Enjoying leftover baked or fried fish doesn’t have to mean settling for dry, flavorless fish. Reheating fish in the oven with care can help bring it back to life Follow these simple oven reheating techniques for tender fish that retains much of its original taste and texture
Why Reheat Fish in the Oven?
The oven provides gentle, surround heating that warms fish evenly throughout. This prevents drying out the exterior before the interior is heated. Oven reheating also gives you more control over the temperature than the microwave. And it helps maintain the crispy coating on fried fish better than the microwave which can make it soggy.
For the best results, always reheat fish in the oven at a low temperature – between 275°F to 350°F. High heat dries out fish quickly. With the oven, you can better keep the fish moist and flaky.
Steps for Reheating Fish Fillets in the Oven
Follow these easy steps for reheating baked fish fillets in the oven
-
Take the fish out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes before reheating Cold fish put right into a hot oven cooks unevenly
-
Preheat the oven to 275°F to 350°F. Use a lower temp for thinner fillets.
-
Place the fish fillets in an oven-safe dish or baking sheet. I recommend lining the dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
-
Loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the fish fillets from drying out.
-
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until heated through. Check at 5 minute intervals and adjust time as needed.
-
For flavor, consider sprinkling lemon juice, herbs, or spices onto the fish before reheating.
-
Allow the fish to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. The inner temperature will continue rising slightly.
-
Enjoy the reheated fish right away. Do not let it sit out or reheat it again.
Reheating Fried Fish or Fish Sticks in the Oven
Breaded fried fish and fish sticks also reheat well in the oven:
-
Let the fried fish come to room temperature before reheating, about 15 minutes.
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
-
Place fish pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet. Do not overcrowd.
-
For crispy results, leave the fish uncovered. For more moisture, loosely tent foil.
-
Bake 8 to 12 minutes if uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes if covered. Flip fish halfway through.
-
Check frequently to avoid overbrowning or drying out. Adjust time as needed.
-
Let rest 1 to 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy immediately.
Other Tips for Reheating Fish in the Oven
-
Reheat sauce or gravy from the original fish dish in a small saucepan to serve with the reheated fish.
-
For flakes of fish to mix into salads or pasta, break up the fish into bite-size pieces before reheating in a covered oven-safe dish.
-
Add a splash of milk, lemon juice, or broth to the reheating dish to add moisture and prevent drying out.
-
Leftover breaded fish reheats better than battered fish which can soak up oil.
-
Fish reheated in the oven won’t be exactly the same as day-one freshness. But with care, you can get pretty close.
-
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat within 3 to 4 days for best quality and food safety.
Step-by-Step Photo Guide
Follow these simple visual steps for reheating fish fillets in the oven:
![Let fish sit out for 15 minutes][]
Let fish sit out for 15 minutes![Preheat oven and line dish with parchment][]
Preheat oven and line dish with parchment![Cover fish loosely with foil][]
Cover fish loosely with foil![Bake at 275°F to 350°F for 10-15 minutes][]
Bake at 275°F to 350°F for 10-15 minutes![Allow fish to rest before serving][]
Allow fish to rest before serving
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reheat fish in the oven?
- It takes 10 to 15 minutes to reheat fish fillets or pieces in the oven at 275°F – 350°F. Thinner fillets may take less time. Check often to avoid overcooking.
What temperature should you reheat fish at?
- Always reheat fish at low temperatures between 275°F to 350°F. High heat dries out fish.
Should you cover fish when reheating in the oven?
- It’s best to loosely cover fish with foil when reheating in the oven to prevent it from drying out. For breaded fried fish, you can leave uncovered if you want crisper results.
Can you reheat fish in the same pan?
- It’s best to use an oven-safe dish or baking sheet instead when reheating fish in the oven, not the same pan it was originally cooked in.
Should you add liquid when reheating fish in the oven?
- Adding a splash of liquid like lemon juice, broth, or milk can add flavor and moisture. But it’s not required for basic oven reheating.
Reheating leftover fish in the oven with care results in tender, moist fish that retains much of its original flavor. Follow these oven reheating tips for the best results and enjoyable leftover fish dishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to overcook fish when reheating and ruin the delicate texture. Avoid these common reheating mistakes:
- Using too high oven temperature – Always use 275°F to 350°F only.
- Not covering the fish – Loosely tenting foil helps prevent drying out.
- Overcrowding – Fish pieces need space to allow surround heating.
- Reheating too long – Check early and often to prevent overcooking.
- Not letting it rest before serving – Carryover cooking continues heating fish after removal.
- Microwaving – High heat makes fish flaky and dry. Oven is gentler.
With the simple oven reheating method in this guide, you can confidently reheat leftover fish for tender results time after time.
Enjoy Reheated Fish Dishes
Try using the oven to reheat these tasty fish recipes:
- Baked Salmon – Brush with a little oil or sauce before reheating to restore moisture.
- Fish Tacos – Reheat fish in oven, then assemble tacos with warmed tortillas and sauce.
- Fish and Chips – Oven-crisp the fries separately from the fish for best texture.
- Tuna Casserole – Cover and reheat gently in the oven to keep noodles from drying out.
- Crab Cakes – Brush with oil and reheat uncovered for 10 minutes to recrisp the outside.
- Fried Catfish – Reheat uncovered for crunchy coating. Have tartar sauce handy for dipping.
- Shrimp Scampi
Always cover the fish
When you reheat your fish in the oven, cover it loosely with foil to keep the edges from drying out and to protect yourself from fish smells. This will also help keep your fish from drying out in the middle before it gets warm all the way through.
Too high a temperature creates dry, overcooked fish
One common, and one of the biggest, mistakes when reheating fish is blasting it with too high heat. Overcooked, dry fish—like salmon—is not exactly a tasty, pleasant experience. It is always best to reheat very slowly at a low temperature. If you cook the fish slowly, you’ll keep as much of its tenderness and moisture as possible, losing much less than if you cooked it quickly.
It’s easy, it’s convenient, it’s quick and one button away from reheating your food. And it will dry out and overcook your fish. Unfortunately, your microwave won’t help in reserving the wonderful flavor of last night’s fillet. Microwaves use too much heat, which dries out fish too quickly and gives it an unpleasant smell because its fatty acids are oxidized. For example, when someone heats up seafood in the company microwave and the room smells like fish all day, an oven would keep that smell inside better. Also, reheating fish slowly and at low temperatures will help get rid of strong fishy smells.