THE BESTEST EVER / KITCHEN GUIDES
Reheating Food: Guides for Leftovers & Takeout
Got leftovers in the fridge? Find the food you want to reheat, from pizza and fried chicken to eggs, bread, and seafood. Choose a guide for the method that suits your food.
BROWSE BY FOOD TYPE
What Are You Reheating?
Choose a category to jump straight to its reheating guides.
Chicken & Poultry →
5 guides
Pizza, Pasta & Rice →
6 guides
Fried Foods →
4 guides
Eggs & Breakfast →
7 guides
Bread & Baked Goods →
5 guides
Fish & Seafood →
4 guides
Takeout & Street Foods →
7 guides
Desserts & Snacks →
4 guides
Other Meats →
2 guides
START HERE
Popular Reheating Guides
A few common leftovers that deserve a better second serving.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken
Bring back a crisp coating without drying out the meat.
How to Reheat Pizza
Warm the toppings while keeping the crust from going limp.
How to Reheat Scrambled Eggs
Use gentler heat to avoid rubbery eggs.
THE COMPLETE DIRECTORY
Browse All Reheating Guides
Find your food below and open the step-by-step reheating guide.
Chicken & Poultry
Keep the coating crisp or the meat juicy, depending on the dish.
Pizza, Pasta & Rice
Bring back the crust, keep pasta moist, and warm rice evenly.
Fried Foods
Get the crunch back without leaving fried food soggy.
Eggs & Breakfast
Warm eggs gently and bring back the texture of breakfast favorites.
Bread & Baked Goods
Warm bread and pastries without drying them out.
Fish & Seafood
Avoid overcooking delicate fish and seafood.
Takeout & Street Foods
Different components need different reheating approaches.
Desserts & Snacks
Warm fillings and pastry gently, or revive a favorite snack.
Other Meats
Heat meat through while limiting moisture loss.
BEFORE YOU REHEAT
A Quick Guide to Choosing How to Reheat Food
Start with the texture you want to keep. These are general starting points, not rules for every dish.
| What you want | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Crispy outside | Air fryer, oven, or skillet |
| Soft and moist | Gentle heat, often covered |
| Creamy sauce | Low heat with occasional stirring |
| Evenly warmed filling | Moderate heat and enough time for the center to heat through |
For exact temperatures and times, follow the food-specific guide.
Three Things to Check Before Reheating Leftovers
01 / STORAGE
How was the food stored?
Perishable leftovers should generally be refrigerated within two hours, or within one hour above 90°F (32°C). Reheating does not make improperly stored food safe.
02 / TEMPERATURE
How hot should it get?
For most cooked leftovers, USDA guidance is to reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a food thermometer to check.
03 / TEXTURE
What are you trying to preserve?
A microwave may work well for oatmeal, but an oven or air fryer is often better for a crisp coating.
KEEP EXPLORING
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