5 Ways to Reheat Chicken Wings

Reheating chicken wings can be a tricky task, but I've tested 5 different ways that you can reheat them and discovered two that are clear winners!

These methods give you delicious wings that are still juicy and crispy! Plus I will share how to get the best wings no matter which method you use.

Buffalo wings are the best! Crispy, saucy, and boldly flavored. But leftovers are inevitable, even with these tasty gameday appetizers.

Now you can keep enjoying them the next day too! I've got the best methods for reviving both the crunch and flavor for round two. No need to toss those extras when you can easily recreate the magic.

Reheating Wings in the Oven

Pros: One of the main benefits of reheating your wings in the oven is that it allows for even heating, which prevents the chicken from becoming dry and overcooked.

This allows the meat to retain its moisture, keeping the insides nice and juicy. Oven baking also crisps the skin back up, something that is hard to achieve with most of the other methods. Another benefit is that you can reheat a large batch of wings at once!

Cons: Using an oven takes longer than any other method. Plus it uses more energy.

Oven Reheating Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray or line the sheet with parchment paper.
3. Place the wings in a single layer on your prepared sheet pan.
4. Bake traditional wings for 10 minutes, and boneless wings for 8 minutes. Then place them under the broiler on HIGH for 1-2 minutes, until crispy.
5. Check the wings with a meat thermometer to ensure that they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Larger wings may take more time.

Reheating Wings in the Air Fryer

Pros: The air fryer works similarly to the oven, so it is a great way to get crispy wings that are still juicy! And it takes less time than cooking in the oven, making this my favorite method to use when I am in a hurry.

Cons: It is hard to reheat large amounts of wings as the chicken should not be overcrowded. Therefore, you'll have to work in batches if you are trying to reheat a lot of wings.

Air Fryer Reheating Steps:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Leave a little space between each one so that the hot air can circulate.
3. Spray the wings lightly with a little oil.
4. Cook traditional wings for 7 minutes, or boneless wings for 5, or until their internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).

Reheating Wings on the Stove

Pros: The stovetop allows you to reheat wings quickly while adding extra flavor from aromatics like garlic and herbs. It's a simple, hands-on approach.

Cons: Stovetop reheating can dry out wings if you're not careful and it does not crisp the skin as well as the oven or air frying.

Stovetop Reheating Steps:

1. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
2. Add wings in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side for traditional wings, flipping once. Cook boneless wings for 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Add any desired aromatics like garlic, rosemary, etc in the last 1-2 minutes.
4. Use a meat thermometer to confirm wings have reached an internal temp of 165°F (74°C) before removing from heat.

Reheating Wings in a Toaster Oven

Pros: Toaster ovens heat up quickly and crisp up wings nicely. It is a good option for small batches.

Cons: Limited capacity means you may need to reheat wings in multiple rounds. Also, many toaster ovens heat unevenly, which may result in parts of the meat being dry.

Toaster Oven Reheating Steps:

1. Preheat toaster oven to 400°F (204°C).
2. Place wings in a single layer on the rack. It's a good idea to place aluminum foil under the wings so the juices don't spill into your toaster.
3. Cook traditional wings for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. Boneless wings take 6-8 minutes.
4. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer, ensuring wings reach 165°F (74°C) before removing.
5. Watch closely to prevent burning. Adjust cook times as needed based on your specific toaster oven.

Reheating Wings in the Microwave

Pros: It's really fast and simple to reheat wings in the microwave! This is the easiest way if you just want to reheat a single serving, and do not want to go through the hassle of other methods.

Cons: The heat in the microwave does not circulate evenly, so it is really easy to overheat your wings, leaving them dry and rubbery. Also, the chicken does not get crispy in the microwave, so you may find it's not the texture that you love.

Microwave Reheating Steps:

1. Place the wings in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Cook the wings for 2 minutes, then turn over and continue heating in 30-second intervals until they are heated through.

Conclusion

After testing popular reheating methods, the clear winners are the oven and air fryer.

Thanks to even heating, these appliances give the best results with both crisping up the skin and locking in moisture.

Simply reheat wings in the oven or air fryer and you'll have crispy chicken wings ready to serve with your favorite sauce.

FAQs

The Best Chicken Wing Recipes