Reheating Fast Food: Air Fryer Magic

If you're looking to reheat your fast food, an air fryer is a great option. It's a quick and easy way to get your meal tasting as good as new. In fact, some foods taste even better after being cooked in an air fryer. French fries, for example, can be made crispy again in an air fryer, and leftover pizza will come out with a crispy crust and gooey, melted cheese. Fried foods, like chicken nuggets and onion rings, are ideal for reheating in an air fryer as it will refresh the crisp. You can also reheat burgers, steak, roasted vegetables, and more.

However, there are some foods that are not suitable for reheating in an air fryer. These include leafy greens, whole roasts, cheese without a coating, soups, stews, pasta, and rice.

Reheating fried foods

For reheating meat, let the cut of meat sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before reheating. Preheat the air fryer for five minutes at 400°F/204°C, then place the meat inside the basket and cook for three minutes at 370°F/187°C. Check the internal temperature of the meat; you want it to reach 165°F or 73.8°C. If needed, flip the meat and cook for an additional two to three minutes. If you have any sauces or cheese to add, do so during the last minute of cooking.

Sandwiches can be a bit more tricky to reheat as they are composed of multiple parts that cook differently. Fried chicken sandwiches, for example, can be reheated by scraping off the lettuce, tomato, and sauce, and adding the chicken patty and bun halves, cut side up, to the basket. Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for five to seven minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. For cheeseburgers, if the patties are stuck to the buns, split the sandwich in half and place the open-faced burger pieces meat-side up in the air fryer for two minutes.

When reheating fried foods in an air fryer, it is important to note that they can burn easily, so keep a close eye on them. Additionally, avoid reheating water-based dishes in the air fryer as they take too long to come to temperature.

Reheating sandwiches

Step 1: Prep Your Sandwich

Remove any fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomato, or other vegetables, as these don't reheat well and can become soggy. You can always add them back to your sandwich after reheating. If your sandwich has sauces like mayonnaise or ketchup, you may want to add fresh sauces after reheating as well.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

For optimal results, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) or 375°F. Preheating ensures that your sandwich will cook evenly.

Step 3: Wrap Your Sandwich

Wrapping your sandwich in aluminum foil is crucial. It prevents the sandwich from drying out, keeps the ingredients intact, and ensures that any cheese melts perfectly.

Step 4: Air Fry

Place your wrapped sandwich in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 5-8 minutes. The timing can vary based on the size and thickness of your sandwich, so keep an eye on it. For an open-faced sandwich or one without cheese, you can place the sandwich directly in the basket without foil.

Step 5: Final Touches

Once your sandwich is reheated, it's time to add back any fresh toppings you removed earlier. This way, you get the best of both worlds: a crispy, warm sandwich with fresh, cold ingredients.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Reheat one sandwich at a time if needed to ensure proper air circulation.
• Adjust the timing based on the size of your sandwich. A larger sandwich may need more time, while a smaller one may need less.
• Check on your sandwich halfway through to ensure it's reheating evenly.
• If your sandwich is very light, use toothpicks to secure it so it doesn't blow around in the air fryer.

Now you're ready to enjoy your sandwich! With these steps, you can recapture that freshly-made taste and achieve crispy perfection.

Reheating meat

• Let the meat sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before reheating. This will allow it to cook more evenly and prevent drying out.
• Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C.
• Place the meat inside the air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes at 370°F/187°C.
• Check the internal temperature of the meat. You want it to reach 165°F or 73.8°C.
• Flip the meat and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, if needed.
• If you have any sauces or cheese to add, do so during the last minute of cooking.
• Fried chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F/190°C. Add a few pieces of chicken, making sure they are not crowded. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then cook for an additional 1-2 minutes as needed to get them hot and crispy.
• Chicken tenders and nuggets: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/204°C. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then check if they are heated through. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes as needed.
• Steak: Set the air fryer to 350°F/176°C and cook for a few minutes, checking regularly to ensure the steak is heated but still pink in the middle.

Remember, it's important to keep an eye on your meat while it's in the air fryer to prevent overcooking or burning. The cooking times may vary depending on the size and type of meat, as well as the specific air fryer you're using. Always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat to ensure it's safe to eat.

Reheating pizza

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 176°C. This is the ideal temperature for reheating pizza, as it will ensure a crispy crust without burning the cheese.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Slices

Place your leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and prevents the slices from sticking together. You can also place parchment paper or a silicone liner underneath the slices for easy cleanup, especially if your pizza is particularly cheesy or greasy. If using parchment paper, punch a few small holes in it to allow air to circulate.

Step 3: Air Fry the Pizza

Set the air fryer timer for 3-4 minutes for thick-crust pizza, or 3 minutes for thin-crust pizza. Keep an eye on the pizza during cooking, as you may need to adjust the temperature or time depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your pizza. If the pizza is browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25°F or 5°C.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Pizza!

Once the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer and enjoy!

Tips for Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer:

• Preheating the air fryer is essential for getting a crispy crust.
• Avoid overlapping or stacking the pizza slices to ensure even cooking.
• Use parchment paper or a silicone liner for easy cleanup, especially with cheesy or greasy pizzas.
• Check on the pizza occasionally during cooking to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Adjust the temperature or time as needed depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your pizza.
• For deep-dish or thicker pizzas, air fry at a lower temperature (around 330°F or 165°C) for a longer time (about 6 minutes) to ensure the cheese doesn't burn.

Foods not suitable for reheating in an air fryer

While air fryers are great for reheating fast food, there are some foods that are not suitable for reheating in an air fryer.

Water-based or liquid-based foods such as soups and stews are not ideal for reheating in an air fryer. These foods can take a long time to reach the desired temperature and may not need to be crispy. It is recommended to reheat such foods on the stovetop or in the microwave instead.

Large cuts of meat or whole roasts are also not suitable for reheating in an air fryer. They require a longer, more consistent heat to cook or reheat safely and evenly.

Creamy or cheesy sauces, such as lasagna or pasta bakes, are better suited to gentle and even heating methods like a traditional oven. The air fryer may dry out the top layer before the heat reaches the centre of the dish.

Soft and runny cakes, such as chocolate lava cake, may also dry out or cook unevenly in an air fryer due to the intense heat distribution.

Leafy greens, such as spinach or lettuce, are not recommended for reheating in an air fryer. The high-speed air circulation can cause these lightweight greens to fly around, leading to uneven cooking or a mess in your appliance.

Additionally, dishes with creamy sauces and cheesy items are best avoided in the air fryer as they can leave a sticky residue that is difficult to clean.

Frequently asked questions