The air fryer beats the microwave every time. Use 350°F for 3–4 minutes as your default — here are the exact temps and times to reheat 116 leftover foods to crispy, not soggy.
The ten most-searched leftovers. Scroll to the full table below for 80+ more foods.
| Food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thin Crust Pizza Slice | 350°F / 175°C | 3–4 min |
| French Fries | 370°F / 190°C | 3–4 min |
| Fried Chicken | 370°F / 190°C | 4–6 min |
| Chicken Wings | 360°F / 180°C | 4–5 min |
| Garlic Bread | 330°F / 165°C | 2–3 min |
| Steak | 325°F / 165°C | 3–5 min |
| Burgers | 325°F / 165°C | 3–4 min |
| Pasta Bake | 300°F / 150°C | 5–8 min |
| Hard Shell Tacos | 350°F / 175°C | 2–3 min |
| Egg Rolls | 350°F / 175°C | 3–4 min |
Search, filter by category, or sort by temperature and time. Each row links to a matching tested recipe where one exists.
| Food | Category | Temp | Time | Result | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asparagus Veggies | Veggies | 350°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Thin spears get crisp in 2 minutes; fat spears need 3. |
Bacon Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 350°F | 1–2 min | Crispy | 90 seconds is usually enough. Place on parchment if you want to catch the grease. vs microwave: Crispier, less chewy. A completely different texture. |
Bagels Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 330°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Sliced-side up for a lightly toasted interior. |
Baked Chicken Breast (Sliced) Chicken View recipe → | Chicken | 300°F | 3–4 min | Tender | Slice before reheating and drizzle with a teaspoon of broth to keep it moist. |
Baked Potato Veggies View recipe → | Veggies | 350°F | 4–6 min | Crispy | Pierce the skin again before reheating to let steam escape. |
Baked Ravioli Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 320°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | If breaded, reheat dry — no sauce on top or the crust goes soft. |
Baked Sweet Potato Veggies View recipe → | Veggies | 350°F | 4–6 min | Tender | Natural sugars burn fast — check at 4 minutes. |
Baked Ziti Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 300°F | 5–8 min | Melty | Add a splash of water or marinara on top to prevent dry noodles. |
BBQ Chicken Chicken | Chicken | 325°F | 4–6 min | Tender | Sauce will caramelize fast — check at 3 minutes and cover loosely if needed. |
BBQ Ribs Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 325°F | 4–6 min | Tender | Wrap in foil with a tablespoon of water or apple juice for the first half. |
Biscuits Pizza & Bread View recipe → | Pizza & Bread | 325°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Wrap loosely in foil to prevent over-browning. |
Bread Rolls Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 320°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Spritz with water before reheating for a fresh-from-the-oven crust. |
Breakfast Burrito Breakfast | Breakfast | 325°F | 5–7 min | Crispy | Wrap in foil for the first half so the interior warms through before the tortilla crisps. |
Breakfast Sandwich Breakfast | Breakfast | 330°F | 3–4 min | Melty | Wrap in foil for the first 2 minutes, then unwrap for the last minute to crisp the bread. |
Brisket Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 300°F | 3–5 min | Tender | Slice across the grain first, then foil-wrap with a splash of beef broth. |
Broccoli Veggies View recipe → | Veggies | 350°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Reheats fast. Pull at 2 minutes for some char on the florets. |
Brussels Sprouts Veggies View recipe → | Veggies | 360°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Brussels sprouts actually get better on reheat — more caramelized. |
Burgers Beef & Pork View recipe → | Beef & Pork | 325°F | 3–4 min | Tender | Reheat patty alone, then rebuild. Toasting the bun for the last 30 seconds is optional but great. |
Burritos Mexican | Mexican | 325°F | 5–7 min | Crispy | Wrap in foil for the first 3 minutes so the filling warms before the tortilla crisps. |
Calzone Pizza & Bread View recipe → | Pizza & Bread | 325°F | 5–7 min | Crispy | Pierce the top twice so steam escapes and the crust shatters on the first bite. |
Chicken Cutlets Chicken View recipe → | Chicken | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Thin cutlets reheat fast — check at 3 minutes to avoid drying. |
Chicken Nuggets Fried Foods | Fried Foods | 370°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Shake the basket at 90 seconds for 360° crispness. |
Chicken Parmesan Chicken View recipe → | Chicken | 325°F | 4–6 min | Melty | Sauce on top, not under — keeps the breaded cutlet from going soggy. |
Chicken Tenders Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 370°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Don't overlap. Flip once at the halfway point. |
Chicken Thighs Chicken View recipe → | Chicken | 325°F | 4–5 min | Crispy | Skin-up, no oil — the thigh fat re-crisps the skin on its own. |
