Yes, you can safely reheat cooked chicken wings in the oven. Properly reheating chicken wings will help ensure they stay moist, crisp and flavorful. Here are some tips for the best way to reheat chicken wings in the oven.
Should You Reheat Chicken Wings?
Leftover cooked chicken wings can be safely reheated and enjoyed if stored properly. However, reheating does lead to some changes in texture and moisture. Here are some key points on reheating chicken wings:
- Reheated chicken wings will not be quite as crispy as freshly fried wings.
- Breading or batter may soften during reheating.
- Reheating can dry out chicken wings if not done carefully.
- Only reheat wings once for food safety.
- Eat reheated wings within 3-4 days for best quality.
Overall, reheating wings in the oven is a good way to enjoy leftovers without compromising too much on texture and flavor.
How Long Can Cooked Chicken Wings Be Refrigerated?
Before reheating chicken wings, it’s important they were stored properly. Here are some refrigerator storage guidelines:
- Freshly cooked wings: 3-4 days
- Cooked wings from a restaurant or takeout: 3-4 days
- Cooked wings that were frozen: 1-2 days
Storing cooked chicken wings longer than these recommended time periods increases the risk of bacterial growth. Always discard wings if they have an off odor or appearance.
Can You Reheat Chicken Wings from Frozen?
It’s best to thaw frozen cooked chicken wings before reheating them in the oven. Important tips include:
- Thaw wings in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for a 1 pound package.
- Microwave thawing is faster but can lead to uneven cooking.
- Do not thaw wings at room temperature or in hot water.
- Cook thawed wings immediately, do not refreeze.
You can bake frozen wings without thawing first but allow 50% more cooking time. Also, baked frozen wings may have less evenly cooked meat.
How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Oven
Using the oven is an easy, hands-off way to reheat chicken wings for a crowd. Follow these tips:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
- Place wings on pan without overcrowding.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until heated through.
- For crispier wings, broil 2-3 minutes at end.
Baking at a moderate 350°F helps wings reheat gently without drying out. Broiling at the end crisps up the outside. Allow extra baking time if you are reheating frozen wings.
Oven Reheating Tips
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm wings reach 165°F internal temperature.
- Do not coat wings with extra sauce or seasonings before reheating.
- Lightly brush wings with oil to prevent sticking and drying out.
- Turn wings over halfway for even heating.
How to Crisp Up Reheated Chicken Wings
While oven-reheated wings will be moist and flavorful, they likely won’t have that original fresh-fried crispness. You can take a few extra steps for crisper wings:
- Broil after baking – Turn oven to broil and broil wings 2-3 minutes just until skin crisps up.
- Quick fry – After baking, fry wings at 375°F for 2-3 minutes to recrisp the skin.
- Air fry – Reheat wings in air fryer at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy.
The broiler method is easiest, but frying for a few minutes after baking will maximize crispness. Just take care not to burn the wings when refrying.
Can You Reheat Chicken Wings in a Microwave?
It is possible but not ideal to reheat chicken wings in the microwave. Here are some microwave reheating guidelines:
- Arrange wings on a microwave-safe plate, not overlapping.
- Microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes per pound.
- Turn wings over halfway through heating.
- Allow wings to rest 2 minutes after microwaving.
The microwave can make reheated wings rubbery and dry. Only use this method for a small portion of wings you plan to eat immediately.
Can You Reheat Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a great way to reheat chicken wings to crispy perfection. Follow these tips for air fryer reheating success:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place wings in air fryer basket in single layer.
- Cook 7-10 minutes, turning wings over halfway.
- Increase cook time for frozen wings.
- Brush wings with oil or nonstick spray for crispier results.
The hot circulating air of an air fryer helps wings reheat evenly while recrisping the skin. Air fry leftover wings as needed without drying them out.
Air Fryer vs Oven Reheating
| Air Fryer | Oven | |
|---|---|---|
| Reheat Time | 7-10 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
| Result Crispiness | Crispy | Less crisp |
| Result Moisture | Juicy | Can dry out |
| Ease of Use | Very easy | Easy |
While both appliances can reheat wings well, the air fryer is faster and makes them crisper with less chance of drying out.
How to Store Leftover Reheated Chicken Wings
Only reheat cooked chicken wings once for food safety. After reheating wings, follow these storage tips:
- Let wings cool slightly before refrigerating.
- Store wings in a covered container, not the takeout box.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Do not freeze reheated wings.
- Discard if wings have an off smell or appearance.
Properly stored in the refrigerator, leftover reheated wings can make a tasty snack or meal for a few days.
Can You Reheat Chicken Wings from a Restaurant?
It’s fine to reheat fully cooked wings from a restaurant or takeout place. Follow these guidelines:
- Use wings within 3-4 days for food safety.
- Inspect wings before reheating.
- Discard any with an off odor or appearance.
- Reheat only once.
- Use oven or air fryer, not microwave.
Takeout wings can be conveniently reheated in the oven or air fryer. Just be diligent about proper storage before reheating.
Food Safety Tips for Reheated Chicken Wings
When reheating any cooked food, proper food safety is crucial. Keep these tips in mind:
- Only reheat wings once.
- Use wings within 3-4 days of initial cooking.
- Inspect wings for spoilage before reheating.
- Heat wings to 165°F internal temperature.
- Never leave wings at room temperature more than 2 hours.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers.
Following basic food safety guidelines will help prevent the risk of foodborne illness from reheated chicken wings.
Tips for the Best Reheated Chicken Wings
For flavorful wings that retain moisture and crispness, keep these reheating tips in mind:
- Use oven or air fryer, not microwave.
- Reheat wings within 3-4 days of cooking.
- Bake wings at 350°F then broil to crisp skin.
- Don’t overcrowd wings during reheating.
- Brush wings with oil before reheating.
- Flip wings over midway through reheating.
- Let wings rest 2-3 minutes before serving.
With proper reheating methods, leftover chicken wings can have nearly as good as texture and taste as freshly cooked wings.
Common Chicken Wing Reheating Questions
How long can cooked chicken wings sit out?
Cooked chicken wings should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After this point, bacteria can multiply quickly. Discard wings if left out too long.
Should you reheat chicken wings uncovered?
Yes, only reheat wings uncovered in the oven or air fryer. Covering wings while reheating steams them, making the skin soggy.
Can you reheat chicken wings twice?
It’s not recommended to reheat cooked chicken wings more than once. Reheating twice increases the risk of bacterial growth on the wings.
Do reheated chicken wings go bad faster?
Yes, reheated chicken wings have a shorter shelf life compared to freshly cooked wings. Eat reheated leftovers within 3-4 days and do not re-refrigerate after reheating.
Storing and Reheating Chicken Wings for Meal Prep
Meal prepping a batch of chicken wings for the week? Here are some storage and reheating tips:
- Cook fresh wings – Fry, bake or grill a large batch of wings for the week.
- Portion wings – Divide cooked wings into individual reusable containers.
- Refrigerate promptly – Let wings cool slightly before refrigerating.
- Label and date – Note date of initial cooking on each container.
- Reheat gently – Use oven or air fryer to reheat one container of wings at a time.
With proper handling and reheating, meal prepped chicken wings can stay tasty all week long.
In Summary
Reheating cooked chicken wings in the oven is an easy and effective technique. Bake wings at 350°F on a lined pan until heated through, then broil to recrisp the skin. Storing wings properly before reheating and using proper food safety practices are crucial. Reheated oven wings make for tasty, budget-friendly leftovers the whole family will enjoy.
