I Tested 5 Ways to Reheat Chicken Wings and Found 2 Clear Winners

Reheating chicken wings can be tricky, but I've tested 5 different methods and found 2 that keep them juicy and crispy! I'll tell you the winners and also share how to get the best wings, no matter which method you use.

A platter of chicken wings garnished with parsley, bowl of ranch and small plate of celery.

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.

How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Oven.

Pros: One of the main reasons to reheat 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. It also allows you to 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:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray or line the sheet with parchment paper.
Place the wings in a single layer on your prepared sheet pan.
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.
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 baking in the oven, making it my favorite method 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're reheating many wings.

Air Fryer Reheating Steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
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.
Spray the wings lightly with a little oil.
Cook traditional wings for 7 minutes, or boneless wings for 5 minutes, or until their internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Wings in 2 rows in the basket of an air fryer.

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:

Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
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.
Add any desired aromatics like garlic, rosemary, etc in the last 1-2 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm wings have reached an internal temp of 165°F (74°C) before removing from heat.

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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:

Preheat toaster oven to 400°F (204°C).
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.
Cook traditional wings for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. Boneless wings take 6-8 minutes.
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer, ensuring wings reach 165°F (74°C) before removing.
Watch closely to prevent burning. Adjust cooking times as needed for 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 doesn't get crispy in the microwave, so you may find it's not the texture you love.

Microwave Reheating Steps:

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

3 reheated chicken wings on a plate with grease splatters on the plate.

Expert Tips

Allow wings to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before reheating for faster, more even results.
Mist wings with water before reheating to boost moisture.
Lightly coat the wings in oil when reheating in the oven to recreate crispiness.
Order your takeout wings with the sauce on the side. Wings that aren't sauced will reheat crispier than sauced wings.
Coat reheated wings with extra sauce to enhance their flavor and texture.
Leave space between the wings during reheating for optimal heat circulation.
Adjust cook times based on wing size and the total amount you’re reheating.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm wings reach the safe internal temp of 165°F (74°C).
For the best quality and food safety, follow my storage guidelines for leftover wings.

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.

Pile of chicken wings on parchment paper with ramekin of ranch and some celery.

FAQs

Can I reheat frozen chicken wings?

It's best not to reheat wings straight from the frozen state. For safety and quality, thaw wings overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. This helps them reheat evenly for ideal texture.

How do you make leftover chicken wings crispy?

The oven and air fryer do the best job at crisping the skin on leftover wings. Lightly coat the wings in oil before reheating. The hot dry heat will revive the crispiness. Using a wire rack allows air circulation too.

How should you store leftover wings?

For food safety, leftover wings need to be stored properly. Cool them within 2 hours of cooking then refrigerate in airtight containers. Cooked wings can keep for 3-4 days this way. For longer storage, freeze wings in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and use within 2-3 months.