Learn how to reheat leftover wings in an air fryer effortlessly and achieve crispy perfection every time. Our step-by-step guide will show you the ideal cooking time, easy steps, and tips for seasoning and saucing to achieve reheated crispy chicken wings every time.
If you want to enjoy hot and crispy leftover chicken wings, using an air fryer with its unique cooking method is the best way. Instead of dunking food in oil like traditional frying, air fryers use hot air for cooking and crisping the food. An air fryer lets you enjoy crispy skin and crunchy leftover wings without the grease.
Why Use An Air Fryer To Reheat Chicken Wings
If you want to enjoy hot and crispy leftover chicken wings, using an air fryer with its unique cooking method is the best method. Instead of dunking food in greasy hot oil like traditional frying, air fryers use hot air for cooking and crisping the food. The best part is an air fryer lets you enjoy crispy and crunchy leftover wings without the grease.
- Taste: The original taste remains authentic when you reheat wings in an air fryer.
- Texture: The chicken meat stays soft and moist, and the outside skin will have a crispy texture.
- Time: You can have crisp hot wings in less than 10 minutes.
- Thourly Heated: An air fryer circulates heat at just the right temperature so your wings are heated evenly.
- Healthier Alternative: Heating chicken wings in an air fryer is healthier than a deep fryer filled with cooking oil.
Ingredients Needed For The Best Crispy Leftover Chicken Wings
- Leftover Chicken Wings: You can use leftover take-out wings or homemade wings such as Chinese Chicken Wings or 3 Ingredient Wings.  It is best to have the wings already cut into wingettes and drumettes with the wing tips removed.  How To Cut Chicken Wings
- Avacado Oil: (optional) It is best to use a high smoke-tolerant oil such as avocado oil. You will lightly brush the oil on or use an oil mister bottle.
- Seasoning: (optional) Before placing the wings in the air fryer, you can season them with salt, pepper, or your favorite seasoning blend.
- Sauce: (optional) If you like saucy wings, you can apply your favorite wing just before the wings are finished reheating.
Step-by-Step Guide: Reheating Wings in an Air Fryer
Follow these few simple steps to reheat chicken wings in your air fryer, and you will have hot crispy delicious wings in under 10 minutes. Perfect for game day, a late-night snack, or a weeknight dinner.
Step 1: Preheating your air fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 4 minutes. This step ensures the cooking temperature is regulated correctly and helps achieve optimal results. Note* Air fryer models vary on heating instructions, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preheating.
Step 2: Prepare Your Wings For The Air Fryer
- Remove Wings from the Refrigerator: Take the leftover wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This allows them to warm up slightly, promoting more even reheating.
- Seasoning (optional step): If you want to add seasoning, you can lightly season the leftover wings with your favorite seasoning salt blend.
- Brush on oil (optional step): Lightly brush on or use an oil mister bottle to apply avocado oil to the leftover wings.
Step 3: Arranging wings in the air fryer basket
While the air fryer is preheating, take your wings and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s essential to avoid overcrowding to allow for proper air circulation, which promotes even cooking and crispness. If you have a large batch of wings, you may need to cook them in multiple batches.
Step 4: Setting Air Fryer Temperature and Time
Place the air fryer basket of wings into your air fryer. Be sure the temperature is set to 375°F (190°C), then turn the time to 4 minutes.
Step 5: Flipping the wings halfway through for even cooking
For best results to ensure even cooking and achieve crispness on both sides, flip the wings after 4 minutes into the cooking process. Return the basket back into the air fryer and continue cooking for 4 more minutes.
Step 7: Checking for desired crispiness
Towards the end of the cooking time, check the wings for the desired level of crispiness. If you prefer them crispier, you can cook them for an additional minute or two. Be sure to keep a close eye on the wings at this point so they do not get overcooked and dried out. When done, remove the basket and allow the wings to cool for a minute. Remove with tongs and serve.
How To Sacue Air Fryer Wings
If you want sauce on your leftover wings:
- Take the wings out of the fryer basket using tongs 2 minutes before they are done cooking.
