Learning how to reheat Pad Thai so it is just as yummy as when it is freshly made is so easy. Leftover Pad Thai comes out hot and tasty without drying it out this method of warming it up. I share 4 of the best ways to reheat Pad Thai including a recipe below for my favorite method.
Enjoying leftover Pad Thai at home so it tastes fresh only takes a few simple steps. The reheated rice noodles, with sauce, vegetables, & egg makes a great lunch, snack, or dinner the next day. Serve it with my recipe for Asian Avocado Peanut Coleslaw for a tasty combination.
Wondering what to do with leftover Pad Thai? You can store it safely in the refrigerator for heating later. Continue reading to find several options on how to warm it up.
Pad Thai can be eaten as is or jazzed up into something a bit new and different. Here are a few fun recipe ideas: Pad Thai Fritatta, Pad Thai Noodle Soup, Pad Thai Fried Rice, or a fun fusion of Pad Thai Tacos!
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What is Pad Thai?
Pad Thai is a gluten-free dish with rice noodles as the main ingredient. It is stir-fried with vegetables and a delicious sweet, tangy, & sour sauce that makes Pad Thai irresistible. It can be enjoyed vegetarian with tofu or with eggs and other proteins are added such as chicken, pork, or my favorite, shrimp.
Pad Thai is served with a wonderful set of garnishes. Fresh lime wedges, crushed peanuts, crisp bean sprouts, and cilantro are commonly served with platters of Pad Thai at restaurants. Whether you eat it in-house or order take-out, Pad Thai is a favorite.
Top Tip
As with most noodles whether wheat, rice, or gluten-free, once cooled they tend to stick together. I find rice noodles are a bit starchier than regular pasta. Therefore, when reheating Pad Thai, keep this in mind.
The best way to revive Pad Thai is to add some moisture. I like to freshen up leftovers with a bit of water and/or oil. All the reheating methods I share today include a step to help bring those sticky noodles back to life.
Reheating Pad Thai in the Microwave
The first thought you may have when it comes to reheating leftovers of any kind is probably to use the microwave. It is probably the most common way to warm up food in households in the United States. It is fast, easy, & doesn't require a lot of extra equipment - I get it.
So if want to reheat Pad Thai in the microwave, go for it. But before you pop it in the microwave and set the timer, here are a few tips on how to warm it up properly so it is just as good as it was when fresh.
Follow these steps for reheating Pad Thai in the microwave. These instructions, cooking time, & temperature is for 2 cups of leftovers (adjust accordingly for more or less):
- Place leftover Pad Thai in a microwave-safe dish. Use a dish or bowl that is big enough so it is easy to stir the food without it overflowing. This also ensures there is enough room for the heat to circulate around the food vs food that is squished together.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water. Use a fork to fluff up the noodles and coat some with some of the added liquid.
- Dampen a paper towel with water, and place it on top of the container. This helps bring "steam" to the cooking process and is another way to make sure the Pad Thai doesn't dry out.
- HINT: if there is shrimp in your order, remove them and set them aside.
- Place in the microwave and reheat on high for 30 seconds.
- Stir the Pad Thai. Add shrimp back in if your order included it. Reheat for an additional 30 seconds.
- Stir & test for doneness. Add 15 seconds more if needed.
Reheating in the Oven or Toaster Oven
Reheating Pad Thai in the oven or a toaster oven is easy. It takes a bit longer than warming up the leftovers in a microwave. But for those without a microwave, this is a great way to reheat leftover Pad Thai in just minutes.
Follow these steps for reheating Pad Thai in a standard oven or a toaster oven. These instructions, cooking time, & temperature is for 2 cups of leftovers (adjust accordingly for more or less):
- Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350°.
- Place leftover Pad Thai in an oven-safe dish. I recommend using a nonstick dish that is big enough so it is easy to stir the food without it overflowing. This also ensures there is enough room for the heat to circulate around the food vs food that is tightly packed in.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water. Use a fork to fluff up the noodles and coat some with some of the added liquid.
- HINT: if there is shrimp in your order, remove them and set aside to add them back in later.
- Cover the dish in foil. Place in the oven and reheat for 5 minutes.
- Remove the foil and give it a stir. Add any shrimp back in & replace the foil. Continue reheating in the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Stir & test for doneness. Add more minutes if needed.
Reheating Leftovers in the Air Fryer
When you think of reheating Pad Thai, you probably don't first think of doing so in your air fryer. But if that is all you have or is a kitchen tool you are most familiar with, go for it. Air frying leftover Pad Thai is quick and easy.
Follow these steps for reheating Pad Thai in an air fryer. These instructions, cooking time, & temperature is for 2 cups of leftovers (adjust accordingly for more or less):
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°. Set the timer for 8 minutes. I prefer a lower temperature for longer minutes than others may suggest. This helps keep the noodles soft without making them crunchy or drying out the rice noodles or proteins.
