How to Reheat Fried Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide

Not everyone knows how to reheat fried fish effectively. Most fried foods lose their crispy texture and become soggy or mushy if not being appropriately reheated.

In addition, if you do not reheat fried fish correctly before eating it, you may suffer from food poisoning. Some symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, diarrhea, headache, and other stomach problems.

Understanding your problem, I am writing this post to provide you with the best ways to reheat fried fish. This article contains detailed instructions that are easy to follow so you can keep the crispy texture of your fried fish.

Additionally, knowing correct reheating tips also allow you to make many leftover fish ideas at their finest. Alright! Without any further ado, let’s jump right into it!

8 Excellent Ways To Reheat Fried Fish

There are more ways to reheat your leftover fried fish than you can imagine.

Choose one of the following methods that are the most suitable for you.

• Use The Oven: It takes time, but it is one of the most effective ways to keep the crispy texture of fried fish.
• Use The Broiler Setting: It is a time-saving method and also easy to carry out.
• Use The Toaster Oven: More time-saving than using the conventional oven.
• Use The Deep Fryer: Quickest way but extra oil.
• Use The Air Fryer: A convenient way that keeps the fried fish crispy.
• Use The Skillet: Maybe you never think of using this stuff to reheat your leftover fried fish.
• Use The Steamer: Although this method can make the fish quite soft, it is also worth your consideration.
• Use The Microwave: This is not the best way to reheat fried fish, but it still can yield satisfactory results.

What Should You Know Before Reheating Fried Fish?

Before reheating fried fish, you should pay attention to the quality of your stored fried fish to know whether it is rotten or not. You need to know how long fried fish lasts and the identifying signs of spoiled fish. Check the table below!

Storage Methods	Shelf Life
Refrigerated fried fish	3 – 4 days (1)
Frozen fried fish	up to 3 months (2)

You may notice some rotten symptoms of fried fish after its best-by dates listed in the table above.

• The first most recognizable sign of spoiled fried fish is that it gives out a pungent fishy odor.
• The fried fish turns out mushy and slimy.
• Sometimes the refrigerated fried fish even grows mold when it is spoiled.

Discard your leftover fried fish right away whenever you notice any rotten sign of it.

Reheating Fried Fish Effectively With These Instructions!

Before using any reheating method below, you need to thaw the frozen fried fish first. The best way to defrost frozen fried fish is by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. If you don’t have time, immerse the container in cold water to thaw frozen fried fish quickly.

Another option for safe and quick thawing is using a defrosting tray. Fortunately, with the innovation in producing kitchenware, you will find many efficient defrosting trays on the market currently.

After checking your fried fish carefully, it is time to explore some excellent ways to reheat fried fish. Use one of the following methods to bring back the crispy texture of fried fish before eating. Take a look at this table and find your most suitable method!

Reheating methods	Time
Use the oven (350 degrees Fahrenheit)	10 – 15 minutes
Use the broiler setting (High temperature)	1 – 3 minutes
Use the toaster oven (350 degrees Fahrenheit)	8 – 10 minutes
Use the deep fryer	2 – 4 minutes
Use the air fryer (320 degrees Fahrenheit)	6 minutes
Use the skillet (Low-medium flame)	4 minutes
Use the steamer	5 – 8 minutes
Use the microwave (Low heat setting)	2 – 3 minutes

Let’s jump right into the detailed instructions for each method. You won’t regret it!

Using The Conventional Oven To Bake Fried Fish

The conventional oven is available at any family’s kitchen counter. You can easily bake fried fish in your oven to make it warm and crispy. It won’t take a long time to do. You can reheat pizza with an oven too. Overall, the warm-up process for these foods are pretty straightforward.

First, you should prepare:

• A conventional oven
• Your leftover fried fish
• Aluminum foil

Here is the step-by-step guide:

Step 1: You need to preheat the oven to reach the correct temperature before baking fried fish. The ideal temperature to preheat the oven is 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Take out the refrigerated fried fish to make it reach room temperature.

Step 3: Place the fried fish on the baking sheet with aluminum foil for baking fried fish.

