Wings are my favorite part of the chicken. I like to nibble with its soft bones especially when it is so crispy to the bite. Sometimes I buy a full bucket, so I still have more to eat the following morning. However, the struggle of trying to make the leftovers look and taste fresh the day after is real.
Do you know how to reheat wings? If you do not know the tricks, your wings will lose its texture and flavor. Let me share with you how to do it right. After several trial and errors, I finally learned how to reheat it and end up just the way I want it.
Now, I can finally eat the same fresh, crunchy, and delicious chicken wings and found a solution not to waste food.
How to reheat wings the right way?
I will teach you how to reheat wings in five different ways. Find out what method is convenient for you. If done correctly, you will discover that leftovers can be as delicious as newly cooked food.
Read more: How to Reheat Pork Chops in Three Simple Ways?
1. Reheating with the use of the oven
The oven is my favorite way to reheat wings. It is less effort, time, and results are outstanding.
What do you need?
- Aluminum foil
- Baking pan
- Oven
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven first to 350 degrees.
- Meanwhile, take the chicken wings out from the fridge and set it aside at room temperature for at least ten minutes.
- Take the baking pan and line it with the aluminum foil. You can use any container that is suitable for the oven. I love the oven glass dish that I have been using for years now.
- After preheating the oven, you can now place the wings inside the aluminum lined baking pan and place the pan inside the oven. Reheat it for around 15 minutes.
- If you see that the chicken already turned like the golden brown you have been dreaming of, take the crispy wings out from the oven and serve.
- Let it cool for five minutes, serve it and eat!
Do you know that sprinkling a little bit of water to the chicken wings helps prevent it from drying out? I am meticulous when it comes to my heated wings; hence, I always keep an eye on it while reheating.
2. Reheating by re-frying with the use of stovetop and a frying pan
For those who do not have an oven, your stovetop is your friend. This method is the most common way of reheating wings.
What do you need?
- Frying pan
- Oil
- Stovetop
Instructions:
- First is to take the wings from the wings and let it set aside for a few minutes at room temperature.
- Heat the frying pan on the stove on high heat.
- Add the oil in the frying pan and heat.
- Add the chicken wings to the pan. Remember to be careful when placing the wings inside the pan. The hot oil may splash into your skin.
- Fry the wings in a few minutes, making sure to turn it several times. Avoid placing too many wings in the pan. Otherwise, it would be hard for you to turn every piece, and the reheating will not be even.
- When the chicken already appears golden brown, it is back like freshly cooked.
- Put all pieces on a serving dish and let it cool before serving.
3. Reheating using the microwave
When I am running out of time, and I need to grab a bite or two, I pick the microwave as the perfect choice to reheat wings. I do not need a long time to preheat, and it does its job quickly. However, check out how I do it to avoid ending up with soggy and dry food. Remember to use a microwave-safe container in doing so.
What do you need?
- Microwaveable container
- Paper towels
- Microwave
Instructions:
- Place damp paper towels to the line on the microwave plate or your container. The paper towels will absorb excess moisture and oil.
- You then place the leftover wings on the plate before putting another set of paper towels on top of the chicken wings. It will also help in preventing splatters all over the inside.
- Turn on the microwave to medium heat and heat the wings for a couple of minutes. If you check and it is still not enough, zap it again for another minute. The more wings inside, the longer it will take to reheat.
- If you are satisfied with the result after some evaluation, go on and feast. Remember, the ideal internal food temperature is 165 degrees F.
For deep-frying, I am showing you a video on how simple it is to follow.
4. Grilling to reheat chicken wings
Occasionally, I throw my wings on the grill to reheat. This could happen during parties when the family gathers at home for a meal. Preparing the grill takes longer time than the rest of the reheating methods, so, I only apply it when there is already an ongoing grilling happening. You will not regret since, for me, anything grilled always comes out delicious especially when I place it on the grill together with other meat and vegetables.
What do you need?
- Grill
- Aluminum foil (optional)
Instructions:
- Using the aluminum foil is just optional. Some reheat the wings by putting it on top of the grill directly, but I do prefer wrapping it with aluminum foil first before placing it on the grill. However, this will make my wings extra crispy which is what my kids like. Hence, wrap it up (all of it) and grill.
