How To Reheat Chicken Wings (5 ways)

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Don’t throw away those leftovers. Keep reading to learn how to reheat chicken wings 5 different ways. You will also learn the best ways to get delicious, crispy chicken wings the next day in minutes.

Plate of chicken wings.

Chicken wings are a delicious appetizer, especially for game day. Sometimes I go overboard and make too many for us to eat in one sitting but not to worry, wings are just as tasty the next day, especially if you know how to reheat them.

These methods and tips work for homemade wings, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstop wings, or any other you might have in your refrigerator.

To make sure you have yummy leftovers the next day, check out these tips for making sure you reheat chicken wings without drying them out.

How to reheat wings in the air fryer

I listed this method first because I think it’s the best way to reheat chicken wings to achieve a crispy skin while still having juicy, tender chicken. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air around the food which helps to cook evenly.

  1. Place wings in the air fryer basket.
  2. Heat at 370 degrees F for 2-3 minutes. You might need to add extra minutes depending on how many wings you are reheating.
  3. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Carefully remove and serve warm.

***Tip: I use a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer which can hold 10-12 wings at a time. This will also work for oven style air fryers.

How to reheat wings in the oven

This method is easy and great for reheating many wings at one time.

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Remove the wings from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature.
  3. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
  4. Spread the wings out on the baking sheet in a single layer.
  5. Bake for 6 minutes, flip them over and bake another 6-7 minutes.

***Tip: If you are worried about them drying out, give the wings a light spritz of water before baking.

Baking pan with chicken wings.

How to reheat wings in a pan

The frying pan method is another way to help bring back crispy skin on the chicken. The added oil lightly “fries” the wings for extra crispness. If you prefer not to use a lot of oil, spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray.

  1. Let the wings come to room temperature.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan.
  3. Place the frying pan on the stove and warm on medium-high heat.
  4. Heat the wings for 3-4 minutes, turning them so they crisp up on all sides.

How to reheat wings in a microwave

The microwave can be used to reheat wings but I recommend finishing them in the oven or air fryer to get crispy skin.

  1. Place a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. Put the wings on top of the paper towels and then top them with a damp paper towel.
  2. Cook them for 2-3 minutes or until they are warm.
  3. For crispy skin, transfer the warmed wings into an air fryer basket or on a baking sheet and cook at 350 degrees for 1-2 minutes.

How to reheat wings on the grill

Reheating on the grill takes a little extra time but it’s one of the best ways to get the best tasting wings. This method helps prevent soggy skin and and adds a little char.

  1. Light the grill, either burners or charcoal and let it preheat.
  2. Place the wings directly on the grill grates. Close the grill lid.
  3. Let them cook for 7-8 minutes and then open the lid and check the internal temperature. You are looking for them to be at least 160 degrees F.
  4. Carefully take them off the grill and let them rest for 2-3 minutes. Check the temperature again to make sure they reached 165 degrees F before serving.

***Tip: If you are reheating saucy wings on the grill, wrap them in foil and place the foil pack on the grill grates.

How to reheat buffalo wings

If you have saucy buffalo wings that need to be reheated I recommend using the oven.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  2. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are fully heated through.

How to store leftover wings

Keep leftover wings in an airtight container or zip-bag in the refrigerator. They will stay good for about 4 days if stored properly.

Tips

Here are a few tips to help make your wings taste like they have been freshly cooked.

  • Let them come to room temperature. I like to take the wings out of the refrigerator about 10 minutes before reheating them. This helps with even reheating.
  • Don’t overcrowd. No matter which method you use, don’t overcrowd. This will help them cook evenly and crispy.
  • Microwave is the last choice. If you are trying to achieve crispy wings, avoid reheating in the microwave.

What to serve with chicken wings

Serve leftovers with your favorite sauce like this homemade buffalo sauce or honey chipotle sauce. They also pair great with side dishes like:

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best way to reheat chicken wings?

I personally think the best method for reheating is the air fryer. It reheats quickly and gives you that crispy skin.

Does it matter if the chicken wings have sauce when reheating?

They can be reheated the same way. Just toss them in sauce once they have been heated.

 
Plate of chicken wings.
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How To Reheat Chicken Wings

Learn how to reheat chicken wings in the oven, air fryer, stove, microwave, and grill.
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 12 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients 

  • 2-8 leftover chicken wings

Instructions 

Oven

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the wings from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.Spread the wings out on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 6 minutes, flip them over and bake another 6-7 minutes.

Air Fryer

  • Place wings in the air fryer basket. Heat at 370 degrees F for 2-3 minutes. Carefully remove and serve warm.

Pan

  • Let the wings come to room temperature. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Place the frying pan on the stove and warm on medium-high heat. Heat the wings for 3-4 minutes, turning them so they crisp up on all sides.

Microwave

  • Place a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. Put the wings on top of the paper towels and then top them with a damp paper towel. Cook them for 2-3 minutes or until they are warm. For crispy skin, transfer the warmed wings into an air fryer basket or on a baking sheet and cook at 350 degrees for 1-2 minutes.

Grill

  • Light the grill, either burners or charcoal and let it preheat. Place the wings directly on the grill grates. Close the grill lid.Let them cook for 7-8 minutes and then open the lid and check the internal temperature. You are looking for them to be at least 160 degrees F. Carefully take them off the grill and let them rest for 2-3 minutes. Check the temperature again to make sure they reached 165 degrees F before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 75mg | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
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