- Place the wings in a medium size bowl.
- Pour your favorite sauce over the wings and toss.
- Place the wings back into the air fryer basket and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
Sauce Ideas For Reheating Air Fryer Wings
If you have plain wings, then a great way to spice up your leftovers is to toss them in sauce. The air fryer makes the sauce thick and sticky.
Air Fryer Wings Sauce Ideas
Air Fryer Wings Seasoning Ideas
Safety Tip: The USDA states that even though foods may have been safely cooked, bacteria from the air or people’s hands can contaminate the leftovers. Always test reheated leftovers in several places with a meat thermometer to be sure they reach 165 °F (73.8°C) throughout.
Tips for Perfectly Reheated Wings
Follow these expert tips to achieve perfectly reheated wings with a crispy exterior and juicy interior every time.
Air Fryer Tips For Ensuring Proper Airflow
Having proper airflow is the key to crisp food when using an air fryer. To ensure your air fryer is circulating, follow these tips.
- To ensure proper airflow in your air fryer, avoid overcrowding the cooking basket. Leave enough space between food items to allow hot air to circulate freely, promoting even cooking and crispness.
- Regularly check and clean the air fryer’s vents and filters to ensure they are clear of any debris or buildup. Proper maintenance and cleanliness contribute to optimal airflow, allowing your air fryer to perform at its best.
How to properly fill An Air Fryer Basket
To properly fill an air fryer basket with leftover chicken wings, arranged the wingettes and drumettes in a single layer with a little space between each wing. The wings should be evenly spaced out to allow hot air to circulate around them for even cooking. This helps achieve consistent crispy results and prevents internal areas of the food from being undercooked.
How do I make wings extra crispy in an air fryer?
An easy way to increase the crispiness of chicken wings when air frying is to use a light coating of oil on the skin before reheating them. Be sure to use a high-smoke-tolerant oil such as avocado or canola oil. You can lightly brush the oil on or use an oil mister bottle. The misting bottle is similar to cooking spray cans, but it allows you to have non-aerosol spray.
Can I add seasoning and sauces when reheating chicken wings in my air fryer?
Yes, you can definitely add seasoning and sauces when reheating leftover fried chicken wings or these 3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings in your air fryer.
- Seasoning: Before placing the wings in the air fryer, you can season them with your preferred spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika. Seasoning adds flavor and enhances the overall taste of the wings.
- Sauce: If you enjoy saucy wings, you can apply your favorite wing sauce or barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of the reheating process. The easiest way is to toss the wings in a bowl with the sauce just before they are finished reheating. Then return them to the air fryer for 2 minutes to caramelize the wings for a delicious, flavorful finish.
Tip For Saucing Wings: It’s important to remember that sauces and marinades with high sugar content may cause the wings to be brown or char more quickly. Monitor the wings closely to prevent burning, and adjust the time or temperature as needed to achieve the desired result.
Making Use of Air Fryer Accessories For Crispier Wings
Some models of air fryers include additional accessories that enhance the reheating resulting in perfectly crispy wings.
- Air Fryer Grill Pan: A grill pan is designed with ridges that elevate the food from the surface, allowing excess fat and moisture to drain away. It helps in achieving a crispy exterior while providing attractive grill marks.
- Mesh Basket or Tray: Some air fryers include a mesh basket or tray with small holes that allow hot air to circulate freely. This accessory helps achieve consistent crispness by allowing excess oil or moisture to drain away from the food.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reheating Wings in an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an excellent option for reheating chicken wings. It can help restore the crispiness of the wings without making them greasy, providing a quick and convenient way to enjoy delicious reheated wings. Here are some common questions to help you achieve crispy chicken in your air fryer.
Can I reheat frozen wings in an air fryer?
Yes, you can reheat frozen wings in an air fryer. Air fryers are particularly well-suited for reheating frozen foods like wings, as they can quickly and evenly cook the wings from frozen, resulting in a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Just adjust the cooking time and temperature according to the specific recommendations for frozen wings provided by the air fryer manufacturer or the packaging instructions.
