Quick Reheating: Air Fryer Time And Temperature Guide

Air fryers are a great way to reheat your food and ensure maximum flavour and texture. They are especially useful for reheating pizza, steak, and chicken. The circulating hot air within the fryer helps refresh the crisp on any food that you want to be crispy, such as French fries or fried chicken. Reheating food in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy your favourite meals again.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to reheat your pizza while avoiding the sogginess that comes with microwaving. They are like mini convection ovens, so they can reheat your pizza in a fraction of the time it would take a conventional oven.

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

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/175°C or 325°F/160°C.
• Place your cold pizza slices in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they are in a single layer and do not overlap. You can fit more slices on a baking tray if using an oven-style air fryer.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes at 350°F/175°C or 3-4 minutes at 325°F/160°C. For thin-crust pizza, you can cook at up to 400°F/204°C for just 2 minutes. For deep-dish pizza, cook at 330°F/165°C for about 6 minutes.
• Check your pizza regularly to ensure it is not burning. Remove from the air fryer when warmed through and enjoy!

Tips:

• Preheating your air fryer is important for getting a crispy crust.
• The amount of time needed to reheat your pizza will depend on the thickness of the crust and the amount of toppings. Thinner crusts will need less time, while thicker crusts may need an extra minute or two.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Use tongs to remove the pizza slices from the air fryer to avoid burning your fingers.
• For extra crispy slices, spray them with a little olive oil before cooking.

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Preparation

Firstly, remove your steak from the refrigerator and pat it dry. It is best to do this step around 20 minutes before reheating, allowing the steak to reach room temperature. This helps the steak cook more evenly.

Oil and Seasoning

Lightly spray or brush the steak with olive oil. Oil conducts heat and helps keep the steak juicy during the reheating process. You can also add steak seasoning if desired.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F/190°C for 2-3 minutes. This step is important as it ensures the air fryer is at the desired temperature as soon as the steak is placed inside, preventing it from overcooking on the outside before the centre is warmed.

Place the Steak in the Air Fryer

Place the steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring that if you are reheating multiple steaks, they are placed in a single layer and not touching each other. This allows the hot air to reach all sides of the steak and ensures even reheating.

Reheat the Steak

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

Serving

Serve the reheated steak topped with garlic butter or your favourite steak sauce.

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to reheat only the amount of steak you intend to eat as reheating steak more than once is not advised.
• If you have leftover reheated steak, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Steak thickness affects the reheating time, so if reheating multiple steaks, ensure they are of similar thickness to prevent some from becoming overcooked before others are warmed through.
• To check the internal temperature of the steak, use an instant-read meat thermometer.
• To prevent the steak from drying out, reheat at a lower temperature of 160°C/320°F.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

If your chicken is coming straight from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to remove some of the chill. This helps the chicken reheat more evenly. You can also brush the chicken with a thin layer of olive oil or avocado oil to enhance crispiness and add a little extra seasoning if desired.

Step 2: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. This ensures proper airflow and even cooking. If you're reheating bigger pieces, you may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Step 3: Set the Temperature and Time

For chicken breasts, set the air fryer temperature to 350°F (175°C). For other types of chicken, such as grilled chicken, set the temperature to 360°F (182°C). The reheating time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces. For chicken breasts, flip them after 6 minutes and continue heating for a total of 10-20 minutes, depending on their size. For grilled chicken, start with 5-6 minutes, then turn the pieces and continue heating for another 5 minutes or until thoroughly warmed through.

Step 4: Check the Internal Temperature

To ensure your chicken is safely reheated, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C) to meet USDA guidelines for food safety.

Step 5: Optional Crisping Step

If you prefer your chicken to be crispier, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking. However, be careful not to overcook the chicken.

Tips for Maintaining Crispiness

• Preheat the air fryer to create an ideal environment for crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even air circulation.
• Use a light coating of oil to help restore crispness.
• Monitor the cooking time closely to prevent overcooking.
• Add a small amount of chicken stock, water, or sauce to the air fryer basket if the chicken seems dry during reheating.
• 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 a safe internal temperature.
• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw chicken separate from cooked chicken and wash your hands, utensils, and countertops after handling raw chicken.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and avoid reheating chicken multiple times to minimise the risk of bacterial contamination.

Reheating fried foods in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to reheat fried foods, keeping them crispy and delicious. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you get the best results:

Preheating and Temperature Settings:

• It is recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding your food. Preheat at a higher temperature, typically around 400°F, for about 4 to 5 minutes.
• For reheating fried foods, lower the temperature to around 350°F to 375°F. The exact temperature will depend on the specific food and your air fryer model.

Preparing the Food:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Place the food in a single layer, leaving space between each piece to allow proper air circulation.
• For foods like French fries, mozzarella sticks, and chicken wings, a single layer ensures even heating and crispiness.
• For foods with sauces, separate the components if possible. For example, remove lettuce and tomatoes from burgers before reheating.
• If you're reheating a sandwich, separate the components as much as possible and lay them in a single layer.

