French Fries Arrive Soggy? Chef John’s Got a Trick to Save Them!

I’m not a certified life coach, but I’m here to share some wisdom. Today, let’s ditch the traditional recipe format and talk about how to bring your leftover fries back to crispy perfection. Many people reheat fries in the oven, which works, but do you really want to heat up your entire oven and wait 10 minutes for a handful of fries to get hot? No need. You can reheat them faster and better in a pan.

The key is to keep the fries moving. Toss them every 30 seconds or so until you hear that satisfying crunch. Once the moisture evaporates, you’ll start to hear the fries clanking in the pan – that’s your cue that they’re almost ready. Don’t be tempted to add oil – we’re not deep-frying here, just bringing that crispy texture back. The fries already have enough fat from the potato.

If you're someone who always finishes your fries and never has leftovers, remember this trick for the next time your delivery is late. If your fries arrive limp and cold, put them in the fridge for a few minutes, then follow the re-crisping steps for an even better result. Either way, I hope you give this quick, easy method a try soon. Enjoy!

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