Reheating Fish And Chips: Air Fryer Time

Fish and chips are a signature British dish, but sometimes the portions are too big to finish in one sitting. Reheating fish and chips in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy your leftovers without compromising on taste and texture.

The air fryer's rapid air circulation technology ensures that your fish and chips are heated evenly, retaining moisture within the food while crisping up the exterior. This method also helps to reduce oil consumption, making it a healthier option compared to traditional deep-frying.

To reheat fish and chips in an air fryer, first, remove them from the refrigerator and pat them dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture. Then, place the fish and chips into the air fryer basket, setting the temperature between 320-360°F (160-180°C) and the timer for 6-8 minutes. For the best results, arrange the fish and chips in a single layer, and consider reheating them in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Using the air fryer, you can have your fish and chips tasting crispy and fresh again in less than 10 minutes!

Air fryer temperature and time

The air fryer is a great way to reheat your fish and chips, keeping them crispy and fresh. The hot air circulation ensures even and efficient heating, preventing the dreaded sogginess that often comes with leftovers.

Step 1: Preparing the Fish and Chips

Gently pat dry the leftover fish and chips using paper towels to remove any excess moisture that could lead to sogginess during reheating.

Step 2: Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 320°F/160°C. Preheating ensures that the food will cook evenly and develop a crispy texture. Allow the air fryer to reach the set temperature before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Arranging the Food

Place the fish and chips in the air fryer basket. For the fish, lay the filets in a single layer, leaving some space between them to ensure proper air circulation. For the chips, spread them out in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Reheating

Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and set the temperature and time. The ideal temperature is 320°F/160°C. As for the time, start with around 6 minutes, and then adjust as needed. The exact time may vary depending on the make and model of your air fryer and the thickness of the food.

Step 5: Monitoring and Adjusting

Keep a close eye on the food during the reheating process to prevent overcooking or burning. If your air fryer doesn't have an auto-rotate feature, consider flipping the fish and chips halfway through the reheating time to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.

Step 6: Testing and Serving

After the allotted time, carefully remove one piece of fish and/or a chip and test its texture. The exterior should be golden-brown and crispy, while the interior should be flaky and tender for fish, and soft and fluffy for chips. If you feel that the crispiness isn't quite there yet, return the food to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Once you're happy with the results, serve immediately. Reheated fish and chips are best enjoyed right after cooking to savor that crispy and flavorful outcome.

Why air fryers are better than microwaves

Reheating fish and chips in an air fryer is a great way to get that crispy texture back without the sogginess that comes from reheating in a microwave. While a microwave is great for quickly reheating food, it can often leave your food soggy and unevenly heated. Here are some reasons why air fryers are a better option than microwaves for certain foods:

Healthier Option

Air fryers require minimal oil to achieve a crispy texture, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. This is especially beneficial for reheating fish, as it preserves the natural flavours without adding unnecessary calories from excess oil.

Even Heating

Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, providing even and efficient heating. This helps maintain the crispy texture of the food and eliminates sogginess. Microwaves, on the other hand, can result in uneven heating and overcooked or undercooked spots.

Retains Food Quality

Air fryers are ideal for reheating foods that benefit from a crispy texture, such as French fries, wings, or breaded items. They help you achieve that satisfying crunch without sacrificing the quality of your food. Microwaves, on the other hand, often leave food soggy and gummy.

Versatile Cooking

Air fryers offer a range of settings that mimic frying, roasting, and grilling. This makes them versatile and suitable for preparing a diverse range of dishes, from steaks to roasted vegetables. Microwaves, while versatile in their own right, are better suited for heating rather than cooking and tend to make drier foods like bread and meat tougher.

User-Friendly

Air fryers are user-friendly and often come with preset settings for different types of food, ensuring consistent results. They are also more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, saving you money on your energy bills.

How to prepare fish for reheating

Preparing fish for reheating in an air fryer is a simple process, but it requires a few careful steps to ensure the fish retains its flavour and texture. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare fish for reheating:

Step 1: Remove Excess Moisture

Start by gently patting the leftover fish dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to prevent sogginess during reheating, as it absorbs any excess moisture from the surface of the fish.