Cooking Time:

• The cooking time will depend on the type of food and the amount you're reheating. As a general rule, most fried foods will take around 3 to 5 minutes in the air fryer.
• For French fries, set the temperature to 400°F and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, checking for doneness.
• For chicken, preheat to 375°F and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the internal temperature, and add an additional 1 to 2 minutes if needed.
• For steak, use a similar method as chicken, preheating to 375°F and cooking for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Chicken tenders and nuggets can be reheated in a similar way as chicken, at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
• For foods like burgers, separate the top bun and place the patty in the air fryer for around 2 minutes. Then, add the bun for the last 30 seconds to crisp it up.
• Pizza can be reheated at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes. If you're concerned about toppings burning, cover them with foil.

Additional Tips:

• Always keep an eye on your food, especially if you're using the air fryer for reheating fried foods for the first time.
• If your food is frozen, it will take longer to reheat.
• Room temperature food will take less time to reheat than refrigerated or frozen food.
• Avoid using parchment paper or paper towels in the air fryer, as they can pose a fire hazard. Instead, use air fryer-safe parchment paper with holes or a reusable silicone liner.
• You can use aluminum foil in the air fryer, but poke a few holes in it to allow proper air circulation.

Reheating soups and stews in an air fryer

• Even Heating: Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, ensuring even heating without hot or cold spots.
• Flavor and Texture Preservation: The gentle and consistent heating of an air fryer helps maintain the original flavor and texture of the soup or stew.
• Convenience and Ease of Use: Using an air fryer for reheating is straightforward and hands-off, with no need for constant stirring.
• Energy Efficiency: Air fryers typically heat up quickly and may use less energy compared to a stovetop or oven for a small amount of soup or stew.
• No Overheating: Air fryers reheat gently, reducing the risk of overheating and soup splatters, which can occur in microwaves.
• Keeps Kitchen Cooler: Using an air fryer generates less heat compared to a stove or oven, a bonus during warmer months.
• Space-Saving: For those with limited kitchen space, an air fryer can be a more convenient option than a stovetop.

Now, let's get into the step-by-step guide for reheating your soups and stews in an air fryer:

• Choose the Right Container: Select an air fryer-safe container, such as glass, ceramic, or metal that fits comfortably in the air fryer basket. Avoid using plastic or any material that can't withstand high heat.
• Transfer the Soup or Stew: Pour your leftover soup or stew into the chosen container. If it has thickened in the fridge, you can add a little broth or water to adjust its consistency.
• Cover the Container: Cover the container with aluminum foil or an air fryer-safe lid to prevent moisture loss and ensure even heating.
• Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional): Some air fryer models work best when preheated. Set your air fryer to around 300°F (150°C) and preheat for a few minutes if recommended by the manufacturer.
• Place the Container in the Air Fryer: Carefully place the container with the soup or stew in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is stable and not at risk of tipping over.
• Set the Temperature and Time: Heat your soup or stew at a moderate temperature, around 300°F (150°C). The time will depend on the amount and type of soup or stew. Start with 5-7 minutes for a single serving and adjust as needed. It's better to heat gradually to avoid overheating.
• Stir and Check: Halfway through the reheating time, carefully open the air fryer, remove the cover, and stir the soup or stew to ensure even heating. Check the temperature to ensure it has reached your desired level. If it needs more time, continue heating in short intervals, checking every few minutes.
• Serve and Enjoy: Once your soup or stew is heated to your satisfaction, carefully remove the container from the air fryer using oven mitts and give it a final stir before serving.

Some pro tips to keep in mind for optimal results:

• Choose the Right Container: Ensure the container is safe for air fryer use and fits well in the basket.
• Avoid Overfilling: Leave some space at the top of the container to prevent spillage and allow for easy stirring.
• Use a Light Cover: If your container doesn't have an air fryer-safe lid, cover it with aluminum foil, poking a few holes for ventilation.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating ensures a steady and consistent temperature from the start, though it's not always necessary.
• Stir Halfway Through: Pause the heating halfway through and stir the soup or stew to distribute heat evenly.
• Adjust Liquidity if Needed: If your soup or stew has thickened, add a little water or broth before reheating to adjust its consistency.
• Reheat at Lower Temperatures: Set your air fryer to a moderate temperature, around 300°F (150°C), to avoid overheating.
• Safety First: Always use oven mitts or tongs when handling hot containers to avoid burns.
• Check Temperature Before Serving: Ensure your soup or stew has reached the desired temperature. It should be steaming hot but not boiling.
• Clean Up Properly: If any spills occur, clean the air fryer after it has cooled down to prevent burnt smells or smoke in future uses.

Frequently asked questions