Leftovers Transformed: Air Fryer Warming Tips

Air fryers are a great way to reheat your leftovers. They can make your food crispy again without drying it out, and they're faster and more energy-efficient than an oven. You can reheat almost any food in an air fryer, including pizza, chicken, steak, vegetables, burgers, and fries. However, you should avoid reheating soups, stews, pasta, rice, and large cuts of meat in an air fryer, as these are better suited for other reheating methods.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Leftover pizza is delicious, but reheating it can be tricky. The microwave will leave you with a soggy crust, and a conventional oven takes too long to heat up. Enter the air fryer: a quick and effective way to reheat your pizza.

An air fryer is like a mini convection oven. It will produce the same results as your oven but much faster. It's also more energy-efficient, and you won't have to worry about keeping a constant eye on your pizza as it reheats. Plus, who wants to wait for an oven to heat up for just a few slices of pizza?

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer:

Here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect reheated pizza:

• Preheat your air fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C). This step is optional but recommended for the best results.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: If you want to prevent sticking, you can line your air fryer basket with aluminium foil, parchment paper, or disposable air fryer liners.
• Arrange the pizza slices: Place your pizza slices in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them. This arrangement allows the hot air to circulate, giving you a crisp crust. Depending on the size of your basket, you'll likely fit 1-2 slices.
• Cook the pizza: Air fry your pizza for around 3-4 minutes. Check on its progress, and adjust the time as needed. Thinner crusts will take less time (around 2-3 minutes), while thicker crusts or deep-dish pizzas may need up to 5-6 minutes.
• Add toppings: If you have any toppings that might burn easily, such as pepperoni, fresh herbs, or vegetables, add them towards the end of the cooking time.
• Serve and enjoy: Once your pizza is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately!

Tips for the Best Results:

• Don't overcrowd the basket: It's important to leave space between your pizza slices to allow proper air circulation, ensuring a crisp crust.
• Use perforated liners: If you want to line your basket, consider using perforated aluminium foil or parchment paper to allow for airflow.
• Spray for extra crispness: For an extra crispy base, try spraying your pizza base lightly with cooking oil before placing it in the air fryer.
• Reheat only once: For the best outcome, avoid reheating your pizza multiple times.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

How to Reheat Chicken in an Air Fryer:

Firstly, it is important to let your chicken come to room temperature before reheating. This will ensure the chicken cooks evenly.

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (175-204°C) for a few minutes. While the air fryer is warming up, place your chicken in the basket, ensuring the pieces are in a single layer and not crowded. This will allow the hot air to circulate effectively.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket with the chicken inside and set the timer for 3-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken and your air fryer model. After a few minutes, check the chicken and turn it to ensure even heating.

Tips:

• To prevent the chicken from drying out, coat it with cooking spray before reheating.
• Adding a sauce after a few minutes of heating can also add moisture and enhance the flavour.
• Always use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure the chicken is safe to consume.
• Avoid covering the chicken while reheating, as this will obstruct the airflow and prevent the chicken from cooking evenly.
• You can lightly brush the chicken with oil or use cooking spray to crisp it up, but this is not necessary.

Any type of chicken can be reheated in the air fryer, including rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, grilled chicken, and baked chicken. You can also reheat chicken with bones, but this may take longer than boneless chicken.

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Preparation:

Firstly, bring your steak to room temperature. This ensures more even reheating, preventing the outer layer from overcooking before the inside warms up. Use a paper towel to gently pat the steak dry, as excess moisture can hinder the crisping process. To enhance the flavour, consider reseasoning the steak with a light sprinkle of salt, pepper, and your favourite steak seasoning.

Air Fryer Settings:

Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial as it prepares the cooking environment, allowing the steak to heat evenly and retain moisture. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding to ensure proper air circulation. Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and the time depending on your desired doneness and the thickness of your steak.

Reheating:

For a medium-rare to medium steak, start with 3-4 minutes on each side. Halfway through, flip the steaks to guarantee uniform cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking. Utilise a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature: 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 140°F (60°C) for medium, and 150°F (66°C) for medium-well.

Serving:

Once your steak has reached the desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a moment before slicing. Your steak is now ready to be served and enjoyed, with a juicy interior and a crispy exterior.

Tips:

To prevent your steak from drying out during reheating, use both oil and butter. Brush your steak with olive oil and place pats of butter on top before placing it in the air fryer. This will give you the perfect exterior texture while maintaining moisture and flavour.

Remember, the air fryer is an excellent tool for reheating steak, but always keep an eye on your steak to avoid overcooking, as air fryers work efficiently and quickly.

Reheating French fries in an air fryer

French fries are a beloved treat, but they don't always get finished in one sitting. So, what's the best way to reheat them? The air fryer, of course! Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving crispy, golden perfection with your leftover fries.

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer. This step is optional but recommended for the best results. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F, and let it heat up for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 2: Arrange the French Fries

Place your leftover French fries in the air fryer basket or tray. It's important to arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap too much. This allows hot air to circulate around each fry, crisping them up nicely. If you have a lot of fries, you might need to reheat them in batches.

Step 3: Reheat and Enjoy!

Now, it's time to let the air fryer work its magic! Place the basket or tray of fries in the air fryer and reheat them for 2 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as the timing may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your fries. Once they're heated through and crispy to your liking, they're ready to serve!

Tips for the Best Results:

• Preheat your air fryer to ensure the fries cook evenly and efficiently.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer by arranging the fries in a single layer, allowing hot air to circulate.
• Cook thinner fries for a shorter time, and thicker fries for a minute or two longer.
• Check on your fries mid-cook to prevent overcooking and adjust the temperature or timing as needed.
• For an extra crispy touch, give your fries a light spritz of neutral cooking oil before reheating.

Reheating a burger in an air fryer

Step 1:

Remove any lettuce, tomatoes, or other toppings that might get soggy during the reheating process. You can set them aside and add them back to your burger after it's heated.

Step 2:

Let the burger patties sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This will help the meat cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out.

Step 3:

Preheat your air fryer. Different sources recommend preheating temperatures ranging from 350°F to 400°F for 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 4:

Place the burger patties in the air fryer basket or on a tray, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them for even airflow. If desired, you can add cheese to the patties at this point.

Step 5:

Reheat the burgers at a temperature of around 300°F for 2-5 minutes, or until they are heated through. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F.

Step 6:

If you want to reheat the burger bun, you can do so in the air fryer as well. Add the bun during the last minute of cooking, or wrap it in aluminium foil and reheat it separately at 300°F for about 3 minutes.

Tips:

• All air fryers cook a little differently, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing based on your specific air fryer brand and power wattage.
• If you are reheating fast-food burgers with toppings, consider removing them before reheating to prevent overcooking.
• If you find any cold spots in your burger after reheating, simply pop it back into the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Now you're ready to enjoy your freshly reheated burger!

Frequently asked questions