The Ultimate Guide: How Do I Reheat Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer?

There’s nothing quite like that first bite of crispy, juicy fried chicken fresh from the fryer But what about day two? If you’ve ever suffered through soggy, rubbery microwaved leftover fried chicken, I’ve got fantastic news for you! Your air fryer is about to become your new best friend for bringing those leftovers back to life

As someone who absolutely refuses to waste good food (especially fried chicken!), I’ve perfected the art of reheating this beloved comfort food Today, I’m sharing my foolproof method for reheating fried chicken in an air fryer that’ll make your leftovers taste practically fresh-made

Why Use an Air Fryer for Reheating Fried Chicken?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why air fryers are the BEST choice for reheating fried chicken:

• Maintains crispy texture: Unlike microwaves that make chicken soggy, air fryers use hot air circulation to revive the crispiness
• Even heating: Air fryers ensure consistent heating throughout, so no more cold spots!
• Quick and efficient: Takes just minutes compared to oven reheating
• Healthier option: No need to add extra oil to recrisp the coating
• Preserves juiciness: Seals in moisture while crisping the exterior

I used to rely on my oven for reheating, but it takes forever to preheat and often dried out my chicken. The microwave? Forget about it! Nothing ruins good fried chicken faster than a microwave turning that beautiful crispy coating into a sad, soggy mess.

What You’ll Need

Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer is super simple. Here’s what you’ll need

• Leftover fried chicken (homemade or takeout)
• Air fryer
• Cooking spray (optional)
• Tongs
• Meat thermometer (recommended)

That’s it! No complicated equipment or ingredients needed.

Step-by-Step: How to Reheat Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer

Now let’s get to the good stuff – exactly how to bring your leftover fried chicken back to crispy, juicy perfection!

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

First things first, you’ll want to preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This is crucial for ensuring even heating and that perfect crispy exterior. Give it about 2-3 minutes to reach the right temperature.

Step 2: Prep Your Chicken

While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover fried chicken out of the refrigerator. If the pieces are stacked or stuck together, gently separate them.

For an extra boost of crispiness, you can lightly spray the chicken pieces with cooking spray, though this is optional. Some folks like to add a light sprinkle of their favorite seasonings at this point too – paprika, garlic powder, or even a little cayenne for heat can add fresh flavor to day-old chicken.

Step 3: Arrange Chicken in the Air Fryer

This step is important! Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer with space between each piece. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around each piece, ensuring even heating and maximum crispiness.

If you have a lot of chicken to reheat, work in batches rather than piling pieces on top of each other.

Step 4: Reheat the Chicken

Now for the actual reheating! Here’s the timing that works best:

1. Start by reheating for 3-4 minutes
2. Open the air fryer and flip each piece using tongs
3. Continue reheating for another 2-3 minutes

The total reheating time will be approximately 5-7 minutes, but this can vary depending on:

• Size and thickness of your chicken pieces
• Your specific air fryer model
• How cold the chicken is when you start

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Safety first! To ensure your chicken is properly reheated, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C). This is the safe temperature recommended by food safety experts.

If you don’t have a thermometer, make sure the chicken is hot all the way through to the bone before eating.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your chicken has reached the proper temperature and achieved that beautiful crispy exterior, it’s time to enjoy! Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Pro Tips for Perfect Reheated Fried Chicken

After reheating countless batches of fried chicken, I’ve picked up some tricks that make a big difference:

• Avoid overcrowding: This might be the #1 mistake people make. Space those pieces out!
• Don’t rush: Resist the urge to crank up the temperature. Patience yields better results.
• Room temperature rest: For extra-crispy results, let your chicken sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before reheating (but no longer than 30 minutes for food safety).
• Check early and often: All air fryers are different, so keep an eye on your chicken the first few times you try this method.
• Add moisture if needed: If your chicken is older (2+ days), you might want to spritz it with a tiny bit of water before reheating to prevent dryness.
• Experiment with seasonings: Before reheating, try sprinkling on some new seasonings to refresh the flavor.

Comparing Reheating Methods

While the air fryer is my go-to method, let’s compare it to other common techniques:

As you can see, the air fryer gives you the best results in the shortest amount of time!

Common Questions About Reheating Fried Chicken

How long can I keep leftover fried chicken before reheating?

For best quality and safety, consume leftover fried chicken within 3-4 days of cooking. Always store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can I reheat chicken that’s been sitting out?

No! If your fried chicken has been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it’s best to discard it for food safety reasons.

Can I reheat fried chicken more than once?

It’s not recommended to reheat chicken multiple times. Each reheating cycle increases the risk of bacterial growth and decreases quality.

What if my chicken comes out dry?

If your reheated chicken seems dry, you might have reheated it for too long. Next time, try reducing the time or temperature slightly. Serving with a dipping sauce can help mask dryness.

Can I reheat frozen fried chicken in the air fryer?

Yes, but you’ll need to adjust your approach:

1. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight if possible
2. If cooking from frozen, use the defrost setting first if your air fryer has one
3. Increase total cooking time to 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway

Serving Suggestions for Reheated Fried Chicken

Once you’ve mastered reheating your chicken, here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:

• Make a quick chicken sandwich with mayo and pickles
• Chop it up for a chicken salad
• Serve alongside mac and cheese or mashed potatoes
• Drizzle with hot honey for a sweet-spicy kick
• Pair with waffles for a classic chicken and waffles combo

Final Thoughts

Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer is genuinely a game-changer. No more suffering through soggy leftovers or wasting perfectly good food! With this method, your day-old fried chicken will taste almost as good as when it was fresh.

The key points to remember are:

1. Preheat to 375°F
2. Don’t overcrowd the basket
3. Flip halfway through
4. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F
5. Serve immediately

Happy air frying!