Seven things to do with your leftover chip-shop chips

Telegraph

2 days ago

So you've had a lovely evening at the beach, with a glass of something cold and huge portions of fresh fish and chips – but what do you do with the leftovers? Specifically, if you can wrangle them away from the seagulls, the chips.
There's nothing like a bag of chip-shop chips eaten outdoors, and although many may claim that there can never be leftovers of such a treat, reality begs to differ.
And here's where, for cooks, it gets interesting. Because chip-shop chips have myriad possibilities, to the extent that the topic once went viral when historian Lucy Worsley shared a kitchen tip from a follower on social media. 'I have received a kitchen tip that would be HUGE IF TRUE,' she wrote. 'Can you really put leftover chip-shop chips in the freezer then use them as oven chips?'
The intriguing post notched up huge numbers of likes and comments, with many respondents stating that instead of binning their greasy leftovers they enjoyed them second time round, finding reheated chips 'even tastier and more crispy' than when fresh from the chippy. 'Yes! Yes! Yes! I do it all the time,' wrote one chip-lover, 'and they're much better than frozen packet chips.'
Recommendations for the best way to store and reheat the cold fries were varied. Dry frying is a popular method for renewing former glory. 'They'll fluff up like new,' said one of Worsley's followers.
The air fryer, however, was undoubtedly the preferred method for most commenters. 'Store them in Tupperware in the fridge, cook them in an air fryer the next day,' advised one with another promise that they'll be 'better than when they came from the chip shop'.
Tempted? Here's the lowdown on how to revitalise your old chips.
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How to store leftover chip-shop chips
The best ways to reheat
Seven uses for yesterday's fries
How to store leftover chip-shop chips
If planning to eat them the next day, just chill the chips overnight. If not, freeze the chips in a bag. There is no need to freeze them flat on a tray first. Their oil coating doesn't freeze solid so they won't clump together.
The best ways to reheat
Leftover chips reheat nicely in the oven from both chilled and frozen. Spread them out on a baking tray in a single layer and roast at 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6. You'll need to judge how long to cook them depending on their thickness and how well done they were in the first place. I find the lighter-coloured, larger chips warm up best, becoming crispy, rather than too hard or dark.
I get the quickest and crispiest results using my energy-efficient air fryer, but am unimpressed with microwaved fries, which turn out floppy and soggy.
A large non-stick frying pan also works well, as long as they fit in a single layer. No need to add extra oil, just cook over a medium-high heat turning regularly until crisp.
Seven uses for yesterday's fries
Chip butty
Reheat your chips in the oven or air fryer until piping hot. Give them a fresh toss with a little salt – and vinegar – if you like. Stuff between two slices bread (white is best, generously buttered) and serve immediately with your preferred sauce for dipping.
Battered chips
Toss in flour then dip them into a batter made from self-raising flour and sparkling water. Heat 2cm vegetable oil in a frying pan and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Hash
In a hot pan, fry some diced chorizo until crispy. Add a sliced onion and cook until soft, then stir in a red pepper and a chopped chilli. Cook for about 5 minutes. Chop up the leftover chips and mix them through the hash. Cook for a few minutes more, until everything is piping hot. Serve with a fried egg and a sprinkle of coriander.
Tortilla
Stir into beaten egg. Add herbs, onions or cheese. Cook over a low heat, turning until golden and set.
Dirty fries
Spread the chips out in a baking dish and sprinkle with paprika. Spoon over chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, sliced red onion and chillies. Bake at 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6 until bubbling. Alternatively, just melted cheese will do nicely.
Poutine
Reheat then cover with gravy. Scatter with diced curd cheese or mozzarella.
Chaffles
Take a handful of leftover chips and press them into a waffle iron. Cook over a low heat until golden and crisp. Serve savoury – with ketchup or your favourite sauce – or go sweet with a drizzle of maple syrup.