Reheating Chinese Food: Air Fryer Magic

Yes, you can reheat Chinese food in an air fryer. In fact, it's a great way to restore the crispiness of your leftovers. The air fryer can crisp up anything from reheated french fries to air-fried nachos, and it works just as well for Chinese dishes. To reheat your Chinese food in the air fryer, preheat your appliance to around 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place your food in the basket, either sprayed with non-stick oil or lined with parchment paper. Avoid overcrowding the basket to allow for proper air circulation. Reheat for about five minutes or until your food reaches the desired temperature and crispiness. This method works well for fried foods like wontons, egg rolls, chicken, and vegetables. However, avoid reheating saucy or soft dishes like noodles, and foods that can dry out, like steamed dumplings, in the air fryer.

Reheating Chinese food in an air fryer: temperatures and timings

Air fryers are a great way to reheat Chinese food and restore its original crispiness. If you're looking to recreate that freshly cooked crunch, an air fryer is a much better option than a microwave, which will leave your leftovers soggy.

When reheating Chinese food in an air fryer, it's important to consider the type of food you're dealing with. Fried and battered foods, such as chicken wings, spring rolls, and wontons, tend to work best. Sauce-heavy dishes, soft foods, steamed dumplings, and noodle dishes may not be the best candidates for reheating in an air fryer as they can dry out or become overly crispy.

To achieve the best results, follow these temperature and timing guidelines:

• For items like salt and pepper chicken wings, sweet and sour chicken balls, and prawn toast, set the air fryer to 160 degrees Celsius or 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Reheat for approximately 3 to 6 minutes.
• If you're reheating egg fried rice, it's recommended to use a ramekin with some butter to prevent the rice from drying out. Set the temperature to 160 degrees Celsius or 320 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 4 minutes.
• For Chinese spare ribs, especially if they are loaded with sauce, consider using a silicone container to avoid making a mess in your air fryer. Set the temperature to 180 degrees Celsius or 320 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 6 minutes.
• To reheat crispy duck, place the shredded meat into a silicone mould and spray it with extra virgin olive oil to enhance crispiness. Use a temperature of 160 degrees Celsius or 320 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 3 minutes.
• For pancakes, you can simply place them in the air fryer (still in their wrapper) and cook for 1 minute at 120 degrees Celsius or 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If you're reheating potstickers, egg rolls, or other fried foods, you can spray them with a light layer of neutral oil before placing them in the air fryer. Avocado oil or vegetable oil are good choices due to their high smoke points.
• When it comes to rice, it's generally recommended to reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. However, if you prefer to use the air fryer, add a teaspoon or two of water or broth to keep the rice moist.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and even heating.
• Keep in mind that different foods may have varying cook times, depending on their size and thickness. For example, a large piece of chicken may take 8 to 10 minutes, while a thin slice of onion or pepper may burn after just 2 to 3 minutes.

How to avoid a soggy mess

When it comes to reheating Chinese food, the air fryer is a game-changer. It can restore the crispiness of your leftovers in just a few minutes. Here are some tips to ensure your reheated Chinese food doesn't turn into a soggy mess:

Separate Sauces and Battered Foods

Before storing your Chinese food leftovers, separate the sauce from battered foods like chicken chunks. The sauce will saturate the chicken if left together, making it soggy. Store them separately in airtight containers.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 320°F to 400°F (160°C to 200°C). This initial blast of heat will help ensure your food crisps up nicely.

Use Oil

Spray the air fryer basket or the food itself with a light coating of oil. You can also spray a light layer of neutral oil, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil, on battered foods like potstickers or egg rolls for extra crispiness.

Avoid Overcrowding

When reheating, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Allow enough space for air to circulate properly, ensuring even cooking and crispiness. If you have a large quantity of food, cook in batches if necessary.

Adjust Timing for Different Foods

Different foods will require different reheating times. A large piece of chicken might take 8-10 minutes, while a thin slice of onion or pepper could burn after just 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on your food to avoid overcooking or burning.

Reheat Rice Separately

Chinese food often comes with rice, which is best reheated separately. You can use the stovetop, microwave, or even the air fryer with a teaspoon or two of water or broth to keep it moist.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your leftover Chinese food with a crispy texture, avoiding the dreaded soggy mess!

Best types of Chinese food to reheat in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat Chinese food in an air fryer. The air fryer is a great way to restore the crispiness of your leftovers in just a few minutes.