Chicken Wings Chicken View recipe → | Chicken | 360°F | 4–5 min | Crispy | No sauce during reheat — toss fresh sauce after so the skin stays crispy. vs microwave: Re-renders the skin; microwaves leave wings flabby. |
Chimichangas Mexican | Mexican | 350°F | 4–5 min | Crispy | Flip once — the bottom goes golden fastest. |
Churros Mexican View recipe → | Mexican | 350°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Roll in fresh cinnamon sugar after reheating for that just-fried hit. |
Cinnamon Rolls Breakfast View recipe → | Breakfast | 320°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Add the glaze after reheating — glaze in the air fryer turns to caramel. |
Cod Seafood | Seafood | 300°F | 3–4 min | Tender | A squeeze of lemon before reheating brightens the fish back up. |
Cooked Shrimp Seafood | Seafood | 300°F | 2–3 min | Warmed | Shrimp are cooked through already — you're just warming them. 2 minutes max. |
Corn on the Cob Veggies View recipe → | Veggies | 350°F | 3–4 min | Tender | Brush with butter before reheating so the kernels don't shrivel. |
Cornbread Sides | Sides | 320°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Brush with melted butter before reheating for a softer crumb. |
Crab Cakes Seafood | Seafood | 325°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | A light mist of oil restores that golden crust. |
Crab Rangoon Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 350°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | These crisp fast. Start at 2 minutes and add 30 seconds if needed. |
Croissants Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 300°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Low and slow — high heat will burn the flaky layers before the middle warms. vs microwave: Layers stay flaky instead of collapsing into chewiness. |
Deep Dish Pizza Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 325°F | 6–8 min | Melty | Lower temp, longer time — you need the center to come up without burning the top. vs microwave: Cheese melts evenly instead of boiling. |
Dim Sum (Steamed) Asian | Asian | 300°F | 3–4 min | Tender | Spritz with water and lay on parchment — you're steaming, not frying. |
Dumplings (Cooked) Asian | Asian | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Spritz tops with water so the dough tenderizes while the bottom re-sears. |
Egg Rolls Fried Foods | Fried Foods | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Turn once so all sides crisp evenly. |
Empanadas Mexican View recipe → | Mexican | 330°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | No oil needed — the dough has plenty of fat already. |
Enchiladas Mexican | Mexican | 300°F | 4–6 min | Melty | Cover with foil so the sauce doesn't scorch before the middle warms. |
Falafel Other | Other | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Dry-reheat first, then dress in tahini or yogurt after. |
Fish & Chips Seafood | Seafood | 360°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Reheat fish and chips together — fries re-crisp in the same window. |
Fish Tacos (Filling Only) Seafood | Seafood | 325°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Reheat the fish alone, then rebuild the taco so the tortilla stays soft. |
Focaccia Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 320°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Brush the top with a little olive oil before reheating. |
French Fries Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 370°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Shake the basket halfway — no oil needed, the surface still has plenty. vs microwave: Fries come back to life; microwaved fries are limp forever. |
French Toast Breakfast View recipe → | Breakfast | 330°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | A tiny pat of butter on top before reheating revives the exterior. |
Fried Chicken Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 370°F | 4–6 min | Crispy | Let the chicken sit out 10 minutes first so the center warms evenly. vs microwave: Skin re-crisps instead of turning to rubber. |
Fried Fish Fried Foods | Fried Foods | 350°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Lower temp keeps the fish from drying while the batter re-crisps. |
Fried Fish Sandwich (Patty Only) Seafood | Seafood | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Reheat the patty alone, then rebuild with fresh bun and toppings. |
Fried Rice Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 350°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Break up any clumps first and sprinkle a teaspoon of water across the top. vs microwave: Gets wok-style crispy edges that microwaves can't touch. |
Fried Shrimp Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 350°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Shrimp are tiny — check at 90 seconds to avoid rubbery shrimp. |
Fried Tofu Asian View recipe → | Asian | 370°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | High heat brings the crust back. No oil needed. |
Frittata Breakfast | Breakfast | 300°F | 3–4 min | Tender | Slice before reheating so the heat penetrates evenly. |
