Air Fryer: Reheating Food, Is It Safe?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can grill, deep fry, toast, and reheat food. They are a compact, countertop version of a conventional oven that uses hot air to cook food. Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep fat fryers and can cook crispy food with minimal oil.

Reheating food in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that delivers better results than a microwave. Food reheated in an air fryer is crispy and tasty, unlike soggy and bland microwave leftovers.

Most foods can be reheated in an air fryer, except water-based dishes like soups and stews. It is also not suitable for large pieces of meat like roasts or whole chickens.

To reheat food in an air fryer, preheat the appliance, place the food in the basket, and adjust the temperature and time as needed. It is important not to overcrowd the basket to allow hot air to circulate.

Overall, air fryers are a convenient and effective way to reheat leftovers, preserving their flavour, texture, and crispiness.

Reheating frozen food

An air fryer can be used to reheat frozen food, and it is much better than using a microwave as it makes the food crispy again rather than soggy.

If your food is frozen, it is best to thaw it first. You can do this by refrigerating it overnight or leaving it on the countertop to thaw naturally over a couple of hours. Once this is done, preheat your air fryer to around 400°F for five minutes. Then, carefully place your food into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 350°F for three minutes. Check if your food looks warm and crispy. If not, place it back into the air fryer and cook in one- to two-minute intervals until it is adequately warm and crispy.

There are a few things to keep in mind when reheating frozen food in an air fryer. Firstly, not all air fryers are the same, so it is important to use a food thermometer to ensure that your food is cooked to a safe temperature. Secondly, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Leave room on all sides of the food to allow for proper air circulation. Finally, different foods will have different cooking times, so it is important to adjust the time and temperature settings accordingly.

Reheating chicken

How to Reheat Chicken in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350-375°F (180-190°C) for 4-5 minutes.
• If your chicken is refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before reheating. This helps the chicken reheat more evenly.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space for hot air to circulate. Don't overcrowd the basket.
• Brush the chicken with a thin layer of oil or your favourite sauce to enhance the flavour and crispiness.
• Reheat for 5-6 minutes at 350-375°F (180-190°C). For chicken tenders or breaded chicken fingers, reheat for 2-3 minutes at 365°F (190°C).
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating and crispiness on both sides.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to be safe to eat.
• If your chicken is not as crispy as you'd like, add another minute or two to the cooking time.
• Enjoy your crispy, juicy, reheated chicken!

Tips for Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer:

• Always preheat your air fryer for the best results.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space around the food to allow for proper air circulation.
• Avoid reheating chicken that is overlapping or stacked on top of each other.
• There is no need to add oil to the chicken, as there should be enough residual fat to preserve the texture.
• Don't cover the chicken or add liquid when reheating.
• Bone-in and boneless chicken breasts have the same reheating time, as the bone is quite thin.
• Don't reheat chicken more than once, as this will lead to dry chicken.
• Eat reheated chicken immediately and avoid storing it for a second reheat.

Reheating pizza

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 325–350°F (160–180°C). Preheating is important as it ensures your pizza will cook evenly and helps you achieve that crispy texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Slices

Take your leftover pizza slices out of the refrigerator. It's best to work with pizza that's at room temperature, so let it sit out for a few minutes if it's just come out of the fridge. Place the slices directly onto the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure they're in a single layer and don't overlap, as you want even cooking and no sticking. You can fit as many slices as your air fryer allows, but don't overcrowd it.

Step 3: Cook the Pizza

Cook your pizza for 3–4 minutes at the preheated temperature. For thin-crust pizza, you can cook at a higher temperature of up to 400°F for just 2 minutes. For deep-dish pizza, reduce the temperature to 330°F and cook for about 6 minutes to ensure the cheese doesn't burn.

Keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking. If it's browning too quickly, lower the temperature by about 25°F. If your pizza is not done after the recommended time, simply add another minute or two until it's heated to your liking.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Once your pizza is warmed through with a crispy crust and melted cheese, carefully remove it from the air fryer, and it's ready to enjoy!

Tips:

• For easy cleanup, use parchment paper or a silicone liner in your air fryer.
• If you want extra crispy pizza, spray the slices with a little olive oil before cooking.
• If your toppings are prone to burning, consider removing them before reheating and adding them back for the last minute or two of cooking.
• Always preheat your air fryer for the best results.
• Reheating times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your pizza, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
• Don't stack or overlap your pizza slices—arrange them in a single layer for even cooking.
• Avoid reheating pizza that has already been reheated once.

Reheating burgers

Steps to Reheat Burgers in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F–400°F.
• If your burger is frozen, thaw it by refrigerating overnight or leaving it on the countertop for a couple of hours.
• Place the cooked burgers straight from the fridge into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap.
• Air fry the burgers for 3-5 minutes. At the 3-minute mark, flip the burgers and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until heated through.
• Remove the burgers from the air fryer using a spatula and serve with your favourite toppings.

Tips:

• Preheating the air fryer is essential for achieving a crispy exterior without overcooking the inside of your burger.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Place the patties in a single layer without overlapping. You may need to reheat burgers in batches, depending on the number of burgers and the size of your air fryer.
• For extra juicy burgers, add a little butter or oil while reheating.
• If you're reheating cheeseburgers, place them in the air fryer for the same duration without flipping to avoid excessive melting.
• Adjust the temperature and timing based on the thickness of your burger patties. For thicker patties, lower the temperature to 350°F and increase the cooking time.

Reheating fries

Preparation:

First, if your fries are frozen, thaw them by leaving them on the countertop to defrost naturally for a couple of hours or by refrigerating them overnight. This will ensure more even cooking when it's time to reheat them.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (180°C). It is recommended to let the air fryer run on empty for about 3 minutes to ensure the fries cook in high heat for less time, which helps them get crispier without drying out.

Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they do not overlap. This arrangement allows for proper air circulation, so your fries will reheat evenly and get nice and crispy. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cook the fries for about 2-3 minutes. For thicker fries, you may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time. Check if they are warmed to your liking, and if not, return them to the air fryer for another minute or so.

Tips:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Leave room on all sides of the food so that air can circulate effectively.
• Spritz the fries with a light coating of neutral cooking oil. This will help the heat from the air fryer conduct more effectively, giving your fries a just-out-of-the-fryer crust.
• Check on your fries mid-cook. Air frying time will vary depending on the thickness of the fries and the model of the air fryer, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
• For best results, preheat the air fryer before adding the fries.

Storage:

Leftover fries will stay good in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. For the best texture, it is recommended to eat them within 2 days.

Other Methods:

While the air fryer is the fastest and most effective way to reheat fries, you can also use an oven, a deep fryer, a skillet, or a stovetop. However, these methods may result in drier, greasier, or chewier fries, and are generally less effective at restoring that crispy texture.

So, the next time you have some leftover fries, don't toss them out or resign yourself to sogginess. Break out your air fryer and follow these steps for delicious, crispy fries that taste almost as good as fresh ones!

Frequently asked questions