Boneless wings are a popular appetizer and meal option for many people. They provide the great taste of chicken wings without the hassle of dealing with bones. However, heating up leftover boneless wings can be tricky. You want to make sure you reheat them properly so they come out hot and crispy again. Here are some tips on the best way to reheat boneless wings.
Oven
One of the best ways to reheat boneless wings is in the oven. This allows you to reheat them evenly throughout without drying them out. Follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the leftover boneless wings on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Make sure they are spread out in a single layer and not overlapping each other.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through. This ensures they heat evenly.
- Check that the wings are hot throughout and slightly crispy on the outside. Bake for an additional 5 minutes if needed.
- Serve immediately once fully heated through.
The oven provides a nice crispness to the outside of the wings while thoroughly heating the inside without drying them out. Just be careful not to overbake them, as that may lead to dryness.
Air Fryer
An air fryer is another excellent way to reheat boneless wings. The circulating hot air will help refry the wings to crispy perfection. Here is how to do it:
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
- Place the leftover wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not overlapping.
- Air fry for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
- The wings are done when hot and crispy again on the outside.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
The air fryer will give you crispy results similar to deep frying without having to use any additional oil. The wings may not get as hot on the inside as the oven, so watch the cook time closely.
Microwave
For a quick reheating method, the microwave can work in a pinch. Microwaving does risk drying out the wings, so use care with cook times. Follow these tips:
- Place wings on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer.
- Microwave on HIGH in 30 second intervals until heated through, flipping halfway.
- Watch closely to avoid overcooking. This may take 1-3 minutes total depending on amount.
- Let rest 1 minute before serving.
- The wings will steam and lose their crispiness. You can optionally run them under the broiler after microwaving to recrisp the skin.
While microwaving is fast, the results won’t be as good as the oven or air fryer. Only use this method if you are short on time and don’t mind softer wings.
Stovetop
You can also reheat boneless wings on the stovetop using a skillet. Here is the process:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- When oil is shimmering, add wings in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until heated through.
- To crisp them back up, turn heat to high and cook 1-2 minutes per side to brown them.
- Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Serve wings immediately once reheated.
Pan frying the wings will help crisp up the outside again. Just be careful not to burn them if the heat is too high. It may take some trial and error to get the frying time just right.
Deep Fryer
Deep frying is one of the best ways to get hot and crispy boneless wings, just like at a restaurant. Use a deep fryer or pot with oil to refry the wings. Here are some tips:
- Heat oil to 350°F – 375°F.
- Fry wings for 2-3 minutes until heated through and golden brown.
- Work in small batches to allow for even cooking and to prevent oil temp dropping.
- Let excess oil drain off on a paper towel lined plate.
- Season again if desired and serve hot.
Deep frying really locks in the crispy texture but requires more oil and cleanup. Make sure to watch oil temps closely when reheating a large batch.
Comparison of Methods
Each reheating method has its pros and cons. Here is a comparison of the different methods:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | Even heating throughout; Gets crispy | Takes longer; Can dry out if overcooked |
| Air Fryer | Quick; Gets very crispy | Smaller batches; Uneven heating |
| Microwave | Fastest method; Minimal effort | Wings get soggy; Uneven heating |
| Stovetop | Recrisps skin nicely | Easy to burn/overcook; Longer cook time |
| Deep Fryer | Best crispiness; Restaurant quality | Messy; Requires a lot of oil |
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips for getting the best results when reheating boneless wings:
- Use the oven or air fryer when possible for hot and crispy wings.
- Make sure not to overcrowd wings when reheating. Cook in a single layer.
- Flip/rotate wings during reheating for even cooking.
- Let wings rest 1-2 minutes after cooking before serving.
- Toss in sauce after reheating so they don’t get soggy.
- Reseason wings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. to boost flavor.
- Don’t reheat more than once, as this dries them out.
- Store leftover wings properly covered in fridge for no more than 4 days.
Conclusion
Reheating leftover boneless wings can be easy and delicious with the right technique. Using the oven or air fryer are your best bets for getting crispy, juicy results. Just avoid overcooking them. Proper storage and reheating in batches are also key. Follow these tips for enjoying your leftover wings as much as the first time around. Now you don’t have to waste any extras!