How do you reheat chicken fingers to keep them crispy?

Chicken fingers are a classic appetizer and snack that both kids and adults love. The combination of a tender chicken interior encased in a crispy, crunchy exterior coating is hard to resist. However, leftover chicken fingers often lose their appealing texture, becoming soggy and limp. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to reheat chicken fingers and restore that fresh-from-the-fryer crispiness.

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Should You Refrigerate or Freeze Leftover Chicken Fingers?

Before reheating chicken fingers, you first need to properly store them. Freshly cooked chicken fingers should be refrigerated within 2 hours. Place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze chicken fingers for up to 3 months. Allow the chicken fingers to cool completely before freezing, then place in a single layer in a freezer bag or airtight container with parchment paper between layers. This prevents them from freezing together in a block.

Should You Reheat Chicken Fingers from Frozen or Thawed?

You can reheat frozen or thawed chicken fingers, but thawed tend to crisp up better. If reheating frozen fingers, allow extra time for them to become heated through. Thawed chicken fingers will reheat more quickly and evenly. To thaw, place frozen fingers in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. You can also thaw in the microwave using the defrost setting, checking often and redistributing to thaw evenly. Or, seal the frozen chicken fingers in an airtight bag and submerge in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Thawed chicken fingers should be reheated within 1-2 days.

Oven Baking

One of the best ways to reheat chicken fingers is in the oven. The dry heat will help revive and recrisp the coating. Follow these steps:

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Place thawed chicken fingers in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack.
Avoid overcrowding, leave space between fingers.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through and crispy.

Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking and drying out.

Baking works well for both breaded and battered style chicken fingers. The key is using high heat to quickly crisp up the exterior. You can brush lightly with oil beforehand for extra crispness. This oven reheating method keeps the chicken tender and juicy while recrisping the coating.

Air Fryer

An air fryer is ideal for reheating chicken fingers to crispy perfection. The circulating hot air rapidly dries out the exterior and makes it ultra crunchy. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
Place thawed chicken fingers in air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overlap.
Air fry 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until heated through.

Adjust time as needed for amount and thickness of fingers.
Brush with oil or spray with oil for added crispness.

The air fryer gives the same crunch as deep frying without needing to submerge the chicken in oil. It’s a healthier reheating method that still achieves that texture contrast you want in chicken fingers. This method is ideal for both baked and fried chicken fingers.

Grilling

Warm weather means grill season, so why not reheat those chicken fingers on the barbecue? Grilling is an easy way to put a sear and char on the exterior that makes them extra tasty. Follow these simple steps:

Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
Lightly oil grates to prevent sticking.

Place thawed chicken fingers directly on grill grates.
Grill 2-3 minutes per side until heated through and lightly charred.
Watch closely to avoid burning.

Baste with barbecue sauce during last minute if desired.

The direct grill heat re-crisps the coating nicely. Go for a diamond crosshatch grill mark pattern. This imparts great flavor from the smoky grill. Grilling gives chicken fingers a backyard cookout twist.

Skillet on Stovetop

You can also reheat chicken fingers to crispy perfection right on the stovetop using this simple skillet method:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add just enough oil to coat the bottom lightly.
Place thawed chicken fingers in skillet.

Cook 4-6 minutes per side until heated through and browned.
The oil helps facilitate even reheating.

Flipping halfway through is key to crisping both sides. Use tongs to flip each piece. You can also add spices into the oil to boost flavor. This gives a nice pan-seared result using equipment you already have on hand.

Deep Fryer

Deep frying is the original cooking method for getting chicken fingers ultra crispy. You can also use a deep fryer to reheat and recrisp leftover fingers. Here’s how:

Heat oil to 350°F – 375°F.
Fry thawed chicken fingers about 1-2 minutes until heated through.

Work in small batches to avoid lowering oil temp.
Use tongs to flip fingers halfway through.
Let excess oil drain off on paper towels.

Season again if needed.

The quick fry in hot oil ensures the coating gets ultra crispy again. Just take care not to overfry or they could become greasy. This works great for reheating heavily breaded chicken fingers.

Toaster Oven

A toaster oven provides a small space to concentrate heat around the chicken fingers. Follow these instructions:

Preheat toaster oven to highest temperature, around 450°F.
Place thawed chicken fingers on rack in single layer.
Toast 5-7 minutes until hot and crispy, flipping once.

Keep an eye on browning to avoid burning.

The direct heat from the coils or heating elements in a toaster oven make it perfect for re-crisping the exterior. This is quick and convenient when you have just a few leftover fingers to reheat.

Microwave

You can reheat chicken fingers in the microwave in a pinch. However, microwaves tend to make the coating soggy and soft. To help revive some crispiness, follow these tips:

Place chicken fingers on a microwave-safe plate, spaced apart.
Microwave on half power in 30 second intervals until warmed through.
Avoid microwaving longer than necessary or it will steam.

Let stand 1 minute before crisping more with other methods.

After microwaving, you can transfer the chicken fingers to a hot skillet, oven, or air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp the exteriors. Microwaving alone won’t keep them crispy, but it speeds up the initial reheating process.

Tips for Extra Crispy Reheated Chicken Fingers

Here are some additional tips to help ensure your reheated chicken fingers come out perfectly crispy:

Use paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil after reheating in oil.
Let cooked chicken fingers rest 1-2 minutes before serving for optimal crispness.
Double coat with an extra layer of flour, panko, or breadcrumbs before reheating for extra crunch.

Reheat at a high temperature – the hotter the better for crisping.
Brush or spray with oil before reheating to help conduct heat.
Don’t crowd too many fingers while reheating or it steams instead of crisps.

With the right reheating technique and a little prep, you can easily revive that satisfying crunch in leftover chicken fingers. Now you can reheat and enjoy crispy chicken fingers again and again.

Reheating Method	Pros	Cons
Oven	Evenly reheats Great for crisping breaded style	Takes longer Can dry out if overcooked
Air Fryer	Makes coating ultra crispy Healthier than frying in oil	Smaller capacity Need air fryer appliance
Grilling	Imparts smoky flavor Creates nice char	Requires outdoor grill Risk of burning
Skillet	Great seared texture Uses basic kitchen equipment	Needs close monitoring Fat/calories if using much oil
Deep Fryer	Makes extremely crispy Fast reheating	Oil splatter risks Needs deep fryer appliance
Toaster Oven	Direct heat for quick crisping Convenient for small batches	Very small capacity Easy to burn
Microwave	Fast initial reheating	Makes coating soggy Needs additional crisping method

Conclusion

Reviving the crispness in leftover chicken fingers isn’t difficult, but following some basic rules makes all the difference. Allow chicken fingers to fully cool before storing for best results. Reheat completely thawed fingers for more even, quicker cooking. Methods like the oven, air fryer, grill, skillet, and deep fryer that expose the exterior to direct, intense heat work best for re-crisping. While the microwave can quickly reheat, it leaves chicken fingers soft and soggy. With the proper reheating techniques and a little prep, you can easily get your leftover chicken fingers back to that crispy, crunchy, freshly-fried state.