Garlic Bread Pizza & Bread View recipe → | Pizza & Bread | 330°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Butter-side up. Two minutes is almost always enough. vs microwave: Edges crisp; microwaves turn garlic bread into a sponge. |
General Tso's Chicken Asian | Asian | 350°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Reheat chicken alone, then re-toss in the sauce for that takeout gloss. |
Green Bean Casserole Veggies | Veggies | 320°F | 4–6 min | Melty | Top with a handful of fresh crispy onions in the last 60 seconds. |
Grilled Chicken Chicken | Chicken | 300°F | 3–4 min | Tender | Add a splash of broth or lemon juice before reheating to revive the surface. |
Ham (Sliced) Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 300°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Brush with a glaze or a little juice to keep slices from curling. |
Hard Shell Tacos Mexican | Mexican | 350°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Prop them upright in the basket so the shell re-crisps while the filling warms. |
Hash Brown Patties Breakfast | Breakfast | 360°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Crank to 370°F for the last 30 seconds if you want diner-level crunch. |
Hash Browns Fried Foods | Fried Foods | 370°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Reheat in a single layer so the edges crisp up like new. |
Jalapeño Poppers Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 350°F | 3–4 min | Melty | Place seam-up so the filling stays put. |
Korean Fried Chicken Chicken View recipe → | Chicken | 360°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Reheat first, then re-toss in sauce to keep that signature lacquered crust. |
Lasagna Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 300°F | 6–10 min | Melty | Foil on for the first 5 minutes, off for the last 2 to brown the top. |
Leftover Takeout (Assorted) Other | Other | 325°F | 3–5 min | Warmed | When in doubt, 325°F for 4 minutes covers most takeout safely. |
Lo Mein Asian | Asian | 325°F | 3–5 min | Warmed | Loosen noodles first and sprinkle with a teaspoon of water. |
Loaded Fries Sides View recipe → | Sides | 350°F | 3–4 min | Melty | Lower than plain fries so cheese and toppings don't scorch. |
Mac & Cheese Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 300°F | 4–6 min | Melty | Stir in a splash of milk before reheating — creamy sauces break without moisture. |
Mashed Potatoes (in Ramekin) Sides | Sides | 300°F | 4–6 min | Warmed | Dot the top with butter and cover loosely with foil. |
Meatballs Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 325°F | 3–5 min | Tender | Reheat naked, then add sauce after so the exteriors stay firm. |
Meatloaf Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 300°F | 4–6 min | Tender | Slice first — slices reheat in half the time of a whole loaf. |
Mozzarella Sticks Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 350°F | 2–3 min | Melty | Watch closely. Two minutes can separate molten from exploded. vs microwave: Breading crisps; microwaves just turn them into cheese puddles. |
Naan Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 330°F | 1–2 min | Tender | Spritz with water — naan is all about the tender-chewy-crispy contrast. |
Nachos Sides | Sides | 330°F | 2–3 min | Melty | Add cold toppings (salsa, sour cream) after — only reheat the chips, cheese, and protein. |
Onion Rings Fried Foods | Fried Foods | 370°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Single layer — overlap and the breading goes soggy where it touches. |
Orange Chicken Asian | Asian | 350°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Same as General Tso's — sauce-on-the-side reheating keeps the crust intact. |
Pancakes Breakfast | Breakfast | 320°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Stack no more than three high. Flip once at 90 seconds. |
Pasta Bake Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 300°F | 5–8 min | Melty | Cover with foil for the first 4 minutes so the top doesn't burn before the middle warms. vs microwave: Cheesy top crisps up instead of going rubbery. |
Pasties (Hand Pies) Other | Other | 330°F | 4–6 min | Crispy | Moderate heat protects the crust while the dense filling warms. |
Pastrami Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 300°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Wrap in foil with a teaspoon of water — pastrami should be steamy, not crisp. |
Pita Bread Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 320°F | 1–2 min | Tender | Spray both sides with water so pita puffs instead of drying out. |
Pork Chops Beef & Pork View recipe → | Beef & Pork | 325°F | 3–5 min | Tender | Lower temp is key — pork chops dry out faster than any other leftover. |
Pot Pies Other | Other | 325°F | 6–8 min | Crispy | Foil-tent the crust for the first 4 minutes so the filling reaches temperature without burning the top. |
Pot Roast Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 300°F | 4–6 min | Tender | Reheat in a ramekin with its own braising liquid so it tastes day-of. |