- Place leftover Pad Thai in an air fryer/oven-safe dish or tray. Use a dish or bowl that is big enough so it is easy to stir the food and get it in as much of a single layer as possible. This ensures there is enough room for the heat to circulate around the food which is important with air frying.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water. Use a fork to coat the noodles and separate any that may be sticking together.
- HINT: if there is shrimp in your order, remove them and set them aside.
- Place in the air fryer basket or tray and heat for 5 minutes.
- Stir or shake the Pad Thai. Add shrimp back and continue heating for the full 8 minutes.
- Stir & test for doneness. Add more time if needed.
Best Way to Reheat Pad Thai; The Stovetop
Reheating Pad Thai on the stovetop in a skillet/frying pan or wok is my favorite way to warm up leftovers. This is the recommendation I make for enjoying leftover Pad Thai at home. It comes out hot & tasty with the noodles, vegetables, & meats all reheating perfectly.
Please find all the steps for the best way to reheat Pad Thai below. This recipe is the #1 recommended way for warming up Pad Thai. No overcooked, dry, sticky, soggy, or chewy leftover Pad Thai. So check out the recipe below for the step-by-step instructions.
Reheating Pad Thai in a wok with some sesame oil is the best way to enjoy leftovers. My stovetop method is easy and takes only a few minutes. The sesame oil adds to the flavor that already exists with the Pad Thai sauce. But if you don't have any, try one of the best substitutes for sesame oil when cooking.
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Storing & Freezing Leftovers
Leftover Pad Thai stores easily in the refrigerator or freezer. Store it in the original to-go container or your own air-tight container. Place in the refrigerator and store for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat using one of the suggestions here.
Because it is dairy-free, Pad Thai freezes well. Place it in an air-tight Ziploc or container. Store in the freezer for up to 30 days. Defrost in the refrigerator for 1-2 days to thaw. Then reheat based on one of the methods shared here today.
FAQ
Got Pad Thai? Here are some common questions I get about leftover noodles & enjoying them whenever the craving hits.
Pad Thai like all leftovers should be handled with care to ensure food safety. For food that is served hot (above 90°), do not leave it out for longer than 1 hour. This applies to Pad Thai.
If you have heard of the u00222-hour ruleu0022, please note that typically applies to food that is served at room temperature or chilled - such as salads, vegetables, cheeses, etc. For more food handling tips - check out the USDA information.
I shared 3 easy ways for reheating Pad Thai in this post today. Of the 3, my personal favorite is on the stovetop. I find it revives the Pad Thai, keeps it from drying out, u0026 reheats evenly.
So the next time you want to reheat stir-fried rice noodles, grab your favorite wok or skillet. Then follow the instructions in the stovetop section above or via the recipe card below. Enjoy!
The best way to add moisture and revive those Pad Thai noodles is a two-step process. Begin by adding some liquid, such as water and/or a bit of sesame oil to the leftovers. Then warm it up using one of my favorite methods that are shared here - including the recipe below.
Now that I have shared 4 ways and a ton of tips about reheating Pad Thai, you may still wonder if you can just eat it cold. You may be in a rush or on the go with no access to a microwave, stove, or oven. Or you just love some foods cold instead of hot.
No matter the circumstance, eating cold leftovers of your favorite foods is nothing to be ashamed of. I grew up eating my fair share of cold pizza for breakfast. All thanks to my Dad's habit and now my son does it too - no shame for any of us.
So go for it, grab a fork or chopsticks, open that carton of leftover Pad Thai straight from the fridge, and start eating it cold. It is safe to eat as long as it was stored properly. Enjoy!
I have not tried this method. However, if you have an Instant Pot that you have used for reheating before, you may have some experience. I suggest trying to reheat using the saute function. Again, I have not tried this.
Preheat the Instant Pot insert until hot. While it is preheating, toss the Pad Thai with a bit of water and some sesame oil. Once the insert is hot, add the leftovers. Stir or use tongs to mix the Pad Thai around so it reheats evenly.
How to Reheat Pad Thai
Equipment
- wok or skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups Pad Thai leftovers
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Heat a wok or skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Once the pan is hot, add the oil and coat the bottom. Let the oil heat for 1 minute.
- While the oil is heating, add the water to the Pad Thai. Mix to coat and separate any noodles that may be sticking together. The Pad Thai should NOT be wet / dripping with water. This would splatter once added to the pan so make sure it is evenly stirred and moist but not wet.
- Carefully add the Pad Thai to the pan. Using tongs, stir and toss the stir fry to cook. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes until all ingredients are heated thoroughly.
- Serve immediately. Add more fresh lime juice, chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, or Thai Chili Garlic Sauce as needed.
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