Leftovers: Air Fryer Reheating Revolution

Air fryers are a great way to reheat your leftovers. They can make your food crispy again and are especially good for reheating fast food. The circulating hot air inside an air fryer helps refresh the crisp of any food that you want to be crispy again, like French fries or fried chicken. You can reheat almost any food in an air fryer, from leftover pizza to chicken wings, burgers, and spring rolls. However, there are some foods that don't do well in an air fryer, such as leafy greens, large cuts of meat, creamy or cheesy sauces, and soft cakes.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F.
• Place your pizza slices flat in the middle of the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Make sure they don't overlap. You can put a few slices in at once, but don't overcrowd the basket.
• Air fry for 3-5 minutes. Check the pizza after a couple of minutes to ensure it's not burning. Remove it from the air fryer when the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. The time will depend on the thickness of your pizza and how much toppings it has.
• Carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer and enjoy!

Tips:

• Preheating the air fryer is important for getting a crispy crust.
• Use parchment paper or a silicone liner for easy cleanup.
• If your pizza starts to brown too much, turn the heat down by about 25-30°F.
• Remove the pizza from the air fryer as soon as it's done to prevent it from drying out or burning.
• Thicker pizzas will need a little more time, while thin-crust pizzas can be cooked at a higher temperature for a shorter time.
• For extra crispy pizza, spray the slices with a little olive oil before cooking.

What Not to Do:

• Don't use a microwave to reheat your pizza. It will leave you with an unevenly heated pizza with a rubbery, stiff crust.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will prevent the pizza from reheating properly.
• Don't stack the pizza slices. They need to be in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Don't store reheated pizza. It's best to eat it straight away while it's still crispy and hot.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

Preparation

If your chicken is in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to remove the chill. This will help the chicken heat more evenly.

Oil

You can brush the chicken with a little oil or use cooking spray to enhance crispiness. Avocado oil is a great option, as it has a high smoke point.

Air Fryer Basket

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

Temperature and Timing

Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the chicken. After 6 minutes, flip the chicken for even reheating. Depending on the size of your chicken, it could take between 10 and 20 minutes to heat through.

Internal Temperature

Start checking the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer after 10 minutes to prevent overcooking. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Optional Crisping

If you prefer your chicken to be crispier, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking.

Safety Tips

• Always use a food thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), killing any harmful bacteria.
• 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 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.
• Divide into portions and transfer to airtight containers or resealable plastic bags for storage.
• Label and date the containers and place them in the refrigerator within 2 hours of reheating.
• While cooked chicken can be frozen, it is not recommended to freeze it after reheating as it can affect the texture and taste.

Serving Suggestions

Reheated chicken is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, salads, tacos, pasta dishes, stir-fries, soups, stews, quesadillas, and pizza toppings.

Tips for Maintaining Crispiness

• Preheat the air fryer to create an ideal environment for crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even air circulation.
• Monitor the cooking time to prevent overcooking.
• If the chicken seems dry, add a small amount of liquid or sauce to the air fryer basket.
• Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to redistribute the juices.

By following these steps and tips, you can enjoy delicious, crispy, and juicy reheated chicken every time!

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Prepare the Steak:

Let the steak come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before reheating. This will help the steak cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out. If you have large leftover chunks, slice them into smaller pieces to promote even cooking.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 204°C) for 2-5 minutes. This step is not mandatory but will help ensure even cooking.

Oil the Steak:

Lightly spray or brush the steak with olive oil. Oil helps conduct heat, aiding in quicker and more even reheating while keeping the steak juicy. You can also add your favourite steak seasoning at this point.

Place Steak in the Air Fryer:

Place the steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the pieces are in a single layer and not touching each other. This allows the hot air to circulate around each piece, heating it evenly.

Reheat the Steak:

Reheat the steak at a temperature between 350°F and 380°F (175°C to 190°C) for 2-3 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the steak, which should reach at least 110°F (43°C) in the centre of the thickest part. If needed, continue reheating in 2-3 minute intervals until the desired temperature is reached.

Serve:

Top the reheated steak with garlic butter or your favourite steak sauce and enjoy!

Tips:

• It is best to reheat steak only once for food safety reasons. Reheat only the portion you intend to consume, and store the rest in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Steak thickness affects reheating time, so if reheating multiple steaks, group those of similar thickness together to prevent some from overcooking before others are warmed through.
• For best results, use rare or medium-rare steaks as they will have more time to warm through without becoming overcooked.

Now you can enjoy your leftover steak with a crisp exterior and a juicy interior, just like freshly grilled!

Reheating French fries in an air fryer

If you're looking to reheat French fries and achieve that crispy, delicious texture, then your air fryer is the perfect appliance for the job. This method is quick, easy, and will leave your fries tasting just like new.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

For optimal crispness, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 390°F to 400°F (200°C) and let it run for about 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the French Fries

Place your leftover French fries into the air fryer basket. You can use any type of fry, including steak fries, sweet potato fries, or fast-food fries. Just ensure you don't fill the basket too full; a single layer or multiple layers with space are ideal.

You can also add a tiny bit of olive oil or spritz the fries with cooking spray to prevent them from drying out. This step is optional, but it will help keep your fries crispy and delicious.

Step 3: Air Fry the French Fries

Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 204°C) and air fry the French fries for 3 to 6 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even heating.

Keep a close eye on your fries, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to ensure they don't get too crispy or burnt.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once your fries are heated through and have reached your desired level of crispness, it's time to serve them. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Tips for Best Results

• Adjust the cook time depending on the quantity of fries you're reheating. For a small amount, 4 minutes may be enough, while larger quantities might require the full 6 minutes.
• If you're reheating thicker fries, you may need to increase the cook time slightly.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. If you have a large batch of fries, cook them in batches to ensure even heating.
• Add seasonings before cooking, after adding the oil, to ensure they stick to the fries.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy crispy, delicious French fries that taste just like they did when they were first cooked. So, the next time you have leftover fries, don't settle for soggy microwave reheating. Break out your air fryer and give them new life!

Reheating a burger in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to microwaves or ovens when it comes to reheating leftovers. They can make food crispy again and are super quick.

Step-by-step guide to reheating a burger in an air fryer

• Remove the burger from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 375°F.
• If your burger has toppings like lettuce and tomato, remove them and set them aside. You can also remove the patty from the bun, or keep it in the bun if you prefer.
• Place the burger in the air fryer basket, ensuring it's in a single layer with space around it for optimal airflow.
• Reheat for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 160°F.
• If you find any cold spots, simply put the burger back in the air fryer for another minute or two.
• Add your toppings back onto the burger and serve with your favourite sides.

Tips

• You can reheat burgers with or without the bun. The bun will become lightly crispy.
• If you're reheating a fast-food burger, you may want to remove any toppings as they will get slightly cooked.
• If you're reheating a cheeseburger, make sure the cheese is on the top of the patty for maximum melting.
• Don't crowd the basket. Warm up one burger at a time.
• You can use a liner in the basket for easy cleanup.
• Don't overcook the burger. Keep the time short and don't leave the patty in for too long.

Storing and reheating tips

• Store cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating a burger more than once is possible but may affect its quality, making it drier.
• It's best to reheat just once, within a day or two of the initial cooking.

What to serve with your leftover burger

You can serve your leftover burger with a side of fries, cooked in the air fryer. Choose from curly fries, crinkle fries, waffle fries, sweet potato fries, or homemade french fries. For something more filling, try a side of Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, potato salad, or mac and cheese.

Frequently asked questions