Step 4: Bake it for about 10 – 15 minutes. The baking time depends on what kind of oven you are using. Check your fried fish to ensure its internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, it is ready to serve!

Utilizing The Broiler Mode To Reheat Fried Fish

You can use the broiler mode in your oven or toaster oven to reheat fried fish. This method is not only time-saving but also helps to keep the crispy texture of fried fish. To reheat fried fish by utilizing the broiler mode of your oven, grab these couple of things:

• A conventional oven or toaster oven
• Leftover fried fish
• Aluminum foil
• Spray cooking oil (optional)

Thence, follow these instructions to reheat fried fish by using the broiler mode effectively:

Step 1: Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray oil on it. Then, place your leftover fried fish on the foil.

Step 2: Turn on the broiler setting at the highest temperature before putting the basket tray into the oven.

Step 3: Let it cook for one to three minutes. Then, take it out and enjoy the hot and crispy fried fish by using the broiler setting.

Reheat Fried Fish In The Toaster Oven Is Also A Consideration

Having a toaster oven instead of a conventional oven? Or what is the difference between toaster ovens and regular toasters to decide which appliance is ideal for reheating?

It is not a major problem. Your fried fish is also safe in a toaster oven. Make sure you have these things available:

• A toaster oven
• Your fried fish
• Aluminum foil

Follow the instructions below!

Step 1: Like the conventional oven, you should preheat your toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit before putting the fried fish into it.

Step 2: Place your fried fish that has reached room temperature on the baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Step 3: Reheat the fried fish in your toaster oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. Remember to look out to prevent your fried fish from being burnt.

Step 4: After 8 to 10 minutes, your fried fish is ready to be served!

Make The Leftover Fried Fish Crispy By Using The Deep Fryer

Before making sure your fish can be reheated properly to retain the texture and taste, you also need to know the ideal timing to fry fish in a deep fryer. Similarly, you should have these things available to reheat your fried fish by using this cookware as:

• A deep fryer
• Leftover fried fish
• Extra oil
• A paper towel

Not everybody has a deep fryer in their kitchen. However, if you have one, use it to make your fried fish warm before eating by using the following guide:

Step 1: Firstly, pour oil into your deep fryer and heat it.

Step 2: When the oil boils, add the fried fish to the pan to re-fry it for 2 to 4 minutes.

Step 3: Wrap the fried fish in a paper towel to remove the excess oil before eating!

How About Using The Air Fryer To Rewarm Fried Fish?

I am sure lots of people have an air fryer just sitting around the house. You can reheat your fried fish by using the air fryer to keep its crispy exterior. Make sure you prepare these things:

• An air fryer
• Leftover fried fish
• Spray cooking oil (optional)

Here are the instructions:

Step 1: Place the fried fish in the air fryer basket.

Step 2: Spray both sides of the fish with oil (optional)

Step 3: Cook it at 320 degrees Fahrenheit in 6 minutes. To make it crispy on both sides, flip it every 3 minutes.

Step 4: After 6 minutes of cooking, take the fried fish out and let it cool down for a few minutes before eating.

Besides, many people also wonder whether aluminum foil is safe in air fryers. Technically, this tool is perfect for heat distribution, but there are notices to pay attention to when you use it.

You can try this quick and easy instruction to reheat your fried fish. Let’s see this video to know:

Don’t Forget The Skillet When It Comes To Reheat Fried Fish!

Using a skillet (or frying pan) to reheat the leftover fried fish is a time-saving way, but there will be a fishy smell in your house. You might be asking “What is the dissimilarity between frying pans and skillets?” because it appears to be the same thing.

Actually, they still have a little difference that you can easily tell apart, but both of them are perfect for reheating. So if you don’t mind a fishy smell in the kitchen, go ahead! Remember to keep an eye while reheating fried fish with a skillet (or frying pan), so it is easy to be burnt.

But first, prepare these things to rewarm your fried fish:

• A skillet/frying pan
• Leftover fried fish
• Stovetop
• Oil
• A paper towel

If everything is ready, let’s dive into the guide below:

Step 1: Heat the skillet on the stovetop on high flame.

Step 2: Add a little oil to the skillet and let it heat up.

