Reheating fried fish can help revive it to be just as delicious as when it was freshly prepared. There are a few different methods you can use to reheat fried fish and have it come out crispy and hot. Follow these simple instructions for reheating fried fish using an air fryer, oven, or convection oven.
Reheating Fried Fish in an Air Fryer
Air fryers are a great appliance for reheating fried foods like fish. The circulating hot air crisps up the batter or breading nicely. Here is how to reheat fried fish using an air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Cut any large pieces of fried fish into smaller pieces that will fit in your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Brush the fish pieces lightly with oil or cooking spray. This helps crisp the outside.
- Place the fish pieces in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, not overcrowded.
- Cook for 4-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fish is heated through and the coating is crispy.
- Check for doneness and add 2-3 minutes more if needed. Fried fish reheats quickly in an air fryer.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest results.
The air fryer’s super hot circulating air will reheat the fried fish beautifully to be crispy and delicious. Just be careful not to overcook it.
Reheating Fried Fish in the Oven
You can also use your standard oven to reheat fried fish nicely:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place the pieces of fried fish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
- Brush lightly with oil or cooking spray.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy.
- Check occasionally and turn over halfway through for even reheating.
- Remove from oven and serve hot once fish is fully reheated and the coating is crispy.
The regular oven doesn’t provide as much crispness as an air fryer, but still reheats fried fish very well. Keep an eye on it to avoid drying out the fish.
Reheating Fried Fish in a Convection Oven
A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air and can give great results for reheating fried foods. Follow these steps:
- Preheta convection oven to 375°F.
- Place fish pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
- Lightly brush fish with oil or cooking spray.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until hot, flipping pieces over halfway through.
- Monitor fish so coating gets crispy but fish doesn’t dry out.
- Remove once reheated through and crispy.
The circulating hot air of a convection oven helps recreate the crispiness of fried fish. Just watch carefully so you don’t overcook the fish.
Tips for Reheating Fried Fish
- Use a wire rack lined with foil or parchment paper to allow air circulation and extra crispness.
- Brush fish lightly with oil or cooking spray before reheating for a crisper coating.
- Do not overcrowd pieces in the air fryer or oven. Give space for air circulation.
- Turn or shake fish halfway through reheating for even results.
- Check fish frequently to avoid drying it out. Fried fish reheats quickly.
- Allow a few minutes after reheating for the coating to finish crisping up.
- Serve immediately for the hottest and crispiest results.
Related Questions
Q: What is the best oil to brush on fried fish before reheating?
A: Olive oil and vegetable oil work well for brushing on fried fish before reheating. They add flavor and help the coating re-crisp. Avoid butter or margarine which can burn.
Q: Should you cover fried fish when reheating it in the oven?
A: It’s best to leave fried fish uncovered when reheating it in the oven. Covering it can make the coating soggy. Leaving it uncovered allows the coating to re-crisp.
Q: What temperature should you reheat fried fish at?
A: A temperature between 350°F and 400°F works best for reheating fried fish in the oven or air fryer. This allows the fish to heat through without burning the coating.
Q: Is it safe to reheat fried fish more than once?
A: It’s best to only reheat fried fish once for safety and quality. Reheating it multiple times can dry out the fish and make the coating rubbery. Stick to reheating leftovers just once.
Q: How can you tell when reheated fried fish is fully heated through?
A: Check that the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque and steaming hot all the way through. Use a food thermometer to check for an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
Q: Can you reheat battered fried fish as well as breaded fish?
A: Yes, battered fried fish can be reheated in the oven or air fryer successfully. Follow the same tips for preventing sogginess by using gentle heat and not overcrowding.
Q: Should you flip fried fish when reheating it?
A: It’s a good idea to flip or turn fried fish at least once during reheating for even heating. This prevents one side from overcooking or drying out.
Q: Is reheated fried fish as crispy as when it’s freshly fried?
A: While reheated fried fish can get crispy again, it is hard to fully replicate the initial crispiness of freshly fried fish. Eat reheated fish shortly after cooking for maximum crispness.
Reheating Fried Fish Recipes
Reheated Fish and Chips
- Fried white fish filets
- Frozen french fries
- Malt vinegar
- Reheat fish and fries separately at 375F until hot and crisp.
Reheated Fish Tacos
- Fried white fish
- Flour tortillas
- Cabbage slaw
- Pico de gallo
- Hot sauce
- Combine reheated fish with taco toppings.
Reheated Fish Sandwiches
- Fried fish filets
- Buns or bread
- Tartar sauce
- Shredded lettuce
- Tomato
- Reheat fish, assemble on buns with condiments and veggies.
Reheated Fried Fish Salad
- Mixed greens
- Reheated fried fish
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Ranch dressing
- Toss salad greens with reheated fish and vegetables.
Reheated Fried Fish and Rice Bowl
- Reheated fried fish
- Cooked rice
- Peas and carrots
- Teriyaki or soy sauce
- Toast sesame seeds
- Combine rice, veggies and reheated fish. Drizzle with sauce and seeds.
Here are recommended products for reheating fried fish:
Air Fryers:
- Ninja AF101 Air Fryer – 4 quart capacity, wide temperature range, and dishwasher safe basket.
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer – 6 quart capacity, easy to use controls, and cool touch exterior.
- Philips Premium Airfryer XXL – Over 7 quarts capacity, fat removal technology, and handles large batches.
- Cosori Air Fryer Max XL – 5.8 quart basket, 11 one-touch cooking presets, and shakes to shuffle food.
Ovens:
- GE JB645RKSS Electric Range – Self-cleaning oven, dual element bake, and precise temperature control.
- Samsung NE59M6850SS Electric Range – Convection cooking setting, temperature probe, and steam clean.
- LG LDE4415ST Electric Range – Double oven design, EasyClean® interior, and adjustable racks.
- Whirlpool WFE515S0ES Electric Range – AccuBake temperature system, SpeedHeat burners, and AquaLift clean technology.
Convection Ovens:
- Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro – 1800W power, convection setting, and 13 cooking functions.
- Cuisinart TOB-260N1 Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven – 15 cooking functions, spacious interior, and easy cleaning.
- KitchenAid KCO275BM Digital Countertop Oven – Even-heat true convection, 9 presets, and roast function.
- Oster TSSTTVDGXL-SHP Extra Large Digital Countertop Oven – Two rack positions, convection baking, and interior light.
Reheating fried fish lets you enjoy your favorite crispy fish meals even when dining on leftovers. Use an air fryer, oven, or convection oven for getting that crispy crunch back. Now you know how to reheat fried fish for delicious results!