This post may contain affiliate links, which are always marked with *. Please read my disclosure for more information.
When you have leftovers, reheating them in the air fryer * is a great way to ensure maximum flavor and texture. Many foods are best reheated in the air fryer *, and in this post you will learn which ones, and how to reheat them.
Jump to:
It will comes a no surprise that the air fryer * is my all time favorite kitchen appliance. And one of the reasons is that it's just so amazing when you have leftovers to reheat - whether those leftovers are fast food fries or a whole steak.
What You Will Learn in This Post
- Why you should reheat food in the air fryer *
- Which foods are best to reheat in an air fryer *
- Which foods you should not reheat in an air fryer *
- A general process for reheating food in an air fryer *
- Specific step-by-step instructions for reheating certain types of food in the air fryer *
- Tips and tricks to ensure you succeed every time
Why Should You Reheat Food in Your Air Fryer?
The air fryer * is a great choice when deciding how to reheat your food - it far surpasses other methods when it comes to taste, speed, texture and ease.
It's Quick
The functionality of an air fryer * is to circulate hot air around your food. This works in the same way as in a regular convection oven. However, using an air fryer * with a basket (as opposed to an oven tray) will ensure the hot air reaches all surfaces of the food - including the bottom.
This means food cooks quicker, and more evenly. And it's the main reason the air fryer * is so good for reheating leftovers, and cooking food from frozen.
Food is Less Likely to Dry Out
Reheating leftovers quicker, means they will be less likely to dry out. So you can end up with a juicy steak, even after reheating.
Refresh the Crisp
The circulating hot air also helps refresh the crisp on any food that you want really crispy - like French fries, or fried chicken.
It's Easy
Reheating food in an air fryer * is as easy as reheating it in the microwave. But the result is so much better.
What Foods are Best to Reheat in an Air Fryer?
An easy rule is that any type of food you can cook in an air fryer *, you can also reheat in an air fryer *. Some of the best foods to reheat are:
- Leftover pizza - slice and reheat; the crust crisps up while the cheese on top melts
- French fries - homemade or McDonald's, doesn't matter! Add a spritz of oil spray (or skip it) and reheat, for fries that are just as good as the day before. Also works for sweet potato fries, waffle fries, crinkle fries, curly fries - you get the point.
- Fried snacks like onion rings and chicken nuggets
- Fried chicken - crisp it up on the outside without overcooking the inside
- Steak - slice it or cook it as it is
- Burgers - meat, chicken or veggie
- Roasted or air fried vegetables - just as new, in a few short minutes
Which Foods Should You Not Reheat in an Air Fryer?
Here are some foods I would not recommend reheating in your air fryer *:
- Leafy greens like spinach or arugula - why you would even want to reheat them
- Whole roasts like roast beef or chicken - slice it first, and then you can reheat in the air fryer *, just like steak!
- Cheese without a coating - it will just melt and drip through your basket. The exception is halloumi cheese and other similar grilling cheeses.
- Soups and stews - while you could technically reheat them in your air fryer * using an air fryer * safe bowl, you won't get the same benefit from it as for other types of food
- Pasta and rice - while you can use the air fryer * for this, there are better ways
General Process
While the perfect time and temperature will vary for different foods, this simple process is a good place to start.
- 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 the food until heated through. Shake the food around, or flip it, about halfway, to ensure the most even cook.
FAQ
For more answers to your Air Fryer * questions, check out my extensive Air Fryer FAQ.
360°F (180°C) is a good place to start, and it will work fine for most foods. However, some foods reheat better at lower or higher temperatures.
A rule of thumb is that if you're worried about drying something out (like a steak or chicken wings), reheat it at a lower temperature (360°F/ 80°C or lower).
If it's something you want to crisp up, reheat it at a higher temperature (390°F/200°C).
Further, if you are reheating something smaller (like French fries or thin slices of steak), you can reheat at a higher temperature, while thicker foods (whole steaks or chicken breasts) will turn out best at a lower temperature.
The time it will take to reheat your food varies a lot depending on what you're reheatingt, the size of the food, and how much of it. Leftovers should always be reheated to at least 165°F (74°C) to be safe to consume, so a great way to gauge when it's done is to use a meat thermometer.
