Air Fryer: Reheating Food, Safe And Quick?

Yes, you can use an air fryer to heat up food. In fact, it's a great way to ensure maximum flavour and texture, and it's much faster than heating up an oven. Air fryers are like mini convection ovens, so they're perfect for reheating food in a short amount of time. They make food crispy again and don't create sogginess like microwaves often do. You can reheat almost any food in an air fryer, including pizza, chicken, steak, burgers, vegetables, and more. However, it's important to note that certain foods, such as leafy greens, whole roasts, cheese without a coating, soups, and stews, are not suitable for reheating in an air fryer.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Yes, you can use an air fryer to heat up food. In fact, it's a great way to reheat leftovers and get them crispy again. Here's a detailed guide on reheating pizza in an air fryer:

If you're looking for a quick and effective way to reheat leftover pizza, an air fryer is a perfect choice. It's basically a mini convection oven that can do the task in about a minute, unlike a regular oven that takes longer to heat up. Here are the steps to reheat your pizza to perfection:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) as this temperature ensures the cheese melts perfectly without burning the crust. However, some sources suggest preheating to 325°F or even 375°F, depending on your preference and the type of pizza.

Step 2: Place the pizza slices in the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer to allow proper air circulation and avoid overlapping. If you're reheating multiple slices, you might need to do it in batches. You can use an air fryer liner or parchment paper for easier cleanup.

Step 3: Reheat the pizza. For a standard air fryer setting, reheat for 3-4 minutes. The exact time will depend on your air fryer model, the thickness of your pizza, and how crispy you like it. Start checking at around 3 minutes to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Step 4: Check the pizza. If it needs more time, add another minute, but keep a close eye on it to prevent drying out or burning. For thicker crusts or pizzas with generous toppings, consider adding an extra minute or two.

Step 5: Remove and enjoy! Carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer, and it's ready to be served hot and crispy!

Tips for the Best Results:

• Preheat the air fryer for optimal results.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pizza reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
• For extra crispy pizza, spray the slices lightly with olive oil or avocado oil before reheating.
• Check the pizza regularly during the reheating process to prevent burning or drying out.
• If you notice the crust starting to brown too quickly, turn down the heat by 25-30°F.
• Reheat only the amount you plan to consume. Leftovers should not be reheated again after being cooled.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

Preparation

Before you begin, let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the chicken reheat more evenly. You can also brush the chicken with a little oil or use cooking spray to enhance crispiness.

Air Fryer Settings

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (175-200°C). A slightly higher temperature is needed for chicken to help re-crisp the skin and warm the interior without drying it out.

Arranging the Chicken

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece for the air to circulate. If you are reheating larger pieces, you may need to do this in batches to ensure proper airflow.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken for about 3-5 minutes for wings, 5-7 minutes for tenders or nuggets, and 8-10 minutes for larger pieces like breasts or thighs. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.

Checking for Doneness

Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is thoroughly reheated and safe to eat, according to USDA guidelines.

Optional Crisping Step

If you prefer your chicken to be crispier, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking. However, be careful not to overcook the chicken.

Top Tips

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent uneven reheating.
• If your chicken is coated in sauce or breadcrumbs, place it on parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
• Adjust the reheating time based on the thickness of your chicken pieces.
• Always check the internal temperature to ensure it has reached 165°F (74°C).
• Experiment with seasonings or sauces to add extra flavour.

Safety Tips

• Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw chicken separate from cooked chicken and wash your hands, utensils and countertops after handling raw chicken.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking and store in shallow containers.
• Avoid reheating leftovers multiple times to minimise the risk of bacterial contamination.

Storing Reheated Chicken

Allow the chicken to cool down to room temperature for no more than 2 hours, then divide into portions and store in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Label and date the containers, then place them in the refrigerator within 2 hours of reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Reheated chicken is versatile and can be used in sandwiches, wraps, salads, tacos, pasta dishes, stir-fries, soups, quesadillas, pizzas, fried rice and more!

