How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

Name: How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: leftover chicken wings (any kind)

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The best way to reheat chicken wings is in the air fryer. It is so quick & easy to warm up leftovers while making sure they are juicy & do not dry out. Air frying is hands-down my favorite way to reheat wings & once your try it you will never do it any other way.

How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer plated with a linen napkin.

Learn how to reheat chicken wings in the air fryer easily with the recipe I share here today. I have done this many times on all sorts of home cooked recipes & fast food chicken.

They come out hot, crispy, & delish every time! It's so easy, my kids do it themselves.

Why Air Frying is Best

Here is why I recommend this method for warming up chicken wings:

Quick & easy
Wings come out hot & crispy
Wings do not get chewy, soggy, or dried out
Works for boneless & bone-in wings
Easy cleanup & minimal mess

My top reason for loving this method is that I can cook two things at once if I need to. If your model is big enough like my Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer add a side dish too.

I like to throw in some frozen crinkle fries in the air fryer first. Then when they are almost done, add the wings to reheat. Easy peasy!

Ingredients

All you need is the leftovers. No avocado oil spray or other items are needed.

This method works on any cut or type. You can reheat breaded, plain/naked wings, sauced, boneless, bone-in, skinless, skin-on, & gluten-free wings in the air fryer.

Whether homemade, store-bought frozen wings and those from your favorite restaurant (Buffalo Wild Wings, Church's, Wingstop, & KFC) all are best reheated in the air fryer.

Leftover wings on a plate partially covered in plastic wrap.

How to Reheat Wings in the Air Fryer

Below I outline the ideal cooking times & temperatures when air frying. Check out the categories below to find exactly what you need.

TOP TIP: Use paper liners to help with clean-up, especially if your wings are sticky and saucy. They work great in basket-type air fryers and in those with square or rectangular trays. NEVER PUT A LINER IN AN AIR FRYER WITHOUT FOOD ON IT TO HOLD IT DOWN - that is a fire hazard.

Time & Temperature

Below are the ideal times and temperatures for reheating wings & drumettes. Preheat your air fryer to 365°.

Set the timer for 5 minutes, on your air fryer. This is based on average-sized hot wings with bones, similar in size to the ones in my photo below.

Once it is ready, add the wings to warm them. Make sure to not overcrowd your basket or tray. You want the air to move around all surfaces of the wings so they can cook and crisp up evenly.

HINT: For extra-crispy skin or breading on your wings, reheat at a higher temperature, 380°. Watch carefully so nothing burns. We love ours extra crispy on certain thick-breaded chicken.

Leftover wings on a rack in the air fryer cooked and ready to eat.

Here I am warming up a few Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings to enjoy for lunch. The low temperature ensures the honey & peppers do not burn when reheating.

Wings plated in front of air fryer with tongs.

Boneless vs Bone-in Wings

Here are the recommended cooking times for reheating boneless & bone-in wings. The temperature is the same for both, but the times are a bit different.

BONELESS WINGS - 8-12 minutes
BONE-IN WINGS - 5-7 minutes

Also, keep in mind the size of your wings, some may be smaller or larger than average. Please adjust up or down by 2-3 minutes if needed. All cooking times are best estimates.

How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer Two kinds of fresh wings plated.

FAQ

Can I reheat wings that have sauce on them?

This recipe for reheating wings works for any kind. That includes those with sauce on them. NOTE: Keep in mind, some sauces may burn, especially those with a high sugar content so watch them carefully.

Do I need to spray the wings with oil first?

Since you are reheating wings, I will assume there is some sort of fried/baked breading, or coating on the skin. The natural fats from the chicken meat or skin should help with the air frying. Therefore, you do not need to spray your leftover chicken wings before reheating them.

What else can be reheated in the air fryer?

So many leftovers come out so good when warmed up this way. Reheating pizza in the air fryer is the easy. And I recommend reheating ribs in the air fryer too to keep they tender.