Refrying Fried Chicken In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

If you're looking to restore the crispy texture of leftover fried chicken, the air fryer is your best bet. Not only does it help retain the crunchiness of the outer layer, but it also keeps the meat moist and succulent. Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that takes less than 15 minutes. It's important to preheat the air fryer to the right temperature, usually between 360°F to 400°F, and arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer to ensure even heating. You can also lightly spray or brush the chicken with oil for extra crispiness. With its ability to circulate hot air, the air fryer is a superior option compared to the microwave, which often results in soggy and unevenly heated chicken.

Can You Refry Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer?

Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer: the best method

Leftover fried chicken is a tricky dish to reheat. Often, the crunchy, crispy texture of the coating is lost, leaving the chicken soggy and greasy. However, with an air fryer, you can restore fried chicken to its former glory and even improve it! This guide will take you through the entire process, step by step, so you can enjoy your fried chicken as if it were freshly cooked.

The air fryer is the best option for reheating fried chicken for several reasons:

• Maintains Crispy Texture: Air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food, which helps to revive the chicken's crispiness. In contrast, microwaves often leave fried chicken soggy.
• Even Heating: Air fryers ensure even heating, so every bite of your reheated fried chicken will be as crispy as the first.
• Quick and Easy: It's a hassle-free method, taking only a fraction of the time compared to reheating in an oven.
• Healthier: Air fryers don't require deep frying or additional calories, fats, or oils.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer

Ingredients and Equipment

• Leftover fried chicken pieces (homemade or fast food leftovers)
• Air fryer (e.g., Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer)
• Cooking spray (optional)

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F–400°F (182°C–204°C). Preheating is crucial to ensuring even heating and helping the chicken retain its crispy texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover fried chicken out of the refrigerator. Separate the chicken pieces to ensure even heating. If you want an extra crispy finish, you can lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray, although this is optional.

Step 3: Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Arrange the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece for proper air circulation. If your air fryer is small, you may need to reheat the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Step 4: Reheat the Chicken

Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and set the timer. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, but it typically ranges from 3–10 minutes for the initial heating.

Step 5: Flip and Continue Reheating

After the initial heating, carefully open the air fryer and check the chicken. It should be warmed through but may not be as crispy as desired. To ensure even crispiness, flip each piece of chicken using tongs and continue reheating for an additional 2–5 minutes.

Step 6: Check for Doneness and Adjust

Once the additional heating time has passed, open the air fryer and check the crispiness of the chicken. If it's not as crispy as you'd like, you can repeat the flipping and reheating process for another 1–2 minutes on each side.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once the fried chicken is crispy and heated through, carefully remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute or two. This allows the crust to set and become even crispier. Now, your fried chicken is ready to be served with your favorite sides and sauces!

Tips for Reheating Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer

• Avoid Overcrowding: Reheat in batches if necessary to maintain the crispy skin and ensure even heating.
• Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: To ensure your chicken is thoroughly reheated, use an instant-read meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
• Customize with Seasonings: Before reheating, sprinkle your chicken with your favorite seasonings or spice mixes to enhance the flavor.
• Serve with Dipping Sauces: Fried chicken pairs well with various dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, or hot sauce.
• Prevent Drying: To prevent the chicken from drying out during reheating, add a small dish of water to the air fryer.
• Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the chicken during reheating to prevent overcooking or burning, especially with smaller pieces.

How to prepare the chicken before placing it in the air fryer

Preparing your chicken before placing it in the air fryer is key to achieving that perfect, crispy texture. Here are the steps you should follow:

Firstly, take your leftover fried chicken out of the refrigerator. It is important that the chicken reaches room temperature before reheating, so let it sit for a while. If your chicken pieces are stacked, separate them to ensure even heating.

Next, prepare your air fryer. Preheat it to around 360°F-400°F (182°C-204°C). The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model and personal preference, but this temperature range will help you achieve a crispy texture. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking. You can also lightly spray or brush the chicken pieces with oil for extra crispiness, but this is optional.

Now it's time to arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure they don't touch, with some space between each piece. This allows for proper airflow and even heating. If your air fryer is small, you may need to reheat the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

At this point, you can also add more seasoning to your chicken for extra flavour. Sprinkle your favourite spices or seasoning blend over the chicken pieces.

Once your chicken and air fryer are prepared, you're ready to start reheating. Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and set the timer. For larger pieces of chicken, such as breasts or thighs, reheat for 8-10 minutes. For chicken tenders or wings, 5-7 minutes should be sufficient. Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating and crispiness on both sides.

Keep an eye on your chicken to prevent overcooking or burning. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, so adjust accordingly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is thoroughly heated. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to consume.

By following these steps, you'll be able to enjoy your leftover fried chicken with a crispy texture and juicy meat, just like it was freshly cooked!

