Warming Food In Your Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, often chosen for their compact size, speed, and efficiency. They work by circulating hot air around food, cooking it quickly and evenly. While air fryers are typically used for cooking, many people also use them to reheat food. This can be a great way to ensure maximum flavor and texture, especially for foods like French fries, fried chicken, and pizza. However, some foods, such as leafy greens, whole roasts, and cheese without a coating, are not recommended for reheating in an air fryer. Additionally, some air fryers have a Keep Warm function, which uses the bottom elements to keep food warm after cooking. For those without this setting, it is possible to set the temperature to a low heat to keep food warm.

Reheating food in an air fryer

Choosing the Right Foods

An easy rule of thumb is that any food you can cook in an air fryer can also be reheated in it. Some of the best foods to reheat include leftover pizza, French fries, fried snacks like onion rings and chicken nuggets, chicken tenders and breasts, steak, burgers, and roasted or air-fried vegetables.

However, there are some foods that are not suitable for reheating in an air fryer. These include leafy greens like spinach or arugula, whole roasts like roast beef or chicken (although you can slice them first and then reheat), cheese without a coating (except for halloumi and similar grilling cheeses), soups, stews, pasta, and rice.

General Process for Reheating

While the time and temperature may vary depending on the food, a good starting point is to set the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Shake or flip the food halfway through for an even cook. You don't need to preheat the air fryer, but it's important to not overcrowd the basket. Check the food regularly to ensure it doesn't burn or dry out, and adjust the temperature as needed.

Temperature and Timing

The ideal temperature and timing will depend on the type of food you're reheating. If you're worried about drying out food like steak or chicken wings, use a lower temperature (360°F/80°C or lower). For foods you want to crisp up, such as French fries or fried chicken, use a higher temperature (390°F/200°C or higher). Thicker foods like whole steaks or chicken breasts are best reheated at a lower temperature, while smaller items like French fries or thin steak slices can be reheated at a higher temperature.

The time it takes to reheat food will depend on the type of food, its size, and the amount. Always ensure that leftovers are reheated to a safe temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, or cut into the food to make sure it's heated through. Here are some approximate reheating times for reference:

• French fries: 4-6 minutes
• Chicken wings: 4-6 minutes
• Sliced steak: 2-3 minutes
• Whole steak: 5-6 minutes

Oil and Seasonings

Adding a spritz of olive oil before reheating can help refresh the food and improve its texture. However, this step is optional, and you can choose to skip it. If the food starts to look dry during reheating, you can add a spritz of oil and lower the temperature.

Keep Warm Function

Some air fryers have a Keep Warm function that distributes power to the bottom elements to keep food warm after cooking. This can be useful if you want to keep food warm until it's ready to be served.

Batch Cooking and Keeping Food Warm

If you're cooking in batches, you may want to keep the first batch warm while preparing the second. One way to do this is to cover the food and place it in a warm oven. Alternatively, you can invest in a second air fryer or one with a double compartment.

Using the Keep Warm function

The "Keep Warm" function on your air fryer is a great way to maintain the temperature of your cooked food until you are ready to serve it. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use this function:

• Set the function knob to "Keep Warm." The preset temperature is typically around 170°F (77°C), but you can adjust it to a lower temperature if needed. Some air fryers may not have a dedicated "Keep Warm" setting, but you can achieve a similar effect by setting the temperature to 180°F (82°C) or 200°F (93°C).
• Adjust the timer if desired. The preset time is usually 1 hour, but you can increase or decrease it depending on how long you need to keep the food warm.
• Place your cooked food in the center of the rack. Make sure there is enough space around the food for proper air circulation.
• Close the door and press "Start." The air fryer will maintain the desired temperature for the set duration.
• When the cycle ends, you'll hear an end signal, and the air fryer will shut off automatically. Always use oven mitts when removing pans or racks from the air fryer, as they can get very hot.

Some additional tips to keep in mind:

• While the "Keep Warm" function is great for maintaining the temperature of cooked food, it's not ideal for reheating cold food. For reheating, set the temperature to 360°F (180°C) or higher, depending on the type of food.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Leave enough space for proper air circulation and even heating.
• Check your food regularly to ensure it doesn't dry out or burn. If necessary, adjust the temperature or add a spritz of oil to prevent dryness.
• If you're reheating something that needs to stay crispy, like French fries or fried chicken, a higher temperature (390°F/200°C or higher) will help refresh the crisp.

