried zucchini by another name, these panko-coated sticks take healthy snacking to a whole new level. Serve with lots of homemade ranch dressing or zippy marinara sauce, or any of your other favorite dipping sauces.
These aren't anything like potato fries—in a good way! They are air-fried to crispy perfection and oh, so flavorful. Enjoy them as an appetizer or a low-carb alternative to french fries. Don't have an air fryer? You can convection-bake them for the same amount of time. —Recipe contributor Jen Pahl, West Allis, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer BaconTotal Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Bacon
Level: Beginner
Air-fryer bacon cooks more quickly than it does in the oven or on the stovetop, and it's so much crispier. It goes perfectly with eggs and pancakes or alone as a poppable salty snack.
Yes, you can make bacon in your air fryer! It's easy and keeps your stovetop free for making other breakfast foods. —Recipe contributor Jenna Urben, McKinney, Texas
Air-Fryer French Toast SticksTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Day-old Texas toast, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon
Level: Intermediate
Looking for an easy way to feed a crowd when you have guests in town? Make up a batch of these French toast sticks, freeze them on a baking sheet and toss them in a pre-heated air-fryer basket when everyone wakes up. You can store them in an airtight container or freezer bag so you'll always have this crowd-pleaser on hand.
This quick recipe makes it easy to prepare air-fryer French toast sticks. Have them handy in the freezer for a hearty breakfast in an instant. They're also wonderful for buffets and eating on the go. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer Chicken WingsTotal Time: 50 minutes
Main Ingredients: Whole chicken wings, baking soda, garlic powder, ground allspice, cayenne pepper
Level: Intermediate
The air fryer was made for chicken wings! The skin crisps up perfectly in the high heat, so there's no need to add a breading or batter coating to your wings. We recommend using fresh wings for this recipe, as frozen wings will take much longer to cook.
You can't go wrong with these crispy air-fryer chicken wings. Our spice rub has a nice kick from the cayenne seasoning. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer Mozzarella SticksTotal Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: String cheese, flour, eggs, bread crumbs
Level: Intermediate
These homemade mozz sticks are even better than the deep-fried version, elevating a piece of string cheese into a snack worthy of a football party. Plan ahead—you need time to freeze the sticks after you coat the string cheese with flour and bread crumbs.
Deep-fried mozzarella sticks are one of our favorite appetizers. I figured out how to make them at home without having to haul out the deep fryer. Make sure to double-bread each one so these air-fryer mozzarella sticks get nice and crunchy, and to keep the cheese from oozing out as they get warm. —Recipe contributor Mary Merchant, Barre, Vermont
Air-Fryer Southern-Style ChickenTotal Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Egg, Ritz crackers, broiler/fryer chicken
Level: Intermediate
What's the secret to crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside fried chicken? It's all in the breading—and crushed Ritz crackers give this chicken an incredible texture. If you can't fit a whole chicken into your air fryer, split this air-fryer recipe into two batches to ensure each piece crisps up. You can hold the cooked chicken in a 200°F oven to keep it warm while the remaining pieces cook.
I call this America’s best-loved air-fryer chicken recipe. The secret is in the herby, golden brown breading that makes the chicken super moist and flavorful. —Recipe contributor Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee
Air-Fryer PicklesTotal Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Dill pickle slices, dill pickle juice, panko bread crumbs
Level: Intermediate
The key to extra-crispy air-fried pickles is all in the preparation. Remove the pickle slices from the jar about 15 minutes before you're ready to cook, patting them dry and allowing the excess liquid to drain before cooking. Then, bread the pickles just before cooking them, and use a naturally crunchy breading like panko bread crumbs.
Enjoy deep-fried pickles? You’ll love this version even more. Dill pickle slices are coated with panko bread crumbs and spices and then air-fried until crispy. Dip them in ranch dressing for an appetizer you won’t soon forget. —Recipe contributor Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Air-Fryer Buffalo CauliflowerTotal Time: 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Cauliflower, Buffalo sauce
Level: Beginner
General Tso is pretty famous for his chicken, but this plant-based recipe may have you thinking twice about whether the meat is necessary. The sauce contains a ton of ingredients, but it's definitely worth making. It tastes almost exactly like the restaurant version of this recipe!
