Chicken wings are a favorite appetizer or snack for many people. However, leftover chicken wings often end up being wasted because people are unsure how to properly reheat them. With the right techniques, you can reheat chicken wings so they come out crispy and delicious again. This article will provide tips on the best methods for reheating chicken wings using an oven, air fryer, or microwave.
How Long to Reheat Wings in Air Fryer
One of the best ways to reheat chicken wings is by using an air fryer. The air fryer will help refry the wings to a crispy texture. To reheat wings in an air fryer:
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
- Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd.
- Reheat for 7-10 minutes, flipping wings halfway through. Wings are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If needed, brush wings with a little bit of oil before reheating for extra crispiness.
How Long to Reheat Wings in Oven
The oven is also an effective way to reheat crispy chicken wings. To reheat wings in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Arrange wings on the baking sheet in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
- Reheat wings for 10-15 minutes until heated through. For added crispiness, broil wings for an extra 2-3 minutes at the end.
How to Reheat Boneless Wings
Boneless wings can also be reheated to be crispy again. The best way is to use the oven or air fryer:
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Place boneless wings on a baking sheet.
- Reheat for 8-10 minutes until warm throughout. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
- Reheat boneless wings for 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally, until crispy.
How to Reheat Wings with Sauce
If the leftover wings are saucy or seasoned, it’s best to reheat them without the sauce first to get them fully crisped.
- Reheat plain wings using oven or air fryer method above.
- Once wings are hot and crispy, toss them in the leftover sauce or seasonings to coat.
- For thicker sauces, briefly broil or bake wings again for 1-2 minutes just to set the sauce.
How to Reheat Chicken Wings in Microwave
It is possible to reheat wings in the microwave but they will come out less crispy. To use microwave:
- Place wings on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals until heated through, turning once.
- Let wings sit 1-2 minutes after microwaving to continue cooking.
- Optionally, brush with a little oil and broil for 2-3 minutes to add crispiness.
The key to perfectly reheated wings is using a high heat method like the oven or air fryer. Microwave will work but won’t give the same delicious crunch. Make sure not to overcrowd wings when reheating and flip or turn them during the cooking process. When in doubt, use a food thermometer to ensure wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Follow these simple steps for enjoyably hot and crispy leftover wings.
Why proper reheating is important:
- Safe food handling – Getting the wings hot enough (165°F) kills any bacteria and makes them safe to eat again.
- Texture – High heat helps revive the crispy skin and juicy interior of wings. Improper reheating can make them soggy.
- Flavor – The high heat brings back the delicious flavors that may have dulled during refrigeration.
Tips for the oven method:
- Use a wire rack on the baking sheet so air can circulate under the wings for even cooking.
- Elevate wings on a broiler pan to allow hot air to surround them.
- Brush wings lightly with oil before reheating for extra crispiness.
Tips for the air fryer method:
- Use olive oil or avocado oil spray to add a light coating before reheating.
- Shake the basket halfway through reheating to redistribute wings for even cooking.
- Add an extra 2-3 minutes if you like your wings extra crispy.
How to reheat breaded wings:
- First reheat plain to restore crispness to the interior.
- Once hot, brush wings with sauce or dip in breading to coat.
- Finish in the oven or air fryer just until breading sets, about 2-3 minutes.
I hope these additional tips help provide more detail and context around properly reheating chicken wings using different appliances and methods! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.
Here are some recommended oven and air fryer models that work great for reheating chicken wings:
Ovens:
- Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro – Large capacity, convection setting, air fryer function
- Oster TSSTTVMNDG Digital French Door Oven – Extra large interior, convection baking
- LG LDE4415ST Double Oven – Bottom oven ideal for large batches of wings
Air Fryers:
- Philips XXL Airfryer – Large 3lb capacity, Twin TurboStar technology
- Ninja AF101 Air Fryer – 4 qt ceramic coated basket, wide temperature range
- Cosori CO130-AO 12-in-1 Air Fryer – Square design fits more wings, 11 one-touch programs
- Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven – 10 quart capacity, rotisserie function
- Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Airfryer – Air fry setting, spacious interior
Features to look for:
- Large capacity to fit up to 2 lbs of wings
- Temperature range of 170°F to 400°F+
- Convection fan for crispy wings
- Nonstick, dishwasher safe baskets
- Digital controls with presets