General Tso Chicken/Kung Pao Chicken

To reheat General Tso Chicken or Kung Pao Chicken in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Line the basket with parchment paper to prevent the sauce from sticking and burning. Place the chicken onto the parchment paper and set the timer for 5 minutes. Check that the chicken is heated throughout, and if not, place it back for another 3 minutes.

Fried Rice

Fried rice dishes can also be reheated in an air fryer. Do not preheat the air fryer. Place the rice into the pan and spray it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set the temperature to 320°F and leave to reheat for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, spray the rice with olive oil again and place it back into the air fryer at 360°F for 5 minutes. Stir the rice and serve hot.

Spring Rolls, Potstickers, and Other Dim Sum

Dim sum items are usually fried and sometimes steamed, so they reheat well in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for around 5 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking oil and place the items inside, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Reheat for 3 minutes, then flip the items over and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Remove the food when it is heated through and crispy.

Chow Mein

Noodles might not seem like the best thing to reheat in an air fryer, but they can work well. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the chow mein into an oven-safe dish that fits into the basket. Spread the noodles and ingredients out as much as possible. Place the dish into the air fryer and leave to reheat for 4 minutes. Use a fork to move the noodles around, then place them back into the air fryer for another 3 minutes.

Broccoli Beef

To reheat broccoli beef in the air fryer without drying it out, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the broccoli beef into a heat-resistant dish that fits into the basket, keeping the broccoli and beef separated if possible. Allow it to reheat for 5 minutes, then flip the ingredients over and place the dish back into the air fryer for another 3 minutes.

Best containers to use for reheating Chinese food

When reheating Chinese food in an air fryer, the containers you use can make a big difference in achieving the best results. Here are some tips on the best containers to use:

Silicone Containers

If you're reheating saucy dishes like Chinese spare ribs, using a silicone container is a great option. It catches the sauce and makes cleaning up afterwards a breeze. Simply load the ribs into the silicone container and air fry for the desired amount of time. This method ensures that your air fryer stays clean while still enjoying your favourite sticky ribs.

Air Fryer Basket

For many Chinese dishes, you can place the food directly into the air fryer basket. This is ideal for foods like egg rolls, wontons, chicken chunks, and vegetables. Spraying the basket with non-stick oil or lining it with foil or parchment paper can make clean-up easier. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for about 5 minutes or until your food reaches the desired temperature and crispiness.

Ramekins

Ramekins are perfect for reheating small portions of egg fried rice in the air fryer. Adding a little butter to the ramekin helps prevent the rice from drying out and adds flavour. You can also experiment with other fats like ghee or olive oil. Place the ramekin in the air fryer and follow the recommended cooking time and temperature for fried rice.

Air Fryer-Safe Containers

When reheating larger portions or multiple servings, using air fryer-safe containers can be convenient. Look for containers made of materials like silicone, ceramic, or metal that are specifically designed for use in an air fryer. These containers can be placed directly into the air fryer, making it easy to reheat multiple items simultaneously.

Separating Sauce and Meat

For dishes with a lot of sauce, like sweet and sour chicken, it's best to separate the meat from the sauce before reheating. Store the sauce in a small container and reheat it separately, either in the microwave or the air fryer. This prevents the meat from becoming soggy and ensures that your dish retains its desired texture.

Remember to consider the type of Chinese food you're reheating and adjust temperatures and cooking times accordingly. Enjoy experimenting with different containers and techniques to find the best results for your favourite Chinese dishes!

How long Chinese food lasts in the fridge

Chinese food leftovers can be safely stored in the fridge for three to four days. However, it's important to note that the specific duration may vary depending on the type of dish and the ingredients used. For example, fried rice can last about 3-5 days, while spring rolls are best consumed within 2-3 days if they are not fried again.

To ensure food safety and maintain freshness, it is recommended to follow proper storage practices. This includes using airtight containers, allowing leftovers to cool to room temperature before refrigeration, and avoiding leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours. Additionally, when reheating Chinese food, it is crucial to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to eliminate any harmful bacteria.

When it comes to reheating Chinese food, the air fryer is a popular choice. It can effectively restore the crispiness of fried dishes, such as wontons, egg rolls, and chicken. To reheat in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to 350°F-375°F (depending on the source) and cook for a few minutes until the desired temperature and crispiness are achieved.

Frequently asked questions