Low-carb cauliflower Buffalo bites cook up fast in the air fryer, making them an easy snack or side dish. I serve them with a flavorful dip made with cottage cheese that's packed with protein compared to most dips. My teenagers happily eat their veggies with this recipe. —Recipe contributor Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Air-Fryer Potato ChipsTotal Time: 50 minutes
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, olive oil cooking spray, sea salt
Level: Intermediate
After trying this recipe, you may never buy store-bought potato chips again! We recommend using a mandoline (one of our top air-fryer accessories) to cut very thin potato slices. Thick-cut potatoes won't crisp up correctly, so try to get them as thin as possible.
For Christmas one year, I received an air fryer. Potato chips are simple to make in it and are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Recipe contributor Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York
Air-Fryer Cumin CarrotsTotal Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Carrots, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, coconut oil or butter
Level: Intermediate
Roasting carrots deepens their flavor, turning them into tender bites with a rich and sweet flavor. Adding cumin to the mix enhances the carrot's naturally earthy flavor, creating a perfect side dish alongside bold meats. They also taste great when added to vegetarian quinoa or rice bowls.
Air-fryer carrots make a super side—big on flavor and a breeze to cook. Plus, I can actually get my husband to eat these fragrant, deeply spiced veggies. —Recipe contributor Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida
Air-Fryer Garlic-Rosemary Brussels SproutsTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, panko bread crumbs, garlic, fresh rosemary
Level: Intermediate
This is one of our favorite Brussels sprout sides. The halved sprouts crisp up perfectly in the air fryer, and the herbed bread crumbs add the perfect texture. The cooking time varies depending on your air fryer brand, so check them every four minutes or so to see if they've softened and started to caramelize on the edges.
This air-fryer Brussels sprouts recipe is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish. It's healthy and easy, and it doesn't take very much time or effort to make. I usually use rosemary for my turkey, so this lets me use up some of the leftover herbs! —Recipe contributor Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Air-Fryer Garlic BreadTotal Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Ciabatta or French bread, butter, Parmesan, garlic
Level: Beginner
Look to the air fryer for a quick and easy side for soup, salad or pasta. You can use any sturdy, crusty bread for this recipe, like ciabatta, baguette or sourdough. Feel free to coat the bread with the topping in advance and store it in the freezer until you're ready to cook.
By the way, if you want to maximize your air fryer's cooking space, these stackable racks are just what you need.
This air-fryer garlic bread turns out perfectly toasted in a hurry. I use fresh garlic, but substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if you don't have any fresh on hand. —Recipe contributor Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer MeatballsTotal Time: 45 minutes
Main Ingredients: Quick-cooking oats, Ritz crackers, evaporated milk, ground beef, orange marmalade, soy sauce, Louisiana-style hot sauce
Level: Intermediate
These meatballs are fantastic, but the real star of the show is the sweet-and-spicy sauce. The combination of orange marmalade, honey and brown sugar brings the sweetness, while hot sauce, Worcestershire and soy sauce provide an umami-rich heat. Serve these meatballs over rice or mashed potatoes, or serve them on a toothpick as an appetizer.
I am always searching for meatballs that pack a sweet and savory punch. These air-fryer meatballs are a snap to pull together and can be served over rice or buttered noodles. —Recipe contributor Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
Air-Fryer AsparagusTotal Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Asparagus, lemon zest, Parmesan cheese
Level: Beginner
It's impossible to have too many asparagus recipes, especially in the spring when this vegetable is abundant. It might seem odd to coat the asparagus with mayonnaise before it cooks, but trust us; the mayonnaise combines with the olive oil to create a smooth marinade, and it helps the asparagus caramelize to perfection.
This air-fryer asparagus recipe is flavorful, thanks to the lemon-garlic dressing that the spears are tossed in before roasting. It's a simple, quick side that goes with almost anything. —Recipe contributor Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Air-Fryer Coconut ShrimpTotal Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Uncooked shrimp, sweetened shredded coconut, panko bread crumbs
Level: Intermediate
A restaurant-style coconut shrimp recipe that tastes just as good when you make it at home? Sign us up! Look for large shrimp or packages labeled anywhere from 26 to 35 shrimp per pound. These shrimp will stay juicy and moist on the inside in the time it takes to crisp up the coconut coating.
