Air Fryer Reheating: How Long Should You Heat Food?

Air fryers are a great way to reheat your food and ensure maximum flavour and texture. The time it takes to reheat food in an air fryer depends on the type of food, its size, and the quantity. Most foods are perfect for reheating in an air fryer, except water-based dishes such as soups and stews.

The general process for reheating food in an air fryer is to preheat the air fryer for about five minutes at 400°F/204°C, place the food in the basket in a single layer, and cook at 350°F/175°C for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the food is crispy and heated through.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Air fryers are like mini convection ovens, so they're great for reheating food without drying it out or making it soggy. They're also much faster than a regular oven, which can take a long time to heat up.

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

Here's a simple 3-step process to get your leftover pizza tasting delicious:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 400°F. Some sources recommend preheating to 350°F, while others suggest 375°F.

Step 2: Place Pizza in the Air Fryer

Place your cold pizza slices in the air fryer basket or oven-style air fryer. Make sure the slices are in a single layer and don't overlap, as this will ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Reheat Pizza

Reheat your pizza for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust. For thin-crust pizza, 2-3 minutes at 350°F to 400°F should be enough. For thicker crusts, you may need up to 6 minutes at a lower temperature of around 330°F.

Check your pizza regularly to ensure it's not burning, and remove it from the air fryer once the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.

Tips:

• If you're reheating a pizza with lots of toppings, you may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time.
• Avoid using the pizza preset buttons on your air fryer, as these are often meant for cooking frozen pizzas.
• For easy cleanup, use parchment paper or a silicone liner in your air fryer.
• If your pizza starts to brown too much, especially near the crust, turn the heat down by 25-30 degrees.
• For extra crispy pizza, spray the slices with a little olive oil before cooking.

What Not to Do:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or tray. This will affect the cooking time and may cause the slices to stick together.
• Don't stack the pizza slices.
• Don't leave the pizza in the air fryer after it's warmed through, as it will continue to cook and may dry out or burn.

Final Thoughts:

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Remove the steak from the refrigerator and pat it dry:

It is best to get the steak out of the fridge around 20 minutes before reheating so it can start to come up to room temperature.

Lightly spray or brush the steak with olive oil:

Oil conducts heat, helping the steak to reheat quickly and evenly. It also keeps the steak juicy. You can also add steak seasoning if you want.

Preheat the air fryer:

Preheat the air fryer to 380°F/190°C for 2-3 minutes. This is important to prevent the steak from becoming overcooked on the outside before the centre is warmed.

Place the steak in the air fryer basket:

If you are reheating more than one steak, place them in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. This allows the hot air to reach all sides of the steak and reheat it evenly.

Reheat the steak:

Reheat the steak at 380°F/190°C for 2-3 minute intervals. After each interval, check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer, flip the steak over, and continue reheating until it reaches at least 110°F/43°C in the centre of the thickest part.

Serve the steak:

Top the reheated steak with garlic butter or your favourite steak sauce and enjoy!

Tips:

• It is best to reheat steak only once, so only reheat the amount you plan to eat.
• If you have leftover steak after reheating, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Steak thickness affects the reheating time, so try to reheat steaks of similar thickness together.
• Always grease your air fryer to prevent sticking.
• You can add a slice of butter on top of the steak while reheating for extra flavour and moisture.

Reheating fries in an air fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Most sources recommend this temperature for reheating fries, although one source suggests 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheating should take around 4 to 5 minutes.

Next, arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It is important to avoid overcrowding the basket so that the hot air can circulate freely. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to reheat them in batches.

Then, cook the fries for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on their thickness. Thicker fries will take longer to heat up and get crispy, so keep this in mind and adjust the timing accordingly. Check on the fries regularly to ensure they don't overcook.

Finally, remove the fries from the air fryer, serve with your favourite sauces, and enjoy!

