Best Way To: Reheat Burrito In Air Fryer
Want your reheated burrito to taste fresh-made? An air fryer can help, just master these key points.
What's the correct way to reheat a burrito in an air fryer?
Yes, you can heat it wrapped in aluminum foil, but there are some points to note. Burritos themselves have a relatively high moisture content. Wrapping them completely can easily make the tortilla become soft and saggy. I've tried two methods: loose wrapping and half - wrapping work best.
First, crumple the aluminum foil and then unfold it to create an uneven surface. Wrap the burrito diagonally, leaving 3 cm at both ends unsealed. This way, hot air can enter through the gaps. Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F), put the burrito wrapped in aluminum foil inside, and heat for 5 minutes. By this time, the filling is basically thoroughly heated, but the tortilla is still soft.
Quickly unwrap the aluminum foil and place the burrito directly in the fry basket. Raise the temperature to 180°C (356°F) and heat for another 2 minutes. This way, the outer layer can regain its crispness without making the cheese completely melt and leak out. If the tortilla is originally very thin and crispy, place a piece of baking paper on the inner side of the aluminum foil when wrapping to prevent sticking and avoid tearing the surface.
Be careful with burritos containing refried beans or rice. It's best to thaw them for 10 minutes first. Once, when I directly heated a frozen burrito wrapped in aluminum foil, the center was still cold. Later, I changed the method to heating for 6 minutes at 170°C (338°F) with the aluminum foil on, and then heating for another 3 minutes after unwrapping. This way, the rice grains won't become dry and hard.
Can you air fry a burrito wrapped in foil?
Yes, you can heat it wrapped in aluminum foil, but there are some points to note. Burritos themselves contain a lot of moisture, and wrapping them completely can easily make the tortilla soft and saggy. I've tried two methods: loose wrapping and half - wrapping work best.
First, crumple the aluminum foil and then unfold it to create an uneven surface. Wrap the burrito diagonally, leaving 3 centimeters at both ends unsealed so that hot air can enter through the gaps. Preheat the air fryer to 160 degrees Celsius and put the burrito wrapped in aluminum foil in it and heat for 5 minutes. By this time, the filling is basically thoroughly heated, but the tortilla is still soft.
Quickly unwrap the aluminum foil and place the burrito directly in the fry basket. Increase the temperature to 180 degrees Celsius and heat for another 2 minutes. This way, the outer layer can regain its crispness without making the cheese completely melt and leak out. If the tortilla is originally very thin and crispy, place a piece of baking paper on the inside of the aluminum foil when wrapping to prevent sticking and tearing the surface.
Be careful with burritos with refried beans or rice. It's best to thaw them for 10 minutes first. One time, I directly heated a frozen burrito wrapped in aluminum foil, and the center was still cold. Later, I changed the method to heating with aluminum foil at 170 degrees Celsius for 6 minutes first, and then heating for another 3 minutes after unwrapping. This way, the rice grains won't become dry and hard.
How to prevent the burrito from drying out in the air fryer?
First, pre - treat the tortilla
Spray water on refrigerated or homemade burritos first: Use a spray bottle to evenly spray the surface 3 - 4 times, and then thinly coat a layer of olive oil with a brush. If you spray water directly on a frozen burrito without thawing, it will freeze. It is recommended to let it warm at room temperature for 5 minutes before operating.
Targeted protection for the filling
For burritos containing rice/beans: Squeeze a small amount of lemon juice or broth in the filling area before heating. Wrap this part with aluminum foil and expose the tortilla part for heating.
For burritos with cheese/sauce: Place a lettuce leaf or baking paper between the filling and the tortilla to prevent the sauce from being dried out by the hot air.
Stage - by - stage temperature control method
Heat at 160°F (71°C) for the first 4 minutes to allow the inside to warm up evenly. Then adjust the temperature to 185°F (85°C) for the next 2 minutes. Pull out the fry basket and quickly spray water once more on the creases of the tortilla. This way, the tortilla can become crispy without losing moisture.
How many burritos can I reheat at once in an air fryer?
I usually use a 4 - liter air fryer to reheat commercially available frozen burritos. After actual testing, it's safest to put 3 small - sized ones (12 cm in diameter) at the same time. Heat them at 180°C for 8 minutes and flip them once halfway. If the length of the burrito exceeds half of the length of the fry basket, it is recommended to process only 1 at a time. Cutting it in half will produce a better heating effect.
Reference quantity suggestions:
For standard - sized burritos (about 20 cm long): You can lay at most 2 flat, and when placed vertically, no more than 3. There must be a gap the width of a finger in between.
For mini burritos (about 15 cm long): You can put 4, but stack them in a staggered pyramid shape. Adjust their positions every 3 minutes during heating.
How long should I let the reheated burrito rest before eating?
It is recommended to let it rest for 1 to 2 minutes before eating.
For burritos with a lot of broth or sauce
Let it rest for a full 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken appropriately. Place the burrito on its side on a plate, and put a sheet of kitchen paper under the bottom to absorb the excess moisture and prevent the tortilla from getting soggy.
For burritos mainly filled with meat or beans
It is best to let it rest for about 1 minute and 15 seconds. Gently make two thin cuts on the tortilla with a knife (without cutting through) to help the hot air escape from specific positions and avoid the filling bursting due to excessive internal pressure.
For cold - eating burritos with crispy vegetables
Shorten the resting time to 45 seconds. At the same time, stand the burrito upright in a ventilated place, such as on the rim of a cup, to allow both the bottom and the top to dissipate heat and maintain the crispness of the vegetables.
Can you reheat a burrito twice?
My advice is to try to avoid it. If you must reheat it a second time, follow these methods to reduce the risks:
Operable conditions
The burrito has not been cut after the first heating and has been refrigerated for no more than 12 hours.
The filling does not contain easily perishable ingredients (such as raw eggs, yogurt sauce).
Before the second heating, check that the tortilla is not sticky and has no strange smell.
Remedial steps
Disassemble and reassemble: Unwrap the burrito. Heat the moist fillings (meat, beans) separately in the microwave on medium power for 30 seconds. Crispen the tortilla separately in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 2 minutes. Finally, re - wrap it.
Low - temperature and slow - heating method: Completely wrap the burrito with aluminum foil. Set the temperature to 150°C (302°F) and heat for 8 minutes without turning it over during the process. After unwrapping the aluminum foil, increase the temperature to 170°C (338°F) and heat for an additional 1 minute to restore the toughness of the tortilla.