Air fryers have become increasingly popular kitchen appliances for quick and easy cooking and reheating. Their ability to make crunchy and delicious chicken wings is one of the main reasons people love them. But what is the best technique for reheating previously cooked chicken wings in an air fryer? Here are some tips to heat up your leftover wings to crispy, mouthwatering perfection.
Should You Reheat Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a great way to reheat fried chicken wings. The circulating hot air will help crisp up the skin again while thoroughly reheating the inside. Air frying avoids the rubbery texture microwaves can create. It also avoids the greasiness of reheating wings in the oven under a broiler. Air frying wings is quick and convenient.
How to Reheat Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer
Follow these steps for the best results reheating chicken wings in an air fryer:
1. Use Completely Cooked Wings
Make sure the wings you are reheating are fully cooked. Don’t try to use raw or undercooked wings. The short air fryer reheating time won’t cook them through. Use cooked leftover wings or prepare wings in the oven or instant pot first before transferring to the air fryer.
2. Pat Wings Dry
Before air frying, pat the chicken wings with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Dry skin will get crisper in the air fryer.
3. Coat Wings with Oil or Sauce
Toss the wings in a tablespoon or two of oil. This helps promote browning and crispness. Another option is to coat the wings in a small amount of sauce, like buffalo wing sauce. The sugars in the sauce aid caramelization.
4. Arrange Wings in Air Fryer Basket
Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Overlap the wings slightly if needed. Air flow is important for even crisping.
5. Reheat at 400°F for 5-8 Minutes
Reheat the wings at 400°F, flipping them over halfway through. The time depends on the amount of wings and their size. For about 1 pound of wings or less, reheating will take around 5-8 minutes. Check for doneness and increase time if needed.
6. Toss Wings in Sauce (Optional)
If you want sauced wings, toss the hot crispy wings with extra sauce after air frying. The heat helps the sauce coat the wings evenly.
Tips for the Best Results
Keep these tips in mind for delicious reheated chicken wings from your air fryer:
- Don’t overfill the air fryer basket – Air flow is crucial
- Use a lower temperature for meatier wings – Around 350°F
- Double check doneness at 5 minutes – Cook longer if needed
- Let sauce thicken before tossing wings in it
- Brush wings with oil or sauce before reheating for extra crispness
How Long Do Reheated Wings Last?
Properly stored, reheated chicken wings will stay fresh 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Let them cool completely before storing in a covered container. Reheated wings can also be frozen for longer storage. Refrigerate thawed wings and use within 3-4 days.
What Temperature Should You Reheat Chicken Wings?
The best temperature to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer is 400°F. This high heat helps the skin get crispy and the interior hot without drying out. For meatier wings, try lowering the temperature to 350°F. Check for doneness at 5 minutes and continue cooking if needed.
Can You Reheat Chicken Wings Twice?
It’s best to avoid reheating cooked chicken wings more than once. The texture tends to suffer with multiple reheatings. The chicken dries out, skin gets rubbery, and moisture is lost. For food safety, only reheat wings once before consuming or tossing.
Other Tips for Reheating Chicken Wings
While air frying is the quickest and crispiest, here are some other good options for reheating chicken wings:
- Oven – Place on a baking sheet at 400°F for 10-15 minutes
- Toaster oven – Crisp wings at 450°F for 7-10 minutes
- Microwave – Best for sauced wings, heat in 30 second intervals
- Stovetop – Fry in oil over medium heat until heated through
Conclusion
Air frying is an easy way to reheat fried chicken wings to crispy perfection. Allow 5-8 minutes at 400°F for tasty results. Dry the wings first, coat with oil or sauce, and don’t overcrowd the basket. Refrigerate reheated wings and enjoy within 3-4 days. With the right technique, your leftover wings can taste just as amazing as when they were first cooked.