Recipe This | Reheating Leftovers In An Air Fryer (2024)

by Recipe This

Reheating In Air Fryer. Let me show you how easy it is to reheat your leftovers in the air fryer. From mashed potatoes to meatloaf to egg rolls to pizza to fries to steak, we have you covered.

Recipe This | Reheating Leftovers In An Air Fryer (1)

Also, before we dive into this air fryer reheating guide, I recommend you check out our free air fryer mini course. It is ideal for air fryer beginners or those that want to get more confident with their air fryer. The free course runs for 5 days with a new lesson delivered each day to your inbox.

Or browse our site as we have 450+ air fryer recipes that are easy to recreate at home and we have been showing people how to use the air fryer since 2011.

Table of Contents

Reheating Food In Air Fryer

Many people replace their microwave with the air fryer. After all, the air fryer is many kitchen gadgets in one. It can grill, it can deep fry, it can be a toaster and best of all, like a microwave it can reheat food.

But did you know that the air fryer does a BETTER job than the microwave for reheating food?

That is because it makes the food crispy again rather than soggy. Just think of those times you have reheated leftover pizza or garlic bread in the microwave and thought it wasn’t as good. Or how you ruined your takeout fries in the microwave.

Can You Reheat Food In An Air Fryer?

Yes, you can. The air fryer is fantastic for reheating food.

You need to use a lower temperature when reheating food in the air fryer and need to make sure your food doesn’t get dry, but overall, its very easy to reheat food in the air fryer.

Bur don’t worry, we have plenty of recipes showing you how to reheat your food in the air fryer and best of all, how to make your air fryer reheated food BETTER.

Warming Up Food In Air Fryer

Before we dive into how we use the air fryer to reheat food, you can also use it to warm up your food too.

I am thinking of my mum here.

She would order a kebab to be delivered and then when it was delivered would always complain that it was no longer piping hot.

Load her kebab into the microwave and give it a quick warm up for 2 minutes.

This can be done in the air fryer for 3 minutes on 160c/320f.

How To Reheat Food In Air Fryer

Now onto the meat and potatoes as people say. These are the easy recipes we have made so far from reheating leftovers in the air fryer.

After many requests from our readers for recommendations for reheating foods, we did a big experiment.

Every weekend we published two new recipes that focused on reheating in the air fryer for several weeks. Showing how we reheat our food and the best cook times and practices for doing so.

Below is the air fryer reheat recipes and do post in the comments if you are looking for advice to reheat a specific food that is not mentioned.

Recipe This | Reheating Leftovers In An Air Fryer (3)
  • Reheat Burger In Air Fryer – Using leftover burgers from McDonalds we showed you how to get the burger piping hot again but without the burger bun going soggy.
  • Reheat Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer – This is perfect for when you are feeding kids and they leave the food on the plate and you don’t want food waste. You can simply reheat it the next day.
  • Reheat Chinese Food In Air Fryer – One Chinese food that I love to reheat is egg fried rice. You can use frozen containers that you have bought from the supermarket, or your own that you have reheated.
  • Reheat Cooked Steak In Air Fryer – Another option is to reheat your favourite steak. We tested reheating steak in the air fryer with ribeye, sirloin and rump and they were all delicious.
  • Reheat Egg Rolls In Air Fryer – I love how crispy you can make egg rolls when you reheat them in the air fryer. Because they have been cooked twice, I find that they taste better than
  • Reheat Baked Potatoes In Air Fryer – This is fantastic for make ahead cooking too and shouldn’t be limited it just reheating your leftovers. What you can do is make your baked potatoes in advance and then reheat them as you need them in the air fryer.
  • – You will love our ideas of reheating the last of your leftover mac and cheese. Truly delicious and perfect for avoiding food waste too.
  • Reheat Fries In Air Fryer – Forget those soggy microwave fries this is how to reheat your frozen fries that you have previously cooked in the air fryer. It amazes me how delicious these are the second time around.
  • Reheat Pizza In Air Fryer – The first food that we ever showed you how to reheat in the air fryer. Years later, we have updated it for you, and you will love how delicious your pizza leftovers are.
  • Reheat Fried Fish In Air Fryer – This is perfect for when you have cooked fish and chips or had a Friday night supper and have some left over. I love how crispy the batter goes on the fish and how flavoursome it is.
Recipe This | Reheating Leftovers In An Air Fryer (4)

Well, they are our top 10 air fryer recipes from leftovers, but we have more. Here are three bonus recipe ideas that you will not have thought of that are ideal for the air fryer.

