Tired of boring leftovers?
Well, leftovers are definitely a treasure trove of cooking goodness waiting to be rediscovered, and when the leftovers are fried chicken, you can’t imagine wasting a bit of it.
Also, there’s nothing worse than soggy chicken cooked or reheated in a microwave. Therefore, we recommend you utilize the powerhouse, an air fryer, and unveil the secret to unlock its full potential beyond cooking from scratch.
In this quick, handy guide, we will walk you through how to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer and save time, hassle, and energy while savoring your favorite chicken pieces’ delicious flavors and texture.
Why Air Fryer is the Best to Reheat Chicken?
Compared to traditional methods and microwaves, air fryers work quickly and safely while reheating the chicken. The rapid circulation of hot air ensures even heat distribution, reducing heating time and keeping the crispiness and juiciness of chicken alive.
Also, air fryers are a thoughtful and wise alternative to ovens as they are energy-efficient, making them timely and cost-effective. Besides, air fryers, compared to ovens, don’t require much preheating, allowing you to place the food items in a basket, set the temperature, and boom!
How to Reheat the Fried Chicken? (Steps)
Get ready to experience fried chicken leftovers like never before. Unlock the secret to achieving a crispy exterior and moist interior of cooked chicken with the magic of an air fryer.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to reheat the chicken absolutely hassle-free.
Total Time: 4 minutes
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
First, preheat your air fryer to 350F. It is important to create an ideal reheating environment for your fried chicken. This temperature is tested and recommended by chefs as it guarantees perfect reheating of fried chicken while maintaining its crispiness from the outside and tenderness on the inside.
Step 2: Arrange Chicken Smartly
The next important step to preheating the chicken to perfection is assembling it in the fryer basket. Arrange the fried chicken pieces in a single layer into the basket, giving each piece enough space to breathe so they catch enough heat and result in golden-brown crispiness.
If your air fryer is large, try using a rotisserie basket, but avoid overcrowding the baskets at all costs. Not only will the air fryer keep popping open, but it will also not be able to reheat the chicken equally and consume more time than usual.
Step 3: Maximize the Crispiness
If you want to retain the juiciness of your chicken while making it extra crispy, try the secret of spritzing the pieces lightly with cooking spray or olive oil. It will preserve their flavor and give you mouth watering results like freshly fried ones.
Step 4: Time it Right
With the air fryer, timing is everything. You can master the art of setting the temperature and time right and open doors to endless cooking possibilities with this machine.
So, after setting the temperature to 350F, reheat the chicken pieces for about 3-4 minutes on each side. If you have a thermometer, reheat the pieces until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
You can enjoy the fried chicken thoroughly reheated with patience and the right timings.
Step 5: Flip Halfway Reheating
Flipping the chicken halfway through the reheating process is the best idea. This simple and quick step ensures evenly crispy coating on both sides,
Step 6: Plate and Serve
As soon as your fried chicken reaches the ideal level of crispiness, it’s time to turn off the air fryer, plate up the piece, and serve with the desired sauce or sides.
Supply:
- Cooking spray or Olive Oil
Tools:
- Air Fryer
Materials: Not Required
Time-Saving Tips for Reheating Fried Chicken
- Preheat the air fryer to 350F.
- Ensure the air fryer basket is neat and clean.
- To ensure even reheating while saving time, do not overcrowd the basket.
- Reheat the chicken pieces in batches if necessary.
- Only reheat the chicken for 3-4 minutes. If they’re not done properly, try reheating for further 2 minutes with strict monitoring.
- To speed up the process without any compromises, use a bit of olive oil or cooking spray on the chicken.
- For quicker results, set the temperature to a slightly higher temperature, around 375F-390F. Keep an eye on the chicken to prevent overcooking.
- Use the parchment paper lining on the fryer basket to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I reheat fried chicken in the oven or air fryer?
Undoubtedly, the air fryer is the best choice to reheat fried chicken. It only ensures a crispy exterior and preserves the chicken’s taste and tenderness. Air fryers are more energy-efficient than ovens due to their cutting-edge cooking technology.
What’s the best way to reheat fried chicken without drying it out?
To reheat the chicken without drying out, use the air fryer at a recommended temperature of 350F. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer and brush the pieces with olive oil or cooking spray for that extra crunch while preserving the taste.
How to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer without drying it out?
Preheat the air fryer to 350F. Put chicken pieces in a single layer in a basket and avoid overcrowding. Brush the food items with olive oil and set the timer to 4 minutes. Keep monitoring until you see the golden-crown skin. Take them out and serve them with a sauce.
Bottom Line
Air fryers are the premium choice for cooking and reheating fried chicken due to their rapid speed, cutting-edge technology, and adjustable temperature controls. Air fryers allow you to indulge in your favorite fried items without excessive oil or drying out the meat.
By following the right protocol of reheating the chicken, you can effortlessly enjoy the magic of air frying and elevate your leftover fried chicken pieces to a whole new level of deliciousness!
Isla Zoey is the Owner and Author of Air Fryer Mag, She love to use, test and write about the Air fryers.