Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the basket is hot enough to immediately start crisping up cold, soggy fries without overcooking the inside.
Step 2: Arrange the Fries
Avoid Overcrowding: Place your leftover fries into the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure not to pile them too deep or overcrowd the basket. If you have a large amount, it is best to air fry them in separate batches to ensure even crisping.
Step 3: Cooking Time & Adjustments
Air fry the potatoes at 350°F for a total of 5 minutes.
Shake and Mix: At the 3-minute mark, pull the basket open and give the fries a thorough toss or mix with a pair of tongs to ensure all sides crisp up evenly.
Thinner vs. Thicker Cuts: If you are reheating very thin shoe-string fries, they may be perfectly crispy and ready to serve at the 3-minute check. Conversely, if you are reheating thick-cut steak fries, they will likely require a few additional minutes beyond the standard 5-minute mark to heat completely through to the center.
Step 4: Serve
Once the fries reach your desired crunch level, carefully remove them from the basket. Toss them with an extra pinch of fresh salt or seasoning if preferred, and serve immediately.
For a complete beginner guide, read:Air Fryer Guide for Beginners