Coconut flakes and panko crumbs give my spicy air-fryer coconut shrimp recipe its crunch. It’s perfect for an appetizer or for your main meal. —Recipe contributor Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
Air-Fryer Chicken LegsTotal Time: 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Chicken drumsticks, honey, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, spicy brown mustard
Level: Intermediate
The barbecue sauce that coats these crispy chicken legs may become your new favorite. It has the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, salty and spicy that will keep you going back bite after bite. Create a feast by serving this air fryer chicken recipe with your favorite barbecue sides, like coleslaw or baked beans.
With this air-fryer grill pan, you can turn your favorite kitchen appliance into an indoor barbecue, too.
For years, I tried to find the perfect bottled barbecue sauce for chicken legs. After a few years, I threw in the towel and created my own using ketchup, honey and spicy brown mustard. It works perfectly with this air-fryer chicken legs recipe. —Recipe contributor Kathleen Criddle, Lake Worth, Florida
Air-Fryer French FriesTotal Time: 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, coconut or avocado oil, garlic powder
Level: Intermediate
You could certainly pick up a bag of frozen french fries and toss them in the air fryer, but this from-scratch recipe is easier than you'd think. Just be sure to soak the cut potatoes in ice water for 15 minutes before cooking. The water keeps the potatoes from oxidizing and turning brown, and it also pulls out some of the excess starches to help them crisp up as they cook.
This low-calorie, air-fryer french fries recipe is perfect because I can whip it up at a moment's notice with ingredients I have on hand. The fries are so crispy you won't miss the deep fryer! —Recipe contributor Dawn Parker, Surrey, British Columbia
Chili-Lime Roasted ChickpeasTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, olive oil, cumin, lime zest
Level: Beginner
Chickpea fritters make a fabulous appetizer for mixed company because they're naturally vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free (except the yogurt dipping sauce, of course). To turn them into a main dish, wrap them up in a pita with hummus and chopped tomatoes, or use them instead of falafel in a Mediterranean Cobb salad.
Looking for a lighter snack that's still a crowd pleaser? You've found it! These zesty, crunchy chickpeas will have everyone happily munching. —Recipe contributor Julie Ruble, Charlotte, North Carolina
Air-Fryer Fish TacosTotal Time: 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Tilapia fillets, corn tortillas, panko bread crumbs
Level: Intermediate
Baja-style tacos feature breaded, fried fish served in a tortilla with a creamy white sauce. This recipe has all of those components, but the air fryer reduces excess oil while producing the same crispy result. Tilapia is an inexpensive choice for these tacos, but you can use any white fish, like cod or rockfish.
These crispy air-fryer fish tacos are good enough to challenge the best food truck. I love that the fish is deliciously guilt-free because it’s air-fried instead of deep-fried. —Recipe contributor Lena Lim, Seattle, Washington
Air-Fryer Peanut Butter CookiesTotal Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Egg, sugar, creamy peanut butter
Level: Beginner
This air-fryer dessert recipe only requires three ingredients. Seriously! You can jazz up the cookies with melted chocolate, chopped toffee or candy like M&M's, but they taste great with pure peanut flavor, too. To make them look fancier, use a fork to create a crisscross pattern on the top before baking.
An iconic American cookie, this version is so easy to mix up and bakes even faster in the air fryer. With these air-fryer peanut butter cookies, cravings can now be satisfied in mere minutes. —Recipe contributor Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer TaquitosTotal Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Ground beef, corn tortillas, taco seasoning
Level: Intermediate
Taquitos are deep-fried or baked tortillas that have been rolled around fillings like meat or cheese. They're similar to flautas, but taquitos are usually made with corn tortillas (whereas flautas are made with flour tortillas). You can use store-bought tortillas, but if you have time, make corn tortillas from scratch.
