The Ultimate Air Fryer Reheating Guide for Leftovers

Time after time, we’ve pondered the age-old question: What is the truly best way to make our leftovers taste like new? Oftentimes leftovers can lose their magic when reheated, like when it becomes chewy when you microwave it for too long or finding it still ice-cold in the middle if you don’t heat them long enough in the oven. But in the age of the air fryer, there’s no longer any reason for subpar leftovers.

With an air fryer, you can give your leftovers a second life, achieving crispy textures, juicy centers, and flavors that burst forth as if they were freshly made. So bid farewell to soggy pizza and rubbery steak because we've put together a handy cheat sheet on how best to reheat your leftovers in your air fryer. 

A cold slice of pizza is a classic leftover but microwaving it can make the crust a chewy disappointment. With an air fryer at your side, you can easily restore your pizza’s signature crisp while keeping the cheese mouthwateringly melty.

How to Reheat:

• Thin crust: 350°F for 3 – 4 minutes
  
  
• Thick crust: 320°F for 3 – 5 minutes
  
  
• Toppings-heavy: 325°F for 5 minutes to prevent burning

Results: A golden-brown, crispy crust with bubbling cheese as if it were freshly delivered mere moments ago.

Reheating steak can be tricky. Too hot and you lose its juiciness, or not hot enough and you're left with something rubbery that may have once been steak. An air fryer can help keep your steak tender while reviving its exterior.

How to Reheat:

• Whole steak: 400°F for 4 – 8 minutes, flipping halfway through the reheat
  
  
• Sliced steak: 400°F for 3 – 5 minutes, spreading the steak in a single layer

Results: A juicy interior with a beautiful exterior crust. No dry, overcooked bites here. Just a job well done (except for the steak).

Reheating rotisserie chicken in the microwave can result in an unsatisfyingly dry, chewy bird. This is far from the case with an air fryer, which re-crisps the chicken’s skin while maintaining its moisture, ensuring your chicken remains delicious.

How to Reheat:

• Whole chicken: 300°F for 20 – 30 minutes
  
  

• Shredded or smaller pieces: 375°F for 10 – 12 minutes

Results: Golden-brown skin and juicy, flavorful meat. No extra sauces required.

Fries are perhaps the number one perpetrator when it comes to coming out limp and soggy after a bout in the microwave. An air fryer can revitalize them, rebirthing their unparalleled original crunch.

How to Reheat:

• Thin-cut (fast food-style): 400°F for 3 – 5 minutes
  
  

• Thick-cut (steak fries, wedges): 375°F for 5 – 6 minutes
  
  

• Curly or waffle fries: 375°F for 4 – 5 minutes

Results: Crispy, golden fries with a soft and fluffy interior that taste fresh from the fryer. Ketchup not included.

Leftover fried chicken often loses its decadent crunch after sitting in the fridge, but your air fryer can restore it back to crunchy and moist glory.

How to Reheat:

• Bone-in pieces: 375°F for 10 – 12 minutes
  
  

• Boneless tenders: 375°F for 4 – 5 minutes

Results: A crackling, golden crust with a juicy, tender center.

Good ribs require a delicate balance of crispiness and tenderness, which your air fryer can deliver easily with the right settings.

How to Reheat:

• Bone-in ribs: 350°F for 13 – 15 minutes
  
  

• Boneless ribs: 350°F for 4 – 5 minutes
  
  

• Tip: Brush with BBQ sauce before reheating for extra flavor.

Results: Tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with a slightly crisp out layer.

Microwaving baked potatoes can sometimes result in uneven heating. You can forget about a piping-hot exterior and ice-cold interior when using your air fryer, which helps you achieve a crispy skin with a fluffy center.

How to Reheat:

• Whole baked potato: 365°F for 12 – 15 minutes
  
  

• Sliced open: 375°F for 4 – 5 minutes

Results: A crispy, golden skin with a steamy, fluffy inside.

Pasta can turn out mushy or plain wrong when microwaved, but an air fryer can restore your noodles back to their satisfying texture.

How to Reheat:

• Single portion: 350°F for 6 – 10 minutes (use an oven-safe dish)
  
  

• Tip: Add a splash of water or sauce to keep it from drying out.

Results: For baked pastas, you'll get a golden brown, cheesy top layer, while with creamier pasta, your reward will be a warmed, tender al dente pasta with its original decadence. It's as if it was homemade right from the old country.

Rice and vegetables tend to dry out in the microwave, but your air fryer can reinvigorate them with moisture while adding an idyllic touch of crispness.

How to Reheat:

• Rice: 350°F for 3 – 4 minutes (add a few drops of water)
  
  

• Vegetables: 375°F for 3 – 5 minutes

Results: Rice stays fluffy, and veggies regain their vibrant texture with a crispy, golden-brown exterior and tender interior.

Lasagna necessitates an even reheat or else your pasta creation may turn out watery or overcooked. No thanks.

How to Reheat:

• Single slice: 350°F for 6 – 7 minutes
  
  

• Whole portion: 325°F for 12 – 15 minutes (cover with foil to prevent over-browning)

Results: Gooey, glossy cheesy layers, bubbling sauce, and sizzling edges. No more mushy mess keeps everyone happy.

Unlike the microwave, which can often leave food soggy and unsatisfying, or an oven, which takes forever to preheat, an air fryer strikes the perfect balance. It’s fast, effective, and restores the texture of your food as if it were freshly made. Whether you want to revive your leftovers’ crispiness, juiciness, or flavors, the air fryer is the ultimate tool for helping you enjoy your dishes a second time.

So, fire up that air fryer and enjoy leftovers the way they were meant to be!