How long should I reheat wings in an air fryer?
The reheating time for wings in an air fryer can vary depending on factors such as the size of the wings, the desired level of crispness, and the specific model of the air fryer. As a general guideline, it is recommended to reheat wings in an air fryer for about 5 to 10 minutes at a temperature of around 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 200°C). However, it’s important to monitor the wings closely and adjust the time as needed to achieve the desired level of crispness and ensure they are heated through. To be more precise, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
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Can you reheat sauce wings in an air fryer?
Yes, you can reheat sauce wings in an air fryer by heating the wings at 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 200°C) for 8-10 minutes or until they have an internal temperature of 165 °F (73.8°C) throughout.
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What is the best way to reheat leftover take-out chicken wings?
The best way to reheat leftover take-out chicken wings is by using an air fryer. An air fryer is a perfect appliance because it retains a crispy texture on the outside of the wings and evenly heats the inside, so you have juicy chicken wings. It’s quick and easy to clean up when you reheat wings in your air fryer.
Can I reheat different wing flavors together?
Yes, you can reheat different wing flavors together in an air fryer. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the flavors may mix and transfer between the wings during the reheating process. This may result in some flavor blending or a slight change in taste. If you prefer to maintain distinct flavors, it’s best to reheat different wing flavors separately or use dividers to keep them separated in the air fryer basket.
Can I reheat breaded wings in my air fryer?
You can reheat breaded wings in an air fryer. If you’re looking for a way to reheat breaded wings while maintaining their crispy texture, the air fryer is an excellent choice.
Can I reheat boneless wings in an air fryer?
You can reheat boneless wings in an air fryer by arranging the boneless wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in the air fryer for about 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 200°C). Be sure to test the boneless wings in several places with a food thermometer to be sure they reach 165 °F (73.8°C) throughout.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Crisp and Quick Guide: How to Reheat Wings in an Air Fryer
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound leftover chicken wings, The amount of chicken wings will vary according to the size of the air fryer basket.
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt, Optional
- 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil, Optional
Instructions
Preheating Air Fryer
- Start by preheating your air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 4 minutes. This step ensures the cooking temperature is regulated correctly and helps achieve optimal results. Note* Air fryer models vary on heating instructions, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preheating.
Prepare Wings For Air Fryer
- Remove Wings from the Refrigerator: Take the leftover wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This allows them to warm up slightly, promoting more even reheating.1 pound leftover chicken wings
- Seasoning (optional step): If you want to add seasoning, you can lightly season the leftover wings with your favorite seasoning salt blend.1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- Brush on oil (optional step): Lightly brush on or use an oil mister bottle to apply avocado oil to the leftover wings. This step will help crisp the wings if they are dry.1/2 teaspoon avocado oil
Arranging Wings In Air Fryer Basket
- Arrange your wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's essential to avoid overcrowding to allow for proper air circulation, which promotes even cooking and crispness. If you have a large batch of wings, you may need to cook them in multiple batches.
Setting Air Fryer Temperature and Time
- Place the air fryer basket of wings into your air fryer. Be sure the temperature is set to 375°F (190°C), then turn the time to 4 minutes.
Flipping Wings Halfway Through Cooking
- For best results to ensure even cooking and achieve crispness on both sides, flip the wings after 4 minutes into the cooking process. Return the basket back into the air fryer and continue cooking for 4 more minutes.
Checking For Desired Crispiness
- Towards the end of the cooking time, check the wings for the desired level of crispiness. If you prefer them crispier, you can cook them for an additional minute or two. Be sure to keep a close eye on the wings at this point so they do not get overcooked and dried out. When done, remove the basket and allow the wings to cool for a minute. Remove with tongs and serve.
How To Sauce Air Fryer Wings (Optional)
- If you would like sauce on your wings then follow these steps. Pull the wings out of the fryer basket using tongs 2 minutes before they are done cooking.
- Place the wings in a medium size bowl.
- Pour your favorite sauce over the wings and toss.
- Place the wings back into the air fryer basket and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
