Air Fryer: Reheating Food, Safe And Quick?

Air fryers are a great alternative to microwaves when it comes to reheating food. They can be used to reheat a wide range of foods, from pizza to chicken, and they do so more effectively than a microwave, which can often leave food soggy or rubbery. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food, which helps to preserve its texture and crispiness. They are also faster and more energy-efficient than ovens, making them ideal for small to medium-sized portions.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to microwaves when it comes to reheating pizza. While convenient, microwaves can leave you with a soggy, rubbery crust and unevenly heated toppings. In contrast, air fryers can revitalise your pizza, restoring its melted cheese, perfect crispy crust, and fresh taste in a matter of minutes.

How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175-180°C). You can use this time to line your air fryer basket or tray with aluminium foil, parchment paper, or disposable air fryer liners to prevent sticking.
• If using a basket-style air fryer, arrange the slices in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap. For an oven-style air fryer, simply place the slices on the baking sheet or rack, leaving space between each slice.
• Cook the pizza for around 3 minutes and then check on its progress. The pizza is ready when the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Thicker pizzas, such as deep dish, may need a little longer, up to 5 or 6 minutes.
• If you're reheating multiple batches, keep in mind that subsequent batches may cook faster as the air fryer is already hot.
• For optimal results, only reheat the pizza once.

Tips:

• If you're worried about toppings burning, remove them beforehand and add them back for the last minute or two of cooking.
• If you want your pizza to be extra crispy, try spraying your pizza base with a light cooking spray before placing it in the air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Avoid using the pizza preset buttons on air fryers, as these are often calibrated for cooking frozen pizzas.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

How to Reheat Chicken in an Air Fryer

Here's a step-by-step guide:

• If your chicken is in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This helps it reheat more evenly.
• Brush the chicken with a little oil or cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring proper space between each piece for optimal airflow. Avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Preheat the air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. A slightly higher temperature is needed for chicken to help re-crisp the skin and warm the interior without drying it out.
• Reheat for about 3-10 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces. For example, wings will take 3-5 minutes, tenders or nuggets will take 5-7 minutes, and larger pieces like breasts or thighs will take 8-10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. It should reach at least 165°F to ensure it's thoroughly reheated and safe to eat, according to USDA guidelines.
• If you prefer your chicken to be extra crispy, you can increase the temperature to 400°F for the last minute of cooking time.

Tips for Maintaining Crispiness

• Preheat the air fryer to create an ideal environment for crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even air circulation.
• Use a light coating of oil to help bring back the crispiness.
• Monitor the cooking time to prevent overcooking.
• Add a little moisture, such as chicken stock or water, if the chicken seems dry during reheating.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after reheating to allow the juices to redistribute.

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat food in an air fryer! In fact, it's a great way to reheat food as it preserves the texture of food, avoiding the sogginess that can come from microwaving or baking in the oven.

Now, for the juicy details on reheating steak. Reheating steak in an air fryer is one of the best ways to enjoy your beef the next day. It gets nice and hot without drying out, which is exactly what you want. Here are some steps to follow:

• Take your steak out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This helps with even reheating and prevents the outer layer from overcooking before the inside warms up.
• Pat the steak dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, which can get in the way of the crisping process.
• Before placing the steak in the air fryer, consider reseasoning it with a light sprinkle of salt, pepper, and your favorite steak seasoning to refresh the flavors.
• Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C) to 360°F (180°C). This step is important as it prepares the cooking environment and helps the steak heat evenly and retain moisture.
• Place the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure proper air circulation, which is critical to achieving a crispy exterior.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F (175°C). The precise time will depend on the thickness of your steak. As a guide, allow 3-4 minutes per side for a medium-rare to medium doneness. Adjust the time as needed based on your preferred level of doneness.
• Halfway through the reheating process, flip the steaks to guarantee uniform cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking, as air fryers work efficiently and quickly.
• Utilize a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. Aim for 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 140°F (60°C) for medium, and 150°F (66°C) for medium-well.
• Once your steak has reached the desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a moment before slicing and serving.

Your reheated steak is now ready to be enjoyed, with a perfect balance of a crispy exterior and a juicy interior!

Reheating French fries in an air fryer

If you're looking to bring your cold French fries back to life, an air fryer is a great option! Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving crispy and delicious reheated French fries.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature range for reheating French fries is between 350°F to 400°F. Preheating ensures that your fries heat up evenly and helps to maintain the perfect balance between a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.

Prepare the French Fries

Spread your French fries out in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. This step is crucial to achieving the desired crispiness. If you have a large amount of fries, you may need to reheat them in multiple batches. You can also use a parchment paper liner or a silicone liner in the basket for easier cleanup.

Add Oil and Seasonings (Optional)

While not necessary, adding a light spray of avocado oil, olive oil, or another oil of your choice can enhance the crispiness of your fries. Additionally, if you want to add extra flavors or seasonings, this is the perfect time to do so.

Reheat the French Fries

Place the basket of fries in the preheated air fryer and reheat for approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as the exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your fries. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

Check for Desired Crispiness

Once the timer goes off, check if your fries have reached your desired level of crispiness. If not, you can add another minute or two, but be careful not to overdo it. It's better to add less time at first and then increase it gradually to avoid burning or drying out your fries.

Enjoy Your Crispy French Fries!

Once your fries are nice and hot, with a crispy exterior, they're ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or as a side dish. Reheating French fries in an air fryer is a convenient and effective way to transform yesterday's leftovers into a tasty treat.

Reheating a burger in an air fryer

An air fryer is a great way to reheat a burger. It's quick, simple, and will keep the burger juicy and delicious.

First, remove any cold toppings or sauces and set them aside to add back after reheating. This will prevent soggy buns and wilted lettuce. If your lettuce is already past its best, it's best to discard it and replace it with fresh lettuce after reheating. Tomatoes, onions, and pickles should be fine, though.

Next, place the burger patty in the air fryer basket. You can add cheese at this stage, if you like. Reheat for around 2-4 minutes at 350°F (180°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check that the patty is heated through—it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Finally, add the bun and heat everything together for another minute. This will ensure both the patty and bun are warmed through without drying out or burning.

And that's it! You can also add the toppings back at this stage and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions