If you are one of those people who order things at a restaurant and then bring some home with you, I salute you. Restaurant food is sometimes better warmed up the next day, but there are some foods that just typically don’t make it into the doggie bag. One of those foods are French fries, which are delicious when they get to the table but, up until now, have been practically impossible to heat up properly at home. If you love French fries and would like to heat them up to enjoy them, then you have to check out the way to do it from The Kitchn.
One of the most important things to remember is that the microwave is not your friend when it comes to reheating French fries. After all, we enjoy fries because they have that crunchy exterior and a creamy center. Originally, the restaurant makes the fries delicious by deep-frying but if you throw them in the microwave, they will end up soggy.
In order to reheat French fries properly, you need to go back to the basics. Put about 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan for every one cup of fries you want to reheat. Cook the oil over medium-high heat and when it starts to shimmer, add fries in a single layer. Flip them after about a minute and allow them to cook for another 30-60 seconds.
By using the skillet to heat up your fries with oil, you produce what is known as the Maillard Reaction. It causes heat to transform sugars and proteins in food and creates a Browning effect that leaves fried food just like we want it.
After you crisp up the fries in the hot oil, remove them with a spatula or tongs and set them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle them with some salt and you are good to go.