Reheating Fried Fish to Crispy Perfection: Your Air Fryer Guide

Leftover fried fish is one of those amazing yet tricky foods. We all love the crispy crunchy coating surrounding tender flaky fish. But achieving that texture twice can seem impossible, especially if you rely on the microwave or oven. Well, I’m here to share the secret to reheating fried fish so it comes out of your air fryer just as crispy as the original.

As a busy mom who meal preps, I’m always looking for ways to revive leftovers to their former glory. Air frying has become my reheating hero thanks to its quick cooking times and ability to mimic that fresh-fried feeling. I used to struggle with soggy fish after microwaving or overly dried out fillets from the oven. Now, my air fryer lets me enjoy leftover battered or breaded fish that tastes like I just fried it minutes ago.

In this article, I’ll explain why the air fryer works so well for reheating fried foods like fish, walk through a simple process, provide tips to guarantee crunchy success, and answer some common questions. If you have leftover fried fish languishing in your fridge, keep reading to learn how your air fryer can bring it back to life.

Why the Air Fryer Makes the Best Leftover Fried Fish

Before we get to the how-to, let’s look at what makes air fryers so adept at reheating fried foods. These countertop convection ovens have been gaining popularity over the past several years, and for good reason.

Air fryers use rapidly circulating hot air to crisp and cook food. The technology relies on convection, meaning the air fryer fan distributes the heat from the heating element throughout the cooking chamber. This allows the food to cook and brown very efficiently.

Here are the main benefits of reheating fried fish in an air fryer:

• Hot air surrounds the food evenly to re-crisp the coating.
• The method avoids the sogginess that happens in the microwave.
• It’s faster than oven baking and won’t dry out the fish.
• You don’t need to use much, if any, added oil like you would frying.
• It mimics deep frying results without the mess or excess grease.

Sold on using your air fryer for leftover fish? Let’s go over the simple process.

How to Reheat Fried Fish to Perfection in an Air Fryer

Reheating fried fish in the air fryer is so easy, you’ll wish you’d tried it sooner. Here is a simple step-by-step method.

Ingredients:

• Leftover fried fish fillets or pieces, battered or breaded

Directions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F. Allow 3-5 minutes to fully preheat.

2. Place fish pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overlap.

3. Cook for 5-7 minutes flipping fish halfway through. Monitor closely to avoid burning.

4. When fish is hot and coating is crispy, remove from air fryer and enjoy!

And that’s it! The super hot air will re-crisp the coating and gently warm the fish in minutes.

Let’s look at tips to guarantee you end up with amazing fish, not a soggy mess.

7 Tips for Reheating Fried Fish Like a Pro

Achieving air fried fish perfection when reheating leftovers does take some finesse. Follow these tips for the best results:

• Let fish come to room temp before air frying. This prevents excess moisture that can ruin the crust.

• Use a light coat of oil or cooking spray to help the coating crisp up.

• Don’t overcrowd. Air flow is crucial, so leave space between pieces.

• Flip fish over halfway during cooking to evenly reheat.

• Adjust cook times as needed based on thickness and your air fryer model.

• Use tongs and handle fish gently to keep the crust intact.

• Allow fish to rest 1-2 minutes before serving.

Getting the timing right may take some trial and error depending on your specific air fryer. But once you’ve reheated that first batch of fried fish to crunchy perfection, you’ll be hooked!

Frequently Asked Questions About Reheating Fried Fish

If you’re new to using air fryers for reheating leftover fried foods, chances are you have some questions. Here are some of the most common FAQs I get about reheating fish in the air fryer:

How long does it take to reheat fried fish in an air fryer?

5-7 minutes is typical for a single portion, but cook time can vary based on thickness of fish and the air fryer model. Monitor doneness closely.

Should you put oil on fish before air frying?

A light coating of oil or cooking spray helps enhance browning and crisping if the leftover coating seems dried out. But don’t oil heavily.

What happens if you overcrowd the air fryer?

Too much food blocks airflow, leading to soggy results. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Can you put cold fish directly in the air fryer?

It’s best to allow fried fish to come to room temperature before air frying for more even reheating.

Is air fried fish healthy?

Air frying is typically healthier than deep frying since it uses little to no oil. But battered fish is still high in calories regardless of the cooking method.

Enjoy Your Perfectly Reheated Fried Fish