Reheating cooked fried chicken in an air fryer is a great way to get it crispy again without drying it out.
Steps to Reheat Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer
To reheat your leftover fried chicken and bring back its delicious crispiness, follow these simple steps based on expert advice:
- Preparation: First, take your cooked fried chicken pieces and lay them out in a single layer on the air fryer rack. This ensures even heating and crisping.
- Room Temperature: Before reheating, let the chicken come to room temperature on the countertop. This helps it heat more evenly from the inside out.
- Preheat: Heat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. A preheated air fryer helps achieve that crispy exterior quickly.
- Air Frying Time: Once the air fryer is hot, place the chicken inside and reheat the chicken for 5 to 8 minutes. The exact time may vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces.
- Check for Doneness: After 5 minutes, check if the chicken is heated through. If needed, continue air frying for the remaining time.
Quick Reference Guide
Here's a handy summary of the key settings:
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Single layer on rack |
| Pre-heating | Let chicken come to room temperature |
| Temperature | 375°F |
| Time | 5 to 8 minutes |
Why Use an Air Fryer for Reheating?
Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer is effective because of how the appliance works. As recommended by experts like Beal, air fryers quickly circulate hot air around the food via a fan system. This intense circulation helps to crisp up the exterior of the cooked chicken while gently reheating the inside, often allowing you to lower the time and temperature compared to other methods like conventional ovens.
Using an air fryer is generally preferred over a microwave for reheating fried chicken, as a microwave tends to make the breading soggy. The air fryer mimics the results of re-frying without the added oil.
Tips for Best Results:
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Reheat in batches if necessary to maintain a single layer.
- You can flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time (around 3-4 minutes) for maximum crispiness on all sides, although this is not always required.
- The reheating time can vary based on your specific air fryer model and the size of the chicken pieces. Start checking at the lower end of the time range (5 minutes).
By following these steps, you can enjoy your leftover fried chicken with a crispy, just-cooked texture.