Potstickers Asian | Asian | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Flip halfway so both the crispy and pleated sides get hot. |
Pulled Pork Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 300°F | 3–5 min | Warmed | Put in a ramekin with a splash of broth or vinegar so it steams back to juicy. |
Quesadillas Mexican | Mexican | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Flip halfway so both tortillas re-crisp. |
Quiche Breakfast | Breakfast | 300°F | 4–5 min | Tender | Low temp is critical — eggs seize up fast at anything higher. |
Risotto Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 300°F | 4–6 min | Warmed | Stir in a splash of broth first — the rice reabsorbs it as it reheats. |
Roast Beef Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 300°F | 2–3 min | Tender | Very easy to overdo — pull at 2 minutes and let rest 30 seconds. |
Roasted Potatoes Sides View recipe → | Sides | 370°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | High heat restores the crunchy edges that roasted potatoes lose in the fridge. |
Roasted Veggies Veggies | Veggies | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Spread in a single layer so the edges re-caramelize. |
Rotisserie Chicken (Pieces) Chicken | Chicken | 325°F | 3–5 min | Tender | Lower temp prevents drying. Brush the skin with a drop of oil if it looks dull. vs microwave: Skin crisps instead of going rubbery. |
Salmon Seafood View recipe → | Seafood | 300°F | 3–4 min | Tender | Low and slow. High heat turns leftover salmon chalky. vs microwave: Stays flaky instead of releasing that classic microwave-fish smell. |
Samosas Other | Other | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | No oil needed. Flip halfway for even golden color. |
Sausage Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 325°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Prick the casing once so it doesn't split. |
Sausage Patties Breakfast | Breakfast | 330°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | No oil needed — sausage fat renders and re-crisps the exterior. |
Sesame Chicken Asian | Asian | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Sauce caramelizes fast — check at 3 minutes to avoid burnt sesame seeds. |
Spring Rolls Fried Foods | Fried Foods | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | The wrapper is thinner than an egg roll — check early. |
Steak Beef & Pork | Beef & Pork | 325°F | 3–5 min | Tender | Let it come to room temp for 15 minutes first. Finish with a 30-second 400°F sear if you want the crust back. vs microwave: Medium-rare stays medium-rare instead of grey-brown. |
Stir Fry Pasta & Rice View recipe → | Pasta & Rice | 325°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Veggies revive fast — check at 2 minutes to avoid overcooking. |
Stuffed Crust Pizza Slice Pizza & Bread | Pizza & Bread | 340°F | 4–5 min | Crispy | Watch the cheese pocket — cover loosely with foil if it starts to blister. |
Stuffed Peppers Veggies | Veggies | 320°F | 4–6 min | Warmed | Stand upright so the filling heats through evenly. |
Stuffed Shells Pasta & Rice | Pasta & Rice | 300°F | 5–7 min | Melty | Cover with foil so the shells don't dry out while the filling warms. |
Stuffing Sides | Sides | 320°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Spritz with broth so it doesn't dry out on the second round. |
Tamales Mexican | Mexican | 320°F | 5–7 min | Tender | Keep them in their husks and spritz with water to steam-reheat. |
Taquitos Fried Foods | Fried Foods | 360°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Space them apart — contact points go soft in reheating. |
Tater Tots Fried Foods View recipe → | Fried Foods | 370°F | 3–5 min | Crispy | Shake vigorously at the halfway mark so every side browns. |
Tempura Asian | Asian | 360°F | 2–4 min | Crispy | Tempura batter is delicate — check at 2 minutes to avoid over-browning. |
Teriyaki Chicken Asian | Asian | 325°F | 3–5 min | Tender | Lower heat protects the glaze. Brush with extra sauce after reheating. |
Thick Crust Pizza Slice Pizza & Bread View recipe → | Pizza & Bread | 350°F | 4–6 min | Crispy | Cover cheese loosely with foil for the first 2 minutes so the crust finishes at the same time. vs microwave: Even heat instead of a molten top and cold middle. |
Thin Crust Pizza Slice Pizza & Bread View recipe → | Pizza & Bread | 350°F | 3–4 min | Crispy | Place directly on the basket — no foil — to re-crisp the bottom. vs microwave: Crust stays crunchy instead of turning into a wet napkin. |
Waffles Breakfast View recipe → | Breakfast | 350°F | 2–3 min | Crispy | Single layer, no stacking. This is the best use of an air fryer in the morning. vs microwave: Squares stay crisp in every pocket instead of steamy. |
Whole Chicken (Portioned) Chicken | Chicken | 325°F | 5–7 min | Tender | Portion first so the meat heats evenly. Cover breast with foil if it's drying out. |
Showing 116 of 116 foods. Times assume leftovers from the fridge in a preheated basket air fryer.