There’s nothing quite like piping hot, crispy fish and chips fresh from the fryer. But let’s be real – there are times we don’t finish it all in one sitting. Though fish and chips make tasty leftovers, the texture can suffer, with soggy chips and dried out fish. Fortunately, it is possible to revive their signature crunch and flavor. The oven does a stellar job of reheating fish and chips without ending up a greasy mess. Follow these tips for reheating fish and chips in the oven so they come out crispy and delicious again.
Why Reheat in the Oven?
The oven has several advantages when reheating fish and chips
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Restores the crispy crunchy coating on the fish and the flaky center.
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Revives the crisp texture of the fries or chips without sogginess.
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Avoids ending up with a greasy mess like can happen in the microwave.
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Heats the components evenly throughout.
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Has a quick preheat so food can be ready in 15 minutes.
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Leaves no lingering fishy odor like stovetop reheating.
With the right technique, fish and chips reheated in the oven will taste amazingly close to just-fried.
How to Reheat Fish and Chips in the Oven
Follow this simple process for the best results:
Prep the baking sheet
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to catch any drips and make cleanup easy. Lightly coat the foil with cooking spray or brush with oil so the fish doesn’t stick.
Arrange the fish and chips
Place the fish pieces and chips in an even layer on the prepared pan. Make sure they aren’t touching or overlapping. This allows the surfaces to crisp up.
Add a sprinkle of oil or mist (optional)
For extra crispy results, give the fish and fries a light brush of oil or spray with oil. Olive, vegetable, canola or coconut oil all work well.
Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F. This midrange temperature prevents burning yet is hot enough to crisp things up.
Bake
Pop the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking periodically and gently stirring the fries around.
Check for doneness
The fish is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Use a thermometer to be sure. The chips should be hot and crispy. If not, bake 2-5 minutes more.
Eat and enjoy!
Carefully remove the baking sheet using oven mitts. Allow to cool a minute before digging in. The fish and chips will stay crispiest when consumed right after reheating.
Handy Tips for the Best Results
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Use larger fish fillets vs small nuggets or pieces which can dry out. Aim for 3-4 oz portions.
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Cut the fries on the thicker side for better texture after reheating.
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Remove any extra moist toppings like tartar sauce before reheating. Add them on again later.
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For convenience, refrigerate fish and chips separately. Reheat fish mixed with soggy fries makes for limp results.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fish and chips need space to crisp up. Use two sheets if needed.
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If the fish has batter, lightly mist or brush it with oil before reheating.
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Preheat the oven fully before baking. Starting in a cold oven increases drying.
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Wrap fish fillets in foil if concerned about over-browning. Open the foil packets halfway through baking.
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Turn on the convection setting for super crispy, evenly heated fish and chips if your oven has this feature.
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Fish and chips pair great with reheated peas or coleslaw. Add them on the baking sheet.
The Best Fish for Reheating in the Oven
The oven method works great for reheating most types of fried fish. Opt for fish with firmer texture that doesn’t fall apart when baked. Excellent choices include:
- Cod
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Mahi mahi
- Tilapia
- Catfish
- Salmon
- Swordfish
- Pollock
- Swai
- Trout
Fattier fish like tuna and mackerel hold up fairly well. Avoid very flaky delicate fish like sole which may overcook.
Can You Reheat Fish and Chips in Other Ways?
While the oven is best, other methods can work in a pinch:
Air Fryer: Spray fish and chips with oil and reheat at 370°F for 8-10 minutes until hot and crisp. Use garlic oil or Cajun seasoning for extra flavor.
Skillet: Place fish pieces skin side down in a nonstick skillet with a thin layer of hot oil. Fry 2-3 minutes per side. Add chips and fry until heated through, tossing frequently.
Toaster Oven: Smaller batches of fish and chips reheat beautifully in toaster ovens. Use the oven setting and adjust time down slightly.
Microwave: Use very briefly just to take the chill off – 30 seconds for the fish and 1 minute for chips. Finish by frying in a skillet or baking in a hot oven to recrisp.
Storing Leftover Fish and Chips
To maximize freshness and texture for reheating later:
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Allow fish and chips to cool completely after initial cooking before refrigerating.