Some additional tips for the best results:

• Preheat your air fryer by letting it run empty for about 3 minutes. This allows the fries to cook at a high temperature for a shorter time, helping them get crispy without drying out.
• If desired, spritz the fries with a light coating of neutral cooking oil before cooking. This will give them a fresh-out-of-the-fryer crust and help conduct the heat more effectively.
• For thinner, skinnier fries, reduce the cooking time.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set the air fryer to 350-400°F (175-204°C) and preheat for about 4-5 minutes. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

If your chicken is in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to remove the chill. Brush the chicken pieces with a thin layer of olive oil or avocado oil. You can also add a little extra seasoning if needed.

Step 3: Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure there is enough space between each piece for optimal airflow. If you are reheating bigger pieces, you may need to do this in batches.

Step 4: Reheat the Chicken

Set the temperature to 350-370°F (175-187°C) and reheat the chicken for 3-5 minutes. For bone-in or larger pieces, it may take up to 10-20 minutes.

Step 5: Flip the Chicken

After 5-6 minutes, flip the chicken pieces with tongs to ensure even reheating.

Step 6: Continue Reheating

Return the basket to the air fryer and continue reheating for another 2-5 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly warmed through.

Step 7: Check for Doneness

Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). This is the recommended safe internal temperature for reheating foods.

Tips for Maintaining Crispiness:

• Preheat the air fryer to create an ideal environment for crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper airflow.
• Coat the chicken lightly with oil to help restore crispiness.
• Monitor the cooking time to prevent overcooking.
• Let the reheated chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Safety Precautions:

• Always use a food thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Avoid reheating chicken multiple times to mitigate the risk of contamination.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and store in shallow containers.
• Wash your hands, utensils, and countertops thoroughly after handling raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination.

Reheating chicken wings in an air fryer

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying, and they're great for achieving crispy foods. They're also perfect for reheating food, including chicken wings!

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Preheating ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to crisp up the wings.
• Prepare the Wings: You can add extra seasoning, such as salt or pepper, at this point.
• Arrange the Wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray, leaving some space between each wing for even air circulation. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even heating.
• Optional: Lightly Coat with Oil: For extra crispiness, you can lightly brush or spray the wings with a small amount of cooking oil.
• Reheating Process: Place the basket or tray with the wings into the preheated air fryer. Cook the wings for about 5-6 minutes initially.
• Shake or Flip the Wings: After the initial cooking time, carefully shake the basket or flip the wings using tongs to ensure even cooking and crispiness on all sides.
• Continue Cooking: Cook the wings for an additional 5-6 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
• Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings. They should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety and prevent the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating helps create an even and hot cooking environment, promoting crispy exteriors while locking in moisture.
• Add Moisture or Oil: Brushing the wings with a thin layer of cooking oil or melted butter before cooking can help seal in moisture and enhance crispiness.
• Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the wings during the reheating process to prevent overcooking or drying out.
• Cover with Foil: If the wings are browning too quickly, cover them loosely with aluminum foil during the last part of the reheating process to prevent excessive browning and drying out.

Safety Considerations:

• Internal Temperature: The USDA recommends that chicken wings reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure harmful bacteria are destroyed.
• Use a Food Thermometer: Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the wing, avoiding contact with bones or excessive breading, to get an accurate temperature reading.
• Check Multiple Wings: Verify the temperature of multiple wings to ensure the entire batch has heated through. Size and position within the air fryer may affect internal temperatures.
• Reheat Once: Avoid reheating chicken wings multiple times. Reheating food multiple times increases the risk of bacterial contamination.

Serving Suggestions:

Reheated chicken wings are perfect for game day, served with Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing, crumbled blue cheese, and sliced celery. They also make a great easy family dinner, paired with steamed veggies or mashed potatoes.

Storing Leftover Wings:

It is recommended to store leftover chicken wings in an airtight container or zip-lock bag and place them in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.

Reheating Sauced Wings:

You can reheat chicken wings with sauce in the air fryer, but be cautious as the sauce may burn due to the high heat. It is recommended to reheat the wings first and then add the sauce afterward for the best results.

Enjoy your perfectly reheated chicken wings!

Frequently asked questions