Reheating Food With An Air Fryer: What's Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to reheat food. While you can reheat most foods in an air fryer, there are some exceptions. Leafy greens like spinach or arugula are not recommended, as they can start flying around and land on the heating vents. Whole roasts, like roast beef or chicken, should also be sliced before reheating. However, there are plenty of foods that are perfect for reheating in an air fryer, such as pizza, fries, chicken, steak, burgers, and ribs.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

To reheat pizza in an air fryer, first, place your slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can optionally place parchment paper underneath to make cleanup easier, especially if your pizza is extra cheesy or greasy. Then, set your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and air fry for 3-5 minutes for thin crust, or lower the temperature to 300°F and heat for 5-7 minutes for deep-dish or thick-crust pizza. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pizza and the model of your air fryer.

You can reheat most foods in an air fryer, including pizza, fries, chicken, steak, burgers, ribs, pasta, rice, soups and stews. However, there are some exceptions. Leafy greens like spinach or arugula are not recommended, as they can start flying around and land on the heating vents. Whole roasts like roast beef or chicken are also not ideal, but if you slice them first, you can reheat them in the air fryer.

Reheating fries in an air fryer

You can reheat most foods in an air fryer, but there are some exceptions. Leafy greens like spinach or arugula should be avoided, as they can start flying around and land on the heating vents. Whole roasts like roast beef or chicken are also not recommended, although slicing them first will allow you to reheat them in the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F or 177°C for 3 minutes. Place the leftover fries in a single layer into the basket of the air fryer. You might need to do this in multiple batches so the leftover fries become as crisp as possible. You don't need any extra oil, but if you want to add some extra flavours or seasoning, do that now. Air fry the leftover fries for 3-4 minutes, or until fully reheated. Toss the fries halfway through. If you are reheating at a higher temperature, such as 400°F, decrease the cooking time to 2-3 minutes. The timings will depend on the size of your fries, too. If you are reheating traditional, thin, and crispy French fries, you may find they need less time in the air fryer.

Reheating steak in an air fryer

You can reheat most foods in an air fryer, including steak. Reheating steak in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy the robust flavours and tender texture of leftover steak without the risk of overcooking it or drying it out.

Unlike microwaving, which can leave steak tough and dry, an air fryer uses rapidly circulating hot air to evenly heat the steak while maintaining its juicy interior. The quick and intense heat seals the surface, helping to lock in moisture, which is critical for maintaining the juiciness of the steak. It also restores the steak's pleasing outer texture, adding a slight crispness to the edges while keeping the interior tender.

To reheat steak in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 250°F to 300°F and let it preheat for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking. Arrange the steak in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to allow proper air circulation. Reheat for 4–6 minutes, checking the temperature after 4 minutes. Depending on the thickness of your steak, you may need to add an additional minute or two.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

You can reheat most foods in an air fryer, but there are some exceptions. For example, it's not recommended to reheat whole roasts like chicken. However, if you slice it first, you can reheat it in the air fryer, just like a regular steak.

To reheat chicken in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375°F. While preheating isn't always necessary, it is for chicken to ensure it is thoroughly reheated. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and add a spritz of olive oil or oil spray. Set the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) and cook until the chicken is heated through.

You can also reheat chicken tenders, nuggets, or fried chicken in the air fryer. For cheesier items, it is recommended to use tin foil to catch any drips.

Reheating soups and stews in an air fryer

You can reheat most foods in an air fryer, but there are some exceptions. Leafy greens like spinach or arugula should be avoided, as they can start flying around and land on the heating vents. Whole roasts like roast beef or chicken are also not recommended, but if you slice them first, you can reheat them just like a regular steak.

Soups and stews can be reheated in an air fryer using an air fryer-safe bowl, but there are better ways to reheat these types of dishes. If you do choose to reheat soups and stews in an air fryer, place the food in the air fryer basket and add a spritz of olive oil. Set the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) and cook until heated through.

Some other common foods that can be reheated in an air fryer include pizza, French fries, sweet potato fries, waffle fries, crinkle fries, curly fries, steak, chicken tenders, nuggets, fried chicken, ribs, and burgers. For cheesier items, it is recommended to use tin foil to catch any drips.

Frequently asked questions