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Here’s the best way to reheat a spicy chicken patty in an air fryer!

Posted: 02/17/2025

Chicken patty

Not sure what to do with leftover spicy chicken patties in your fridge? Don’t worry! Today, I'll show you how to reheat them in an air fryer and restore their delicious flavor.

How to reheat a spicy chicken patty in air fryer?

Reheating spicy chicken patties in an air fryer is simple:

Prepare the Chicken Patties: If the patties are frozen, it’s best to let them thaw at room temperature first, or heat them in the microwave for a short time to soften them.

Line with Foil: Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil. This prevents the chicken patties from sticking to the basket and makes for easier cleaning afterward.

Place the Chicken Patties: Arrange the spicy chicken patties flat in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other. This ensures even heat distribution.

Reheat: Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and set the temperature to 180°C (356°F) for 8 to 10 minutes. Adjust the time based on the size and thickness of the patties.

Check: Halfway through heating, you can open the air fryer to check the patties. Make sure the outer crust is crispy and the inside is thoroughly heated. You can insert a toothpick into the patties, and if there’s no sticky batter on it, they’re ready.

Enjoy: After heating, remove the patties from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before enjoying!

Tips

Avoid Overheating: The air fryer heats up quickly, which can cause the outer crust of the patties to dry out. Keep an eye on the time.

Keep it Crispy: The outer crust should remain crispy while the inside stays juicy. If you prefer a crispier texture, brush a light coat of olive oil on the surface of the patties before reheating.

How long to cook frozen chicken patties in air fryer?

Based on my experience, I recommend preheating the air fryer to around 180°C (356°F) for 3-5 minutes before cooking.

Chicken patty

Next, place the frozen chicken patties in the air fryer. For best results, set the temperature to 180°C (356°F). If the patties are thin, about 1 to 2 cm thick, they’ll need about 8 to 10 minutes of reheating time. For thicker patties (around 2 to 3 cm), heat them for 10 to 15 minutes.

After 4-5 minutes for thinner patties, or 5-7.5 minutes for thicker ones, flip the patties over to ensure even heating. This will ensure they’re cooked through and maintain the best texture.

Keep in mind that air fryer models vary, so you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on the specific model. Check the patties frequently until the surface turns golden and no blood seeps out when poked with chopsticks. That’s when they’re done!

Why Your Chicken Patties Aren’t Crispy After Reheating?

If your chicken patties aren’t crispy after reheating, here are some possible reasons:

Moisture: If the patties contain too much moisture, it will evaporate during heating, making the crust soft instead of crispy. To prevent this, reduce the moisture in the filling when preparing the patties or use paper towels to absorb excess moisture before reheating.

Temperature and Time: If the heating temperature or time isn’t right, the patties might not crisp up properly. If the temperature is too low, the patties will absorb too much moisture and won’t be crispy. If it’s too high, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked through.

I recommend setting the air fryer temperature to 180°C to 200°C (356°F to 392°F) and reheating for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Thawing Method: If you thaw the chicken patties in the microwave, they might lose too much moisture, affecting the texture. It’s better to thaw them in the fridge (low-temperature thawing) to keep their moisture and texture intact.

Making Method: If the dough is too thick or there’s too much filling, it can cause the patties to lose their crispiness after reheating. Ensure the dough is rolled out evenly and the filling is just the right amount for better crispiness after heating.

Storage: If the chicken patties were stored improperly, like exposed to air and moisture, they might lose their crispiness after reheating. Store them in an airtight container to prevent exposure to air.

Thawed chicken patties in air fryer

Defrosting chicken patties in the air fryer is easy. Here’s how:

Chicken patty

Remove the frozen chicken patties from the freezer.

Set the air fryer temperature to 160°C to 180°C (320°F to 356°F) and preheat for 2-3 minutes.

Place the frozen chicken patties in the air fryer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until they are fully thawed. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of the patties.

Best Ways to Defrost Chicken Patties?

There are several ways to defrost frozen chicken patties, but my favorite methods are low-temperature thawing and the cold-water method.

Low-Temperature Thawing: Take the chicken patties out of the freezer and place them in the fridge to thaw naturally. This method helps preserve the texture and flavor of the patties, preventing moisture loss and bacterial growth from high temperatures.

Cold-Water Method: Place the chicken patties in a sealed bag, then submerge the bag in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the patties are fully thawed. This method also helps maintain the texture and flavor of the patties.

How to reheat chicken in air fryer without drying it out?

To avoid drying out your chicken when reheating in the air fryer, follow these tips:

Chicken patty

Avoid Overheating: Air fryers operate at high temperatures, which can dry out the chicken skin quickly if left too long. Monitor the cooking time closely.

Keep it Moist: Brush a light layer of olive oil over the chicken before reheating to help lock in moisture and keep the chicken juicy.

Flip Regularly: Turn the chicken during heating to ensure even cooking on all sides. This prevents one side from drying out while the other cooks.

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