Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Do's And Don'ts

Yes, you can reheat chicken wings in an air fryer! This method is perfect for achieving crispy skin and moist, tender meat. It's also quick and easy, taking only 2-6 minutes. To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F. If your wings are saucy, it's recommended to use a small air fryer pan, tin foil, or parchment paper to avoid a mess. Place the wings in a single layer in the basket and cook for 2-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer

Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F–375°F (around 180°C). Preheating the air fryer will help to create a hot environment that promotes even cooking and crispy exteriors while locking in moisture.

Prepare the Wings

Take your wings out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. You can add extra salt or pepper at this point, if desired.

Arrange the Wings

Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray. Make sure there is some space between each wing to allow for even air circulation. You may need to reheat your wings in batches. Try to place similarly sized wings together to ensure they rewarm evenly.

Lightly Coat with Oil (Optional)

For extra crispiness, you can lightly coat the chicken wings with a small amount of cooking oil using a brush or spray bottle. Alternatively, you can add a bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket if you're reheating wings with a lot of sauce, to avoid excess smoke.

Reheat

Place the basket or tray with the chicken wings into the preheated air fryer and cook for about 5–7 minutes. Shake or flip the wings halfway through to ensure even cooking, then continue cooking for another 5–6 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Check for Doneness

Check the internal temperature of the wings using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the wing, avoiding contact with bones or excessive breading.

Serve

It's best to serve the wings immediately after reheating. You can baste the wings with your favourite sauce or serve with a dipping sauce.

How to reheat sauced chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat sauced chicken wings in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350–375°F (177–182°C). Preheating the air fryer ensures that it is hot enough to crisp up the chicken wings quickly.

Step 2: Prepare the Wings

Take your wings out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. You can add extra salt or pepper at this point for fresh seasoning and taste.

Step 3: Arrange the Wings in the Air Fryer

Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray, with some space between each wing to allow for even air circulation. If you have too many wings to fit without overlapping, reheat in batches.

Step 4: Lightly Coat with Oil (Optional)

For extra crispiness, you can lightly coat the chicken wings with a small amount of cooking oil using a brush or spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use cooking spray or melted butter.

Step 5: Reheat the Wings

Place the basket or tray with the chicken wings into the preheated air fryer. Reheat for about 5–7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Flip the wings halfway through for the best results, so that both sides get crispy.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

Check the internal temperature of the wings using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the wing, avoiding the bones. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure harmful bacteria are destroyed.

Tips:

• If reheating wings with a lot of sauce, add a bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to avoid excess smoke.
• Use a small air fryer pan, or line the air fryer basket with tin foil or parchment paper, to prevent the sauce from dripping and making a mess.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer; reheat in a single layer.
• Preheat the air fryer to get crispy skin.
• Spray wings with a spritz of oil while in the air fryer if they don’t seem to be getting crispy.
• Reheat only as many wings as you will finish – they are best when eaten right after reheating.

How to store leftover chicken wings

To store leftover chicken wings, let them cool down to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag and put them in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. They will stay good for three to four days. If you want to keep them longer, put them in the freezer. If you're freezing the wings, use a vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn. This way, your chicken wings can be stored in the freezer for up to four months.

How to reheat chicken wings without drying them out

Using an Air Fryer

Chicken wings can be reheated in an air fryer without drying them out by following these simple steps:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F.
• Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you have a lot of wings, you may need to reheat them in batches.
• Lightly coat the wings with oil (optional) for extra crispiness.
• Reheat for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer. The temperature should reach 165°F to ensure food safety.

Using an Oven

If you don't have an air fryer, you can also reheat chicken wings in an oven without drying them out:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the wings are heated through.

Tips to Prevent Drying Out

• Preheat the cooking appliance to ensure even cooking.
• Reheat the wings quickly and at a high temperature.
• Don't overcrowd the wings in the air fryer or oven. Reheat in batches if necessary.
• Add moisture or oil to the wings before reheating.
• Monitor the cooking time and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• If the wings are browning too quickly, cover them loosely with foil for the last part of the reheating process.
• Reheat the wings only once to prevent overcooking and drying out.

How to reheat chicken wings in an oven

If you don't have an air fryer, don't worry, you can still reheat chicken wings and enjoy them as if they were freshly cooked. Here is a detailed guide on how to reheat chicken wings in an oven.

Preheat the oven

Set the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). This is the ideal temperature to reheat your chicken wings without drying them out.

Prepare the wings

Take the chicken wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature while the oven is preheating. This will help them warm up slightly before going into the oven.

Arrange the wings on a baking sheet

Place the chicken wings in a single layer on a baking sheet. Make sure they are not overlapping or touching. This will ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding.

Reheat the wings

Place the baking sheet with the chicken wings in the preheated oven. Cook the wings for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also cook them for 10-20 minutes, depending on your preference and the number of wings.

Check for doneness

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken wings. The safe minimum internal temperature for poultry, including chicken wings, is 165°F (74°C). Make sure the thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the wing, avoiding the bone.

Serve the wings

Once the chicken wings have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the oven and serve immediately. You can serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Storing leftover wings

If you have any leftover chicken wings, let them cool to room temperature, and then store them in an airtight container or a zippered plastic bag in the refrigerator. Properly stored wings will keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions