Roast potatoes are probably one of the most common side dishes, but many would agree that they can even be elevated to a main course. They are perfectly crisp on the outside while keeping that deliciously soft and squishy inside.
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the amount needed, and you can end up with a lot of leftover baked potatoes. Although they are not as delicious when cold, if they are reheat properly they taste just like the fresh ones.
What is the best way to reheat baked potatoes? The best way to reheat baked potatoes is to use the ovenor just reheat them in the microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer, though a skillet and skillet are convenient options, too.
The best ways to reheat baked potatoes
Roasting is a favorite way of preparing potatoes for many people, as it allows the outer layer to crisp up while the inside is soft and creamy. In addition, roasting does not dry them out and preserves all their flavors and aromas.
Although roast potatoes offer a beautiful blend of flavors and textures when served fresh, once they are chilled the flavor is not the same. However, with proper freezing and reheating methods, you can bring back these flavors, as well as their crunchiness, in no time.
If you have baked the potatoes in aluminum foil, you should remove them from the leftovers. Leaving them in the foil creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and spoil the potatoes.
Whether you store baked potatoes in the fridge or freezer, the general rule of thumb is to let them cool completely before storing. When you store them in the fridge, place the potatoes in an airtight container and close it completely.
If you intend to freeze the baked potatoes, you can use a regular freezer bag. Refrigerated baked potatoes will be good for 3-5 days, while they can last up to 10-12 months if frozen. Both methods are a great way to use leftovers instead of throwing them away.
When you decide to reheat leftover baked potatoes, it’s important to let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using any of the reheating methods. Also, make sure they haven’t gone bad by checking the smell and color.
When you reheat the baked potatoes, you can cover them with aluminum foil to keep them soft and prevent them from losing all their juices and flavors. On the other hand, avoid the aluminum foil or remove it halfway through cooking if you want the outer layer to remain crisp.
Also, you may want to re-season the potatoes, especially if they have been frozen, as the seasoning and spices can lose their intensity in the thawing process. Another helpful tip is to drizzle a little olive oil on top to lock in moisture.
Using the microwave to reheat baked potatoes is the quickest and most convenient method, but many prefer the oven and toaster oven for that signature crisp, which can also be achieved using an air fryer.
Using a skillet to reheat baked potatoes is a good idea only if they have been refrigerated, whereas a slow cooker may not be the most suitable technique, but it can still work if you follow our guide. Let’s see what is the best way to reheat baked potatoes.
How to reheat baked potatoes in the microwave
Many people choose to reheat baked potatoes in the microwave because they are in a hurry or don’t want to waste time in the kitchen. However, you must use the proper temperature and setting to prevent the potatoes from becoming soggy and mushy.
Also, if you use too low a temperature and let them reheat too long, they can become too hard and dry. It is best to cover them with aluminum foil and not leave them too long.
Keep in mind that this is not the best option for reheating frozen baked potatoes. You can use the microwave to defrost them, but to get them crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, you’ll probably need to use another method of reheating.
Here are the steps to reheat baked potatoes in the microwave:
- Cover the potatoes with a damp towel or microwave-safe aluminum foil and place on a microwave-safe plate.
- Reheat the potatoes for one to two minutes using a low or medium setting.
- Avoid using high heat, as it will turn the roast potatoes into mush.
- Serve the potatoes on a plate.
How to reheat baked potatoes in the oven
If you want to reheat baked potatoes and keep them crispy, the safest thing to do is to use the oven. If you use the oven, you make sure that the potatoes are well cooked on the inside, while the outer layer crisps.
The oven is also the best option if you want to reheat frozen baked potatoes, as it has enough power to defrost them completely and cook them on all sides, including the inside, without leaving them dry and tasteless.
However, what can be a problem when using an oven is the fact that it must be preheated. Also, if you don’t have a lot of leftover potatoes, you might not feel like heating up your big oven.
On the other hand, if you are going to reheat a large batch of potatoes, you already know that it is best to use the oven, since other appliances do not usually offer as much space.
Here are the steps for reheating baked potatoes in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 300-400°F, depending on how crispy you want them.
- While the oven is preheating, remove the potatoes from the fridge/freezer and let them sit for a while at room temperature. In the case of frozen potatoes, you must wait for them to thaw.
- Arrange the potatoes on a tray (lined with parchment paper or greased with oil) one by one, keeping them from overlapping so they don’t stick together.
- Cover the potatoes with aluminum foil and place the tray in the oven (this will prevent them from drying out and will also retain heat).
- Cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, depending on how crisp you want them.
