How To Reheat Fried Chicken In An Air Fryer

Oct 17, 2024

Learn how to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer so it stays crisp and juicy, like freshly fried! As a food scientist, I’m excited to share my top tips. Let’s go!

how to reheat fried chicken in air fryer

Here is my guideline on the best way to reheat fried chicken to achieve that perfect crunch on the outside while keeping the meat nice and succulent inside.

How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer (Step-by-step)

The air fryer is a quick and easy method for reheating fried chicken. It helps to retain a balance of crispy texture on the outside vs a moist interior.

This method of reheating applies whether you are working with air fryer chicken leftovers or chicken fried in a pan.

Here’s my easy method:

Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Preheat it for a few minutes. This will get it hot enough to crisp up the fried chicken. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to stop the chicken from sticking.
Prepare the fried chicken: I like adding more seasoning to the leftover fried chicken – think spices or seasoning for extra flavor.
Place in the basket: Arrange the fried chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Space out each piece so the hot air can flow.
Reheat: Load the basket with the fried chicken into the air fryer. Start by reheating the chicken for 5-6 minutes.
Flip or shake: After those 5-6 minutes, gently flip the chicken pieces or shake the basket so that the pieces reheat all over.
Continue reheating: Return the basket to the air fryer and continue reheating the fried chicken for an additional 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Check for doneness: To ensure the fried chicken is heated through, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Here’s my favorite Light and Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken + Indian Fried Chicken recipes to try!

This delicious, authentic tandoori chicken recipe is packed with flavour, but so simple and easy to make at home. Baked in the oven, this flavour-packed Indian chicken recipe is the perfect solution for those chicken drumsticks you can't wait to have for dinner.

How Long to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer?

The size of the chicken pieces and the model of the air fryer will impact how long they need to reheat for.

Chicken that is chilled from the fridge might take longer than chicken that is at room temperature.

Start checking for doneness around the 5-minute mark and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Safety Precautions When Reheating Fried Chicken

To ensure food safety, it’s important to heat until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). This will kill any harmful bacteria, according to USDA guidelines.

The same internal temperature check can be applied to chicken strips, chicken breast, chicken tenders, chicken wings, drumsticks, etc – all and any leftover chicken cut.

Don’t reheat fried chicken more than once. Reheating multiple times can increase the risk of contamination.

Why Reheating Leftover Fried Chicken In an Air Fryer is Best

Firstly, an air fryer provides a quick and efficient method for reheating fried chicken while keeping its crispiness.

The circulating hot air in the air fryer cooks the chicken evenly from all sides. This is what gives it a crispy crust similar to freshly fried chicken.

Letting your leftover fried chicken recipe bake in the oven (or in a skillet on the stove) to reheat it takes a long time and can lead to uneven heating. The air fryer is just a dream – it heats up quickly and reduces the overall cooking time.

Reheating breaded fried chicken in a microwave can often give you soggy chicken; yikes! This is because the moisture gets trapped within a closed environment. The microwave’s heating method primarily relies on moisture and can make the breading of the fried chicken lose its crispiness.

On the other hand, the air fryer uses hot air circulation, which helps to evaporate excess moisture and preserve the chicken’s crispiness.

Tips to Keep Fried Chicken Crispy When Reheating

To keep fried chicken’s glorious crispiness during reheating, here are my top tips:

Preheat the air fryer: Preheating creates the perfect environment to promote crispiness.
Avoid overcrowding: Arrange the fried chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This allows for even air circulation. Cook in small batches.
Use a light coating of oil: Lightly coat the fried chicken with oil before reheating to help restore crispiness.
Monitor the cooking time: Keep an eye on the fried chicken during reheating to prevent overcooking or burning. Smaller pieces need extra attention, of course.

Following these tips, you can enjoy deliciously crispy reheated fried chicken every time.

What to Do With Air Fry Reheated Fried Chicken

Reheated fried chicken pairs well with bunch of different side dishes and dipping sauces.

Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread for a cozy and comforting meal.

Alternatively, slice the reheated chicken to top salads like my or sandwiches – an easy lunch option.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Looking for other dishes cooked in an air fryer? Here are a few I can’t stop making:

FAQs: How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer

Just skimming through? Here are some common questions about reheating fried chicken in the air fryer:

Can I safely reheat a fried chicken in the air fryer?

Absolutely. Reheating fried chicken in the air fryer is safe if it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety.

What’s the recommended temperature and time for reheating fried chicken in the air fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and reheat the fried chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes, adjusting the time as needed based on the size and thickness of the pieces.

Do I need to add oil when reheating fried chicken in the air fryer?

Adding a light coating of oil can help restore crispiness to the fried chicken during reheating, but it is optional.

Can I reheat fried chicken multiple times in the air fryer?

It’s best to avoid reheating fried chicken multiple times to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination. Reheat it once and enjoy it safely.

Reheat Other Chicken in an Air Fryer to Juicy Perfection!

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How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer (Perfectly!)

By: Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

How to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer so that it stays crispy and juicy every time, just like it was freshly fried, plus the mistakes to avoid!

Prep Time: 0

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings:

Ingredients

▢ 2 pieces leftover fried chicken
▢ cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Allow it to heat for a few minutes to reach a temperature that crisps the chicken.
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for proper airflow.
Load the basket into the air fryer and reheat the chicken for 5-6 minutes. After this time, gently flip the chicken or shake the basket to ensure even heating.
Return the basket and reheat for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly heated.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.