How to Reheat Leftovers in the Air Fryer (2024)

Can you put leftovers in the air fryer?

Today, I am excited to share with you my favorite air fryer hack- reheating leftovers in the air fryer! If you’ve read or seen my Air Fryer Mistakes post or video, you know that you are making a big mistake if you aren’t using your air fryer to reheat leftovers.

Air fryer leftovers are the best way to reheat leftovers. Keep reading to learn

• why the air fryer are really good at reheating leftovers
• what you need to reheat leftovers
• the safe internal temperature of leftovers
• what leftovers you can and cannot put in the air fryer
• how to reheat leftovers in the air fryer
• how to reheat nice cuts of meat in the air fryer
• how to revive stale food in the air fryer

How good are air fryers at reheating leftovers?

If you have an air fryer and you haven’t used it to reheat leftovers, then you are really missing out! After you use an air fryer to reheat leftovers or stale food, you will never want to use your microwave or oven again!

Because air fryers are like mini convections ovens, they do a great job at reheating leftovers in a short amount of time. Air fryers make leftovers crispy again. They don’t make it soggy like the microwave.

What do I need to reheat leftovers in the air fryer?

Like all air fryer cooking, you will want an instant read meat thermometer while you reheat leftovers in the air fryer. Why? Because an instant read thermometer will help you know how hot the inside of your food is so you don’t dry it out and so it is safe to eat again.

You will also want to use an oil sprayer bottle. I like to use this Mistifi oil sprayer bottle and fill it with a high smoke point oil like avocado oil or olive oil. You can spritz the food with a little bit of oil to help it get crispy again. However, if you don’t like oil, this is optional.

What is the safe internal temperature for reheating foods?

The recommended safe internal temperature to thoroughly reheating foods is 165°F or 73.8°C (Source).

What foods can I reheat in the air fryer?

You reheat almost any food in the air fryer. The air fryer works best for reheating:

• fries
• chicken wings
• hamburgers
• gyros
• fajitas
• tacos
• donuts
• cookies
• vegetables
• any fried food

Share with us in the comments below what foods you like to reheat in the air fryer!

Later, you will see general instructions for reheating these foods in the air fryer with more specific instructions for reheating meats like chicken, beef, pork, fish, and other nice cuts of meat.

What foods can I not reheat in the air fryer?

I do not recommend using the air fryer to reheat:

• soup
• stews
• sauces
• or any water or heavily liquid based food

These foods seem to take too long to come to temperature in the air fryer. And, you don’t really need your soup to be crispy. So, I recommend reheating these foods in the microwave or stovetop.

How long should I put leftovers in the air fryer?

The general tip for reheating leftovers in the air fryer is:

1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C.
2. Place the food in the air fryer basket.
3. Cook at 350°F/175°C for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the food is crispy to your liking and comes to temperature.

However, because you can reheat just about any food in the air fryer, the following are more specific tips for reheating the leftovers in the air fryer.

Can you put leftover fries in the air fryer?

Air fryer fries are a great recipe in general. But what if you have leftover fries? The fries can be from a restaurant or some you made the day before and have stored in the refrigerator. You can revive the fries in the air fryer. The air fryer will make the fries crispy and fresh again!

How to reheat fries in the air fryer:

1. Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
2. Cook at 350°F/175°C for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the fries are crispy to your liking and reach safe internal temperature.

Tips for reheating meat in the air fryer

If you have leftover meats from recipes like balsamic pork tenderloin, air fryer steak, blackened chicken, or baby back ribs, you can reheat them in the air fryer to perfection! The air fryer is the best way to reheat nice cuts of meat because it will make juicy, crispy, and perfect again!

How to reheat meat in the air fryer

1. Let the cut of meat sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before reheating in the air fryer. This will allow the meat to cook more evenly so that it doesn’t dry out.
2. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C.
3. Place the meat inside the air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes at 370°F/187°C.
4. Check the internal temperature of the meat. You want it to reach 165°F or 73.8°C.
5. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, if needed.
6. If you have any sauces or cheese to place on top of the meat, do so during the last minute of cooking.

Can I revive stale food in the air fryer?

The air fryer does a great job making foods crispy again. Did you know you air fry stale chips to make them tasty and crispy again?

Here are a few other recipes I bet you didn’t know you can make in the air fryer.

How to revive stale chips in the air fryer

Here is how you can make stale chips come back to life. You can follow these guidelines for any stale food you have. Add any additional time as needed.

1. Layer the chips in the air fryer basket.

2. Cook for 1-2 minutes at 380˚F/190°C.

Note:You can place a wire rack over the chips if you are worried about them blowing around in the air fryer.

Final Thoughts

Air fryer leftovers is the best way to use your air fryer! You will love reheating leftovers in your air fryer because you can crispy and amazing food once again!

Share with us in the comments below what foods you like to reheat in the air fryer!

Frequently Asked Questions About Leftovers

How long do leftovers last in the fridge?

Leftovers last best for three to four days in the refrigerator. If you don’t think you will be able to eat the food in that amount of time you can throw it out or store it in the freezer for 3-6 months (Source).

How long are leftovers from a restaurant good for?

Just like any leftovers you bake, restaurant leftovers are best for 3 to 4 days if stored in the refrigerator. You will want to place the leftovers in the refrigerator within an two hours (Source).

Can you reheat leftovers and then refrigerate them again?

The answer to this question comes from USDA.gov

After each reheating, leftovers will be safe in the fridge for an additional three to four days. Because the quality decreases each time food is reheated, it is best to reheat only the amount needed. Cooked foods that cannot be used within four days should be frozen for longer, safe storage. Leftovers are safe in the freezer indefinitely, but they are at best quality for a few months.

More air fryer tips and tricks

Are you making one of these 12 air fryer mistakes? Or do you know how to convert any oven recipe for the air fryer? Read these air fryer tips, tricks, hack, and facts to make the most out of air frying.

• Air Fryer 101
• The Ultimate Guide to Air Fryers: 25 Air Fryer Tips and Tricks From Start to Finish
• 12 Air Fryer Mistakes!
• The Best and Worst Air Fryer Accessories
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Buying Guide
• WatchFabulessly FrugalYouTube Channel for Air Fryer Recipes