- Reheating pizza at 175 degrees Celsius for 3 to 4 minutes restores a crispy base — dramatically better than microwave
- All reheated food must reach 74 degrees Celsius throughout before consuming — never reheat food more than once
- The air fryer excels at restoring crispiness — soups, stews, rice and sauced dishes reheat better in a microwave
- A light mist of water on meat before reheating prevents drying out in the intense circulating air
Why the Air Fryer Is the Best Way to Reheat Most Foods
Reheating in a microwave is fast but produces steamed, soggy results. Reheating in a conventional oven is slow and uneven. The air fryer sits between them: faster than an oven, and produces dramatically better texture than a microwave — particularly for anything that was originally fried, roasted, or baked crispy.
The exception: anything that should be soft, moist or saucy reheat better in a microwave or on the stovetop. The air fryer's strength is restoring crispiness; it's not suitable for soups, stews, porridge, or sauced dishes.
Reheating Temperature Guide
Fried & Crispy Foods (where air fryer excels)
| Food | Temp (°C) | Temp (°F) | Time (min) | Result vs Microwave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza (refrigerated) | 175°C | 350°F | 3–4 | Dramatically better crust |
| Chips / fries | 200°C | 400°F | 3–5 | Crispy again — microwave makes them limp |
| Fried chicken | 180°C | 360°F | 5–8 | Crispy skin returns. Juicy inside. |
| Spring rolls / samosas | 175°C | 350°F | 4–5 | Crispy exterior. Microwave makes soggy. |
| Chicken wings | 180°C | 360°F | 5–7 | Excellent — skin crisps back up |
| Onion rings | 180°C | 360°F | 3–4 | Much better than microwave |
| Fish and chips | 180°C | 360°F | 4–6 | Batter crisps. Better than oven too. |
| Egg rolls / wontons | 175°C | 350°F | 3–5 | Crispy wrap restored |
Roasted & Baked Foods
| Food | Temp (°C) | Temp (°F) | Time (min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roast chicken pieces | 175°C | 350°F | 5–8 | Add a splash of water to basket to retain moisture |
| Roast potatoes | 190°C | 375°F | 4–6 | Light oil spray. Shake at 3 min. |
| Steak | 170°C | 340°F | 3–5 | Low temp prevents overcooking. Check at 3 min. |
| Pork chops | 175°C | 350°F | 5–7 | Tends to dry out — add moisture |
| Grilled sausages | 175°C | 350°F | 4–6 | Slice in half first for faster heating |
| Burger patties | 175°C | 350°F | 4–5 | Good in air fryer. Add fresh bun separately. |
| Roasted vegetables | 175°C | 350°F | 3–5 | Can dry out — very brief reheat only |
Baked Goods & Pastry
| Food | Temp (°C) | Temp (°F) | Time (min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croissant | 160°C | 320°F | 3–4 | Transforms a day-old croissant |
| Bread roll | 160°C | 320°F | 3–4 | Spritz lightly with water first |
| Meat pie / sausage roll | 175°C | 350°F | 6–8 | Check filling is piping hot throughout |
| Quiche (slice) | 160°C | 320°F | 5–7 | Cover top with foil if pastry is already golden |
| Cinnamon roll | 155°C | 310°F | 3–4 | Warm gently — high heat burns glaze |
Foods Better Reheated Another Way
| Food | Best Method | Why Not Air Fryer? |
|---|---|---|
| Soup / stew | Microwave or stovetop | Air fryer can't heat liquids |
| Rice / pasta | Microwave with splash of water | Dries out badly in air fryer |
| Curry / casserole | Stovetop | Sauce dries and burns |
| Mashed potato | Microwave or stovetop | Dries out and crusts unevenly |
| Scrambled eggs | Stovetop briefly | Air fryer overcooks them |
| Pancakes | Toaster or microwave 20 sec | Air fryer dries them out |
The Pizza Trick That Changes Everything
Reheating pizza in an air fryer at 175°C for 3–4 minutes is genuinely revelatory if you've only ever reheated pizza in a microwave. The base becomes crispy again — not soggy — and the cheese melts and bubbles in a way that's close to fresh out of the oven. This alone is worth owning an air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most reheating tasks, a brief 2-minute preheat is worth the extra time. It means food goes into already-hot air and starts crisping immediately rather than warming up slowly. For very quick reheat jobs (2–3 minutes), skip the preheat and just add 1–2 minutes to the time.
Drizzle or spray a very small amount of water over the food before reheating — particularly for meats like chicken pieces. For drier foods like bread, a light water mist before placing in the air fryer helps restore moisture. Keep reheat times short and temperatures moderate (160–180°C).
Yes — chicken is safe to reheat as long as it reaches 74°C / 165°F throughout. Check the thickest part. Avoid reheating very large pieces that may heat unevenly — cut them in half to ensure even heating. Never reheat chicken that has already been reheated once.
AirFryerTempConverter.com Editorial Team is a food writer and kitchen equipment specialist with over 12 years of experience testing appliances and developing recipes for home cooks. She has tested more than 30 air fryer models and contributed to food publications across Australia, the UK and the US. Read full bio →
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (2024). Food Safety — Reheating Leftovers. FSANZ.
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (2023). Safe Food Handling — Leftovers. United States Department of Agriculture.
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