If you’re like me, you go to McDonald’s to treat yourself, get overwhelmed by the menu and end up ordering way too much – far more than you can eat in one sitting. Well, no one like a cold McDonald’s so here’s how to reheat McDonald’s fries, nuggets and burgers.
These methods are also great if your order has arrived, but it’s a little cold. Don’t suffer with soggy chips and lukewarm nuggets. Learn the best ways to reheat each of the popular menu items from McDonald’s with these methods:
How to Reheat McDonald’s Fries in the Microwave
Whether it’s the saltiness or the oil used to fry them, there’s just something about McDonald’s fries that means they taste so much better than most other fast food places.
Nearly every McDonald’s meal comes with a side of fries. They are the natural pairing to any burger or nugget.
The next time you find yourself with extra fries in your McDonald’s meal, save them for the next day and warm them up using a microwave:
- Transfer to a Plate
Take the fries and pour them onto a microwavable plate. You can use a bowl, but a plate will allow for a more even reheating.
- Spread Them Out
Arrange the fries so that there are no fries on top of each other or overlapping. - Cover with A Damp Towel
Slightly damp either some kitchen roll or a tea towel and lay it over the top of the fries. All of the fries will need to be covered.
- Microwave
Set the microwave to 50 – 75% power and microwave the fries for 10 seconds. - Microwave (Again)
If, after 10 seconds, the fries are still cold, microwave them for a further 10 seconds. But no longer. Then enjoy!
Reheating McDonald’s fries in an air fryer can bring them back to life. Set the air fryer to 190°C and cook for about 3 minutes, shaking them halfway through. This should make them crispy again, though they might not taste as fresh.
How to Reheat McDonald’s Burgers in the Oven
Though McDonald’s offers a whole range of menu items, the McDonald’s beef burgers have the most variety. Whether it’s a simple cheeseburger, a classic Big Mac or one of their many specials, the reheating methods remains the same:
- Preheat The Oven
Set your oven to 175°C before prepping the burger for reheating. - Remove The Topping
You only want to reheat the beef burger and the buns, as trying to warm up the burger toppings will result in a limp, soggy mess. Remove the toppings, setting them aside on a spare plate (you don’t want to cook the lettuce/tomatoes/sauce).
- Place In The Oven
When the oven is hot enough, place the burger buns and the beef burgers onto the middle rack of your oven in individual baking dishes. You want the buns and the burgers kept apart.
- Reheat
Set a timer for 3 minutes and leave the burger to reheat. - Remove The Buns
After 3 minutes, remove the burger buns from the oven. Leave the beef burgers in the oven for a further 3 minutes. - Reassemble
Once the burger is hot to the touch, you can reassemble the burger to its original glory and enjoy it.
To reheat a McDonald’s burger in an air fryer, first separate the bun from the meat and toppings. Preheat the air fryer to 175°C. Place the patty inside for about 2 to 3 minutes. Warm the bun separately for about a minute, then reassemble your burger.
How to Reheat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets in the Oven
When McDonald’s invented their sharing portion of chicken nuggets, their intentions were (as the name suggests) for the box to be shared amongst a few people.
But we all know the truth. Nobody orders a sharing portion of McDonald’s chicken nuggets to share.
They are much better enjoyed by yourself, but don’t rush to finish them. You can save some of the nuggets for a great treat later in the day. All you need to do is reheat them using your oven:
- Preheat The Oven
Before you start, set your oven to 180°C. - Prep The Nuggets
While the chicken nuggets are still in their cardboard takeaway box, spray them with neutrally flavoured cooking oil. - Place In Oven
Place the nuggets directly onto the rack using the middle rack of your oven. Space them out for an even reheat. - Reheat
Set a time for 8 minutes and allow the oven’s heat to work its magic. - Check For Burning
After 8 minutes, open the oven and check to see if any nuggets have started to burn. They may be hot enough to eat after 8 minutes, but if they are still cold in the centre, turn the heat down and reheat for a further 2 minutes.
Chicken nuggets from McDonald’s can be reheated effectively in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C and reheat the nuggets for about 4 minutes, turning them once to ensure even cooking. This will help maintain their exterior crunch and warm interior.
Tips for Reheating McDonald’s
Fast food is notoriously tricky to reheat successfully, especially if it has already been left out for a few hours. Here are a few tips you can use so that your McDonald’s tastes just as delicious the next day:
- Always Preheat The Oven: Take the extra time before you use your oven to preheat it. If you try to reheat fried food without heating the oven beforehand, the batter will not warm up quick enough and will turn soggy.
- Try Frying: For any McDonald’s menu items that have been fried (such as fries and chicken nuggets), you can briefly fry them again to reheat them. However, this is much more work than the methods listed above.
- Use A Baking Tray To Protect Your Oven: Avoid using a baking tray to reheat McDonald’s’ chicken nuggets as it will make the nuggets soggy. You can still place a baking tray on the bottom of your oven to catch any crumbs that fall, which will help to keep your oven clean.
Acacia may be a freelance writer by day, but they are a food fanatic by night. They are always trying out new recipes or finding different ways to elevate classical dishes. But their biggest culinary aim is to educate others on the basics of the kitchen so that they too can enjoy delicious food.
I’ve just tried the above with a Big Mac. Other than adding a new cheese slice and a small spoon of Mayo mixed with lettuce and Big Mac sauce to add a little extra sauce this works amazingly well. Almost like it had come straight from maccy D’s. Well impressed 👍👍