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Store fish and chips in separate airtight containers.
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Use leftover fish within 2-3 days.
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Fries stored properly can last 4-5 days.
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For longer storage, place fish and chips portions in freezer bags and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
Give fish and chips new life with this easy oven reheating method. Crispy, crunchy fish and chips make tasty next day meals or even later in the week with proper storage. Ditch the soggy microwave fish and revive the flavorful crunch of your favorite takeout treat.
Understanding Reheating Fish and Chips
Reheating leftover fish and chips while maintaining the ideal texture—crispy batter and flaky fish—requires careful consideration. The key is to manage moisture because excess moisture softens the batter and diminishes crispiness.
Methods to Reheat:
- Air Fryer:Preheat to 350°F. Single layer arrangement. Brief cooking time (2-3 minutes). Potential oil spray for extra crisp.
- Oven:Preheat to around 350°F. Space out on a wire rack. Cook until heated through—usually around 10 minutes.
You should never use the microwave because it makes the batter soggy and the fish less flaky.
Texture Preservation Tips:
- For Batter:Keep it dry before reheating to maintain crispiness. Turn fish halfway through reheating for even exposure.
- For Fish:
- Gentle reheating to keep it flaky.
One must be patient, as rushing may compromise the texture. If you follow these steps instead of just heating up fish and chips in the microwave, you can enjoy leftovers that are just as good as the first meal.
Air Fryer Reheating Steps
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Put the fish and chips in the basket, making sure they don’t get too crowded.
- After two to three minutes, check on the food and maybe turn it over before adding more time if needed.
- Warm up a pan over medium-low heat and add a little oil.
- Add the fish and chips to the pan, being careful not to crowd it.
- Cook for one to two minutes on each side, making sure they’re warmed through all the way through and the batter stays crisp. Cover it to keep the heat in and make it warmer all over if you need to.
When reheating fish and chips, maintaining the desired texture of crispy batter and flaky fish can be challenging. The key is to manage sogginess, dryness, and leftover moisture effectively.
Fish and chips can become soggy if not reheated properly. To avoid this, one should:
- Instead of reheating in a microwave, use an air fryer or oven to keep the food from getting soggy from too much steam.
- Lay the fish and chips out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Make sure air can flow around each piece so they all have the same crisp texture.
Fish especially is prone to dry out during reheating. They can:
- Lightly coat the fish in oil to keep the moisture in while it’s being heated up.
- Set a timer and check on the fish and chips often to keep them from getting too hot and losing their natural juices.
Leftover moisture, or condensation, can ruin the texture of reheated fish and chips. They should consider:
- Before reheating, gently blot away any extra moisture with paper towels.
- If you’re using an oven, you could heat up a baking sheet before adding the fish and chips to help them crisp up faster and keep the moisture from building up.
How to reheat fish and chips in the oven?
How do you reheat fish and chips in a fryer?
Arrange the chips in a single layer in the fryer. Heat the chips for 6 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Shake or mix the chips after 3 minutes. Once well-heated, remove the chips from the fryer. Serve and enjoy. 4. Reheat Fish and Chips Using a Broiler You can also use a broiler to reheat leftover fish and chips.
How do you reheat leftover fish and chips?
You can also use a broiler to reheat leftover fish and chips. This way depends on the oven’s temperature and air circulation rather than introducing additional heat or liquid. Line a baking tray using aluminum foil. Spread some oil on the foil. Place the fish on the tray and put the tray in the oven. Heat for 1 minute on each side.
How to cook fish & chips in oven?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Arrange the fish and chips on the tray. You can coat the dish with oil if desired. Heat for 15 minutes or until warmed completely. Check if the internal temperature reads 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve and enjoy. 2. Reheat Fish and Chips Using Stovetop
How do you reheat Fish & Chips in a microwave?
Allow the fish to cool down for a bit. Line the baking tray using aluminum foil. Arrange the chips on the tray in a single layer. Heat them on high for about 2 minutes. Once they are well-heated, remove the dish from the tray. Serve and enjoy. 5. Reheat Fish and Chips in the Microwave