This is how to reheat fried fish in air fryer to crispy again. Reheating leftover fish from a restaurant or pan fried can be enjoyed again for dinner the next night in your Ninja Foodi too! If you loved our kitchen hack of Frozen Fish in Air Fryer to tender this is going to be just as delicious.

Close-up of a fried fish showcasing a crispy golden-brown crust thats just begging to be reheated in an air fryer for that perfect crunch.
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Air fryer leftover fish is a game changer. It is a shame to waste food at all. Using this machine will bring just about anything back to life. If you have ever tried to revive seafood the next day and have been disappointed, we are here to help. (affiliate links present)

How do you Reheat Fried Fish So it’s Crispy

Whether you initially enjoyed deep fried or oven fried fish initially, this technique will work. This dish is a popular and delicious enjoyed in many cuisines around the world. Common types used for frying include cod, haddock, catfish, tilapia, trout, snapper, and more.

The outsides can be coated with various things such as tempura batter (usually a mixture of flour, water and seasonings) or breading (crumbs, flour, or cornmeal with spices). Submerged into oil will give you a very crispy outside vs. pan fried will give you a similar result but with fewer calories. Both are delicious on day one but how do you enjoy it again the next day?

If you love extra crispy food and quick recipes, here are some resources to start with:

A close-up photo of a hand pulling out the basket of an open air fryer on a light-colored surface. The interior of the air fryer basket is empty and features a mesh design, perfect for cooking your favorite dishes like bang bang shrimp. The edge of the air fryer has a latch mechanism for securing the basket.
A bowl of crispy, golden-brown breaded fried fish stacked together, as irresistibly delightful as reheating fried fish in an air fryer.

How do you save leftover fried fish?

Always allow to cool to room temperature for no more than two hours after cooking. Do not leave it out at room temperature for an extended period, as it can promote bacterial growth. If you fry a whole fish or fillets, consider saving them in individual serving bags. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need later.

  • Place the leftovers in an airtight container that is appropriate in size for the amount you have.
    • You can also use resealable plastic bags designed for food storage. I recommend putting a paper towel or parchment paper in between each beer battered fish piece to prevent sticking.
    • Press out as much air as possible to prevent oxidation and freezer burn.
  • If you plan to consume within a day or two, store it in the refrigerator. Keep the container tightly sealed to prevent odors from spreading to other foods.

How to Reheat Leftover Fish in Ninja Foodi

This isn’t just great for frozen fish sticks in air fryer, though that is the bomb too. First off we need to talk about how to store leftover fish first though right? If not done right you won’t get the optimal result when enjoying again the next day. Storing properly you can maintain its quality and safety for later consumption.

How long does leftover fish last in the fridge?

If you had a Fish Fry but don’t plan to eat what’s left within a couple of days, you can freeze it for longer-term storage. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing it in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date so you can keep track of how long it has been in the freezer.

Store in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F or lower. Consume within 1-2 days. Store the wrapped and sealed fish in the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or lower. Can be kept for several months, but it’s best when used within 2-3 months to maintain quality. Cooking Frozen fish is best when thawed first but can be done right out of the freezer too.

Reheating Fish in the Air Fryer

What is the reheat function on the Ninja Foodi?

The Reheat function on the Ninja Foodi is designed to warm up leftover foods quickly and evenly without overcooking or drying them out. It acts similarly to a traditional oven or microwave but with better control over temperature and airflow. Just place into the basket, select reheat button, temperature typically ranges between 250°F–350°F depending on the food type. Set to 3 minutes to begin and check.

Reheating Fish in the Air Fryer

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380° F for 5 minutes.
  2. Place the leftover fried fish in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; leave some space between the pieces for hot air circulation.
  3. Put fillets in the preheated air fryer and air fry for about 3-4 minutes cook time.
    • The exact time can vary depending on the thickness of each piece and the air fryer model, so keep an eye on it.
  4. After about half of the reheating time has passed, flip the fish pieces and spray lightly with olive oil to ensure even heating on both sides.
    • if it isn’t crisp enough for you flip again, spray lightly on that side and add 1 more minute.
  5. Once heated through until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit and crispy to your liking, remove it from the basket, and serve immediately.

Just like when Reheating Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer, keep in mind that reheat times may vary based on the size and thickness of the fish fillets, as well as the specific model of your hot air machine. It’s best to check often to prevent overcooking and drying out.

You can Reheat Chicken Wings in Air Fryer this same way! It is a convenient way to bring back foods delicious crispy texture. Always be cautious not to overheat though, as all foods can dry out if cooked for too long. As opposed to heating on a baking sheet this method will get it crispier for sure. Yes the microwave is safe to heat too but will yield a rubbery texture, no good.

reheating shrimp in an air fryer basket, golden brown and perfectly spaced, much like when you reheat fried fish in an air fryer to achieve that crispy finish.

How do you reheat fried food and keep it crispy?

This is tough but has been solved with the invention of this hot air machine. Storing it initially is essential to the overall success too which is why we went into that in detail above. Using a Cosori or Ninja Foodi with the air crisp feature you can now bring back to life the crunchy nature that was the there the night before.

If you compare it to heating in a pan, in the oven, or the microwave there will be NO question that this is by far the only way to go. To get the crunch back it is a mixture of very hot air, space for circulation, a bit of olive oil on the outside (but just a bit), and flipping each piece over for even cooking.

How do you reheat fish without drying it out?

We will explain the best way to reheat fish in air fryer here. Alternatively you can preheat your oven or toaster oven to a low temperature, around 275°F. Place on an oven-safe dish or baking covered loosely with aluminum foil for about 10-15 minutes until warmed but air frying is the best by far.

Can you reheat leftovers twice?

If you don’t finish what you have reheated at that point you will have to discard at this time. Unless you can chop it up and reuse within an hour in a different way it shouldn’t be cooled and reheated a second time. It is a one and done trick that works well but shouldn’t be done a second time or bacteria may not make it safe to eat again.

Close-up of a fried fish showcasing a crispy golden-brown crust thats just begging to be reheated in an air fryer for that perfect crunch.
5 from 2 votes

Reheat Frozen Fish in Air Fryer

By The Typical Mom
This is how to reheat fried fish in air fryer to crispy again. Deep fried or pan fried halibut or cod can be enjoyed for dinner again.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 minutes
Servings: 2
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Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Ingredients 

  • 2-6 pieces fish, leftover, precooked
  • olive oil spray
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste when done

Instructions 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 380° F for 5 minutes. Preheating helps ensure even heating and better results. Place the leftover fried fish in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; leave some space between the pieces for air circulation.
  • Cook for about 3-4 minutes total until warmed on inside and crispy on outside. The exact time can vary depending on the thickness of each piece and the air fryer model, so keep an eye on it.
  • After about half of the reheating time has passed, flip the pieces over and spray lightly with olive oil spray to ensure even heating on both sides. After 4 minutes or so total if it isn't crispy enough, flip over once more, spray lightly with olive oil spray on the other side and air fry 1 more minute or until crispy to your liking. Do not overheat or it will dry out in the middle.
  • Once heated through and crispy to your liking, remove it from the air fryer, and serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 1kcal, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.01g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 20mg, Potassium: 3mg, Calcium: 0.1mg, Iron: 0.01mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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