According to the UN Environment Program, humans waste at least thirty percent of food produced each year. Food that spoils quickly is fish.
While it is best to eat your fish right away, we cannot avoid leftovers. Try and look inside your refrigerator, and there’s a 99% chance you’d find last night’s leftover fried fish.
Hold on, don’t throw them just yet! Take the fish out of your fridge as we explore several ways on how to reheat deep-fried fish.
When reheating deep-fried fish, our goal is to keep it soft and moist inside while crispy outside. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.
How to Reheat Fried Fish in an Air Fryer
If you have an air fryer at home, you are in luck! We highly recommend reheating your fried fish in an air fryer. It’s fast, convenient, and maintains the crispiness that you want.
The first step is to transfer the fried fish to the air fryer basket. You may want to spray it with olive oil or any oil of your choice but take note that it is just optional.
You will not need to preheat your air fryer. Cook the fish on a medium-high setting between 325F to 350F and set the timer to six minutes. Pause the timer to flip the fish to make sure that the other side is heated.
How to Reheat Fried Fish in the Microwave
Even if it’s the most convenient way, using a microwave to reheat your fried fish will not preserve its crispiness and flavor. It will overcook and dry out your fish, instead.
Although it is not highly recommended, using a microwave is one of the fastest ways to do this.
Transfer the leftover fish to a microwave-safe container. As a safety precaution, make sure to remove the aluminum foil, if any. Set the microwave to a low heat setting.
Initially, this will take 30 seconds. Flip the fish and add another 15 seconds to the timer. You may want to repeat this until the fish is heated evenly.
How to Reheat Fried Fish in the Oven
Using an oven is not as fast as using an air fryer, but you will not need to flip your fish to reheat both sides on the plus side.
To start, preheat your oven to 350F. While waiting, you might as well take out your leftover fish so that the temperature can reduce. Place your leftover fish in an oven-safe dish or a baking sheet. You may want to drizzle olive oil or any oil of your choice before tossing it in your preheated oven, which will take about fifteen to twenty minutes.
There’s no other best way to reheat battered fried fish. Your oven is your best buddy.
How to Reheat Seafood From a Restaurant
When eating in a restaurant, seafood or fish platters usually comes in generous servings. There’s a good chance that there will be leftovers. Of course, we don’t waste food!
The next thing that comes to mind is to reheat the seafood. These are usually battered fish or fish and chips that we typically take home in a doggy bag.
How to Reheat Battered Fried Fish?
If you’re wondering if it is possible to reheat a fried fish without its batter falling off, of course, you can! We don’t want to eat that soggy batter. I can’t emphasize it enough, but the best way to reheat it is in an oven.
To start, Preheat the oven to 350F. Place your fish in a broiler pan, which will help in draining the excess oil. Slide it into your heated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes without the need to flip each side.
For large fish, you may need to adjust your cooking time a little bit longer. The fish is done when you see bubbles appear on the surface. You can then immediately take it out of the oven and serve.
How to Reheat Fish and Chips?
When you happen to be someone from the UK, fish and chips are always trendy. Some restaurants would serve this as their specialty. Of course, it is best to eat it right away at the restaurant, but sometimes leftovers are inevitable.
Some people will argue that you can’t eat fish and chips after a few days, but the several ways to reheat fish and chips say otherwise. If ever you didn’t finish your dish, you can’t just throw them away.
You can always use your air fryer, skillet, oven, or microwave (but not recommended) to make your seemingly freshly cooked fish and chips.
Using an Air Fryer to Reheat Fish and Chips
After taking it out of your refrigerator or freezer, start arranging your fish in the air fryer basket. Spraying a little bit of oil is optional. By using an air fryer, you are drying the excess fat. Air frying is a healthy option for those trying to cut their oil intake without compromising its crispiness.
Set the air fryer to 320F for four minutes. Flip the fish and set the timer again for another three minutes.
As for the chips, arrange them in a single layer. Set the air fryer to 360F for six minutes. You can also adjust the time depending on your preference. If you want your chips a little crispy, you may add thirty seconds.
Just note that in six minutes, you will need to stir the chips after three minutes and continue with the remaining time to ensure that it is heated evenly.
Reheating Fried Fish Using a Skillet
Do not be stressed if you don’t have an air fryer. Using a skillet is the next best thing for your leftover fish and chips.
Before anything else, thaw your fish in advance. Add any oil of your choice to the skillet as you heat it. Toss the chips first for about two minutes. Just be careful not to break your chips as you stir.
Remove the chips and place your fish for about two to three minutes. Flip your fish to reheat the other side. You will know your chips are done when the crust turns golden.
Using an Oven to Reheat Fried Fish
Preheat the oven to 350F. Always remember to use an oven-safe dish and reheat between ten to fifteen minutes. Once it’s already reheated through the center, you may remove it from the oven.
For the chips, spread this onto your baking pan in a single layer. Adjust the temperature to 400F or 450F for ten to fifteen minutes.
Even though using an oven takes a little bit longer, this is also an excellent way to keep your fish and chips crispy and still savory.
It is advisable to consume your fish and chips within two days after cooking.
While the chips might stay fresh a little longer than the fish, they will not last as long as you want them to. Another way to prolong its shelf life is by placing it in an airtight container and freezing it to make your fish and chips last up to a month.
Your choice in heating your leftover fried fish will depend on your available time, resources and preference. These are just a few tips on how to reheat fried fish and keep it crispy.
Whatever your choice is, remember that it’s always a bad idea to throw food away, but never a good idea to eat food that is out of date – act with caution!
