Korean fried chicken may look like American fried chicken at first glance, Korean fried chicken highlights the flavours seen more often in Asian cooking, such as umami (from soy sauce) and ginger.
Korean fried chicken is also healthier than American fried chicken as the batter is not as thick. This results in a crisper and healthier piece of chicken.
Making Korean fried chicken fresh every time can be just as time-consuming as making American fried chicken. It may be worth making a bigger batch of Korean fried chicken and saving it to reheat later.
To reheat Korean fried chicken, pop it into the oven or the air fryer. It will take around 15 minutes to reheat in the oven or around 10 minutes in the air fryer.
How to Reheat Korean Fried Chicken
There is no point reheating Korean fried chicken unless you can regain that signature crisp of the chicken. You should be able to hear the crunch when you bite into the chicken.
Not every reheating method will be able to give you that crunch, but there are at least 2 ways you can enjoy your batch-made Korean fried chicken once more:
How to Reheat Korean Fried Chicken in the Oven
Typically, Korean fried chicken is fried in oil in a frying pan, but a healthier way to cook the chicken is in the oven. With enough oil, the heat distribution will be just as effective at creating that signature crispy skin.
Likewise, Korean fried chicken can be reheated in the oven for the same reason.
However, you will need to be cautious of the chicken drying out too much. Following this method will ensure that your chicken does not dry out but will instead remain crispy:
- Preheat The Oven
Set the oven to 205 C and allow it to heat up. - Prep A Baking Tray
Take a baking tray and cover it with a thin layer of oil. If you want to protect your baking tray, you can first line it with some parchment paper and then cover that with oil. - Organise The Chicken
Lay the chicken out on the baking tray, leaving small gaps between the pieces. - Reheat
Set a timer for 10 minutes and place the chicken in the oven. - Flip
After 10 minutes, flip the chicken around on the tray itself and then turn the tray around in the oven. - Reheat (Again)
To ensure that the chicken is thoroughly reheated, leave it in the oven for a further 5 – 7 minutes. Then serve.
How to Reheat Korean Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer
Part of the appeal of Korean fried chicken is how much healthier it is compared to American fried chicken.
Using an air fryer to reheat your Korean fried chicken will keep the chicken on the healthier side while still maintaining that crispy deliciousness. Here is how:
- Set The Air fryer
Program your air fryer to 190 C and a timer for 5 minutes. - Oil
Drizzle a light layer of oil over the bottom of the air fryer basket and spread evenly with a pastry brush. - Organise The Chicken
Take your Korean fried chicken and arrange it in the air fryer basket laid out as one layer. Avoid overlapping any of the chicken pieces, as this could make them soggy. - Reheat
Secure the air fryer shut and reheat the chicken. - Adjust And Reheat (Again)
After 5 minutes, open up the air fryer and turn each chicken piece around for an even reheat. Then reheat for another 5 minutes until hot.
How to Reheat Korean Fried Chicken Successfully
Reheating any fried chicken can be difficult as the batter usually becomes too chewy or wet in storage to regain that crunch.
With Korean fried chicken, trying to make the chicken the right texture again is even more of a challenge because of how much lighter the batter is.
The methods listed above should provide you with the perfect Korean fried chicken every time, whether the chicken has been in your fridge for a few hours or a few days. But if you run into trouble, keep these tips in mind:
- Take Out The Chicken Before Reheating – No matter which reheating method you follow, do not immediately reheat Korean fried chicken directly from the fridge. The sudden change from chilled to hot will be too drastic and ruin the batter’s texture. Allow the chicken to heat up to room temperature before reheating.
- Use Neutral Oil – Due to the specific flavour of Korean fried chicken, you will need to use neutrally flavoured oil when reheating the chicken. This will prevent the taste of the chicken from changing.
- Space Out The Chicken – By leaving gaps between the chicken as it reheats, you will allow the hot air to evenly heat the chicken and prevent certain parts from drying out or going soggy.
Is It Safe to Reheat Korean Fried Chicken?
Korean fried chicken is safe to reheat so long as it has been appropriately stored.
As soon as the chicken has cooled once it has initially been cooked, place it in an airtight container. Set the chicken in the fridge and use it within 3 days.
When you are ready to reheat the chicken, ensure it is reheated all the way to kill any bacteria that may have started to grow.
Reheating Korean Fried Chicken FAQs
Do you still have questions about reheating Korean fried chicken? These might help you out:
Yes, Korean fried wings can be warmed up in the oven or the air fryer. They will take around 15 minutes to reheat using either method.
Yes, it is possible to reheat Korean fried chicken in the microwave, but it will dry out, and is easy to overcook. Place it on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with kitchen towel and then microwave using 30-second blasts.
Acacia may be a freelance writer by day, but they are a food fanatic by night. They are always trying out new recipes or finding different ways to elevate classical dishes. But their biggest culinary aim is to educate others on the basics of the kitchen so that they too can enjoy delicious food.
