FryConvert is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full affiliate disclosure.
⚡ In a hurry?
For reheating, the Ninja DZ201 Foodi (dual-basket, 8-quart) is the standout — its two independent zones let you crisp a main and a side at the same time, and both finish together. If you only reheat one thing, the Ninja AF150 (5.5-quart) does it fast with strong, even heat.
Check Price on Amazon →Why an air fryer beats the microwave
A microwave reheats by steaming food from the inside, which is exactly why yesterday’s pizza comes out limp and your fries turn to rubber. An air fryer does the opposite: hot, moving air dries the surface back out and re-crisps it, so leftover pizza, fried chicken, fries, and roasted vegetables taste close to freshly made instead of soggy.
The two things that matter for reheating are strong, even airflow (to re-crisp without drying the food to leather) and, ideally, enough room — or two baskets — to reheat a whole plate at once. Reheating a main in one zone and a side in another, both done at the same moment, is where a dual-basket model quietly shines.
Quick comparison
| Model | Best for | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja DZ201 Foodi | Reheating two dishes at once | 8 qt (2×4) | ~$170 |
| Ninja AF150AMZ | Fast single-dish reheat | 5.5 qt | ~$110–130 |
| Cosori Pro LE | One-touch reheat preset | 5 qt | ~$80 |
Prices are typical street prices and move around — tap any “Check Price” button for the current number.
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 2-Basket, 8-Quart
Reheating a plate of food usually means a main and a side that want different heat and time. The DZ201’s two independent 4-quart baskets solve that: crisp fried chicken in one zone, warm roasted veg in the other, and its Smart Finish setting syncs them to finish together. It is the most practical reheater here for anyone who eats real meals, not single items.
What We Like
- Reheats a main & side at the same time
- Two zones finish together
- High heat re-crisps fast
- Each basket washes separately
What Could Be Better
- Large footprint on the counter
- Overkill if you reheat one item
Ninja AF150AMZ, 5.5-Quart
If most of your reheating is one thing at a time — a stack of pizza slices, a container of wings, last night’s fries — the AF150 is the simpler, cheaper answer. The ~1750W element and stainless build heat quickly and evenly, so leftovers re-crisp in a few minutes without a second basket you do not need.
What We Like
- Strong, even heat re-crisps quickly
- Roomy enough for a full pizza’s worth of slices
- Sturdy stainless styling
- Simpler than a dual basket
What Could Be Better
- One zone — no main-and-side at once
- Pricier than entry baskets
Cosori Pro LE 5-Quart
The Cosori Pro LE keeps reheating brainless with a dedicated reheat preset, so you press one button instead of guessing temperature and time. The 5-quart basket handles a solid single-person or two-person portion, and it is the cheapest pick here. Just note a preset is a starting point — thick leftovers may want an extra minute.
What We Like
- One-touch reheat preset
- Cheapest pick here
- Compact 5-quart footprint
- Easy to clean
What Could Be Better
- Single zone only
- Presets are a starting point, not perfect
How to reheat leftovers in an air fryer
Go lower than you cooked, around 350°F
Reheating is about warming through and re-crisping the outside, not cooking again. A moderate temperature warms the center before the surface overcooks. Check after a few minutes rather than blasting it on high.
Do not crowd the basket
Piling leftovers steams them instead of crisping them — the same mistake the microwave makes. Spread food in a single layer so air reaches every surface. This is exactly where a bigger or dual basket earns its keep.
Skip added oil for already-fried food
Pizza, fries, and fried chicken already carry plenty of oil; the air fryer just drives the surface moisture off and re-crisps what is there. Reserve a light oil mist for dry leftovers like plain roasted vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an air fryer better than a microwave for leftovers?
For anything that is meant to be crispy — pizza, fries, fried chicken, roasted vegetables — yes. A microwave steams food from the inside and leaves it soggy, while an air fryer’s hot moving air dries the surface back out and re-crisps it. A microwave is still faster for soups, sauces, and foods where texture does not matter.
What temperature should I use to reheat food in an air fryer?
Around 350°F works for most leftovers. That is hot enough to re-crisp the surface but gentle enough to warm the center without overcooking. Check after three to five minutes, since a thin slice of pizza reheats far faster than a thick piece of chicken.
Can an air fryer reheat two different foods at once?
A dual-basket model like the Ninja DZ201 can, using two independent zones set to different times and temperatures — ideal for a main and a side. A single-basket air fryer can only reheat foods that share the same settings, and only if they fit in one uncrowded layer.
Do I need to add oil when reheating in an air fryer?
Usually not. Already-fried or oily leftovers like pizza and fried chicken have enough oil for the air fryer to re-crisp them. A light oil mist only helps for dry foods such as plain roasted vegetables that you want to freshen up.