Your air fryer is the one kitchen item you can count on over the holidays. While these handy devices may help you conserve oven space and lighten your favorite recipes, they also make an excellent substitute for your microwave when it comes to heating and preparing Thanksgiving leftovers.
Air fryers are a quick and easy method to reheat leftovers from Thanksgiving, and any dish can simply be reinserted into the air fryer without needing re-plating.
You can use your air fryer to reheat or alter everything from turkey to sweets the day after Thanksgiving. Because the air fryer circulates heat evenly, leftovers will be properly heated without becoming dry or mushy.
Reheat meals in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 2-4 minutes for a fresh, crisp texture.
From filled pasta to crispy potatoes, the following ideas and recipes can help you rejuvenate your Thanksgiving leftovers – all thanks to your air fryer.
Is it possible to reheat leftovers in an air fryer?
Reheating Leftovers (like fries, vegetables, pizza, etc) Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. Place leftovers in an air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes at 350°F/175°C, or until food achieves a safe internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
The Best Air Fryer Reheating Technique for Thanksgiving Leftovers to Restore Original Taste
Learn how to reheat Thanksgiving leftovers in an Air Fryer for the best flavor and texture.
Turkey
Reheated turkey is a simple way to add protein to a lunch or snack.
While a full turkey won’t fit in your air fryer, you may air fry a leg (if your machine is large enough) for a crispy and juicy delicacy.
You may toss the hot turkey into a salad or grain bowl or make a nutritious sandwich as Best suggests. For a lighter post-Thanksgiving dinner, use the leftover turkey and cranberry sauce as a wrap.
Layer turkey and cranberry sauce on a tortilla with lettuce and your favorite toppings for a nutritious holiday lunch.
Crispy Potatoes
Air frying potatoes can be a fantastic way to get crunchy spuds without adding fat. You can also do this with greens like Brussels sprouts. A drizzle of maple syrup and a squirt of olive oil spray will give the vegetables a crisp texture and deep flavor.
Leftovers Casserole
Many houses may have leftover dressing and stuffing, making a great casserole. Place a layer of leftover turkey and cream cheese on the bottom of an oven-safe casserole dish, then top with leftover stuffing, and air fried for about 30 minutes, frequently checking, for a delicious Thanksgiving casserole in half an hour.
Stuffed Pasta or Squash
Sweet potatoes are helpful for more than just roasting or mashing. Best suggests cooking 6-8 large shells and stuffing with sweet potatoes, then baking the shells until they reach an appropriate temperature.
Stuffing can also be used to stuff squash. Stuff the squash with stuffing and air fry it until warm and crispy if you have leftover baked squash (with the shell) and stuffing.
Other Stuffing
Reheat the stuffing in the oven to keep it crunchy. Heat for 30-40 minutes at 350oF, or until heated. Cover with foil if the edges start to brown.
If you’re using an air fryer, cook it for 5 minutes at 320o—and drizzle with butter to keep it moist!
If you wish, add a little butter or broth to keep it wet and cover it with parchment paper before heating it for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute to ensure equal heating.
If reheating on the stovetop, heat a tablespoon of your preferred oil in a pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Flatten the stuffing into a pancake and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted veggies, whether Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or beets, reheat wonderfully for an additional side dish. Microwaving roasted vegetables will just weaken the crispy surface. Instead,
Want to get them hotter even faster? Cook for 3-4 minutes at 400o in the air fryer—no preheating necessary! To enhance flavor and crunch, drizzle with olive oil beforehand.
Crunchy Croquettes
Try air-frying leftover mac and cheese or mashed potatoes for crisp appetizers if you’re throwing a leftovers party.
For leftover mac and cheese or mashed potatoes, form ping pong ball-sized portions on the pan, roll each portion in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and then roll in breadcrumbs before air frying. They’ll be thick and flavorful and enjoyable to eat with your hands!
Apple Pie
Reheating apple pie requires a delicate balance of maintaining the exterior perfectly crisp while still making the middle blazing hot. As a result, for an entire apple pie, the oven is definitely your best choice. Place your pie (or slices) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes at 225-250°.
If you prefer the air fryer, only fry a couple slices at a time. Wrap your slices in foil to avoid splattering before placing them in the air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes at 350°. The microwave is likely to make your pie mushy, but if you must, cover it with a moist paper towel or microwave cover and reheat it in 30-second increments.
Hand Pies
Make 6-inch circles out of store-bought (or leftover) pie crust and fill half each with classic Thanksgiving leftovers like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Seal the ‘pie’ into a semicircle and air fry until golden brown. They’ll taste delicious and be correctly portioned!
Turkey Meatballs
Meatballs are always fantastic, whether as an appetizer or atop a bed of chickpea pasta. “Finely cut turkey and combine with spices, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs, then shape into balls and air fry together. Feel free to serve it with cranberry sauce!
Is it better to reheat food in microwave or air fryer?
The air fryer cooks nearly as quickly as a microwave and far better, in my view. Adding an air fryer to your kitchen may appear to be an outlay of funds, but these low-cost super convection ovens are the ideal first step toward tastier leftovers. Furthermore, they will save you money on your energy cost over time.
