Prawns are up there with the most popular seafood, thanks to being widely available and super delicious! They’re delicious pan-fried and eaten as they come but are equally as tasty when added to a range of dishes. But after you’ve cooked them once, is it possible to reheat prawns?
To reheat prawns, you can use a pan on the stove, the oven or the microwave. What’s important is how they were stored once they were originally cooked.
How to Reheat Prawns
Although there are at least three ways of reheating prawns, we think the best method is to reheat them on the stovetop, as this returns the best flavour and texture.
That being said, you can also safely reheat prawns in the oven or microwave, depending on how much time you have before serving them up to your dinner guests, and we introduce each method in detail below:
How to Reheat Prawns on the Stovetop
Reheating prawns on the stovetop is an excellent way to enjoy king prawns in particular, but the method is suitable for any variety. Below are the steps you should follow to reheat prawns on the stovetop safely:
- Heat Pan
Add a small knob of butter to your pan and heat over low to medium heat until it melts. Season with salt and pepper, and perhaps add chilli or garlic, depending on the taste you desire for your prawns. - Add Prawns
Once the butter has melted and started to sizzle in the pan, add your prawns. Instead of tossing them in, lay the prawns carefully (particularly if they’re king prawns), so they’re not on top of one another. - Heat for 5-10 Minutes
Heat your prawns in the pan for up to ten minutes. Aim for 4-5 minutes on either side to make them nice and crispy. - Check Temperature
When you think your prawns are ready, check their internal temperature with a thermometer. Prawns need to be 165F or 75C before they’re safe to eat. - Serve and Enjoy
Once your prawns are up to temperature, serve them up and enjoy whilst they’re warm and tasty!
How to Reheat Prawns in the Oven
The second option is to reheat your prawns in the oven. Although this takes a little longer, it’s still a good option for great-tasting prawns. Below are the required steps to reheat prawns in the oven:
- Preheat Oven
Turn on your oven and preheat it to 375F or 190C. - Prepare Baking Sheet
Add a sheet of greaseproof paper to a baking tray and grease with olive oil or butter. - Add Prawns
Spread the prawns on the baking tray, ensuring they do not overlap. - Drizzle with Oil
Drizzle olive oil on top of the prawns and season with salt and pepper (and maybe even chilli and garlic if you’re feeling adventurous). - Bake
Place the tray of prawns in the oven, and allow to bake for around 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. - Check Temperature
When you think your prawns are done, remove the tray from the oven and check their temperature. Your prawns will need to be 165F or 75C before they’re safe to eat. - Serve and Enjoy
Providing your prawns are at the right temperature, they’re ready to serve up and enjoy in any way you choose.
How to Reheat Prawns in the Microwave
If you’re short of time, it’s possible to reheat prawns in the microwave safely. You have to be particularly careful to ensure the prawns don’t go rubbery in the microwave, which can be prevented by following the steps below:
- Add Prawns to a Microwave-Safe Plate
Lay your prawns on a microwave-safe plate, spreading them out, so they’re not on top of one another. - Drizzle with Oil
Add a drizzle of olive oil to the surface of the prawns or a splash of water if you prefer. This will help manage the moisture content throughout the reheating process. - Cover and Reheat
Cover the prawns with a paper towel and reheat in thirty-second intervals on medium heat, flipping them each time you pause the microwave. - Check the Temperature
When you think the prawns are ready, check their internal temperature. Your prawns should be 165F or 75C before being safe to enjoy. - Serve and Enjoy
Once up to temperature, your prawns are safe to enjoy in whichever way you choose!
Yes, king prawns can be reheated safely, but they can become a little rubbery. They are far better cooked fresh – especially when you consider them a pricier prawn. 
How to Reheat Prawns Successfully
Now you have three methods for reheating prawns, you might want to follow these easy tips to ensure you have success when reheating them:
- Reheat Only Once – You should only ever reheat prawns once. If you’re unsure whether they’ve already been reheated, you shouldn’t risk doing it a second time. You can always enjoy prawns cold instead.
- Store Correctly – Cooked prawns should be stored in the fridge as soon as they’ve cooled, ideally within one hour of being cooked. You shouldn’t leave prawns out at room temperature for any longer than this, as harmful bacteria can grow on their surface.
- Freeze them – Although cooked prawns can be stored in the fridge for up to three days, you could freeze them to preserve them for a couple of months. This is a great option if you have lots of prawns leftover or if you’re saving them for a special occasion.
Is It Safe to Reheat Prawns?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to reheat prawns. Just ensure that your prawns are reheated to 165F or 75C before eating them, and you should experience no problems during the reheating process if you follow the tips listed above.
Reheating Prawns FAQs
Do you still have questions about reheating prawns? Then perhaps these FAQs will help you out:
If the previously frozen prawns were raw and then cooked, you can reheat them in a pan, in the oven or in the microwave. However, if the prawns were frozen cooked, then we would avoid reheating them, unfortunately.
Yes, you can reheat prawn curry. Pop the cooked curry into a pot and bring to a boil before turning it down to a simmer. Reheat for 10 minutes or so until piping hot through.
Yes, prawn toast can be reheated in an oven at 200C/400F for around 8 minutes when placed on a preheated baking sheet. You need to store them in the fridge before reheating them, of course. 
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
