• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Savor + Savvy logo

  • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Dessert
    • Freezer Cooking & Make Ahead Meals
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
  • Tips
    • Substitutions
    • Air Fryer How-To
  • Printables
  • Shop
    • Our Printables
    • Things We Love
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Printables
  • Shop
×
Home » Tips » Air Fryer How-To

Reheat Fried Fish in Air Fryer

Published: Oct 25, 2023 · Modified: Apr 25, 2024 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

Pin13
Share
Yum
Tweet
13 Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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!

two filets of reheated fried fish on a black slate with roasted mixed vegetables in the background.
How to Reheat Fried Fish in the Air Fryer

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?

Contents hide
1 🍽️ Why This Works
2 🐟 Ingredients
3 📝 Ingredient Notes
4 ⏲️ Equipment and Tools
5 🔥 Instructions
6 ❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks
7 🧑‍🍳 Storage and Reheating
8 Additions and Substitutions
9 Serving Suggestions
10 ❓ Recipe FAQ
11 Reheat Fried Fish in the Air Fryer

🍽️ 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 photo showing leftover fried fish filets, spray oil and the air fryer with labels.
Just Two 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

instruction photos showing assembling the ingredients, adding the fried fish filets to to the air fryer basket, spraying it with olive oil and reheating.
Simple and Quick 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:

  • Air fryer roasted broccoli
  • Air fryer squash
  • Air fryer sweet potato fries
  • Air fryer waffle fries

❓ Recipe FAQ

Is it safe to reheat breaded fish?

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.

Can I eat fried fish that was left out overnight?

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.

How do you reheat fried fish and keep it crispy?

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.

Is it OK to reheat fish in the microwave?

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

  • Honey Dijon Baked Salmon Recipe | Salmon Recipes Baked | Healthy Dinner Recipes | 30 Minute Meals | Quick Healthy Dinner
    Honey Dijon Mustard Baked Salmon Recipe
  • two pork chops in the air fryer ready to be reheated.
    How to Reheat Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
  • two salmon fillets on a plate with veggies and the air fryer in the background.
    Air Fryer Salmon
  • top down photo showing adding the fried chicken into an air fryer.
    Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

two filets of reheated fried fish on a black slate with roasted mixed vegetables in the background.

Reheat Fried Fish in the Air Fryer

Quick and easy tips to reheating last night's fried fish in the air fryer.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 43kcal
Author: Ginny

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Tongs
  • Air Fryer Liner

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

Keep a close eye during the reheating process as your air fryer might have different settings. Feel free to take it out earlier or let it air fry a bit longer if you think is necessary.

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 12mg | Calcium: 0.4mg | Iron: 0.02mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Ginny
Ginny

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.

savorandsavvy.com/about-me/
Reheat Fried Fish in Air FryerReheat Fried Fish in Air Fryer
« Air Fryer New York Strip Steaks
How Long Is Pumpkin Puree Good In The Fridge? »

About Ginny

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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bindi U says

    December 10, 2023 at 12:55 pm

    5 stars
    The fried fish came out so crispy and flaky! I couldn’t tell it was leftovers

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search

join our facebook community for printables.

As Featured In

graphic showing all of the publications that feature Savor and Savvy.

Popular Posts

bowl of teriyaki chicken over a bed of white rice, two chopsticks and sprinkled with sesame seeds

Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

This oven baked eggs recipe is an easy fix for rushed morning breakfasts! These eggs are baked in muffin pans and are ready in just 15 minutes.

How to Bake Eggs in Oven in Muffin Tin {15 Minutes Meal Prep}

How to Clean Stove Drip Pans Naturally

top down view of a desk with three printable pages on top.

Dot Grid Paper Printable for Bullet Journaling + Planners: U.S. Letter, 8×10, A4, A5, A6 and Pocket, Personal Sizes

Adorable pet care binder cover sheet with paw prints and a grey heat

Adorable Pet Care Binder FREE 12 Pages of Printable Worksheets

After cooking, the livers will be golden brown as shown on this air fryer tray

Air Fryer Chicken Livers

Medical binder printables on pink background next to decorative heart and stethoscope.

Medical Binder Printables (FREE Worksheets Included)

This easy cilantro lime rice recipe will feed your chipotle cravings, without having to leave home! This easy side dish is the perfect addition to a homemade burrito bowl or any other simple meal requiring an extra kick of flavor.

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.