- Go ahead grill and heat the wings on low heat in less than two minutes. Do not forget to turn over, so both sides are heated. Do it with the same amount of time.
After the grilling, I suggest serving the wings while it is still warm/hot. Otherwise, you will end up reheating it one more time.
5. Reheating the wings by Deep-frying
Chefs suggest that deep-frying is the best way to reheat wings to revive its crispiness and taste. However, I do not find this applicable to wings recipes that have a sauce with it. I agree with the deep-frying for great results, but I need to consider the amount of oil to use for reheating my leftovers. Hence, though this is a guarantee of success, I seldom choose this method because of practicality reasons.
What do you need?
- Deep frying pan, electric deep fryer, or a huge pot will do
- Cooking oil
- Tongs
- Aluminum foil
Instructions:
- After taking out from the fridge, remember that the wings must be at room temperature before deep-frying. Do not ruin the skin by dropping it to boiling oil while still cold.
- Heat the oil in the pan at 350 degrees F.
- Put the wings one at a time in the heated oil. Make sure to use tongs in doing so for comfort and safety. The amount of oil must be deep enough to cover the wings while frying
- Deep-fry the wings in three minutes. It would help to turn each one for even re-heating. I usually re-heat a bit longer when I want the wings to be extra crispy. However, when you do that, be observant and know when to take it out from the heat to prevent drying it out.
- Pull out all the wings from the pan and carefully place them in a wire rack to cool off and drip for a minute or two. You can use the aluminum foil to cover the wings that are done while still finishing the rest of the batch.
- Serve while it is still warm.
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Some tips for a successful reheating of your wings:
- It will not do harm to the wing if you spray or glaze a bit of oil to your wings. In fact, it will keep it from looking and tasting dry.
- I advise reheating a batch enough to the size of your pan. Maintain a sensible space in between. I prefer reheating them individually if it is just a few leftovers.
- A bit of salt does magic. A dash of it will liven up the taste of your reheat wings.
- Always heat your wings to 167 degrees F food temperature to be safe. Make sure that you heat it all inside out.
It is eating time!
Now you know how to reheat wings. It is not that complicated to follow. Most of the methods are the usual way to cook or reheat food at home. Just keep in mind to prepare your wings the right way before doing the reheating and follow reheating instructions well. You will never look at wings leftover the same again.
It is eating time! How was your chicken?
FAQ
How can I prevent reheated wings from becoming dry?
To prevent reheated wings from becoming dry, there are a few tips you can follow. First, make sure to allow the wings to come to room temperature before reheating. This helps them heat more evenly and prevents excessive moisture loss. Additionally, you can lightly sprinkle or spray a bit of oil over the wings before reheating to help retain moisture. Finally, be mindful of the reheating time and temperature to avoid overcooking, which can lead to dryness.
Can I reheat wings with sauce?
While most reheating methods work well for plain or dry-rubbed wings, reheating wings with sauce can be a bit trickier. The high heat of methods like the oven or frying may cause the sauce to caramelize or burn. If you want to reheat wings with sauce, it’s generally best to use lower heat methods like the microwave or grill. You can also try adding a bit of extra sauce after reheating to freshen up the flavor.
How long can I keep leftover wings in the fridge before reheating?
Leftover wings can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days before reheating. It’s important to store them properly in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness. If you plan to reheat the wings after this time, it’s advisable to freeze them for longer storage and thaw them before reheating.
Epilogue
Now that you’ve learned how to reheat wings properly, you can enjoy your favorite chicken wings without worrying about them losing their texture and flavor. Whether you choose to reheat them in the oven, on the stovetop, in the microwave, on the grill, or through deep-frying, following the recommended methods and tips will help you achieve delicious and satisfying results. Remember to exercise caution, check the internal temperature, and make any adjustments based on your personal preferences. With these techniques, you can enjoy your leftover wings just as much as when they were freshly cooked, reducing food waste and ensuring a great culinary experience. Enjoy your reheated wings!
