The Absolute Best Ways to Reheat Chicken Wings Without Drying Them Out

Let’s face it – we’ve all been there. You order a mountain of delicious chicken wings for game day but your eyes were bigger than your stomach. Now you’re left with a container of leftover wings in the fridge and the million-dollar question is how do you bring them back to their former glory?

I’ve experimented with pretty much every method out there, and I’m here to share what actually works. Because nobody deserves soggy, dried-out, or rubbery reheated wings!

Why Reheating Chicken Wings Can Be Tricky

Before diving into the methods, it’s important to understand why reheating wings is challenging Chicken wings have that perfect balance of crispy skin and juicy meat that’s hard to maintain when reheating. Most methods either

• Dry out the meat while crisping the skin
• Keep the meat juicy but leave the skin soggy
• Make the whole thing rubbery and unappetizing

The good news? There are several methods that can help you achieve that fresh-from-the-fryer experience with your leftovers.

The Best Methods for Reheating Chicken Wings (Ranked)

After reviewing expert opinions and testing different methods, here are the best ways to reheat chicken wings, from most to least effective:

1. Oven Method: The Gold Standard

According to chefs and food experts, the oven provides the best balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior.

What you’ll need:

• Baking sheet
• Wire rack (optional but recommended)
• Cooking spray
• Meat thermometer (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350-375°F
2. Take wings out of the fridge and let them reach room temperature (about 15 minutes)
3. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray
4. Arrange wings in a single layer about an inch apart
5. Optional: Spritz wings lightly with water to prevent drying
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through
7. Wings are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F

Why it works: The oven provides even heating that mimics the original cooking process. The moderate heat gives the skin time to crisp up while allowing the inside to warm without drying out.

Pro tip: If your wings were sauced, wait until after reheating to add fresh sauce to avoid burning or caramelizing the sugars.

2. Air Fryer Method: Quick and Crispy

If you own an air fryer, you’re in luck! This method is almost as good as the oven, and it’s faster.

Steps:

1. Preheat air fryer to 350°F
2. Let wings reach room temperature
3. Arrange wings in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd!)
4. Cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking basket or flipping wings halfway
5. For saucy wings, consider a light mist of oil before reheating

Why it works: The rapid air circulation creates a crispy exterior similar to fresh wings. It’s essentially a mini convection oven that heats wings evenly and quickly.

3. Stovetop/Skillet Method: Great for Plain Wings

This method works particularly well for wings that aren’t heavily sauced.

Steps:

1. Let wings reach room temperature
2. Heat a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat
3. Add a small amount of oil or butter
4. Cook wings for 3-5 minutes, flipping occasionally
5. If they seem dry, add a splash of water or chicken broth and briefly cover to steam

Why it works: Direct heat helps crisp the skin while the fat (oil/butter) helps restore moisture. For saucy wings, this method actually helps caramelize the sauce for enhanced flavor.

4. Microwave Method: The Last Resort

While not ideal for crispiness, the microwave is the quickest option when you’re in a hurry.

Steps:

1. Place wings on a microwave-safe plate
2. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture
3. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals
4. Total heating time should be about 2-3 minutes

Why it works: Well… it doesn’t work great, but it will get your wings hot. The microwave tends to make the skin soggy and can easily dry out the meat if overheated.

Pro tip: For a compromise between speed and quality, microwave the wings until almost hot, then finish them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up the skin.

5. Steaming Method: Rescue for Dried-Out Wings

If your wings have already dried out, steaming can help revive them.

Steps:

1. Place wings in a steamer basket over simmering water
2. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes
3. Finish in a skillet, oven, or air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up the skin

Why it works: Steaming adds moisture back into the meat. While it won’t make the skin crispy on its own, it can rejuvenate wings that would otherwise be too dry to enjoy.

Storage Tips for Better Reheating Results

How you store your wings makes a huge difference in how well they reheat:

1. Let wings cool completely before storing – Putting hot wings in containers creates steam that makes them soggy
2. Store in airtight containers or wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap
3. Refrigerate for up to 4 days
4. For freezing (up to 3 months), wrap wings individually in parchment paper before placing in a freezer bag

What About Different Wing Styles?

Different types of wings may need slightly different approaches:

Sauced Wings

• For the oven and air fryer methods, consider adding fresh sauce after reheating
• The stovetop method can help caramelize existing sauce
• Avoid high heat which can burn sugary sauces

Dry-Rubbed Wings

• These reheat extremely well in the oven or air fryer
• You may want to spritz with a bit more oil before reheating to help the spices remain flavorful

Breaded Wings

• The oven method works best for maintaining a crispy coating
• Air fryer is a close second
• Avoid the microwave completely for breaded wings

My Personal Experience

I used to be guilty of just throwing my leftover wings in the microwave and dealing with the rubbery, uneven results. But after trying the oven method, I can honestly say the extra few minutes are totally worth it!

Last Super Bowl Sunday, I ordered way too many wings (as usual), and reheated them the next day using the oven method. My buddies couldn’t even tell they weren’t fresh – that’s how good they turned out!

FAQ About Reheating Chicken Wings

Q: Can I reheat wings more than once?
A: It’s not recommended for food safety reasons. Only reheat what you plan to eat.

Q: How do I know when reheated wings are safe to eat?
A: They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, make sure they’re hot all the way through.

Q: Can I reheat frozen wings without thawing?
A: Yes, but add 50% more time to the reheating process. Results will be better if you thaw them first.

Q: What’s the quickest safe method to reheat wings?
A: The air fryer is the fastest method that still gives good results (about 5-7 minutes).

Conclusion: The Verdict on Reheating Wings

If you want the absolute best reheated chicken wings that taste nearly as good as fresh:

1. Use the oven method for the best overall results
2. Try the air fryer if you want something quicker
3. Use the stovetop for plain or lightly sauced wings
4. Reserve the microwave for when you’re really in a hurry

Remember, proper storage is half the battle when it comes to enjoying leftover wings. Let them cool before refrigerating, and they’ll be much better when you reheat them.

Now go enjoy those leftover wings without compromising on taste or texture! Your taste buds (and wallet) will thank you for not letting those delicious wings go to waste.