Reheating Chinese Food: Air Fryer Magic

Yes, you can reheat Chinese food in an air fryer. In fact, it's one of the best ways to do so, as it will make your leftovers taste crispy and fresh. The key to reheating Chinese food in an air fryer is to ensure that it is not crowded, and to flip the food halfway through the cooking process.

How to reheat General Tso's chicken in an air fryer

General Tso's chicken is a popular Chinese dish made with breaded and fried chicken, coated in a sweet and sour sauce. While it's delicious, it can be tricky to reheat without making the breading soggy. However, an air fryer is a great option for getting that crispy crust back. Here's how to do it:

Firstly, separate the chicken from the sauce. This is important because the sauce can make the chicken soggy. You can store the sauce in a separate container and reheat it in the microwave when you're ready to serve.

Now, prepare your air fryer. Do not preheat it with parchment paper already inside, as this can be a fire hazard. Instead, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper before adding the chicken. Parchment paper is key to this method, as it will prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket and making a mess.

Next, add your chicken to the air fryer. Make sure it's in a single layer and not overcrowded, so the hot air can circulate freely. If you're cooking a large amount of chicken, you may need to do this in batches.

Set the temperature to 350-390°F (some sources recommend going a little lower than your air fryer's maximum temperature to prevent the sugars in the sauce from burning). Set the timer for 5-8 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.

Once the chicken is warmed through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute before serving. If you're reheating a large amount of chicken, you can keep the early batches warm in a low oven (around 200°F) while you cook the rest.

And that's it! Your General Tso's chicken should now be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, just like it was when it was fresh.

Best temperature and time settings

The best temperature and time settings for reheating Chinese food in an air fryer will depend on the type of food you are reheating. Here are some general guidelines and specific instructions for certain types of Chinese dishes:

General Guidelines

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (176-204°C) for 4-5 minutes.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket and leave some space between food items.
• Reheat for 3-5 minutes, keeping a close watch to prevent burning.
• For foods with sauce, separate the sauce from the main item before reheating and heat the sauce separately in the microwave.

Spring Rolls, Potstickers, and Other Dim Sum

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) for 5 minutes.
• Spray the basket with cooking oil.
• Place the items in the basket, leaving some space between them.
• Reheat for 3 minutes.
• Flip the items over and reheat for another 3-5 minutes.
• Remove from the air fryer when heated through and crispy.

Fried Rice

• Place the rice in the pan of the air fryer and spray lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
• Set the temperature to 320°F (160°C) and reheat for 10 minutes.
• Spray the rice with olive oil again and reheat at 360°F (182°C) for 5 minutes.
• Stir the rice and serve hot.

General Tso Chicken/Kung Pao Chicken

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C).
• Line the basket with parchment paper.
• Place the chicken onto the parchment paper.
• Set the timer for 5 minutes.
• Check if the chicken is heated throughout. If not, place it back for another 3 minutes.

Chow Mein

• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Place the chow mein in an oven-safe dish that fits into the basket.
• Spread out the noodles and ingredients as much as possible.
• Place the dish into the air fryer and reheat for 4 minutes.
• Use a fork to move the noodles around and reheat for another 3 minutes.

Broccoli Beef

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C).
• Place the broccoli beef in a heat-resistant dish that fits into the basket, keeping the broccoli and beef on separate sides if possible.
• Reheat for 5 minutes.
• Flip the broccoli and beef over and reheat for another 3 minutes.
• Serve once heated throughout.

How to store leftover Chinese food

When it comes to storing leftover Chinese food, safety is paramount. To ensure your leftovers are safe to eat, follow these guidelines:

Choose the Right Containers

Use airtight, food-grade containers to prevent bacteria growth and maintain freshness. Avoid plastic containers, as they may leach harmful chemicals into the food. Instead, opt for BPA-free plastic, glass, or stainless steel containers.

Refrigerating Leftover Chinese Food

Refrigeration is best if you plan on consuming leftovers within a few days. Divide the food into smaller portions and store them in shallow containers for quicker cooling. Label and date each container, and consume within 3-4 days.

Freezing Leftover Chinese Food

Freezing is ideal for extending the shelf life of leftovers. Allow the food to cool, then portion and package it in airtight freezer-safe containers, heavy-duty aluminum foil, or freezer bags. Label and date each package, and consume within 2-3 months for the best quality.

Safety Tips for Leftover Chinese Food

• Discard leftovers that have been left at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Avoid reheating the same portion multiple times to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
• Check for signs of spoilage before reheating or consuming, such as changes in colour, texture, or an off smell.
• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly to prevent bacterial growth.
• Store raw and cooked foods separately to prevent cross-contamination.
• Reheat leftovers to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any harmful bacteria.

By following these tips, you can safely store and enjoy your leftover Chinese food while reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Other methods for reheating Chinese food

• Using a stovetop: Set the heat under your frying pan or wok to medium heat and drizzle the surface with water, oil, or broth/stock. Once the surface is hot, add your leftover Chinese food and stir constantly to prevent burning. If the food appears to be drying out, you can add more water, oil, or broth/stock. This process takes no more than 10 minutes.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and transfer your leftover Chinese food to an oven-safe dish. Cover the pan with foil to concentrate the low ambient heat where it's needed. Place your dish in the oven on the center rack and set a timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, insert a food thermometer into the thickest and densest ingredient. Once you've obtained a reading of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you can remove it from the oven. For foods meant to be enjoyed with some crispiness, you may want to remove the foil for the last few minutes of reheating.
• Sous vide: Vacuum seal your food in a heat-safe plastic bag and immerse it in water heated to the pre-set temperature. This method ensures gentle and uniform heating, without exposing the food to air which can affect its texture and taste. Set your sous vide equipment to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate the risk of overcooking. If your food is meant to be served crispy, give it a few moments under the broiler or in your air fryer after the water bath.
• Rice cooker: This is one of the best ways to reheat Chinese food that's already been combined with rice. Most rice cookers have a reheat option. If you're reheating rice as part of your Chinese food leftovers, stir in a tablespoon or so of cold water to prevent it from drying out. You can leave your leftover rice cooking on warm for up to an hour without it drying out.
• Microwave: Place your Chinese food in a shallow microwave-safe container, cover it while microwaving, and vent it slightly to allow heat to escape. Stir your food at least once or twice while cooking to ensure even heating. The best Chinese foods to microwave are soups, steamed veggies, noodles, and rice. Meats and breaded foods can quickly lose their texture in the microwave.

What not to reheat in an air fryer

While an air fryer is a great way to reheat Chinese food, there are some foods that you should not reheat using this appliance.

Water-based dishes, such as soups and stews, are not ideal for reheating in an air fryer. They take a long time to reach the desired temperature, and you generally don't want these types of foods to be crispy. It is better to reheat these foods in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Large pieces of meat, like roasts or whole chickens, are also not suitable for reheating in an air fryer. They are simply too big to cook all the way through safely. However, if you slice them into smaller portions, you can then reheat them in the air fryer, just like a regular steak.

Cheese without a coating is another food item to avoid reheating in an air fryer. It will melt and drip through the air fryer basket, creating a mess. The exception is halloumi cheese and other similar grilling cheeses. If you want to reheat a soft cheese like brie, place it on a piece of aluminum foil or in an air fryer-safe dish.

Leafy greens, like spinach or arugula, are not recommended for reheating in an air fryer. They can start flying around and end up on the heating vents instead of in your food.

Lastly, while it is possible to reheat pasta and rice in an air fryer, there are better methods for these types of foods that will yield better results.

Frequently asked questions