If you don't have a thermometer, you will need to cut into your food to gauge that it's well heated through.
Below are a few guidelines for how long different foods take to reheat. (follow the links for full instructions). Since the times can vary a lot, always make sure the food is in fact heated through before consuming.
French fries: 4-6 minutes
Chicken wings: 4-6 minutes
Sliced steak: 2-3 minutes
Whole steak: 5-6 minutes
I like adding a spritz of olive oil when reheating most foods, as I find it refreshes the food a bit. It's optional though, so feel free to skip it.
Tips & Tricks
- No need to preheat you air fryer * when reheating food
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer * basket - some foods, like French fries, can be cooked in multiple layers, but you should not fill the entire basket. Others, like steak, should be cooked in a single layer. If reheating a lot of food, cook it in batches.
- Check the food regularly to ensure it doesn't burn or dry out. If it is starting to burn, lower the temperature.
- Flip the food, or shake it around, about halfway for the most even cook. It's optional, but makes the end result even better.
- Make a note of the time it takes to reheat your favorite foods, and it will be even easier the next time
- Do not reheat again - reheat just as much as you will finish
- The time will vary with your specific air fryer * model - please make sure your food is heated through before consuming
More Air Fryer Resources
Looking for more guides to how to use your air fryer, or maybe what air fryer * to buy?
- 50+ Great Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners
- How To Choose The Right Air Fryer For You
- How to Use an Air Fryer: Air Fryer Get Started Guide for Beginners
- Air Fryer Troubleshooting Guide
- Air Fryer FAQ - Everything you ever wondered about air frying!
Recipe
Ingredients
- leftover food
- oil spray or olive oil optional
- aluminium foil for steak and other meats
Instructions
- Place the food in the air fryer basket. Do not fill the basket. French fries and similar can be cooked in multiple layers, while other foods like steak and chicken should be cooked in a single layer.leftover food
- Add a spritz of oil spray or a small amount of olive oil, and coat the food evenly.oil spray or olive oil
- Cook 2-6 minutes at 360°F (180°C) until heated to 165°F (74°C) throughout. Flip the food about halfway, or shake it around, to make sure it heats evenly.
- If reheating steak or other filets of meat, cook to almost 165°F (74°C), then wrap in aluminum foil and rest 5 minutes.
Equipment needed for this recipe
Notes
At what temperature should you reheat food?
360°F (180°C) is a good place to start, and will work fine for most foods. However, some foods reheat better at lower or higher temperatures. If you're worried about drying something out (like a steak or chicken wings), reheat it at a lower temperature (360°F/ 80°C or lower). If it's something you want to crisp up, reheat it at a higher temperature (390°F/200°C). If you are reheating something smaller (like French fries or thin slices of steak), you can reheat at a higher temperature, while thicker foods (whole steaks or chicken breasts) will turn out best at a lower temperature.How long should you reheat food?
The time it will take to reheat your food varies a lot depending on what you're reheating, and how much of it. Leftovers should always be reheated to at least 165°F (74°C) to be safe to consume, so a great way to gauge when it's done is to use a meat thermometer. If you don't have a thermometer, you will need to cut into your food to gauge that it's well heated through. Here are a few guidelines for how long different foods take to reheat:- French fries: 4-6 minutes
- Chicken wings: 4-6 minutes
- Sliced steak: 2-3 minutes
- Whole steak: 5-6 minutes
Tips & tricks
- No need to preheat you air fryer * when reheating food
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer * basket - some foods, like French fries, can be cooked in multiple layers, but you should not fill the entire basket. Others, like steak, should be cooked in a single layer.
- Check the food regularly to ensure it doesn't burn or dry out. If it is starting to burn, lower the temperature.
- Flip the food, or shake it around, about halfway for the most even cook. It's optional, but makes the end result even better.
- Make a note of the time it takes to reheat your favorite foods, and it will be even easier the next time
- Do not reheat again - reheat just as much as you will finish
- The time will vary with your specific air fryer * model - please make sure your food is heated through before consuming
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Leave a Reply