Reheating leftovers in an air fryer
The air fryer is the best appliance ever invented for reheating leftover fried, breaded or baked foods — the convection air re-crisps the exterior while the inside warms through. Each guide below has the exact time, temperature and technique for restoring the original texture.
Reheat
pizza slice
- Time
- 4 min
- Temp
- 350 °F
Cold pizza reheats better in an air fryer than in any other appliance — 4 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C) restores the crisp crust without drying the cheese. The trick is a single layer and no preheat.
Reheat
pasta
- Time
- 5 min
- Temp
- 350 °F
Reheated pasta in the air fryer is best for baked-style dishes (lasagne, baked ziti, mac and cheese). The convection air crisps the top while the foil-covered first half heats the centre evenly.
Reheat
fried chicken piece
- Time
- 5 min
- Temp
- 375 °F
Reheating fried chicken at 375 °F (191 °C) for 5 minutes with a flip at the 3-minute mark restores the original crisp without drying out the meat. This is the single best reason to keep an air fryer for leftover takeaway.
Reheat
rotisserie chicken piece
- Time
- 4 min
- Temp
- 350 °F
Supermarket rotisserie chicken reheats well at 350 °F (177 °C) for about 4 minutes after carving. The trick is to break the bird down first — whole, the thighs are too far from the heating element to warm before the breast dries.
Reheat
french fries
- Time
- 3 min
- Temp
- 400 °F
Leftover french fries crisp back at 400 °F (204 °C) in just 3 minutes with one shake. This is the most common reheat task the air fryer was made for, and the result is closer to fresh-fried than any oven or microwave attempt.
Reheat
mozzarella stick
- Time
- 3 min
- Temp
- 360 °F
Reheating mozzarella sticks at 360 °F (182 °C) for 3 minutes with a flip restores the crisp shell without re-melting the cheese to the point of rupture. The lower temperature compared to a first cook is the key.
Reheat
egg roll
- Time
- 4 min
- Temp
- 360 °F
Egg rolls reheat at 360 °F (182 °C) for 4 minutes with a flip at the 2-minute mark. The flip lets both sides of the wrapper crisp evenly — the result is closer to fresh than any oven.
Reheat
pot sticker / dumpling
- Time
- 4 min
- Temp
- 350 °F
Pot stickers reheat at 350 °F (177 °C) for 4 minutes without flipping, with a light brushing of oil on the wrapper. The convection crisps the bottom while keeping the filling moist.
Reheat
breadstick
- Time
- 2 min
- Temp
- 350 °F
Breadsticks reheat in just 2 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C). A brush of butter or oil before the cook restores the day-fresh sheen and the convection re-crisps the exterior without drying the middle.