In summary: There are three ways to reheat fish and make it taste fresh: (1) reheating whole fish with the skin in the oven, (2) reheating skinless fish fillet in the oven, and (3) warming up fish in an air fryer.
Fish is, without a doubt, best when just freshly prepared in any way. You can grill it, bake it in a pan, make it wrapped in salt in the oven, cook it, or prepare it as a steak just lightly baked on the outside.
If you are a fish lover, you prefer any method of preparation. For most, however, grilled juicy fish is the pinnacle of seafood pleasure.
But, what happens when you have leftover fish after lunch?
It’s a shame to throw it away. Many connoisseurs will recommend that you eat the fish cold in that case. In the meantime, of course, you need to keep it in the fridge. But, it is not always delicious for every type of fish. Some are merely edible when cold and have a pungent taste.
We bring you a few tips on how to reheat fried fish or cooked one, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t heat some seafood, such as tuna steaks.
Reheating Whole Fish With The Skin
If you have a whole fish in one piece, you want to reheat it by keeping the skin and making it as crunchy as possible. The skin will also help retain moisture inside the fish, so it is advisable to preserve it.
It can be any type of fish like mullet, bass, bream, or dozens of other types. When reheating, always follow the rule—warm slowly over low heat.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 275 °F
It is very important that the temperature is not too high when reheating the fish, so preheat the oven or toaster oven to low temperature of 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Place the Fish on a Baking Sheet
You can put the fish on a baking paper and directly on the oven rack. Since there are no extra sauces and the fish is already pre-baked, there will be no liquid coming out to mess up your oven. This way, the fish will heat up evenly on all sides.
However, if you do not want to, you can also put the fish in a pan on which you have laid a baking paper so that it does not stick.
Step 3: Bake for about 15 Minutes
Put the fish in the oven and let it heat up for about 15 minutes—that should be enough time. You can also check the temperature of the fish with a thermometer. It should be around 130 degrees.
How to Reheat Skinless Fish Fillet
In the case of fish fillets, it is much more dangerous that the fish will dry out a lot when reheated. What you need is to add more care to keep the juiciness. And in this case, the fish must be heated in the oven.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 275 °F
The heating temperature should be as low as in the previous procedure. So, set the oven to 275 degrees F and let it heat up.
Step 2: Wrap Fish Leftovers in a Foil Together with the Sauce
To keep the thin fish juiciness, it is necessary to create steam in which they will heat up. So the best thing to do is to put the leftover fish fillets in aluminum foil. Add a few tablespoons of fish broth or a little water, to add liquid, then wrap the foil well.
Step 3: Bake for Approximately 15 Minutes
Put the wrapped fish in the oven and leave for 15 minutes to bake. Then, take it out and make sure it is heated enough. Be careful not to burn yourself while opening the foil as there will be hot steam inside.
Warming Up Fish In An Air Fryer
The air fryer proved to be an excellent device for reheating fish, especially if it is baked or deep fried.
The heating procedures in the air fryer will depend on what kind of fish you have. However, most steps are common to each type of prepared fish.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer to 320 °F
Preparing the fish for heating does not take long, so you can turn on the air fryer first to heat it to an ideal temperature of 320 degrees.
You can also choose a slightly higher temperature, but never over 350 degrees, because the fish could fall apart. In those few minutes, you can prepare the fish in parallel.
Step 2: Place the Fish in a Basket or a Pan
This is the step where you have to adapt to the type of fish you are preparing.
Let’s put it this way, if you have fish with a solid structure, probably deep fried or fried with breadcrumbs, you do not need to fear that it will fall apart if you only put it on the grid air fryer basket. You don’t necessarily need baking paper as a base, either. Simply place the leftover fish in the basket.
However, if your fish decomposes, for example, if it is cooked, basket grates are certainly not the best solution. In this case, put the fish in a suitable pan or wrap it in aluminum foil. In both cases, you can add additional moisturizers. It will make fish tender and extra juicy.
Step 3: Cook for 6 Minutes
The cooking time will be approximately 6 to 7 minutes. After 3 to 4 minutes, you should flip over the fish, so it is heating evenly.
This applies to leftovers placed in the basket. Those wrapped in aluminum foil do not need to be turned.
After the heating is finished, check if everything is hot enough. If necessary, return to the air fryer for an additional minute or two at most.
It would be best if you placed your fish leftovers in a proper container and seal. Keep in the fridge for not more than three days. It is somewhat the maximum number of days for the fish to be safe for consumption.
You can stretch it on a fourth day if everything looks and smells okay, but don’t push the limits. Freezing cooked fish isn’t a good option because it will ruin the texture and the flavor. If you need to freeze fish for a more extended period, rather do it while it is fresh and raw.
Can I reheat fish in a microwave?
Well, technically, you can do that, but it will spoil your lunch a bit. Microwave tends to dry out the fish, which ruins the texture. Also, nuking can often bring out that fish odor, so it is not the best way to reheat. If you must reheat fish in a microwave, try to do so in a short 20 seconds interval. After each interval, check to see how your fish is doing and if it is heated enough. Don’t just pop it in the microwave and leave for 2 minutes.
How do I know if the fish is rotten?
The sense of smell will rarely deceive you. Even when the fish is raw, if it smells strange and different from the usual sea smell they normally have, you better throw it away. Do not eat or prepare rotten fish. When cooked and stored in the refrigerator, if it has unpleasant fishy smell and looks different (some mucus or mold appears), throw it away immediately and don’t even try to reheat it.
Should you reheat fish or eat it cold?
It is generally better to eat fish cold if you want to preserve its original flavor and texture. Reheating fish can sometimes lead to an unpleasant smell and texture, so consuming it cold or at room temperature is often preferred to maintain its quality.
Conclusion
Fish is really a real delicacy when freshly prepared. But, the next day, the leftovers can be a little disappointing. In that case, it is essential to heat the fish well so that you can enjoy it again. The oven is a classic, reliable way to do it, but the air fryer has proven to be great way to reheat fish as well. By both methods, you will achieve a delicious and yummy meal.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
