Whether it is a big BBQ outdoor party or a cozy weekend gathering with your friends and family, one can never go wrong with chicken wings. The traditional dish is super tempting and incredibly easy to prepare. But, what should you do when you are left with some extra chicken wings? Is it okay to reheat and have them later? What is the best method to restore the crispiness of reheated chicken wings? Let’s find out.
It is best to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer. In a preheated air fryer, add the leftover chicken pieces into the basket and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes (at~ 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit). Turn each piece in between. The estimated time of cooking will depend upon the size of the chicken wings, whether they are frozen/ refrigerated, and the performance of the air fryer.
No matter whether you are reheating classic-style buffalo wings, Korean-fried wings, grilled or sauced chicken wings, an air fryer is extremely effective in preserving the exact crispness, texture, taste, and juiciness of any delicious preparation. Continue reading to find out how to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer.
Can You Eat Leftover Chicken Wings?
Who will ever want to throw away leftover chicken wings when they can taste as good as fresh? But, leftover chicken wings should be consumed only when you store them right. Store them in a zip lock bag immediately after the meal or a maximum of 2 hours after cooking. If they are set out for a longer time, there might be chances of contamination. If you are not reheating the chicken wings within four days, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Double-wrap them to avoid the chances of freeze-burn.
Why Reheat Wings In An Air Fryer?
To keep the leftover chicken wings tasting juicy, crispy, and delicious, you need to always follow the right technique. Traditionally, most of us find it easy to reheat food in the microwave. But, food reheated in the microwave will often turn out to be dry or soggy, or the internals may remain cold. On the other hand, reheating chicken wings in the oven produces better results, but at the cost of greater time and close attention.
In today’s world, air fryers are the most advanced and perfect equipment for reheating wings. It is a real timesaver and leaves no waste. When you reheat chicken wings in an air fryer, they always turn out to be perfectly cooked on the inside and crispy on the outside.
What Temp To Reheat Wings In An Air Fryer?
As long as you reheat the wings only once and follow the right technique, you will be able to restore their original taste. Reheating the chicken wings in the air fryer only takes about a few minutes. Barbequed wings in an air fryer should be reheated at 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 176.7 to 190.5℉), depending upon the size of the wings.
How To Reheat Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer?
The air fryer works by circulating hot air inside the equipment. There is minimum consumption of oil, and the food turns out to be extra crispy and juicy in a matter of minutes. It is easy and super-fast to cook or reheat food in an air fryer, and it yields the same delectable taste as in an oven. Here is a simple step-by-step guide for reheating wings in an air fryer:
- Keep the refrigerated chicken wings at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 190.5℉). This step prevents drying out of the wings.
- Place a batch of leftover chicken wings in the basket. Do not forget to leave some space between each piece.
- Cook the wings for 3-4 minutes, turn them, and again air fry them for another 2-3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once the internal temperature of chicken wings reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (or 74°C) you can remove them from the air fryer. Serve immediately.
Watch this video and learn the simple way to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer.
How Long To Cook Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer?
The total time for reheating chicken wings in an air fryer is ~5-7 minutes, depending upon the size of the wings. To make the chicken wings even crispier, brush with some oil and increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 190.5 ℉). Fry for another 2 minutes. If you have large wing pieces, then you should cook for 2.5 to 3 minutes. Remember, it is not necessary to use oil in an air fryer.
How To Reheat Frozen Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer?
To retain the maximum taste of frozen chicken wings, first, thaw them at room temperature for about an hour. Use a paper towel to remove extra moisture from the top of the wings. Next, cook them in the air fryer according to the above guide or until the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (or 74℃).
How To Reheat Sauced Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer?
When you reheat chicken wings, oftentimes, they turn out to be too soggy or too chewy. Therefore, the best method for reheating sauced chicken wings is to use an air fryer. Place the sauced wings in the basket at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
If you have some leftover or ready-made sauce, you can even brush a single layer of the sauce (along with a few drops of olive oil) and let it air fry for about 7-9 minutes. This will improve the taste and make them taste as good as fresh. When cooking sauced chicken wings, keep a close eye so that they don’t get burned. When you do not have leftover sauce, you can even pan-fry the wings on high heat for about 5 minutes to get optimum results.
Some Easy Tips To Reheat Chicken Wings
- Never reheat the chicken wings directly from the refrigerator. Thaw them completely for even cooking.
- Try to reheat as many chicken wings as you can consume in one sitting. This avoids reheating the wings more than once.
- The cooking time should be adjusted based on the size of the wings.
- Insert the probe of the meat thermometer in the center of the largest wing to measure its internal temperature.
- You can also spritz some cooking oil to enhance the crispiness of the wings. If the wings were fatty, there is no need to add any extra oil.
- Place wings in a single layer and never overcrowd the basket.
- Overcooked chicken wings can dry out very easily.
- Try reheating similar-sized wings so that they are cooked evenly.
- Do not keep hot wings in an airtight container as it can turn them soggy.
- If sauced chicken wings are on the menu, try to keep a batch of wings unsauced and prepare them only when needed.
- If you are reheating whole chicken wings, then you should add two minutes more to the total cooking time.
- To give the wings a refreshing new taste, you can spritz some lemon juice at the end.
- Once reheated, serve the chicken wings immediately. Avoid reheating more than once as the quality will decrease when the wings are heated many times.
You should try not to waste food. After lots of trials and research, we found that instead of using a microwave, it is best to reheat wings in an air fryer. It helps in restoring the original taste of the recipe every time. So next time you are left with chicken wings, do not throw them away. Invest in a good air fryer and enjoy having tasty BBQs every day.
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Scot has loved smoking food in his free time for the last few years. Each major holiday or off-weekend, Scot spends days testing and prepping new recipes for perfection.