How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer: The Ultimate Crispy Comeback Guide

Have you ever found yourself with leftover chicken wings in the fridge and wondered how to bring them back to their crispy, juicy glory? I’ve been there too! After countless experiments in my kitchen, I’ve perfected the art of reheating chicken wings in the air fryer, and I’m excited to share my foolproof method with you today

As a food enthusiast (and someone who always orders too many wings), I’ve tried every reheating method under the sun But trust me when I say that the air fryer is hands-down the BEST way to revive those leftover wings It’s quicker than the oven, produces crispier results than the microwave, and is healthier than refrying them in oil.

Why Use an Air Fryer for Reheating Chicken Wings?

Before diving into the step-by-step process let’s talk about why the air fryer is your best friend when it comes to reheating wings

• Crispy Exterior: The circulating hot air dries out moisture and revives the wings’ golden, crispy exterior
• Juicy Interior: Unlike microwaves that can dry out meat, air fryers help retain juiciness
• Speed: Much faster than traditional oven reheating (we’re talking minutes, not half an hour!)
• Healthier Option: Excess grease releases into the bottom of the basket
• Even Heating: Circulating hot air ensures wings reheat evenly

I was skeptical at first too, but after trying it, I never looked back. My wings almost taste as good as when they were first cooked!

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Wings in the Air Fryer

Alright, let’s get those wings crispy again! Here’s my tried-and-true process:

What You’ll Need:

• Leftover chicken wings
• Air fryer
• Tongs
• Optional: cooking spray
• Optional: meat thermometer
• Optional: your favorite sauce

Step 1: Bring Wings to Room Temperature

This is crucial! Take your wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. I know it’s tempting to skip this step when you’re hungry, but trust me, it makes a huge difference in getting that wonderful crunch back.

Step 2: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). If you’re really hungry and want to speed things up, you can go a bit higher to 375°F.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

If your air fryer isn’t non-stick, give the basket a light spray with cooking oil to prevent sticking. This step is optional but recommended.

Step 4: Arrange Wings in the Basket

This is where a lot of people go wrong! Place your wings in a single layer with space between each piece (about an inch is perfect). Don’t overcrowd or stack them – this is the enemy of crispiness! If you have too many wings, reheat them in batches instead.

Step 5: Add Moisture if Needed

If your wings look dry, lightly spritz them with water or brush with a tiny bit of oil. This helps prevent them from drying out further during reheating.

Step 6: Reheat the Wings

Cook the wings for about 5-6 minutes at 360°F, then flip them or shake the basket, and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes.

Step 7: Check Temperature

For food safety, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C). Insert it into the thickest part of the wing, avoiding the bone.

Step 8: Sauce ‘Em Up (Optional)

If you want to add sauce, now’s the time! Toss your reheated wings in your favorite sauce while they’re still hot.

Step 9: Enjoy!

Serve immediately while they’re hot and crispy. Trust me, these reheated wings will taste almost as good as fresh ones!

Time and Temperature Guide

Sometimes you need to adjust based on your specific air fryer model and how crispy you like your wings. Here’s a quick reference guide:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

From my own blunders, here are the pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Skipping the room temperature step: Cold wings straight from the fridge won’t reheat evenly
2. Overcrowding the basket: This traps steam and gives you soggy wings (eww!)
3. Not flipping midway: For even crispiness, you gotta flip ’em
4. Reheating wings multiple times: For safety and taste, only reheat once
5. Using the wrong temperature: Too low = soggy wings, too high = dried out wings

Pro Tips for Perfect Reheated Wings

After countless wing-reheating sessions, I’ve gathered some wisdom to share:

• For extra crispiness: Lightly brush wings with a bit of oil before air frying
• Season again: A light sprinkle of salt or your favorite seasonings before reheating can revive flavors
• Sauce strategy: For saucy wings, consider reheating them “naked” first, then adding sauce after to prevent burning
• Know your air fryer: Different models vary in intensity, so you might need to adjust times slightly
• Test run: If you’re reheating a large batch, try one or two wings first to dial in the perfect time/temp for your model

Boneless vs. Bone-In Wings

There are some differences when reheating these two types:

Boneless Wings:

• Heat up faster due to lack of bones
• Usually need about 2 minutes less cooking time
• Can dry out more easily, so watch them closely

Bone-In Wings:

• Take slightly longer to reheat thoroughly
• Hold moisture better due to the bone
• Often result in a juicier reheated wing

Keeping Wings Moist During Reheating

Nobody wants dry, sad wings! Here are my tips for maintaining moisture:

• Lightly brush with oil or melted butter before air frying
• Monitor cooking time carefully – overheating = dry wings
• If wings are browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil
• For extremely dry wings, spritz with a little water before reheating

Food Safety Reminder

Food safety isn’t the most exciting topic, but it’s important! Remember:

• Always reheat chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
• Use a food thermometer to check multiple wings (don’t just test one)
• Only reheat chicken wings once for safety reasons
• Refrigerate leftover wings within two hours of initial cooking

What to Serve with Your Reheated Wings

Make it a meal! Some perfect pairings for your crispy reheated wings:

• Classic celery sticks and carrot sticks
• Blue cheese or ranch dressing
• Air fried french fries (while you’re at it!)
• A crisp green salad to balance the richness
• Cold beer (if you’re of age, of course)

FAQ: Everything Else You Wanted to Know

Q: Can I reheat frozen wings in the air fryer?
A: Yes, but thaw them first for best results. In a pinch, you can reheat from frozen by adding about 5-7 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Q: How do I reheat sauced wings without making a mess?
A: Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper designed for air fryers. Just make sure not to block air circulation.

Q: My wings came out dry. What went wrong?
A: You likely cooked them too long or at too high a temperature. Next time, try reducing either the temp or time, and consider adding a light coating of oil.

Q: Can I reheat wings more than once?
A: For food safety reasons, it’s not recommended to reheat chicken multiple times.

Q: My air fryer is small. How can I reheat a lot of wings?
A: Work in batches and keep the earlier batches warm in an oven set to its lowest setting while you finish the rest.

The Bottom Line

Reheating chicken wings in the air fryer is genuinely a game-changer. It’s fast, easy, and gives you results that are almost indistinguishable from freshly made wings. No more sad, soggy leftover wings or dried-out disappointments!

Next time you find yourself with leftover wings in the fridge, remember this guide. Your taste buds (and anyone you’re sharing with) will thank you for bringing those wings back to life!