There’s no denying that most of us have a bit of a craving for chips now and then. But what happens if you cook way more than you can eat in a sitting? I, for one, hate cold chips. Fortunately, there are several ways you can reheat them (without ruining them).
I’ve found there are 3 half-decent methods for reheating chips. None of them take particularly long, it just comes down to which method you personally prefer. I’ve included all of them below.
How to Reheat Chips in the Oven
Reheating chips in the oven is easy, but you just need to make sure you don’t dry them out. Below are the required steps:
- Preheat Oven
Switch on your oven and preheat to 205°C. - Lay Chips on a Tray
Line an oven tray with greaseproof paper and spread your chips out on top. Try and lay them evenly so no chips are overlapping.
- Reheat
Once your oven is up to temperature, reheat your chips for five minutes. - Check the Temperature
Remove one chip from the tray and pierce it with a fork or break it in half. You want to see steam coming out of the centre of the potato, which indicates that it’s ready. If it’s not yet up to temperature, return the tray to the oven for a few more minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy
You’re now ready to serve up your reheated chips with whatever accompaniment you choose.
How to Reheat Chips in the Air Fryer
If you have an air fryer at home, then you can make use of it in order to reheat chips perfectly. Here are the simple steps that you need to follow:
- Load the Basket
Drop your chips in your air fryer basket. You don’t need to worry about spacing them out. - Switch On
Set your air fryer to 205°C and reheat your chips for 4 to 5 minutes. - Check the Temperature
Take a chip out of the basket and pierce it with a fork. If it’s steaming hot, your chips are ready to serve. If not, leave them in the fryer for a few more minutes. - Serve and Enjoy
When you’re happy that your chips are up to temperature, all that’s left to do is add some salt and vinegar and enjoy.
How to Reheat Chips on the Hob
If you want a really convenient way to reheat chips without too much prep and you don’t have an air fryer then using the hob is a great alternative option:
- Preheat
Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. You can add a small amount of oil to help crisp up the chips.
- Spread Out
Add the chips to the skillet in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Stir Occasionally
Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent them from burning. - Check for Crispiness
Once they have regained their crispiness, remove them from the skillet.
Reheating chips in the oven is widely considered the best method because it evenly distributes the heat, helping to restore their original crispiness without making them soggy. The dry, circulating heat of the oven works to draw out any excess moisture, too.
Tips for Reheating Chips
If you want things to go well when it comes to reheating chips, stick to these 5 simple tips:
- Preheat Your Appliance: Ensure that your oven, pan or air fryer is fully preheated before adding the chips. This helps to achieve a crispy texture.
- Spread Them Out: Arrange the chips in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This allows the heat to circulate evenly around each chip.
- Don’t Reheat in the Microwave: You might have realised this already, but we don’t recommend reheating chips in the microwave! While it might be okay for some people, not everyone is keen on soggy chips! It’s worth spending a little bit more time reheating them in the oven or air fryer instead.
- Lay Off the Sauce: If you’re planning to save and reheat your chips at a later date, then don’t cover them in sauce or gravy. Again, this will cause them to go soggy when you store or reheat them, so it’s best to keep them as plain as possible (a little bit of salt and vinegar won’t hurt).
- Store Properly: Once your chips have cooled, you need to wrap them well and get them in the fridge or freezer. The longer you leave them sitting out at room temperature, the more likely they are to spoil. While it can be tempting to leave takeaway sitting out on the counter, get in the habit of wrapping your chips well so they taste great when you come to reheat them.
Yes, you can reheat chip shop chips. The best method to retain their texture is to use an oven or an air fryer, spreading them out in a single layer and reheating them until they are crispy. Avoid using a microwave as this can make them soggy.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
You said:
“3. Check the Temperature
Take a chip out of the basket and pierce it with a fork”
Oddly enough – for me, at least – whenever I attempt to pierce Chip, the silly thing snaps in two… what could be wrong?