How To Reheat Fried Fish

Do you have some cold, leftover fried fish in the fridge? Wondering if it's still safe for consumption? If yes, how do you reheat it to make it taste as good as when it was first cooked?

Fried fish is a delight in itself; it's crispy, flaky, and juicy, all at the same time. When reheated properly, fried fish tastes equally good as the original dish. So, here are a few tips on reheating fried fish to retain its original flavor and texture.

But first,

Check If Your Fried Fish Is Safe For Consumption

Your fish should be no more than 3-4 days old in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. If it's been more than that, it's best to discard it.

Also, check the appearance and smell of the fish. If it looks or smells bad, don't eat it. Rancid fish will have a sour smell, and the flesh will be mushy. You may also notice some black/green spots or molds on the surface.

If your fish passes the smell and appearance test, it's probably safe for consumption.

Now that you know your fried fish is still good to eat let's see how you can reheat it.

How To Reheat Fried Fish - 3 Best Methods

On The Stovetop

Fried fish is traditionally cooked by deep-frying on the stove. And what better way to reheat it than to fry it again?

Here's what you need to do:

• Preheat a pan or skillet on the stove. Add enough oil to deep-fry the fish.
• When the oil is hot (to about 350° F), add the fish fillets and fry for 1-2 minutes.
• The reheating time may vary depending on the thickness of your fish or batter. But in most cases, 2 minutes should be sufficient.
• Once done, remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

In The Oven or Toaster Oven

The oven is another great way to reheat fried fish. This method is especially useful if you have a large batch of fish to reheat. However, if you want to reheat just a single serving, we recommend using the toaster oven. It's more energy-efficient and heats up faster than a regular oven.

The steps remain the same for both appliances.

Here's what you need to do:

• Preheat to 350° F. Meanwhile, place the fish fillets on a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with foil.
• This step is important as it prevents the fish from getting soggy.
• When the oven is hot, place the baking sheet on the middle rack and reheat for 10-15 minutes.
• Check if the fish is heated properly. You can use a food thermometer for this.
• The internal temperature of your fried fish should be 145° F.
• If not, reheat for a few more minutes.

In The Air Fryer

Want to enjoy flaky, crispy, reheated fried fish without excess oil? The air fryer is your best bet.

Here's what you need to do:

• Place the fish fillets in the air fryer basket. If they don't fit snugly, cook them in batches.
• Spritz some oil on the fish. A little will do. This helps to retain moisture and prevents the fish from drying out.
• Set the temperature to 320° F and air fry for about 4 minutes.
• Then, remove your basket, flip the fish, and turn up the heat to 360° F.
• Air fry for another 2 minutes.
• Your fried fish should be reheated and ready to enjoy by this time.

Tips For Reheating Fried Fish

Honestly, reheating fried fish isn't rocket science. But you can do a few things to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every single time.

Here are our top tips:

• If you're reheating a large quantity of fish, it's better to use the oven. But if you're reheating just one or two servings, the toaster oven is more energy-efficient.
• The best oil for deep-frying fish is one that is mild but with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil.
• When deep-frying, make sure the oil is hot before adding the fish. This helps seal the moisture and prevents the fish from soaking up too much oil.
• Always allow refrigerated fried fish to reach room temperature. It shouldn't be too moist on the outside. You can pat it dry with a paper towel if necessary.
• Reheating fried fish in the oven/toaster oven doesn't require any oil. But if your fried fish looks dry, you might want to drizzle a little oil over it before reheating.
• For the air fryer method, don't preheat the appliance. It can lead to overcooking.
• Season your fried fish with spices and lemon juice for added flavor before reheating it in the oven or air fryer.
• Never overcrowd the pan or basket when reheating fried fish. This will cause uneven cooking.
• If you're unsure whether the fish is cooked, use a food thermometer. The internal temperature of your fried fish should be 145D F (regardless of what method you opt for).