TL;DR
- Reheat at 150 to 160C / 300 to 320F for most leftovers, higher for crisp foods.
- No preheat needed for reheating.
- Crispy foods win here: pizza, chips and fried chicken come back crunchy, not soggy.
- Add a minute at a time and check, since portions vary.
- A light spray of oil refreshes tired chips and pastry.
Table of Contents
Reheating is where an air fryer quietly beats the microwave. Instead of steaming food soft, it dries and re-crisps the surface, so yesterday’s takeaway tastes fresh again. The trick is a moderate temperature so the outside warms without overcooking.
The basic method
- Set 150 to 160C / 300 to 320F for most foods, or 180C / 360F for things you want crisp.
- Add the food in a single layer. No preheat needed.
- Reheat for 3 to 5 minutes, checking and adding a minute at a time.
- For chips or pastry, a light spray of oil brings back the crunch.
Reheat times by food
| Food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza slice | 180C / 360F | 3 to 4 min |
| Chips / fries | 200C / 400F | 3 to 5 min |
| Fried chicken | 170C / 340F | 4 to 6 min |
| Roast potatoes | 180C / 360F | 4 to 6 min |
| Pastry / bakes | 160C / 320F | 3 to 4 min |
| Cooked chicken breast | 160C / 320F | 4 to 5 min |
What reheats brilliantly
Anything that was once crisp: pizza, chips, wings and roast potatoes. The air fryer restores the crunch a microwave destroys.
What to reheat carefully
Lean meat like chicken breast can dry out, so use a lower temperature and check early. Saucy dishes and rice are better in a microwave, since they have no crust to restore and can dry at the edges. For exact fresh-cook times, see the cooking times chart.
Frequently asked questions
Can you reheat food in an air fryer?
Yes, and it usually comes out crispier than a microwave. Set a moderate temperature of 150 to 160C for most foods, or higher for things you want crunchy, and reheat for a few minutes without preheating.
What temperature do you reheat food at in an air fryer?
150 to 160C or 300 to 320F for gentle reheating of most leftovers, and 180 to 200C for foods you want crisp again like chips and pizza. Lower temperatures protect lean meat from drying out.
Is reheating in an air fryer better than a microwave?
For anything that should be crispy, yes. The air fryer re-crisps the surface, while a microwave steams food soft. For saucy dishes, soups or rice, a microwave is still better and faster.
How do you reheat pizza in an air fryer?
Set 180C or 360F and reheat a slice for 3 to 4 minutes. The base crisps up and the cheese re-melts, giving a far better result than a soggy microwave slice.
Do you need to preheat to reheat food?
No. Reheating does not need a preheat, since the food is already cooked and you are just warming and crisping the surface. Add the food to a cold basket and start the timer.