The optimal temperature and time for reheating fried chicken in an air fryer

Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy crispy and juicy leftover chicken. The optimal temperature and time depend on the size and type of chicken pieces, but here is a comprehensive guide to ensure your fried chicken is heated thoroughly and maintains its optimal texture.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Firstly, it is essential to preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature for preheating is between 360°F to 375°F (182°C to 190°C). Preheating ensures that your chicken reheats evenly and helps to create the perfect environment for crispiness.

Preparing the Chicken

While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover fried chicken out of the refrigerator. Separate the chicken pieces to ensure even heating and heating. It is recommended to let the chicken reach room temperature before placing it in the air fryer. This helps prevent the chicken from drying out during reheating.

Placing the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. This arrangement ensures proper air circulation. If you are working with larger pieces of chicken, you may need to cut them into smaller portions for more effective reheating.

Reheating Time and Temperature

For optimal results, reheat the fried chicken in the air fryer for approximately 3-8 minutes per side. The exact time will depend on the size and type of chicken pieces. For example, chicken tenders and wings may only need 4-7 minutes, while larger pieces like breasts and thighs might require 8-10 minutes.

After the initial heating, carefully open the air fryer and check the chicken. It should be warmed through, but if you desire a crispier texture, you can continue reheating for an additional 1-3 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

To ensure the chicken is thoroughly reheated, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. The chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This temperature reading is essential for food safety, as it ensures the destruction of harmful bacteria.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Reheat in batches if necessary to maintain crispiness and ensure even heating.
• Use a light coating of cooking spray or oil on the chicken pieces before reheating to enhance crispiness.
• Monitor the chicken during reheating to prevent overcooking or burning, especially with smaller pieces.
• For extra flavour, sprinkle your favourite seasonings or spices on the chicken before reheating.

Tips for keeping the chicken crispy while reheating

Tips for Keeping Chicken Crispy While Reheating

Reheating fried chicken can be tricky, as you want to balance keeping the meat moist and flavourful while also maintaining the crispiness of the outer layer. Here are some tips to help you achieve that perfect, crispy reheated fried chicken:

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer is essential to creating the perfect environment for promoting crispiness. It's best to set the temperature between 360°F and 375°F (or 182°C and 190°C). This will ensure that your chicken gets heated evenly and retains its crispy texture.

Avoid Overcrowding

Arrange your fried chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. This allows for even air circulation, which is crucial for maintaining crispiness. If you have a small air fryer, you might need to reheat the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Use a Light Coating of Oil

Lightly coat your fried chicken with oil before reheating. This will help restore crispiness to your chicken. However, this step is optional, as some people prefer not to add extra oil.

Monitor the Cooking Time

Keep a close eye on your chicken during reheating to prevent overcooking or burning. Smaller pieces, in particular, need extra attention. For larger pieces, you can air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. For chicken tenders or wings, 5-7 minutes should be sufficient.

Use an Instant-Read Thermometer

If you want to be sure that your chicken is thoroughly reheated, use an instant-read meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety and kill any harmful bacteria.

Customise with Seasonings

Before reheating, you can add extra seasonings or spices to your chicken to enhance the flavour. This step is entirely customisable and can be adjusted based on your preferences.

Serve with Dipping Sauces

Reheated fried chicken goes well with various dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, or hot sauce. These sauces not only enhance the flavour but also provide a moist contrast to the crispy chicken.

How to store fried chicken for optimal reheating

Storing fried chicken correctly is essential to ensure it retains its original texture and flavour. Here is a guide on how to store fried chicken for optimal reheating:

Firstly, never put fried chicken into a storage container while it's still hot. Doing so will create condensation, making the chicken soggy. Instead, let the chicken cool to room temperature. Use this time to prepare a clean, airtight container. Line the bottom and sides of the container with paper towels to soak up any juices from the chicken, helping it stay crisp.

Once the chicken has reached room temperature, place it in the container and cover it with another paper towel before sealing. Fried chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days. Alternatively, you can store it in a resealable plastic bag, creating a vacuum seal by folding the bag over itself to remove excess air. You can also wrap the chicken in a few layers of aluminium foil, ensuring no air bubbles or tears are present.

When you're ready to reheat your fried chicken, the oven, air fryer, stovetop, or microwave are all viable options. Reheating in the oven is a simple method. Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the chicken on a baking sheet covered with aluminium foil. Put the chicken in the oven for around 12 minutes, or until it crisps up.

Using an air fryer is another convenient option. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and place the chicken inside without any aluminium foil. Cook for about two minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for an additional two minutes. Be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it may dry out.

If you're looking for a quicker solution, the microwave can also be used. Place the chicken on a plate with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and help preserve crispness. Heat the chicken in 30-second intervals, flipping it each time, until warmed through.

By following these storage and reheating guidelines, you can enjoy your leftover fried chicken with a crispy texture and juicy flavour.

Frequently asked questions