Reheat Leftover Sandwiches – Master Quick Reheating with Microwave, Oven & Air Fryer

Whether you have leftovers from a restaurant or made your sandwich at home, reheating it properly can help bring it back to life. Here are some tips for reheating sandwiches using a microwave, oven, and air fryer so it tastes fresh again.

Reheating a Sandwich in the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat a sandwich. Here are some tips:

• Unwrap your sandwich and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Discard any plastic or paper wrapping.
• Microwave the sandwich starting with 30 seconds on high power. Check it and continue microwaving in 15 second intervals until warmed through. Be careful not to overheat or the bread can become rubbery.
• For a more moist sandwich, place a damp paper towel over the top before microwaving. The steam will help soften the bread.
• Certain sandwich fillings like cheese, meat, and veggies may require longer microwave times than others. Gauge based on the thickness of the sandwich.
• Let the microwaved sandwich sit for a minute before eating, to allow the heat to evenly distribute. The center should be hot with no cold spots.

Reheating a Sandwich in the Oven

Using the oven is ideal for larger submarine-style sandwiches or to make the bread crispy again. Follow these oven reheating directions:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Unwrap the sandwich and place it directly on the oven rack.
• Heat the sandwich for approximately 10 minutes ifUsing the oven is ideal for larger submarine-style sandwiches or to make the bread crispy again. Follow these oven reheating directions:
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Unwrap the sandwich and place it directly on the oven rack.
• Heat the sandwich for approximately 10 minutes if it’s a 6-inch sub. For a 12-inch sandwich, allow 15-20 minutes.
• For extra crispy bread, turn the broiler on high during the last 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
• Allow oven-heated sandwich to cool slightly before eating, as the center and fillings will be very hot.

Reheating a Sandwich in an Air Fryer

An air fryer can heat up a sandwich quickly with crispy results. Follow these tips for air fryer reheating:

• Set air fryer temperature to 300°F. Unwrap the sandwich and place it into the air fryer basket.
• Heat smaller sandwiches for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway. For larger sub sandwiches, heat for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway.
• The air fryer will make the bread crispy again. Watch closely to avoid over-crisping.
• Allow the sandwich to cool slightly before removing from the air fryer, as the fillings get very hot.

Tips for the Best Reheated Sandwich

Here are some additional tips for great sandwich reheating results:

• Some breads reheat better than others. Heartier artisan or homemade breads tend to retain more moisture and texture than delicate sliced bread.
• Sandwiches with cheese and meat fillings tend to reheat well. Veggie sandwiches are more prone to becoming soggy.
• Wrap sandwiches in foil or parchment paper to help steam and soften the bread rather than drying it out.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil or butter to the bread before reheating for extra moisture and flavor.
• Lean meats like chicken breast benefit from a drizzle of oil or sauce before reheating to prevent them from drying out.
• Don’t reheat pre-made sandwiches more than once, as the quality deteriorates. Eat refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.

Q&A

Q: How do I reheat a sandwich without drying out the bread?

A: The key is to add moisture when reheating to prevent the bread from drying out. You can use a damp paper towel, wrap in foil, or brush the bread with olive oil or butter before reheating. Microwaving works best for maintaining moisture. With an oven or air fryer, wrap the sandwich in foil.

Q: What is the best way to reheat a grilled sandwich or panini?

A: Grilled sandwiches and paninis should be reheated in the oven or air fryer to recrisp the bread. Preheat oven to 300°F and place the sandwich directly on the rack for 10-15 minutes based on thickness. Or air fry at 300°F for 5-8 minutes per side. The oven or air fryer will revive the crispy bread.

Q: How can I reheat a cold deli or sub sandwich?

A: For deli and sub sandwiches, the microwave is quick and convenient. Unwrap completely and heat on high in 30-second intervals until hot, checking frequently. Or use the oven method: Preheat oven to 300°F and place unwrapped sub on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes.

Q: What’s the best way to reheat a sandwich with cheese?

A: Cheese can turn rubbery when overheated. Use short microwave intervals of 15-30 seconds. Or wrap in foil and bake at 275°F for 10-15 minutes. The foil traps steam to melt the cheese gently without overheating.

Recipes

Reuben Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 slices rye bread
• 2-3 slices Swiss cheese
• 2-3 slices deli corned beef
• 2-3 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing
• 2 tablespoons sauerkraut, drained

Instructions:

• Layer corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing between rye bread slices.
• Grill or pan-fry sandwich until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
• To reheat: Wrap in foil and bake at 275°F for 10-15 minutes. Or microwave for 30 seconds at a time.

Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless beef chuck roast, cooked and sliced
• 2 crusty Italian sandwich rolls
• Provolone cheese slices
• Giardiniera pickled vegetables
• Beef broth or au jus sauce

Instructions:

• Layer sliced roasted beef on rolls. Top with cheese, pickled vegetables, and ladle over broth to moisten.
• To reheat: Wrap in foil and bake at 300°F for 10 minutes until hot and melty. Or microwave for 60 seconds.

Here are some specific model recommendations for reheating sandwich:

Microwave Ovens:

1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven – 1.2 cu. ft. capacity, 1100W, stainless steel exterior
2. Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN67HS – 1.2 cu. ft. capacity, 1200W, inverter technology
3. Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL – 1.1 cu. ft. capacity, 1000W, 10 power levels, stainless steel
4. GE JES1097SMSS Microwave Oven – 1.1 cu. ft. capacity, 1000W, sensor cooking controls
5. Galanz GTWHG12SA1SA Microwave Oven – 1.2 cu. ft. capacity, 1000W, turntable, black

Ovens:

1. GE JT5000SFSS Electric Oven – 5.3 cu. ft. capacity, dual element bake, self-clean option
2. Whirlpool WOS31ES0JS Electric Oven – 4.8 cu. ft. capacity, accurate preheat, convection baking
3. LG LDE4415ST Electric Oven – 6.3 cu. ft. capacity, dual convection fans, easy clean interior
4. Frigidaire FFEB2726TS Electric Oven – 5.3 cu. ft. capacity, Ready-Select controls, deep recessed interior
5. Bosch HBE5451UC Electric Oven – 4.6 cu. ft. capacity, quick preheat, EcoClean self-cleaning system

Air Fryers:

1. Cosori Air Fryer Max XL – 5.8 qt. capacity, 11 one-touch cooking functions, nonstick basket
2. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer – 4 qt. capacity, wide temperature range, dishwasher safe basket
3. Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer – 6 qt. capacity, touchscreen interface, EvenCrisp technology
4. Philips Premium Airfryer XXL – 7.3 qt. capacity, Fat Removal technology, quick control dial
5. Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer – 8 qt. capacity, 60 minute timer, automatic shut off, BPA free

With the proper technique, you can revive that leftover sandwich to be almost as good as fresh-made. Experiment with methods and fillings to find your ideal reheating method.