Best foods to reheat

Many foods can be reheated in an air fryer, and it's a great way to keep crispy foods from going soggy. Here is a list of some of the best foods to reheat in your air fryer:

French Fries or Onion Rings

Leftover fries or onion rings can be made crispy again in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and lay the fries or onion rings in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 2 minutes, then check if they are hot. If not, air fry for another minute or two.

Pizza

Leftover pizza can be reheated in an air fryer to achieve a crispy crust and gooey cheese topping. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and line the basket with perforated aluminum foil or special air fryer-safe parchment paper. Place the pizza slices in the basket and air fry for 3 minutes. Check if it's hot and crispy enough, and air fry for another minute or two if needed.

Chicken Wings

Keep leftover chicken wings crispy and delicious by reheating them in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and lay the wings in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 3 minutes, then stop and turn the chicken over. Air fry for another 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.

Grilled or Fried Chicken

You can also reheat grilled or fried chicken in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and add a few pieces of chicken, making sure there is space between them. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then cook for an additional 1-2 minutes as needed to get them hot and crispy.

Mozzarella Sticks

A few leftover mozzarella sticks from last night's dinner can be heated up nicely in your air fryer. Place them in the air fryer basket without preheating. Air fry for 2 minutes, then check for doneness and add a minute or so if needed.

Chinese Food

Most Asian foods work well in an air fryer because many dishes are sauteed or fried. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and place the Chinese food in the basket. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. If the dish has a sauce, heat it up separately in the microwave if possible.

Hamburgers

You can reheat hamburgers in an air fryer to keep the buns crispy. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and place the hamburger patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between each one. Air fry for 4 to 5 minutes, then check with an instant-read thermometer to ensure they are heated through. Continue air frying for another minute or two if needed.

Waffles or French Toast

For crispy and hot waffles or French toast, preheat the air fryer to 360°F and put the leftovers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until crispy and hot.

Foods not suitable for reheating in an air fryer

While air fryers are great for reheating food and keeping it warm, there are some foods that don't do well in them. Here is a list of foods that are not suitable for reheating in an air fryer:

• Salads or leafy greens: The high-speed air circulation in an air fryer can cause lightweight greens to fly around, leading to uneven cooking or a mess in your appliance. These delicate foods can easily overcook or burn, losing their texture and nutritional value.
• Large cuts of meat or whole roasts: While air fryers are excellent for smaller cuts of meat, they may struggle with larger chunks or whole roasts. Such foods require a longer, more consistent heat to cook or reheat properly throughout.
• Creamy or cheesy sauces: Dishes like lasagna or creamy pasta may dry out in an air fryer as the heat may not penetrate to the centre of the dish. Traditional ovens are better suited for these foods as they provide gentle, even heating.
• Soups and stews: Although you can technically reheat soups and stews in an air fryer, other methods are more suitable. Soups and stews don't need to be crispy!
• Soft, runny cakes: Soft cakes, such as chocolate lava cake, may dry out or cook unevenly in an air fryer due to its intense heat distribution.
• Parchment or silicone liners: While these accessories can be useful for some dishes, they are not necessary for reheating food and may not provide the desired results.

It's important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of air fryer and the specific food being reheated. Always refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your air fryer for the best results.

General process for reheating food

The general process for reheating food in an air fryer is simple and can be applied to most foods.

Firstly, place the food in the air fryer basket. It is important not to overcrowd the basket, so some foods may need to be cooked in batches. For most foods, a spritz of olive oil is recommended, as this can help to refresh the dish. However, this is optional and can be skipped.

Next, set the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) and allow the food to cook until heated through. For the most even cook, it is beneficial to shake or flip the food halfway through. This is particularly important for foods like French fries, which can be cooked in multiple layers but still need to be shaken to avoid overcooking.

The time and temperature will vary depending on the food, its size, and the amount being reheated. For example, French fries will take 4-6 minutes, whereas sliced steak will only take 2-3 minutes. It is important to ensure the food is thoroughly heated before consuming, with a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer can be used to check this, or the food can be cut into to check manually.

It is also crucial to check on the food regularly to ensure it does not burn or dry out. If it starts to look dry, a spritz of oil and a lower temperature can help.

Finally, it is worth noting that reheating the same food multiple times is not recommended, as most foods are not suitable for this.

Frequently asked questions