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Yes, you can use an air fryer to reheat food. In fact, it's a great way to ensure maximum flavour and texture. Here's how to reheat steak in an air fryer:

How to Reheat Steak in an Air Fryer:

• Remove the steak from the refrigerator and pat it dry. Allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to ensure even heating and reduce the reheating time.
• Lightly spray or brush the steak with olive oil. This helps the steak reheat quickly and stay juicy. You can also add steak seasoning if desired.
• Preheat the air fryer to 360°F-380°F (some sources recommend 180°C or 190°C). This step is important to prevent overcooking the steak.
• Place the steak in the air fryer basket. If reheating multiple steaks, arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch, for even heating.
• Reheat for 2-3 minutes at 380°F, or 3-5 minutes at 360°F. For thicker steaks, you may need up to 6 minutes. Flip the steak halfway through and check the internal temperature.
• For best results, aim for an internal temperature of 110°F-165°F in the centre of the thickest part.
• Let the steak rest for a few minutes after reheating to allow the juices to redistribute.

Tips:

• If you're reheating multiple batches of steak, cook steaks of similar thickness together to ensure even cooking.
• Avoid reheating steak more than once for food safety reasons. Only reheat the portion you intend to consume.
• You can add a slice of butter or a sprinkle of chilli pepper flakes on top of the steak for extra flavour.
• Always grease your air fryer to prevent sticking.

Reheating French fries in an air fryer

French fries are a great dish to reheat in an air fryer. They will come out crispy and delicious, just like new! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat French fries using an air fryer:

Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F–400°F (175°C–200°C). Preheating is not necessary, but it will help ensure your fries are extra crispy.

Prepare the French Fries

Place the desired amount of French fries into the air fryer basket. You can use any type of fry, such as steak fries, sweet potato fries, waffle fries, or crinkle fries. Just ensure you do not overcrowd the basket. It is recommended to arrange the fries in a single layer for the best results.

You can also add a light spray of avocado oil, olive oil, or cooking spray to the fries at this point. This will help to crisp up the fries and is especially useful if they are a bit dry. However, this step is optional.

Reheat the French Fries

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and set the timer for 3–6 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

For thinner fries, 3–4 minutes should be enough. For thicker fries or larger quantities, you may need up to 6 minutes. Keep an eye on the fries to ensure they do not get too crispy or burnt.

Serve and Enjoy

Once the timer goes off, check that the fries are heated through, and then serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!

Adjustments for Different Types of Fries

The exact timing will depend on the type of fry and the quantity you are reheating. For thinner, fast-food-style fries, start checking the fries at 2–3 minutes to avoid overcooking. For thicker or larger quantities of fries, you may need the full 5–6 minutes, or even a bit longer.

Additionally, if you are reheating frozen fries, they will take longer to heat through. In this case, you may need to air fry for up to 12 minutes, depending on the quantity and thickness of the fries.

Now you can enjoy your crispy, delicious, and perfectly reheated French fries!

Reheating a burger in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Burger

Remove any cold toppings or sauces such as lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, or ketchup from the burger, as these can become soggy or wilted during the reheating process. You can always add them back later. If your burger has cheese, make sure it is on the top side of the patty for maximum melting.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This temperature will ensure your burger warms up nicely without drying out. Preheating is not necessary, but it helps ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Place the Burger in the Air Fryer

Place the burger patty in the air fryer basket. If you are reheating multiple burgers, make sure they are in a single layer and not stacked to allow proper airflow. Add the bun alongside the patty if you wish to warm it up as well.

Step 4: Reheat the Burger

Reheat the burger for 2-3 minutes at 350°F (175°C). This short cooking time will warm your burger to perfection without overcooking it. For a cheeseburger, you may want to add an extra slice of cheese before reheating for more meltiness.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Once the burger patty and bun are warmed to your liking, take them out of the air fryer and assemble your burger by adding back any toppings and sauces you had removed earlier. Serve your burger with your favourite sides, such as French fries, tater tots, onion rings, or mozzarella sticks.

Tips for the Best Results:

• If reheating fast-food burgers, consider removing any toppings and sauces, as they may become slightly cooked during the reheating process.
• To ensure even cooking, make sure there is enough space between the burgers for optimal airflow.
• Avoid overcooking by keeping the reheating time short, and do not leave the patties in the air fryer for too long after the timer goes off.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the patty. It should reach 160°F (71°C) to be safe to consume.
• For a crispy bun, you can toast it separately in the air fryer or a toaster.

Frequently asked questions