Few things disappoint more than discovering your McDonald’s fries have gone cold and lost their famous crunch. Those crispy, golden fries often steal the spotlight, becoming the go-to snack in any McDonald’s meal. But once they cool down, it can feel impossible to bring back their crispy goodness. Fortunately, with the right approach, you can restore them close to their original perfection.
McDonald’s might be known for breakfast favorites like the Egg McMuffin and hash browns, but let us be honest—the fries are the ultimate fan-favorite, enjoyed any time of day. People crave that satisfying crunch and warm, salty flavor, making it even more important to find the best ways to reheat them when leftovers linger.
And don’t worry if you are late for breakfast. If you got some leftovers of fries or McNuggets from last night, there are different ways to reheat them and make just as good as fresh, or least clost to that.
This article will uncover the best reheating methods to help you enjoy crispy McDonald’s fries anytime.
1. Use an Oven
| Method | Steps | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oven | 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Spread fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. 3. Bake for 5 minutes, flip fries, then bake for an additional 2-3 minutes. |
7-8 minutes | Close to original crispiness with a golden color, slightly firmer inside. |
I tried using the oven to reheat my leftover McDonald’s fries, and honestly, this method came the closest to the crispy goodness you get when they are fresh. First, I preheated the oven to 400°F and spread the fries out on a baking sheet in a single layer.
After just a few minutes, they started to look golden and crispy again. I checked them after about 5 minutes, flipped them once to make sure they heated evenly, and then let them bake for another couple of minutes.
The results were surprisingly close to the original texture, with a slight crunch and that familiar golden color. However, there is a small difference compared to fresh McDonald’s fries—they are not quite as soft and fluffy inside.
They definitely taste better than fries that went cold or were reheated in the microwave, but you might notice they are just a bit firmer.
If you want reheated fries that almost taste fresh, the oven is worth the extra time. It does not give you that exact “straight out of the fryer” feel, but it is close enough to satisfy when you want that McDonald’s fry fix.
2. Try with an Air Fryer
| Method | Steps | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer | 1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F. 2. Place fries in a single layer in the basket. 3. Cook for 3-4 minutes, shaking halfway through. |
3-4 minutes | Hot and crispy, with a slightly crunchier texture than fresh. |
Using the air fryer to reheat McDonald’s fries is quick and gives a pretty impressive result. I set my air fryer to 400°F, spread the fries in a single layer in the basket, and cooked them for around 3-4 minutes.
Halfway through, I shook the basket to ensure they heated evenly. The air fryer made the fries hot and crispy on the outside without making them overly dry.
The result is satisfying—close to fresh but with a slightly different texture. The fries are a bit crunchier on the outside than fresh McDonald’s fries, and the inside feels slightly drier. However, they still hit that craving for a hot, crispy fry better than most methods.
If you want quick, decent reheated fries without using a lot of oil, the air fryer is a solid option.
To improve the taste even more, I recommend you testing some of the gluten-free dips I recently shared. My favorite combination with McDonalds fries is the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.
3. Heat in a Pan on the Stove
| Method | Steps | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stove Pan | 1. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan on medium-high. 2. Spread fries in a single layer. 3. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping with tongs. |
4-6 minutes | Crispy outside, firmer inside, with a bit more of a fried flavor. |
Honestly, I was skeptical about reheating fries in a pan because they often turn out uneven or greasy. But I gave it a shot. I put a small amount of oil in a non-stick pan and heated it on medium-high until it shimmered.
Once hot, I spread the fries in a single layer, letting them sizzle for a couple of minutes on each side, using tongs to flip them around.
The result? Mixed feelings. The outside turned nice and crispy, but the inside was definitely different—firmer than fresh fries and slightly drier. The added oil also made them taste a bit more fried, almost like they had been cooked twice.
They were crispy, yes, but not quite like fresh McDonald’s fries. If you want something quick and do not mind the extra oil, this method is fine. For me, though, it did not quite hit the mark of that classic McDonald’s fry taste.
4. Use the Microwave
| Method | Steps | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave | 1. Spread fries in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. 2. Cover with a damp paper towel. 3. Heat in 20-second intervals until warm. |
1-2 minutes | Hot but soft. Lacks crispiness and fresh fry texture. |
Using the microwave felt like a last resort, but I wanted to test it for convenience. I spread the fries out on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer and covered them with a damp paper towel, hoping to avoid that dried-out texture microwaves tend to give.
I set it on high for 20-second intervals, checking after each one to see if they were warm enough.
The outcome was disappointing. The fries came out hot but soft and definitely lacked any crunch. They tasted warm but had none of that crispiness you expect from McDonald’s fries.
If you are in a real rush or just do not care about the texture, the microwave will do the trick, but for me, it felt like eating something completely different from a fresh fry.
This method is quick, but it just does not keep the fries close to their original texture.
5. Try Deep Frying
| Method | Steps | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Fryer | 1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or pot. 2. Carefully drop fries in hot oil. 3. Fry for 20-30 seconds, then drain on paper towels. |
20-30 seconds | Very close to fresh, crispy outside, and slightly greasy. |
Deep frying seemed like the most promising way to get that original crispy taste back, so I gave it a go. I heated some oil in a pot until it was hot enough to sizzle, then carefully dropped in a handful of fries.
They only needed about 20-30 seconds before they looked golden and crispy again, so I scooped them out and placed them on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
The result was surprisingly close to the fresh McDonald’s fries. Crispy outside and soft inside, with that classic salty flavor intact. However, they were a little greasier than fresh fries, which might not be ideal if you are aiming for a light snack.
Still, if you do not mind the extra oil and have the setup ready, deep frying is as close as it gets to the real thing. It is not the fastest method, but it definitely delivers.
6. Reheat in a Toaster Oven
| Method | Steps | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toaster Oven | 1. Preheat toaster oven to 400°F. 2. Spread fries in a single layer on the tray. 3. Reheat for 3 minutes, flipping halfway. |
3 minutes | Crispy outside, warm inside, close to fresh fry texture. |
The last solution I tested was the toaster oven, hoping it would bring back some crispiness without too much hassle. I preheated it to 400°F, placed the fries in a single layer on the tray, and let them heat up for about 3 minutes. Halfway through, I flipped them over to get an even texture.
The result was better than expected. They did not have that exact McDonald’s fluffy center, but they came close enough that I was pretty happy with the outcome. The toaster oven reheated the fries without adding extra oil or leaving them too dry.
And the Winner Is?
After trying every method, the oven and air fryer are the only options that come close to bringing back the original crispy taste of McDonald’s fries. If I had to choose, the oven would be the top choice for achieving that familiar McDonald’s texture, crispy outside, warm and soft inside.
The oven is perfect for other food as well, especially when it comes leftover lasagna, but can be used in other situations, like for scrambled eggs and more.
It takes a few extra minutes, but the result is worth it, with a texture that feels almost like getting fresh fries from the restaurant.
The air fryer is a strong second, especially when you need something faster. It delivers great crispiness, though the fries turn out a bit crunchier than the originals. Both methods manage to avoid the dry or greasy textures that can happen with other options.
The other methods, like the stove, toaster oven, and microwave, work in a pinch, but they do not fully recapture that fresh-from-McDonald’s flavor.
The stove and toaster oven can give a reasonable crunch, but the inside tends to be firmer. As for the microwave, it is quick but leaves the fries soft and lacking any real crispiness.
So, if you want to enjoy leftover McDonald’s fries that taste as close to the original as possible, go with the oven or air fryer. Both give you fries that are warm, crispy, and satisfyingly close to the McDonald’s experience you love.