Step 2: Add Oil (Optional)

If desired, lightly brush or spray the fish with a small amount of oil. This step is optional but can help enhance the crispiness of the fish during reheating.

Step 3: Allow Fish to Reach Room Temperature

Remove the fish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. This step is recommended to ensure even cooking during the reheating process.

Step 4: Arrange Fish in Air Fryer Basket

Place the fish fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Leave some space between the fillets to allow proper air circulation. If you have a large quantity of fish, consider reheating in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can affect crispiness.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (180°C). Preheating ensures even cooking and helps the fish develop a crispy exterior. Allow the air fryer to reach the desired temperature before placing the fish inside.

Step 6: Reheating Time and Temperature

The reheating time and temperature will depend on the type and thickness of your fish, as well as the model of your air fryer. As a general guideline, set the temperature between 320°F and 370°F (160°C and 180°C) and reheat for 3-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on the fish to prevent overcooking, and consider flipping the fillets halfway through for even cooking.

Step 7: Test for Doneness

After the reheating time is up, carefully remove one fillet and test its texture. The exterior should be golden-brown and crispy, while the interior should be flaky and tender. If needed, return the fish to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Step 8: Serve Immediately

Once your fish is reheated to perfection, serve it right away. Reheated fish is best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer, so savour the crispy and delicious outcome without delay!

How to arrange fish in the air fryer

When arranging fish in the air fryer, it's important to ensure that the fish is not overcrowded, as this can prevent it from crisping up and affect the overall crispiness of the dish. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to arrange fish in an air fryer:

• Prepare the Fish: Start by gently patting the fish fillets dry using paper towels. This step helps remove any excess moisture, which could lead to sogginess during reheating. If desired, lightly brush or spray the fish with a small amount of oil to enhance its crispy texture.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to around 350°F (180°C). Allow it to preheat fully before placing the fish inside. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps develop the desired crispiness.
• Arrange the Fish: Place the fish fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. This arrangement ensures proper air circulation. If you're reheating a large quantity, consider doing it in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Reheating Process: Place the basket containing the fish into the preheated air fryer. Set the timer for a short duration, typically around 3-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of your air fryer. The goal is to reheat without overcooking.
• Monitor and Flip: Keep a close eye on the fish during the reheating process to prevent overcooking or burning. If your air fryer doesn't have an auto-rotate feature, consider flipping the fillets halfway through to ensure even crispiness on both sides.
• Test for Crispiness: After the set time, carefully remove one fillet and check its texture. The exterior should be golden-brown and crispy, while the interior should remain flaky and tender. If you're not satisfied with the crispiness, you can return the fish to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.
• Serve Immediately: Once the fish is reheated to your liking, serve it immediately. Pair it with your favourite sides, sauces, or salads for a complete meal. Reheated fish is best enjoyed right after cooking to savour the crispy texture.

How to get the best results

To get the best results when reheating fish and chips in an air fryer, there are several steps you can follow. Firstly, let the fish reach room temperature by removing it from the refrigerator and leaving it out for around 5 minutes. This will ensure more even cooking.

Next, dry the fish and chips with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which can lead to sogginess. If you want to add a little extra crispiness, you can lightly brush or spray the fish with oil.

Now it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set it to around 320°F/160°C and allow it to reach the desired temperature. This step ensures the food cooks evenly.

Arrange the fish and chips in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between the items to ensure proper air circulation. If you have a large quantity, you may need to reheat in batches.

Place the basket into the air fryer and set the timer. For fish, the cooking time is typically around 5-7 minutes, and for chips, it's around 4-6 minutes. However, these times may vary depending on the thickness of the food and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on your food to avoid overcooking.

During the reheating process, consider flipping the fish and chips halfway through to ensure even crispiness on both sides.

Once the timer goes off, check if your food is crispy and heated through. If not, return it to the air fryer for a little longer.

Finally, serve your fish and chips immediately with your favourite sides, sauces or salads. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions