Reheating French toast casserole in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy edges and a soft, custardy interior. Air fryers use super heated air to quickly crisp up the outside of foods while gently heating the interior. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Can You Reheat French Toast Casserole in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely reheat French toast casserole in an air fryer! The air fryer’s combination of hot circulated air and shorter cook times makes it ideal for reheating creamy casseroles like French toast. The air fryer will reheat the casserole evenly throughout while crisping up the top layer. Just be sure to loosely cover the casserole with foil or an oven-safe lid during the reheating process to prevent the top from over-browning.
How to Reheat French Toast Casserole in an Air Fryer
Reheating French toast casserole in an air fryer is super simple. Just follow these steps:
- Preheat the air fryer to 300°F.
- Cut the casserole into individual portions or slices.
- Place the slices or portions of casserole in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
- Loosely cover the top with aluminum foil or an oven-safe lid.
- Reheat for 5-7 minutes, until heated through and starting to brown on top.
- Remove the foil/lid and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to crisp up the tops.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Be sure to keep an eye on the French toast casserole pieces as they reheat. Depending on the thickness of the slices, they may need a minute or two more or less time. You want them piping hot in the center with a crispy browned exterior.
Tips for Reheating French Toast Casserole in an Air Fryer
Follow these tips for the very best results when reheating French toast casserole in your air fryer:
- Cut the casserole into portions before reheating for faster, more even cooking.
- Let it come up to room temperature before air frying. Cold or chilled casseroles take longer to reheat.
- Use foil or an oven-safe lid to prevent the top from over-browning.
- Reheat in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Brush the tops with butter or oil before the last 1-2 minutes for extra crispy tops.
- Let the casserole sit for 1-2 minutes before serving.
What Temperature Should You Use to Reheat It?
An air fryer temperature of 300°F is perfect for reheating French toast casserole. This relatively low temperature prevents the custardy interior from curdling or separating while still providing enough heat to cook the egg- and cream-based filling thoroughly. It also gives you time to allow the tops to crisp up at the end without burning them.
How Long Does It Take to Reheat French Toast Casserole in an Air Fryer?
It will take 5-9 minutes total to reheat French toast casserole in an air fryer. The timing depends on how thick you slice the casserole and how large your air fryer is. Follow these guidelines:
- 5-7 minutes covered to heat the interior through
- 1-2 minutes uncovered to crisp the tops
Check for doneness after 5 minutes. The center should be very hot with no cold or underdone spots. Then uncover and cook 1-2 minutes more, watching closely, until the tops are browned and crispy.
Can You Reheat It Straight from the Fridge?
It’s best to let refrigerated or chilled French toast casserole come up to room temperature before reheating it in the air fryer. Starting with a cold casserole will significantly increase the reheating time required. Letting it sit out for 15-30 minutes makes a big difference. If you’re short on time, you can absolutely reheat a casserole straight from the fridge, just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
What If Your Air Fryer Is Too Small?
If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, simply reheat the French toast casserole in batches. Cut it into portions that will fit in a single layer in your air fryer without crowding. Reheat the first batch, then keep them warm in a low oven while you air fry the remaining pieces.
Can You Reheat Other Casseroles in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! An air fryer is great for reheating all kinds of casseroles, including:
- Breakfast casseroles like sausage and egg
- Green bean casserole
- Tuna noodle casserole
- Chicken pot pie
- King ranch chicken casserole
- Cheesy broccoli rice casserole
The hot circulated air will reheat any casserole evenly while crisping up the topping or edges. Just be sure to loosely cover the casserole at first to prevent burning.
What If You Don’t Have an Air Fryer?
Don’t have an air fryer? No problem! You can still reheat French toast casserole to crispy perfection using your regular oven. Simply preheat the oven to 325°F. Cut the casserole into portions and place in an oven-safe dish or sheet pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Remove foil, increase heat to 400°F and bake another 5 minutes or so to crisp the tops. An air fryer may be slightly faster, but the oven gets the job done too.
Storing and Freezing French Toast Casserole
To make things even easier, consider making a big batch of French toast casserole to freeze for later. Here are some storage tips:
- Let the casserole cool completely before wrapping for the fridge or freezer.
- For the fridge – cover tightly and store for 3-4 days.
- To freeze – wrap tightly in plastic then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
With a batch of French toast casserole in the freezer, you’ll always be just 10 minutes away from a hot, homemade breakfast or brinner!
Troubleshooting Reheating French Toast Casserole in an Air Fryer
Having some trouble getting perfect results when reheating your French toast casserole? Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Overly browned or burnt tops | Use lower temp (275°F), loosely cover with foil first 5-7 minutes. |
| Soggy or underdone interior | Slice casserole thinner, increase cook time by 1-2 minutes. |
| Custard curdles | Don’t overcook, use moderate temp (300°F), stir gently after reheating. |
| Dries out | Cook covered the entire time, add extra sauce before serving if needed. |
Reheating French Toast Casserole with Other Appliances
While the air fryer is ideal, you can also reheat French toast casserole using these other appliances:
Microwave
Microwave on 50% power in 30 second intervals until heated through, 1-3 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent overcooking edges.
Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens work great! Preheat to 300°F. Reheat 5-7 minutes covered, then 1-2 minutes uncovered.
Slow Cooker
Mix in a sauce or cream when reheating in a slow cooker to prevent drying out. Cook on low 2-3 hours.
Serving and Storing Leftover French Toast Casserole
Only reheat what you plan to eat within a couple days. To store leftovers:
- Let cool completely, then refrigerate in airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to refresh.
- Freeze individual portions up to 3 months.
Delicious ways to serve leftover French toast casserole:
- Top with fresh fruit, maple syrup, powdered sugar.
- Drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce.
- Serve alongside bacon, sausage, or ham.
- Dollop with whipped cream or vanilla yogurt.
With these handy tips, you’ll be a pro at reheating French toast casserole in your air fryer for quick weekday breakfasts, lazy Sunday brunches, and late-night comfort food cravings. Enjoy!