Step 3: Start to reheat fried fish for about 4 minutes (2 minutes for each side) in low-medium flame.

Step 4: Remove fried fish from the frying pan and remove the excess oil with a paper towel.

Step 5: Enjoy your crispy fried fish!

Steaming Fried Fish To Reheat It Is Not A Bad Choice

Don’t worry because not having any of the stuff above; a steamer will be perfect for reheating fried fish. However, the fish will become quite tender. If it is not a major problem, then go right ahead and prepare these things:

• A steamer
• Fried fish
• Spray cooking oil or butter(optional)
• Aluminum foil
• A paper towel

Here are the instructions for you:

Step 1: Coat the fried fish with oil or butter (optional)

Step 2: You can wrap the leftover fried fish with aluminum foil or not. It’s up to you.

Step 3: Place the fried fish in the steamer and let it cook for 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 4: Remove it from the steamer and enjoy!

Note: You can replace water with a vegetable broth flavored with rich and aromatic spices to make your steamed fish taste more delicious and different.

Using The Microwave To Reheat Fried Fish Is Also Considerable

Microwaving is one of the worst methods to reheat leftover fried fish. The microwave will cause fried fish to lose crispy texture and turn soggy. If you are not fond of crunchy foods or have no choice, use the microwave to reheat your fried fish.

Furthermore, reheating fried fish in the microwave can create an unpleasant odor, and that fishy smell may annoy you. Make sure you accept all of the disadvantages of this method before using it to reheat your fried fish.

You have to prepare:

• A microwave
• Leftover fried fish
• A paper towel

This method is a piece-of-cake:

Step 1: Line the microwave-safe container with a paper towel before placing the fried fish on it.

Step 2: Microwave the fried fish for 30 seconds at a low-temperature setting.

Step 3: After 30 seconds, take the fried fish out and flip it. Then, put it back in the microwave and let it cook for another 30 seconds.

Step 4: Check your fried fish carefully to know whether it is wholly reheated or not before serving with some fried fish accompanying dishes. This way, you’ll have a nutritious meal that is also pleasing to your palates.

How To Store Fried Fish Effectively?

When you have more fried fish than you can eat and need to store it, check the following ways to keep your food correctly to prolong its shelf life and make it safe to reheat.

Refrigerating

The most common way to store any remaining cooked foods is by placing them in the refrigerator, and fried fish is not an exception.

• Firstly, to refrigerate fried fish properly, your fried fish has to be cooled down to room temperature before storing. Then, remove all the excess grease or sauce that will make the fried fish soggy by wrapping it with a paper towel.
• You need to store fried fish in an air-tight container and seal it tightly. The container can be made of aluminum, paper, or Styrofoam. Place the container in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

Refrigerating fried fish can keep for three days. Therefore, it is better to write the storage date outside the container to avoid consuming fried fish after three days.

Freezing

If you are curious whether you can freeze your fried fish or not, the answer is definitely yes! Like refrigerating, you need to allow fried fish to cool down completely before freezing it. To extend its shelf life, do not leave it out more than two hours at room temperature.

• Soak up all the grease and sauce of the fried fish by wrapping it with a paper towel. The next step is to place fried fish in an air-tight container or a heavy-duty bag.
• Remember to push out as much air as possible and seal the container tightly. Then, write the storage date outside the container to ensure that you won’t consume the out-of-date fried fish. Finally, place the container in the freezer.

Frozen fried fish can last for up to two months. Do not forget to write the storage date to know whether it is bad or not.

FAQs

Below are some questions related to reheating leftover fried fish. I hope my answers can clarify your curiosity.

Further Information About Reheating Fried Fish

When eating reheated leftover fried fish, you should try one tip: serving it with other vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus to enhance its flavor.

Moreover, there are two reasons why you should thaw fried fish before reheating. Firstly, cooking the frozen food immediately after taking it out of the freezer is harmful to your health. Another reason is reheating frozen food will take more time than refrigerated fish.

If the information indicated in this article can help you know how to reheat fried fish thoroughly, please like and share. If you have tried one of the methods above, share your experiences by leaving a comment below. I am always willing to hear your ideas.

References

[1][2]. Ask.usda.gov. 2021. AskUSDA.