The taste of fried fish has been relished for centuries, as a variety of cultures have their unique ways of preparing and serving it.
With modern technology, we are able to prepare fried fish at home too, using a range of different ingredients and methods.
If you’re looking to buy some fish from a supermarket then there are plenty of options available, including frozen, canned, and even dried varieties.
However, if you want to cook up a batch of fish yourself then read on to learn about how to reheat fried fish, as well as what temperatures you should use.
What is the best way to reheat fried fish?
When you have cooked your fish, whether at home or in a restaurant, there are several ways that you can eat it.
You can choose between eating it raw, grilled, baked, or fried, depending on the type of fish that you have bought.
If you’ve bought some fish from the supermarket, then you might be wondering what temperature to heat it back up to after frying.
Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to help with this.
For example, you can remove the skin before cooking, as this will give you more time to cook the fish properly without overcooking it.
You could also place the fish in an oven to warm it back up.
The ideal temperature for reheating a fried fish is around 145°F (63°C).
This means that the meat inside the fish will still be tender and moist when eaten.
However, you don’t want the outside of the fish to become dry and hard either, so make sure that you check the internal temperature of the fish, while it’s still hot, to ensure that it’s not over-cooked.
You can tell if the fish is ready by touching its skin, as it should feel soft to the touch.
The flesh should also look opaque, meaning that it’s cooked through.
If you’re unsure, you can always cut into the fish to see if it looks cooked.
Another thing that you need to take care of is how long you leave the fish in the fridge once it’s done cooking.
When it comes to reheating it, make sure that you keep it for no longer than 10 minutes.
Fish cooks very quickly, so you only have a short amount of time to consume it before it becomes tough again.
How do you reheat fried fish so that it is still crispy?
If you’ve just bought some freshly caught fish from your local fishmonger, chances are you’ll be wanting to cook it straight away.
But before you start frying up your freshly caught catch, you need to know how to reheat fried fish.
There are two main ways to reheat fried fish: either by baking or by microwaving.
Baking is a traditional method which involves placing the fish on a piece of foil on top of a wire rack set over a baking tray.
You then pour water into the bottom of the tray until it comes halfway up the sides of the tray, cover the pan with foil, and bake it for 20 minutes at 200°C (400ºF).
Alternatively, you can microwave the fish for five minutes on full power.
This will ensure the fish stays warm without overcooking it.
Both these methods work well for cooking whole fish, but if you’re trying to reheat fish fillets, then you may have problems with them sticking together.
To solve this problem, all you need to do is place the fillet between two pieces of tin foil, wrap it tightly, and leave it in a container of cold water for a few hours.
Once the fish has soaked up all the moisture, remove it from the water and gently heat it in a microwave oven for three minutes on full power.
This method works well for cooking small pieces of fish such as sardines or anchovies.
What is the best temperature to reheat fried fish?
It’s important to keep an eye on your fish when cooking it as you don’t want to overcook or undercook it.
The ideal temperature to reheat fried fish is around medium-rare, which means that the meat inside the fillet will still be pink and juicy.
If you want to know exactly how long to cook your fish, then check out our guide to calculating time and temperature.
As well as medium-rare, you can also choose to serve your fried fish at higher temperatures.
This is because the outer layer of the fish will become crispy and golden brown.
Depending on the type of fish you have chosen, you may need to leave it for longer before you eat it, so make sure you pay attention to the cooking times given by the manufacturer.
However, remember that frying fish is not something that should be rushed.
You should allow enough time for the fish to fully cook through, so that it becomes tender and juicy throughout.
It’s better to let it rest first before trying to reheat it, so that any excess moisture has evaporated.
Reheating fried fish with a microwave
If you don’t have access to a conventional oven, then you can always use a microwave to reheat fried fish.
Just place the fish into a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with cling film (plastic wrap), and heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes on high power.
The microwaving method is quick and easy, but it won’t give you the same results as cooking the fish in an open pan over a hot grill.
However, it does help you save money and time, so if you only have a microwave, then give it a go!
How long does it take to reheat fried fish?
The best way to reheat fried fish is to either cook it again or serve it cold.
The former option is ideal if you have leftovers that need to be used quickly.
However, if you prefer to eat your meal straight away then freezing or refrigerating will be more suitable.
If you decide to freeze your fish then make sure to wrap it tightly, so that it doesn’t leak any juices.
You can do this by wrapping each piece individually in plastic wrap before sealing them all together using kitchen foil.
Then place it into an airtight container and store it in the freezer.
When ready to eat, remove the fish pieces from the freezer and let them thaw.
Once the fish is fully defrosted, it should be easy to separate the individual fillets.
You can then serve the fish hot or cold.
To serve cold, simply reheat the fish in a frying pan over a low heat, until it reaches the desired temperature.
