Reheating Leftovers: Air Fryer Magic

Air fryers are a great way to reheat your leftovers. They can make your food crispy again without drying it out, and are especially good for fried foods like chicken wings, french fries, and pizza. You can also reheat meat in an air fryer, but it's important to be careful as it can dry out quickly. To prevent this, you can add a little extra oil or butter before heating, and wrap the meat in tinfoil to keep the moisture locked in.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat leftovers in an air fryer! It's a great way to make them crispy again, and it's quicker than using a regular oven. Here's how you can reheat pizza in an air fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer. Different sources recommend preheating to different temperatures, including 325°F/160°C, 350°F, and 375°F. Preheating is important for getting a crispy crust.

Next, place your pizza slices in the air fryer. Make sure they're in a single layer and not overlapping, as this will ensure even cooking. You can cook multiple slices at once, but don't overcrowd the air fryer. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you can place the slices directly on a baking tray. Otherwise, place them directly on the air fryer basket or tray. There's no need to use aluminium foil, but you can if you want to avoid a mess from melted cheese. If you do use foil, cut holes in it to allow for air circulation, or use perforated parchment paper.

Now, it's time to cook your pizza! Different sources recommend different cooking times and temperatures. Some suggest cooking at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the pizza is crispy and the cheese is melted. Others recommend cooking at 375°F for 2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it's not burning. If your pizza has a thicker crust, you may need to cook it for longer, and thicker slices may take 5 to 6 minutes. For thin-crust pizza, you can cook at up to 400°F for just 2 minutes. For deep-dish pizza, try 330°F for about 6 minutes to avoid burning the cheese.

Finally, use tongs to carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer, and enjoy!

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat chicken in an air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation

First, remove your chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This helps the chicken reheat more evenly. If your chicken is coated in sauce or breadcrumbs, place it on parchment paper in the air fryer to prevent sticking.

Air Fryer Settings

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). You can lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Reheating the Chicken

Brush your chicken with a thin layer of olive oil or avocado oil. You can also add a little extra seasoning if you like. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure there is enough space between each piece for optimal airflow.

Reheat the chicken for 5-6 minutes, then turn the pieces with tongs and reheat for another 2-5 minutes. Larger chicken pieces may take longer.

Checking for Doneness

Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken. It should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's thoroughly reheated and safe to eat.

Optional Crisping Step

If you prefer your chicken to be crispier, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking. However, be careful not to overcook it.

Safety Tips

According to USDA guidelines, it is recommended to reheat chicken only once to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination. Always wash your hands, utensils, and countertops thoroughly after handling raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination.

Storing Reheated Chicken

If you have leftover reheated chicken, it is important to refrigerate it within 2 hours. Store it in shallow containers and use airtight containers or resealable plastic bags for storage. Label the containers with the date of reheating and consume it within 3-4 days.

Serving Suggestions

Reheated chicken can be used in sandwiches, wraps, salads, tacos, pasta dishes, stir-fries, soups, stews, quesadillas, and more!

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Yes, you can definitely reheat steak in an air fryer. In fact, it's one of the best ways to reheat your leftovers, giving you a juicy interior and a crisp exterior.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to reheat steak in an air fryer:

Take the steak out of the fridge:

Remove the steak from the refrigerator and pat it dry. It's best to do this step around 15-20 minutes before reheating, allowing the steak to reach room temperature. This helps the steak cook more evenly, preventing it from drying out.

Prepare the steak:

Lightly spray or brush the steak with olive oil or avocado oil. Oil conducts heat, helping the steak reheat quickly and evenly, and keeping it juicy. You can also add a thin layer of olive oil or another type of oil to the steak to prevent it from drying out. Additionally, you can add steak seasoning if desired.

Preheat the air fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 370-380°F/187-190°C for 2-3 minutes. It's important to preheat the air fryer to ensure the steak doesn't become overcooked on the outside before the center is warmed.

Place the steak in the air fryer:

Put the steak in the air fryer basket. If you're reheating multiple steaks, place them in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. This allows the hot air to circulate around each steak, heating them evenly.

Reheat the steak:

Reheat the steak at 370-380°F/187-190°C for 2-3 minutes. For thicker steaks, you may need to increase the time. Check the internal temperature of the steak using an instant-read thermometer. You want the steak to reach at least 165°F/73.8°C, or 110°F/43°C if you prefer it rarer.

Flip and continue cooking:

After the initial cooking time, flip the steak and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature.

Add butter or sauce (optional):

If desired, you can add a slice of butter or your favorite steak sauce during the last minute of cooking. This adds extra flavor and moisture to the steak.

Serve and enjoy:

Once the steak has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and serve it hot.

Tips:

• It's best to reheat steak only once for food safety reasons.
• If you have leftover steak that you can't finish in one sitting, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• To prevent the steak from drying out, you can wrap it in tinfoil before placing it in the air fryer. This creates a barrier that helps retain moisture.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your leftover steak as if it were freshly cooked!

Reheating French fries in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat French fries in an air fryer! In fact, it's one of the best ways to reheat fries, as it will keep them crispy and fresh. Here's what you need to do:

First, preheat your air fryer to a temperature of around 350-400°F (175-200°C). You don't need to preheat the air fryer for too long, but some sources recommend doing so for about 5 minutes.

Next, place your leftover French fries into the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded, as this will ensure even heating. You can add multiple layers, but don't fill the basket all the way up. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to reheat them in batches.

You can add a tiny bit of oil or cooking spray to the fries to help them get crispy again and prevent them from drying out. However, this step is optional, as some sources suggest that you don't need to spritz the fries with oil. You can also add seasonings at this point, such as salt or spices, to enhance the flavor.

Now, it's time to reheat the fries. Set the timer for 3-5 minutes at the temperature you've preheated the air fryer to. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even heating. Keep an eye on the fries, as you don't want them to get too crispy or burnt.

Once the timer goes off, check if the fries are heated through. If not, you can air fry them for another minute or until they're warmed to your liking. And that's it! Your leftover French fries are now ready to be served and enjoyed with your favorite dipping sauce.

Reheating a burger in an air fryer

Firstly, remove the burger from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes. This will help the meat cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 350–400°F for about 5 minutes. You want the air fryer to be nice and hot before adding your burger.

Now, place your burger in the air fryer basket or on a tray in a single layer. If you're reheating a cheeseburger, make sure the cheese is on the top side of the patty for maximum melting. You can also add a slice of cheese before reheating if you want it extra cheesy.

Set the timer for 2–3 minutes. This short cooking time will warm your burger to perfection without overcooking it. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The recommended safe internal temperature for reheating foods is 165°F.

You can reheat your burger with or without the bun. If you choose to include the bun, it will come out lightly crispy. You can secure the top bun with a toothpick if you're worried it might fly off.

If you're reheating a fast-food burger, you may want to remove any delicate toppings like lettuce and tomato before placing the burger in the air fryer. These toppings will get slightly cooked during the reheating process. You can always add them back on afterward, along with your favourite condiments.

And that's it! A juicy, delicious, reheated burger in just a few simple steps. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions