Air Fryer Enchiladas: Reheating Time And Tips

Enchiladas are a popular Mexican dish that can be reheated in several ways, including the oven, microwave, skillet, and air fryer. While each method has its pros and cons, using an air fryer to reheat enchiladas offers several benefits. Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, resulting in even heating and a crispy finish. This is especially desirable for dishes like enchiladas, which often include a combination of corn tortillas, seasoned shredded chicken, green enchilada sauce, and melted cheese.

The time required to reheat enchiladas in an air fryer depends on the size of the air fryer and the weight of the leftovers. On average, it takes about 10–12 minutes to fully reheat enchiladas in an air fryer, but this can vary depending on the specifics of your situation.

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C)

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in the enchilada-reheating process. By preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), you create the optimal temperature for achieving that coveted crispy exterior while maintaining a warm and tender interior.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

First, prepare your air fryer basket by lining its bottom with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This simple step will make cleaning up after reheating your enchiladas much easier. If your enchiladas are particularly saucy, lining the basket with parchment paper can also help catch any drips. Additionally, if needed, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush a small amount of oil onto it to prevent sticking. Skip this step if you own a non-stick air fryer basket.

Step 2: Set the Temperature and Time

Set your air fryer to a temperature of 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature is ideal for evenly reheating your enchiladas without burning or drying them out. Allow your air fryer to preheat for 3-5 minutes or until it indicates that it has reached the desired temperature.

Step 3: Place Enchiladas in the Basket

Once your air fryer has preheated, carefully place your enchiladas inside the basket. It is important to arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Overlapping enchiladas may lead to uneven cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to reheat the enchiladas in batches.

Step 4: Reheat the Enchiladas

With the enchiladas arranged in the preheated air fryer, it's time to let the appliance work its magic. Air fry the enchiladas for 5 minutes initially. Depending on the thickness of your enchiladas and the strength of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

After the initial 5 minutes, carefully check the doneness of your enchiladas. If they require additional heating, continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes. Be cautious not to overcook the enchiladas, as this can result in a dry texture.

Step 6: Monitor for Desired Crispy Texture

If you prefer your enchiladas with a crispy outer layer, you can achieve this by cooking them for an extra minute or two. Keep a vigilant eye on them during this step to prevent any accidental burning.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once your enchiladas are perfectly reheated, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula. It's now time to plate your enchiladas and garnish them with your favorite toppings, such as fresh cilantro, green onions, sour cream, pico de gallo, salsa, or sliced avocado. Serve immediately, and savor the revitalized flavors and textures of your reheated enchiladas!

Remember, preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) is a crucial step in achieving the desired temperature for evenly reheated enchiladas. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and warmed-through enchiladas!

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper

Lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper is a great way to keep your appliance clean and your food tasting great. It's also a more sustainable option than using aluminium foil.

To line your air fryer basket, start by tearing a piece of parchment paper from a roll, cutting it to the size of your fryer basket. You can also buy pre-cut, perforated parchment paper rounds with holes to help the hot air circulate and cook your food more evenly.

When using parchment paper, it's important to follow these rules:

• Always place food on top of the parchment paper to weigh it down and prevent it from flying around.
• Never preheat the air fryer with just the parchment paper inside.
• Use perforated parchment paper to allow for better airflow and more even cooking.

To make your own perforated parchment paper at home, follow these steps:

• Place the insert of your air fryer basket on the paper and trace the shape with a pencil.
• Cut out the shape with scissors.
• Fold the paper in half and then into quarters.
• Make several evenly spaced holes with a hole puncher.

Using parchment paper in your air fryer can help prevent food from sticking and make cleanup easier. However, it is an extra step that may not be necessary if your air fryer basket is non-stick.

Place enchiladas in a single layer

When placing enchiladas in the air fryer, it's important to arrange them in a single layer. This ensures even heating and prevents overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Here are some detailed instructions on how to place enchiladas in a single layer in the air fryer:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat for 3-5 minutes. This ensures a consistent temperature for cooking.
• Prepare the Enchiladas: Take the enchiladas out of the refrigerator. If they are tightly packed, separate them gently to ensure even reheating.
• Use Parchment Paper (Optional): Placing a piece of parchment paper under the enchiladas can help catch any drips if they are saucy. It also makes it easier to remove them from the air fryer.
• Arrange in a Single Layer: Carefully place the enchiladas in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Leave some space around each enchilada for proper air circulation.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit a few enchiladas at a time. It's better to work in batches and ensure even heating rather than overcrowding the air fryer.
• Reheat in Batches: If needed, reheat the enchiladas in multiple batches to ensure each one is perfectly warmed through.
• Check for Doneness: After the initial heating time, check the enchiladas to see if they are heated to your desired level. If not, return them to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.
• Monitor Closely: Keep a close eye on the enchiladas during the reheating process to prevent overcooking or burning.
• Serve and Enjoy: Once the enchiladas are heated to your liking, carefully remove them from the air fryer and serve them immediately. Enjoy the crispy and delicious taste of your reheated enchiladas!

Reheat for 3-12 minutes

Reheating enchiladas in an air fryer is a great way to get them crispy on the outside while keeping them warm and tender on the inside. The time it takes to reheat your enchiladas will depend on the size of your air fryer and the weight of your leftovers.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. This moderate temperature will ensure even reheating without burning or drying out your enchiladas.

Prepare the Enchiladas

Take your enchiladas out of the refrigerator. If they are tightly packed, separate them to ensure they reheat evenly. Place the enchiladas on a piece of parchment paper, then carefully transfer them to the preheated air fryer basket.

Air fry the enchiladas for about 3-12 minutes. Check on them after 5 minutes to see how they are doing. If they are not heated through yet, put them back in for another 1-2 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your enchiladas and the strength of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Check for Doneness

After the initial 5 minutes, check the doneness of your enchiladas. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). You can use an instant-read thermometer to be precise. If your enchiladas are not warmed through yet, continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Monitor the Edges

If you like your enchiladas with a crispy outer layer, cook them for an extra minute or two. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Serve and Enjoy

Once your enchiladas are perfectly reheated, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and plate them. Top with your favorite garnishes such as fresh cilantro, green onions, sour cream, pico de gallo, salsa, or sliced avocado. Serve immediately and enjoy the revitalized flavors and textures of your enchiladas!

Check for doneness and serve

Once you've checked your enchiladas for doneness, it's time to serve them. It is recommended that you let the enchiladas sit for a minute or two before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and settle.

You can serve your enchiladas with a variety of toppings, such as fresh cheese, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, or diced tomatoes. If your enchiladas are a little dry, you can add some extra sauce or salsa to rehydrate them, but be careful not to add too much, or they may become soggy.

Some recipes also suggest adding a sprinkle of fresh lime juice, pico de gallo, or a touch of fresh cilantro to liven up the flavor profile of your enchiladas.

Remember, it is not recommended to reheat enchiladas more than once, as this can degrade the quality of the food and may pose a food safety risk. Always ensure that leftovers are reheated only once and consumed promptly.

Frequently asked questions