7 Simple Tricks to Keep Food Crispy (Even After Cooking)

1) Use a Wire Rack — The #1 Trick to Keep Food Crispy

One of the biggest reasons food becomes soggy after cooking is that steam gets trapped underneath. When you place fried food or air-fried food directly on a plate or paper towels, the moisture gets absorbed back into the crust — making it soft instead of crispy.

A wire rack allows air to move underneath the food, keeping the bottom crispy and the top crunchy. This method is used in professional kitchens for fries, chicken tenders, wings, and even baked snacks.

• Perfect for fries, chicken, nuggets, spring rolls, and air fryer snacks.
• Prevents steam from softening the crust.
• Helps food cool evenly while staying crispy.
• Great for meal prep — especially lunchboxes.

2) Avoid Paper Towels — They Make Food Soggy Fast

While paper towels are great for absorbing excess oil, they are actually the worst way to cool down fried food. The steam gets trapped underneath, turning the bottom wet and soft.

If you want truly crispy food, never cool your fries, chicken, or fried vegetables directly on paper towels. Use a rack instead — or elevate the food using wooden chopsticks.

• Paper towels trap heat and steam → soggy food.
• Use towels only for removing oil, not cooling.
• Let food rest on a rack to stay crunchy.
• This trick works especially well for fries and fried snacks.