If you own an air fryer, you know by now just how versatile this nifty kitchen appliance is. But did you know that aside from air frying and baking, it can also reheat food? And it does a fine job at it, too! In fact, I think it’s the best gadget for reheating deep-fried food such as chicken. I mean, sure, the oven can do it, too, but the air fryer gets the job done in a much shorter time. You can also use the skillet, but you’ll need a lot of oil to do so. While it makes the chicken all golden and crispy, all that grease isn’t ideal. Using the microwave, on the other hand, will give you soggy chicken, where some areas are hot but others are still cold. The air fryer, however, can crisp cold fried chicken right back up in mere minutes, and without using a single drop of oil! There’s absolutely no downside to it, so what more can you ask for? Who says leftovers are dull and stale? With the air fryer, your leftover chicken will taste just as good as when it was first cooked.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer
First, let the chicken warm to room temperature. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes beforehand to ensure even reheating. This also allows for maximum crunch. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, if your air fryer requires preheating. It’s important to note that not all air fryers are created the same. They run differently and have varying intensities, so it’s best to monitor what you’re cooking all throughout. Arrange the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure the pieces don’t touch or overlap with one another. Don’t overcrowd the basket, either. There needs to be enough space for the air to circulate and warm the chicken. If your air fryer isn’t big enough to reheat all the leftovers, just do so in batches. Don’t worry, reheating food in the air fryer doesn’t take long. Cook similar-sized chicken pieces together, otherwise, they won’t reheat evenly. For instance, if you reheat a wing and a breast at the same time, the wing might still be cold in the center when the breast is already overcooked. If the chicken is a bit dry, spray it with water to moisten it a little. Reheat the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on the chicken especially at the last minutes of reheating. You’ll only want to make them crispy again, not burn them to a crisp. Pro-tip: if this is your first time reheating chicken, you may need to do a test run. Reheat one to two pieces first before you deal with the rest! That way, you can get the temperature and cook time right. That’s all there is to it. Told you it was easy!
How to Make Fried Chicken Crispy Again
The air fryer really is your best bet. While the microwave can reheat it, it will make the skin soggy. And we all know fried chicken is no fried chicken without that crispy skin! And it doesn’t matter what type of air fryer you’re using, either. Toast oven, Air Fryer, Ninja Foodi – they all work! If you want your chicken nice and crispy, don’t forget to leave the chicken on the counter 30 minutes before reheating. Then, when ready, spray the skins with extra virgin olive oil. Aside from the ability to make chicken hot and crispy again, there are other reasons why the air fryer is an excellent kitchen gadget. When you reheat deep-fried food in the air fryer, the excess grease is released into the bottom of the basket. You’ll still get that crispy, crunchy goodness, minus the calories. Air fryers also reduce the amount of carcinogen – a harmful substance that may cause cancer – in fried chicken by 90%! The statistic speaks for itself. It also gets bonus points for being super affordable. You can get an excellent-quality air fryer for as low as $100! Aside from fried chicken, you can also reheat a bunch of dishes in the air fryer. Try reheating stale fries and vegetables! In just a few minutes, they’ll be back to their fresh and crispy selves again, ready to be devoured.
How Long Does it Take To Reheat Chicken?
It really depends on the size of your chicken, but on average, it shouldn’t take longer than 4 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that bone-in chicken will require a longer cooking time than boneless chicken and breaded chicken strips, so adjust accordingly. Reminder: check the internal temperature of the wings using a meat or instant-read thermometer. You’ll know it’s safe enough to eat when it reads at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, don’t forget to shake the basket or flip the chicken pieces over halfway through. Otherwise, one side gets exposed to too much heat and overcook, while the other side is left cold.
Can You Reheat Fried Chicken the Next Day?
Absolutely! The air fryer will take care of breathing life back into refrigerated, day-old chicken. Whether it’s from a restaurant chain or homemade, the air fryer won’t have trouble reheating that tasty bird. That said, you can store leftover chicken in an air-tight container in the fridge for only up to 2 to 3 days. Any longer than that, and it’s no longer safe to eat.
Can You Reheat Fried Chicken More Than Once ?
This is a big no-no! Reheated chicken must be consumed at once, or just throw it out. Placing reheated chicken back in the fridge and reheating it for another time isn’t safe. You’ll risk getting food poisoning if you still consume it! While I’m all for waste reduction, safety is and should always be the top priority. Here’s an easy solution: only reheat what you’re sure you’ll be able to eat and keep the rest of it in the fridge. Click on a star to rate it!
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