I love these any-occasion air-fryer taquitos. Spice them up by adding sliced jalapenos if desired. —Recipe contributor Mark Webber, Valdez, Alaska
Air-Fryer Breaded ShrimpTotal Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Panko breadcrumbs, uncooked shrimp, all-purpose flour, 2% milk, egg
Level: Intermediate
Air-fried coconut shrimp is one of our most popular recipes, but not everyone loves that coconut flavor. This "fried" shrimp recipe uses savory seasonings instead, spicing the bread crumbs with seafood seasoning and dill weed. If you're watching your salt intake, make your own salt-free seafood seasoning.
These quick air-fryer shrimp are so good you won't even miss the fat! Eat them alone with cocktail sauce or put them on a salad or sandwich. —Recipe contributor Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Air-Fryer Nashville Hot ChickenTotal Time: 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Chicken tenderloins, dill pickle juice, hot pepper sauce
Level: Intermediate
The beauty of making Nashville hot chicken in an air fryer is that you can customize the heat level. Sensitive palates may find this dish too spicy to be palatable at a restaurant, but at home, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper to tone it down.
I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —Recipe contributor April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee
Air-Fryer Cinnamon Breakfast BitesTotal Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: All-purpose flour, Rice Krispies, milk, cinnamon, butter
Level: Intermediate
Let the kids help with this easy almost-doughnut recipe. Flour, crushed crispy rice cereal, milk and a few other ingredients create the easy-to-roll dough. Drop the balls in butter, then cinnamon sugar, pop them in the air fryer, and everyone has a quick sweet treat that puts endless smiles on their faces.
These scrumptious breakfast treats are so quick and easy to make, and the air fryer gives this a crispy, sugary coating that's hard to resist. —Recipe contributor Ruth Hastings, Louisville, Illinois
Air-Fryer PlantainsTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Green plantains, garlic salt, onion powder, garlic powder
Level: Intermediate
Tostones, or fried plantains, are a staple in places like Puerto Rico and Cuba, and making them in the air fryer lightens up the usually deep-fried snack. Both yellow and black plantains, which are green plantains that have ripened a bit more, can be used in this recipe. But for the best results, look for plantains with some patches of both yellow and black.
Having grown up in Puerto Rico, I've had so much amazing Caribbean food, but tostones have always been a favorite of mine. Traditionally they are deep-fried, but this version of air-fryer plantains gives me the same fabulous taste without some of the calories. —Recipe contributor Leah Martin, Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania
Air-Fryer Pork TenderloinTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, spicy brown mustard, garlic powder, onion powder
Level: Intermediate
This pork tenderloin is faster to make in the air fryer than in the oven. Try it for a nice Sunday dinner with roasted veggies and risotto.
I originally developed this air-fryer pork tenderloin recipe to cook on the stove and finish in the oven, but you can make it even quicker in an air fryer—and it's just as tasty. —Recipe contributor Lynn Faria, Southington, Connecticut
Air-Fryer Eggplant FriesTotal Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Eggplant, eggs, Parmesan cheese
Level: Intermediate
Swap french fries for a new kind of fry using eggplant. They have a wonderful texture and are much healthier. This guilt-free side will become a new family favorite.
My kids love these air-fryer fries, and I like that they're healthy. Coated with Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt, these eggplant fries are delicious and guilt-free. —Recipe contributor Mary Murphy, Atwater, California
Air-Fryer Recipes FAQ
Can you make breakfast in an air fryer?
Yes! Create an entire morning spread with air-fryer breakfast recipes, from Danishes to quiche. For a grab-and-go breakfast, people swear by using the air fryer to make hard-boiled eggs.
How can you convert recipes for an air fryer?
To convert an oven-cooked recipe to an air-fryer one, reduce the temperature by 25°F and cut the cook time by about 20%. For more tips and tricks, bookmark this guide to air-fryer cooking times.
How do you clean an air fryer?
To clean an air fryer, first remove all of the removable pieces, like the basket and tray. Suds them up with dish soap and water—or pop the pieces in the dishwasher. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe down the rest of the unit and the control panel. Thoroughly dry everything before you reassemble the air fryer.
Originally Published: November 13, 2019