How to Reheat Baked Potatoes in the Toaster Oven
When it comes to reheating baked potatoes in a toaster oven, you’ll find that the results are quite similar to reheating potatoes in a regular oven. However, the main difference is in the size, since a larger batch will surely fit in a normal oven.
On the other hand, a toaster oven is a great option for a smaller batch of baked potatoes when you just don’t feel like preheating the big oven, especially in the summer when it’s too hot.
As we’ve already said, the results are pretty similar, so you can expect roast potatoes that are golden brown and perfectly crisp on the outside, with a soft and tender inside. Of course, it is important to leave the potatoes at room temperature before putting them in the oven.
Here are the steps to reheat baked potatoes in a toaster oven:
- Prepare the roast potatoes by spreading them on a tray with a piece of parchment paper/greased with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Make sure the potatoes don’t overlap, as you don’t want them to stick to each other.
- Set the toaster oven to 350°F.
- Place the potatoes in the toaster oven and allow them to cook for 20 minutes on one side.
- After 20 minutes, take them out of the toaster oven and flip them over. Return them to the toaster oven and bake another 20 minutes.
- When the baked potatoes are nicely browned and the insides are cooked through (check with a fork), remove them from the toaster oven.
How to Reheat Baked Potatoes in an Air Fryer
The air fryer is another convenient and highly efficient appliance that you can use to reheat a small batch of your baked potatoes. The best thing is that it does not leave the food dry and hard, since it retains all the oils and moisture.
Of course, for added flavor you can always drizzle a little olive oil on top, which will also make the crust even crunchier. The air fryer is also a great alternative to the traditional oven when you don’t feel like preheating it.
Here are the steps to reheat baked potatoes in an air fryer:
- Set your air fryer temperature to 400°F.
- Arrange the roasted potatoes in the air fryer, making sure they don’t overlap too much.
- Set the timer for 5-8 minutes, depending on how crisp you want the potatoes to be. Depending on how many potatoes you are reheating, you may want to check and flip them halfway through cooking for the best result.
- When they are golden brown and crisp to your liking, remove them from the air fryer.
How to reheat roast potatoes in a skillet
Roasting potatoes in a skillet is a quick fix for a handful or two of roast potatoes. If you plan to prepare more than that, we recommend that you resort to other methods of reheating.
Also, reheating baked potatoes in a skillet is not an option for frozen potatoes. If you were to reheat frozen potatoes this way, you would probably end up with the inside cold or frozen, and the outside of the potato burnt.
Instead, reheating refrigerated baked potatoes is something you can do in a skillet. All you have to do is turn them over low heat so that they brown on the outside and allow the inside of the potato to heat up well.
Here are the steps to reheat roast potatoes in a skillet:
- Prepare the potatoes by pressing them with a knife or the back of your hand to flatten them and make them easier to reheat in the pan.
- Add a little oil or butter to the bottom of the pan to prevent the potatoes from sticking.
- Put the pan on low heat and let it heat up for a minute or two.
- Add the potatoes and cover the pan with a lid.
- Stir the potatoes frequently to prevent them from burning.
How to reheat roast potatoes in a skillet
To reheat roast potatoes in a skillet, you can choose one of two options.
You can reheat them just like you would in a skillet by heating a little oil or butter and turning them over low heat.
The second option is to add enough oil to fry them, which would make them super crispy and extremely tasty. While this isn’t the healthiest option, it is certainly one of the most effective ways to reheat potatoes and get that nice crunch.
Here are the steps to reheat roast potatoes in a skillet:
- If you want to reheat leftover potatoes from the fridge, heat a little oil and cook the potatoes over low heat, stirring or shaking them frequently to prevent burning.
- If you like French fries, fill the pan with enough oil to completely cover the fries and fry them.
- Allow the oil to heat over high heat before adding the potatoes.
- Carefully place the potatoes in the pan (especially if they have been frozen, as the water they contain can cause the oil to splatter).
- Lower the heat to medium-high and stir the potatoes constantly to prevent them from burning.
- Remove the potatoes from the pan and place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Can baked potatoes be reheated?
Yes, there are several delicious and quick ways to reheat your leftover baked potatoes and preserve all the flavors.
Depending on the time you have and the size of the batch you are reheating, different methods will work for you. Microwaving is certainly the fastest method, but you have to be careful as it can turn the potatoes into mush.
The most effective methods are the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer. That said, using the oven is a safe bet, especially if you’re reheating a big batch of frozen baked potatoes.
Lastly, you can use a skillet or griddle, but this is not an option for frozen potatoes. As for chilled, they can be good options for a handful or two.