How to Reheat Chicken Wings in Air Fryer: Tips for the Best Results
How to reheat leftover chicken wings in an air fryer?
Reheating leftover chicken wings in an air fryer is super easy and gives great results, keeping the crispy exterior intact.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. This ensures even heating and prevents the wings from being unevenly reheated.
Prepare the Wings
Take the leftover chicken wings out of the fridge and let them sit for a few minutes to warm up slightly. If the wings seem a bit dry, you can lightly spray them with oil to help maintain the crispiness.
Place in the Air Fryer
Arrange the wings evenly in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other. This allows the hot air to circulate properly, ensuring each wing heats up evenly.
Reheat
Set the time for about 5-7 minutes, adjusting depending on the size of the wings and the model of your air fryer. Reheat until the skin is crispy and the meat is hot all the way through.
Check and Flip
If needed, flip the wings halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating and keep the skin crispy on both sides.
With this method, the wings will come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside—perfect for reheating leftovers!
How long does it take to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer at 350°F?
To reheat chicken wings in an air fryer at 350°F (about 177°C), it usually takes around 6-8 minutes. However, using a meat thermometer for accuracy is always a good idea.
When the internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 74°C), the wings are fully heated through. This ensures a crispy exterior and moist interior while being safe to eat. Just check with a thermometer, and you'll have perfectly reheated wings!
Should you spray oil on chicken wings before reheating them in an air fryer?
Yes, it's a good idea to lightly spray oil on chicken wings before reheating them. Here are a few reasons why:
Keeps the Skin Crispy
Spraying oil helps maintain the crispiness of the skin, preventing it from becoming dry and tough during reheating. The oil forms a light, crisp coating in the high heat of the air fryer, improving the texture.
Prevents Dryness
The oil helps seal in moisture on the surface of the wings, reducing the dryness caused by moisture loss during reheating.
Enhances Flavor
Spraying oil also enhances the flavor of the wings, especially if you use oils like olive oil or butter that have their own aromatic qualities.
When spraying oil, make sure to use a light hand. A thin layer is enough to keep the wings crispy without making them greasy.
How to prevent chicken wings from sticking together in an air fryer?
Chicken wings sticking together in the air fryer is a common issue, but here are some simple ways to avoid it:
Spray or Brush with Oil
Spraying or brushing oil on the wings helps prevent sticking while also adding crispiness to the skin.
Maintain Sufficient Space Between Wings
Make sure there is enough space between the chicken wings. If they are too crowded, the hot air won't circulate properly, causing the wings to stick. Try to arrange them in a single layer with enough space to allow air flow.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating the air fryer is a good habit. It ensures the wings start cooking immediately, reducing the chances of them sticking together.
Flip the Wings
Flipping the wings halfway through the cooking process ensures even heat distribution on both sides, preventing the surface from becoming too hot and sticky.
Why are my reheated chicken wings dry?
The most common reason chicken wings turn out dry when reheating is improper temperature or time control. From my experience, the key to keeping wings moist is reheating them at low temperature, slowly. While both the air fryer and oven are great options, it's important not to overdo it and dry them out.
Whenever I run into this issue, I adjust my approach to prevent dryness. For example, when reheating in the microwave, adding a bit of water or wrapping the wings with a damp paper towel can help retain moisture. These little tricks can make a big difference in the taste and texture, so I hope you give them a try to achieve perfectly reheated wings!
Is it better to reheat chicken wings in the microwave or air fryer?
The air fryer is definitely the better option. It ensures even heating, and the skin stays crispy instead of becoming soft or soggy, making the wings taste almost like they were just freshly fried.
On the other hand, the microwave isn’t ideal for keeping that crispy texture. While it heats up quickly, it tends to make the skin soggy, and the texture isn’t as good. If you’re just looking for a quick reheat and don’t mind sacrificing the crispiness, the microwave is convenient, especially when the crispiness isn’t a priority.
