In a nutshell: There are four ways to reheat pad thai to taste fresh: using a stovetop, using a microwave, using an oven, and using an air fryer. Each way has different steps and cooking times, depending on the amount and texture of pad thai.
Pad Thai is one of the most famous Thai meals and, dare we say, there are not many opponents of this flavorful dish.
The great thing about Pad Thai noodles is that you can combine ingredients as you wish. You can choose which meat to put, which vegetables, and even spices. Some put more, some less, depending on their preferred taste.
When you have leftovers after lunch, no worries, you can easily reheat Pad Thai later. And most of the ingredients will warm up nicely without losing their texture and flavor. Just be careful not to overcook it all together. An overcooked Pad Thai is by no means tasty. You can store Pad Thai leftovers in the fridge or a freezer for longer keeping.
You can use different methods for reheating Pad Thai. On the stove, which is also the way you prepared Pad Thai in the first place. Then, in the microwave, or an air fryer and in the toaster oven. We will go through each method of reheating Thai food.
Reheating Pad Thai On The Stovetop
Best way to reheat Pad Thai is the way you prepared it the first time, and it only takes a few minutes. I always use a wok dish because it heats up perfectly, and the vegetables keep their texture in it.
I would also recommend it when reheating, but if you don’t have a wok pan on hand, a plain one will decently serve. Here are the steps you can follow to reheat Thai food:
Step 1: Preheat Some Oil in a Pan
As we said, it would be better to use a wok pan. Put a little oil in a pan and let it heat up. You will need so much oil so the dish comes out well prepared and does not stick to the pan, but again not too much that it can become too greasy.
Step 2: Put Pad Thai in a Pan and Stir
Heat oil well and then put the Pad Thai in the pan. Immediately several times, toss the dish so that the oil is nicely distributed. Continue to heat constantly stirring or tossing. When the dish is ready, serve it instantly. Your reheated Pad Thai should taste like freshly cooked.
How To Reheat Pad Thai In The Microwave
In the case of Pad Thai, we cannot assure you that the microwave is a slightly faster method than the stove. In preparing the dish, you simply cover it in the bowl, and just wait for about a few minutes.
However, the microwave can serve you the same, especially if you do not have a pan, or if you are at work.
Step 1: Place the Pad Thai in a Microwave-Safe Dish
First, place the Pad Thai in the microwave safe bowl you will use to reheat it. Then add one tablespoon of water to keep Pad Thai moist. You can pour it in the middle. This will help the dish to evaporate and not to dry out the ingredients.
Cover the container with plastic wrap and poke a couple of holes so that air can escape.
Step 2: Nuke for 90 Seconds
When everything is well prepared, put Pad Thai in the microwave. Turn the microwave on the medium heat and warm the Pad Thai for 90 seconds. It should be just enough time for everything to be well heated and delicious. Take it out, add Pad Thai sauce and serve.
If you estimate that a little more heating is needed, feel free to heat for another 10 seconds.
Way To Reheat Pad Thai In The Oven
There are not many advantages that go in favor of the oven in this case except that you can heat larger quantities at once than in the microwave. Otherwise, it is a much slower method to reheat Pad Thai.
So if you have the option, we advise that you follow the first two techniques. But if you have no choice, here is how to heat Pad Thai in the oven.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 350 °F
The first step is always to turn on the oven to heat up well. This will take a few minutes so you can prepare the dish for warm-up during that time. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Put Pad Thai in a Bowl, Oil, and Cover
Place the Pad Thai in the baking dish where you will heat it and distribute it evenly. Add a little oil. You can also sprinkle it over the dish, and stir a little. Then, cover the whole bowl with aluminum foil.
Step 3: Bake for about 15 Minutes
Put the dish in the oven and let it heat for 15 minutes. As we said, this is the slowest method, so you have to have a little patience. When the time is up, take the dish out and serve. Be careful not to burn yourself while removing the foil as there will be hot steam inside.
Warming Pad Thai In An Air Fryer
It is certainly possible to reheat leftover Pad Thai in the air fryer. The procedure is very simple and extremely fast. Actually, the only slow method for this dish is the toaster oven.
All others are a minor matter of 5 to 10 minutes of overall preparation. Here’s what to look out for and what steps to take.
Step 1: Preheat The Air Fryer
First of all, turn on the air fryer to heat up to 400 degrees. You want a stronger temperature for a better result. While the appliance is heating up, you have time to prepare the Pad Thai.
Step 2: Put Pad Thai in a Pan
For this dish, you will need a baking pan that matches the size of your air fryer. If you don’t have anything on hand, you can line the corresponding air fryer basket with foil.
Just be careful not to leave any holes through which the sauce will leak. Place the Pad Thai inside, add a little water or soy sauce, and mix well.
Step 3: Cook for 5 Minutes
Depending on how much food you have in the pan, it will take approximately 5 minutes for everything to heat up well and evenly.
We definitely recommend that you remove the Pad Thai halfway through and mix it well. In this way, you will ensure a more consistent result.
FAQs
How long can Pad Thai last in a fridge?
Always keep food in the refrigerator, and do not leave it at room temperature. The Pad Thai should be good for about three days in the fridge if stored adequately in a container with a lid or plastic wrap. Some say it can take up to 5 days but would recommend you not take the risk. Consume the dish within three days of preparing it.
How long can Pad Thai be left out?
With dishes like this, you should stick to the 2-hour rule. Of course, this is not the case for a minute, but as a rule, you should store leftover Pad Thai in the refrigerator if you do not consume it. Otherwise, bacteria will develop on it. Also, keep in mind that the outside temperature greatly affects the food. For example, if it is very hot outside, the food will surely spoil faster than in colder temperatures.
Can I freeze cooked Pad Thai?
You can freeze cooked Pad Thai, and it should last up to six months in the freezer. However, depending on what ingredients you have in your frozen Pad Thai, some could lose their fine texture, especially some vegetables.
Is Pad Thai good the next day?
Yes, Pad Thai can still be delicious the next day if properly stored and reheated. Its flavors can meld together overnight, making it even tastier when reheated.
Conclusion
Delicious Pad Thai is a dish that you can heat up very efficiently, so there’s no need to worry if you have leftovers after lunch. You can easily reheat it on the stove using a wok pan, but useful methods that can be applied are also an air fryer, a microwave and an oven. The oven, however, takes the most time to reheat.
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.
