Air Fryer: Reheating Food Perfectly In Minutes

Air fryers are a great way to reheat your food and ensure maximum flavour and texture. The circulating hot air helps refresh the crisp on any food that you want to be really crispy, like French fries or fried chicken. Reheating in an air fryer is done in the same way as cooking food for the first time, but at a lower temperature to prevent over-drying. The general tip for reheating leftovers in the air fryer is to preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C, place the food in the basket and cook at 350°F/175°C for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the food is crispy to your liking and comes to temperature.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Leftover pizza is a delicious treat, but no one likes soggy, unevenly heated slices. If you're looking for a quick and effective way to reheat your pizza, an air fryer is the answer. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect reheat:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer. This step is crucial as it ensures your pizza will cook evenly. Set the temperature to 325°F to 350°F (some sources suggest up to 375°F).

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Slices

Place your cold pizza slices directly onto the air fryer basket or tray. It's important to arrange the slices in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. This allows for even cooking and prevents sticking. If you're concerned about cheese dripping, you can place the slices on perforated parchment paper or aluminium foil with holes.

Step 3: Reheat the Pizza

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook your pizza. Reheat for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on the thickness of your crust. For thin crusts, 3 to 4 minutes at a higher temperature will do the trick, while thicker crusts may need up to 6 minutes at a lower temperature. Keep an eye on your pizza, as you don't want it to burn.

Step 4: Check and Adjust

After the initial cooking time, open the air fryer and check on your pizza. If it needs more time, continue cooking in 1- to 2-minute intervals, checking frequently to avoid overcooking. If you notice the crust browning too quickly, reduce the temperature by 25 to 30 degrees.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Pizza

Once your pizza has reached your desired level of doneness, carefully remove it from the air fryer and enjoy! It's best to serve the pizza immediately while it's still hot and crispy.

Tips for Success:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. The number of slices you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer.
• Use tongs to remove the pizza to avoid burning your fingers.
• For extra crispy slices, spray them with a little olive oil before cooking.
• If your toppings are prone to burning, consider removing them before reheating and adding them back for the last minute of cooking.
• Remember, reheating times may vary depending on your air fryer's make and model, so always keep an eye on your pizza to avoid overcooking.

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Preparation:

Firstly, remove your steak from the refrigerator and pat it dry. It is recommended to let the steak sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before reheating to ensure even cooking and prevent the steak from drying out.

Oil and Seasoning:

Lightly spray or brush the steak with olive oil. Oil helps conduct heat, ensuring the steak reheats quickly and stays juicy. You can also add your favourite steak seasoning at this stage.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

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

Place Steak in the Air Fryer:

Place the steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is in a single layer with space around each piece. This allows the hot air to circulate and heat the steak evenly.

Reheat Steak:

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

Serving:

Once the steak has reached the desired temperature, serve it with garlic butter or your favourite steak sauce.

Tips:

• Reheat similar thickness steaks together to ensure even cooking.
• It is not recommended to reheat steak more than once, so only reheat the amount you plan to consume.
• If you have leftover reheated steak, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Alternative Method:

An alternative method for reheating steak in an air fryer involves placing the steak in an unheated air fryer with a slice of butter on top. Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes. This method also helps keep the steak moist and tender.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

Preparation

If your chicken is in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to remove the chill. This helps it heat more evenly. You can brush the chicken with a thin layer of olive oil or avocado oil to help restore crispiness and add extra seasoning if needed.

Air Fryer Setup

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 375°F (175°C and 182°C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Air Frying

Arrange the chicken in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space between each piece for optimal airflow. Reheat for 5-8 minutes, then turn the pieces with tongs and continue reheating for another 2-5 minutes or until thoroughly warmed.

Checking for Doneness

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

Tips for Maintaining Crispiness

• Preheat the air fryer to create an ideal environment for crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket by arranging chicken in a single layer for even airflow.
• Lightly coat the chicken with oil to help restore crispiness.
• Monitor the cooking time to prevent overcooking.
• If the chicken seems dry, add a little chicken stock, water, or sauce to the air fryer basket to keep it moist.
• Let the reheated chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Safety Precautions

According to USDA guidelines, reheated chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to prevent food poisoning. Avoid reheating chicken multiple times to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.

Reheating fries in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer is optional but recommended for more even cooking. If you choose to preheat, set the temperature to 325°F to 350°F and run the air fryer for about 3 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Fries

Place the leftover fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with minimal overlapping. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can affect even cooking and crispiness. If you have a large quantity of fries, consider reheating them in batches.

Step 3: Set the Temperature and Cook Time

After placing the basket into the air fryer, set the temperature to 325°F to 350°F and the cooking time for 3 to 5 minutes. Thicker-cut fries, such as steak fries, may need an extra minute or two.

Step 4: Check on the Fries

Once the initial cooking time is up, open the air fryer and remove the basket. Give the fries a shake to ensure even cooking, and taste one to check for crispiness. If they're not yet hot and crispy enough, return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional minute.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Spritz the fries with a neutral cooking oil before cooking. This helps to conduct heat more effectively and promotes a crispy crust.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan. Lay the fries in a single layer to prevent steam from getting trapped, allowing them to crisp faster.
• Check on the fries during cooking, especially if you're working with different thicknesses of fries. The convection airflow is very efficient, and a few minutes too long can turn crispy fries into hard, dry ones.
• Add herbs and spices at the end of cooking or after the fries are done to prevent burning or having them fall off in the air fryer.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be able to enjoy your leftover fries as if they were freshly cooked, with a crispy exterior and soft interior.

Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer

If you're looking to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer, you're in luck! This method is quick, easy, and will leave your chicken crispy and juicy. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the best results:

Preparation

Before you begin, ensure your air fryer is clean and dry. It's also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space around each piece of chicken to allow air to circulate.

Preheating

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F/190°C. This step is important to prevent extra moisture from affecting the chicken's texture.

Oil (Optional)

If desired, spray or brush the chicken pieces with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil, for extra crispiness.

Cooking

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Reheat at 375°F/190°C for 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.

• For larger pieces, such as chicken breasts or thighs, reheat for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
• For chicken tenders or wings, reheat for 5-7 minutes, flipping at the halfway point.

Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F/74°C when perfectly cooked.

Serving

Remove the chicken from the air fryer when it's fully crisped and heated through. Place it on a wire rack or paper towel to cool for a minute before serving.

Tips

• The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking or drying out.
• It's best to use room temperature chicken, as cooking cold chicken may lead to uneven heating.
• Avoid reheating chicken more than once to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
• Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy crispy and delicious leftover fried chicken from the convenience of your air fryer!

Frequently asked questions