Air Fryer Chicken Legs: Reheating Time

The air fryer is a great way to reheat chicken legs, getting them crispy on the outside and keeping them moist and juicy on the inside. It's quick, easy, and ensures your chicken is evenly cooked.

To reheat chicken legs in an air fryer, first, take them out of the fridge and leave them to reach room temperature for around 10-15 minutes. Then, preheat your air fryer to between 365°F and 400°F. Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping, and cook for 5-10 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer—it should be at least 160°F when it's ready to eat.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of reheating chicken legs. It ensures that your chicken heats evenly and helps to achieve that desirable crispy exterior. Here's a comprehensive guide on preheating your air fryer for this purpose:

Firstly, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 365°F and 400°F (180°C to 200°C). The specific temperature may depend on the model of your air fryer and your personal preference for crispiness. Set the timer for around 20 minutes to allow sufficient time for preheating and cooking.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can take your chicken legs out of the refrigerator. Allowing the chicken to reach room temperature before reheating can promote more even cooking. Aim for room temperature chicken, or if you're short on time, just ensure they're not ice-cold.

Once your air fryer has preheated, it's time to place the chicken legs inside. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap or touch each other. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate around each piece, resulting in that sought-after crispy skin. A little overlapping is generally acceptable if you have a large batch, but consider cooking in batches to ensure optimal results.

At this point, you can also opt to brush or spray the chicken legs with a small amount of olive oil, butter, or cooking spray. This step is entirely optional but can help keep the chicken moist and enhance crispiness.

Now, you're ready to reheat! Depending on the size and thickness of your chicken legs, set the timer for around 10 minutes. Keep in mind that cooking time may vary, so it's a good idea to check on your chicken periodically to prevent overcooking.

During the cooking process, consider flipping your chicken legs halfway through. This ensures even heating and crispiness on both sides.

After the allotted time, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, and ensure it reads at least 160°F (71°C). If it hasn't reached this temperature, continue reheating in 30-second intervals until it's just right.

Finally, let your chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.

By following these steps, you'll achieve perfectly reheated chicken legs with crispy skin and juicy meat, all thanks to the power of your preheated air fryer!

Oil the chicken

Oiling the chicken is an important step in reheating chicken legs in an air fryer. It helps to lock in the moisture and create a crispy exterior. When reheating chicken, it is important to remember that the meat is already cooked, so the goal is to reheat it without drying it out. A thin coat of oil will help to achieve this.

When reheating chicken legs in an air fryer, it is best to use a small amount of olive oil or butter. You can brush or spray it on the chicken legs before placing them in the air fryer. This will help to keep the chicken moist and juicy. If you are reheating fried chicken, a thin coat of oil will help to crisp the outside and add moisture to the coating.

It is important to note that you should not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate properly and heat the food evenly. A little overlapping is okay, but if you have too much chicken, it is best to cook it in batches.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken. This will help to ensure that the chicken heats evenly. The ideal temperature to reheat chicken legs in an air fryer is around 375°F to 400°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken legs, but on average, it should take around 10 minutes.

Finally, it is important to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is thoroughly heated before consuming it. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

Temperature and timing

The optimal temperature for reheating chicken legs in an air fryer is between 365°F and 400°F (around 190°C). Preheat your air fryer to this temperature for 3-5 minutes.

If your chicken legs have been stored in the refrigerator, it is best to let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before placing them in the air fryer. This helps the chicken cook more evenly.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the chicken legs in the basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Depending on the size and thickness of your chicken legs, reheat for 5-10 minutes. Flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating and crispiness on both sides.

To check if your chicken legs are ready, use a meat thermometer to measure their internal temperature. They should reach at least 165°F (74°C) to be safe to eat. If they have not reached this temperature, continue heating in 30-second intervals until they do.

Finally, let the chicken legs rest for a few minutes after removing them from the air fryer. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken legs are moist and tender.

Rest the chicken

Resting the chicken is an important step in the reheating process. After removing the chicken from the air fryer, it should be left to rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken legs are moist and tender. It also gives the chicken time to cool down slightly, making it easier to eat.

Resting the chicken also keeps it juicy. If you're worried about your chicken drying out, you can brush the chicken legs with a little oil before putting them in the air fryer. This will help to lock in moisture and create a crispy exterior.

The resting stage is also a good opportunity to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

Finally, resting the chicken gives you time to prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany your meal. So, while your chicken rests, you can finish off the rest of your dish, ensuring everything is ready to serve together.

Check the internal temperature

Checking the internal temperature of your chicken legs is a crucial step in ensuring they are safe to eat. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends that chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer, you can check whether your chicken has reached this temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken leg and check the reading. If it has not yet reached 165°F, continue cooking in 30-second intervals until it does.

It is important to note that chicken should only be reheated once, as reheating it multiple times can cause the meat to become dry and tough. Additionally, bacteria present in raw chicken can multiply when the meat is heated a second time, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F during the reheating process.

When reheating chicken legs in an air fryer, the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the legs. As a guide, cook the chicken legs for around 10 minutes at 400°F, or 375°F for 5-7 minutes. However, always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and adjust the cooking time as needed.

By following these guidelines and ensuring your chicken reaches the recommended internal temperature, you can safely enjoy juicy and tender reheated chicken legs from your air fryer.

Frequently asked questions