  • Reheat Mashed Potatoes – You will love this post and how many different ways you can reheat mashed potatoes in the air fryer or use mashed potatoes for exciting new recipes. We even have Jorge’s homemade gnocchi!
  • Reheat Meatloaf – I also love to use the air fryer to reheat meatloaf. You can warm up slices of meatloaf with tomato ketchup for sandwiches, or use the air fryer to make a meatloaf hash.
  • Reheat Quiche – Another air fryer reheat recipe that is better in the air fryer compared to the microwave. Forget soggy crust this is how to perfectly reheat your quiche. Do small slices for a quicker cook time or bigger ones.

Can’t read it now? Then pin it for later!

Recipe This | Reheating Leftovers In An Air Fryer (5)
Recipe This | Reheating Leftovers In An Air Fryer (2024)

FAQs

Recipe This | Reheating Leftovers In An Air Fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer at 350-400F for 4 to 5 minutes. Place the food you want to reheat in the basket without crowding. Air fry 3 to 5 minutes or so until crispy and heated through but keep a close watch on it.

How long to cook leftovers in air fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer at 350-400F for 4 to 5 minutes. Place the food you want to reheat in the basket without crowding. Air fry 3 to 5 minutes or so until crispy and heated through but keep a close watch on it.

What are the best foods to throw in an air fryer? ›

Their favorite dishes to make in this appliance include gnocchi, chicken, and crunchy chickpeas. It's also possible to make flavorful steak, bacon, and chicken nuggets in an air fryer.

Are air fryers good for leftovers? ›

Air fryers aren't just for cooking — they're also excellent tools for reheating leftovers, especially when you want to bring a little crunch back to something that was once crispy. Fried chicken, pizza, french fries and more all come beautifully back to life when popped into the fryer basket for a few minutes.

Can I put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Aluminum foil can be used in an air fryer, but it should only go in the basket. Acidic foods react with aluminum, so avoid using foil when air frying tomatoes, peppers, or citrus. Using parchment paper or a bare basket is better because it won't interfere with cooking.

Is parchment paper safe in an air fryer? ›

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

Is it better to reheat food in the microwave or air fryer? ›

The air fryer cooks almost as fast as a microwave and, in my opinion, much better. Adding an air fryer to your kitchen may feel like an upfront cost, but these budget-friendly super convection ovens are the best first step towards better leftovers. Plus, they'll save money on your energy bill over time.

What food Cannot be cooked in Airfryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  • Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What is the best meat to air fry? ›

As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

Can you put a paper towel down in an air fryer? ›

Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.

Is there a negative to using air fryer? ›

Air fryer health risks

Studies show that using an air fryer can increase the levels of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in fish. COPs are linked to an increase in heart disease, cancer and other medical conditions.

Why did I get rid of my air fryer? ›

I find the texture of most air-fried food a bit off-putting

Air fryers are advertised as a healthier cooking option, mostly because they don't require a lot of oil. But fat has a big impact on the texture of foods. I've found that the appliance typically produces dishes that are more dry than crisp.

What's the difference between reheat and air fry on an air fryer? ›

We are happy to assist you with your inquiry about the Ninja® Air Fryer. The Reheat function is to be used to revive leftovers by gently warming them, leaving you with crispy results. The Air Crisp function to give your food crispiness and crunch with little to no oil. We hope this information helps.

What is the best thing to put on the bottom of an air fryer? ›

Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.

Can you put a glass dish in an air fryer? ›

If the dish is oven-safe, made of borosilicate or tempered glass, it can work in an air fryer. However, if the dish is made of soda-lime glass, it can't withstand high temperatures in an air fryer.

Is it better to use parchment paper or foil in an air fryer? ›

Laurence says she always chooses parchment paper over aluminum foil in the air fryer. Parchment paper is more versatile because it is non-reactive. "Whatever food you're putting on that aluminum foil is going to react with aluminum," Laurence says.

What temperature do you air fry leftovers? ›

General Process. While the perfect time and temperature will vary for different foods, this simple process is a good place to start. 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.

Can you reheat food in a dish in an air fryer? ›

Instead, portion some into an enamel or aluminium dish and reheat in your air fryer at 180°C for 5-6 minutes, adding a splash of water in the bottom of the dish, and you'll be rewarded with something that could fool you it had just come fresh out of the oven.

How do you cook leftover lasagna in the air fryer? ›

An air fryer works like a convection oven, circulating hot air to cook your food, but it works faster.
  1. Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 375º It's really important to always start with a preheated air fryer. ...
  2. Step 2: Place the lasagna in a loaf pan. ...
  3. Step 3: Air-fry until it's heated through.
Dec 14, 2021

Can I reheat pasta in an air fryer? ›

To reheat pasta in the air fryer, preheat it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the pasta on aluminum foil to prevent it from drying up. Sprinkle a small amount of water onto the pasta to keep it from drying up. After around 5 to 10 minutes, the pasta should be thoroughly heated.

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