Learn how to Reheat Fried Fish in the Air Fryer in a matter of minutes. You won’t be able to tell it was reheated because it is so fresh and crispy!
One of the best things about fried fish is the crispy batter and the soft and crumbly inside. However, it can be hard to make a fresh batch every time you crave fried fish. What if you could make a batch for the week and reheat your fried fish in the air fryer as needed?
🍽️ Why This Works
The air fryer is the new microwave! You can reheat almost any dry food in the air fryer with perfect results. I also recommend you reheat fried chicken in the air fryer. No one will know it’s not freshly cooked! Pork chops reheated in the air fryer will turn out just as good.
You don’t have to heat up the whole house by turning on the oven or use up a gallon of oil in the deep fryer just to reheat leftovers. You can also save the disappointment of a soggy mess that has been microwaved.
The air fryer is hot enough that it heats up the food while also reviving the crispy skin. The hot air circulation evenly covers every surface. It is one of my favorite tools for reheating battered food in such a short amount of time and with easy cleanup!
From start to finish, this recipe takes 6 minutes.
🐟 Ingredients
📝 Ingredient Notes
Leftover Fish – Whether you have pan-fried or deep-fried fish fillets or leftover fish sticks, this recipe will work just fine. It can be any type of fish, from tilapia to cod to haddock.
Spray Oil – I use extra virgin olive oil in most of my cooking. Cooking sprays work best when it comes to air fryer cooking.
⏲️ Equipment and Tools
Air Fryer – My 5.5 quart-sized Ninja AF101 air fryer was used for this recipe. I like that it has a built-in crisper tray that allows hot air to circulate. I was able to fit two fillets in one basket.
Tongs – You will need tongs to transfer the fish fillet in and out of the air fryer.
Air Fryer Liner – For easier cleanup, you can place your fried fish on air fryer liners. There are reusable options, too!
🔥 Instructions
Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In the meantime, pat dry the leftover fried fish on the outside. Spritz with extra virgin olive oil spray and optionally add more seasoning to taste.
Step Two: Place fish in the air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145°F. Flip halfway through to make sure both sides get evenly heated. Enjoy while it’s hot!
❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks
Lemon wedges for the win – No matter how you serve your fried fish, a lemon wedge on the side can brighten up the whole dish. It enhances the seafood flavor and cuts through that fishy smell.
Pat dry – Make sure the fish fillet is patted dry with paper towels before going into the air fryer. Any excess moisture will get trapped inside and result in a soggy crust. Also, make sure the fried fish has fully cooled down before reheating it in the air fryer.
Any kind of fish – This reheating method works great for reheating Oven Baked Salmon in Foil or Air Fryer Salmon. Give it a little spritz of the olive oil spray and heat it up. Super simple!
🧑🍳 Storage and Reheating
If you get any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend freezing the leftovers as the breading may not freeze well.
Additions and Substitutions
Leftover Fried Fish – This recipe can be applied to any fried item, whether it is leftover fried chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches or hush puppies. You could substitute the fried fish and it would apply to most fried items.
Olive Oil Spray – You can use avocado oil spray or canola oil spray instead of olive oil. Just make sure it can handle high heat.
Cooking Method – If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer to reheat with traditional appliances, you have a couple of options.
- Stovetop – You can heat on medium heat on a frying pan or a cast-iron skillet, alternating between each side until it is heated through. This method uses the most oil but doesn’t result in the most crispy texture.
- Oven – You can use a toaster oven or the broiler on a conventional oven when reheating fish, as well. Place the fish on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, and bake/broil at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Avoid undercooking or overcooking and check for an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Microwave – This is the least recommended but quickest way to reheat fried fish. 1-2 minutes at high heat should do the trick, but it will no longer be crunchy.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many possibilities for reheated fried fish. The classic move is to make some fries (or chips) for some traditional fish and chips, along with some tartar sauce. You can also make delicious fried fish sandwiches.
For more side dishes, check out these air fryer recipes:
❓ Recipe FAQ
It is safe to reheat breaded fish, as long as the breading has been fully cooked the first time. To be safe, reheat the breaded fish fully until the core reaches 145°F.
It is not safe to eat fried fish that has been sitting overnight on the counter even if there are no visible signs of spoilage. If it was stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will be safe to eat.
The air fryer is the best way to reheat fried fish while keeping it crispy. Make sure there is no extra moisture or heat when you place it in the air fryer.
It is OK to reheat fish in the microwave, especially if you are in a pinch. However, the crust will not keep its crispiness as the microwave tends to soften breading.
Related Recipes
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Reheat Fried Fish in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- Leftover Fried Fish
- Spray Olive Oil
Instructions
- Make sure to use paper towels and pat dry any excess moisture that is collecting on breaded fried fish.
- Spritz the fried fish (leftover pan fried or deep fried) with a little bit of olive oil spray. Heat air fryer to 350°F. Place fish in the air fryer basket (use a liner for easier clean up!) allowing space in between each piece for circulation of air flow between pieces. Cook for 3-4 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the fish, flipping half way through.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi!
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
The fried fish came out so crispy and flaky! I couldn’t tell it was leftovers