It’s important to ensure that the fish doesn’t overcook, so don’t allow it to boil.
You can also cook the fish in the microwave, although this method takes longer than cooking it on the stovetop.
To achieve the same result as baking, you will need to cook it for around five minutes per pound (450g).
Once the fish has finished cooking, you can then slice it up and serve it immediately.
Is it better to reheat fried fish in the oven or microwave?
If you have a large quantity of fried fish that needs reheating, then there really is no contest when it comes to which appliance will be best suited to the task.
In fact, microwaves are so good at reheating food that they are often used by commercial kitchens to reheat leftovers before being served back to customers.
The reason why microwaves are such an effective way of reheating food is down to the principle behind their functioning.
Microwave radiation works because food molecules absorb energy according to the size of the molecule – smaller molecules absorb more energy than larger ones.
This means that microwaved foods take longer to finish cooking than those cooked in conventional ovens.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, as it allows you to enjoy the taste of your food without overcooking it.
Another benefit of microwaving fried fish is that it doesn’t require much attention during the process.
You simply need to place the fish in a microwave-safe container and heat it until it is piping hot inside.
Once it is ready, just leave it to cool slightly before serving.
The only downside to microwaving fried fish is that you may not get quite the same results as if you had cooked it in an oven.
The reason for this is that the moisture content of food varies greatly depending on where it was originally prepared, so microwaved fish won’t always turn out as soft as you might expect.
On the other hand, you can still enjoy the taste of fried fish in the microwave, as long as you remember to keep it moist enough while cooking.
If you don’t, then your fish will become dry and bland after reheating.
If you prefer to cook fried fish in the oven, then you’ll need to ensure that the oil temperature remains constant throughout the preparation process.
To do this, you should preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) before starting to prepare your fish.
Then, once you’ve placed the fish in the oven, reduce the temperature to 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit).
By doing this, you’ll ensure that the oil is at the right temperature throughout the entire process, meaning that everything will cook evenly and to the correct temperature.
How do you know when fried fish is reheated all the way through?
It might sound like an obvious question, but it’s one that many people have trouble answering accurately.
This is because there isn’t a set temperature or time period that applies to every type of food, so knowing when everything is fully cooked is not always easy.
You may think that everything needs to be cooked to a certain temperature before being served.
However, this isn’t always true.
You need to take into consideration the type of food you are cooking, its thickness, and the amount of heat applied during the frying process.
For example, you may be cooking chicken wings that are approximately 1 inch thick, which will require a higher temperature than something such as a fillet steak that is 3 inches thick.
The same goes for other foods, such as vegetables, where you would normally cook them until they reach the desired tenderness.
The best way to tell whether your food is cooked all the way through is by using a meat thermometer.
Inserting the probe into the middle of the meat will give you an accurate reading once you remove it, telling you exactly how far the internal temperature of the food has risen.
If the temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), then you can safely assume that the food is ready.
Note that this is just a general guide, so you may want to double-check if you’re unsure.
Keep in mind that the internal temperature of the food will rise further after it has been removed from the heat, so it’s important to wait until it has reached the required level before serving it.
To help you out further, here are some of the most common types of fish that are commonly fried:
Cod
Halibut
Mackerel
Tuna
Sole
Salmon
Prawns
Mussels
Eel
Checking the doneness of fresh fish
When buying fresh fish, you may notice that it looks slightly translucent.
This means that it hasn’t yet started to lose moisture, which is why you shouldn’t worry about overcooking it.
It will continue to get drier as it cools down, so you only need to check it periodically while it’s still hot.
Even though this seems like common sense, many people often forget these simple steps.
One of the main reasons for this is that they are used to eating fish that has already been frozen, which has had time to dry out and stop losing water.
As a result, they tend to underestimate the cooking times required for fresh fish.
What happens if you don’t reheat fried fish properly?
You may have heard that frying is an easy way to prepare food, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a straightforward process.
You need to make sure your oil is hot enough to prevent the fish from sticking, otherwise you will end up with greasy fingers and possibly burnt skin.
The best way to do this is by checking the temperature of your oil before adding the fish.
If it feels warm to touch then you have reached the right level of heat.
However, if you use a thermometer then you will be able to see exactly what temperature your oil is at.
Most people prefer to use a deep-fryer or pan rather than a wok, as they are more convenient to use and can achieve higher temperatures faster than other cooking methods.
If you are using a pan though, make sure you keep it over a high heat so that the oil remains at its hottest throughout the entire cooking process.
Once you have cooked the fish, it’s important to remove it from the pan carefully, as the oil will continue to bubble and spit once the fish is added.
It’s easier to remove the fish from the pan if you place it onto a wire rack first, which will allow any excess oil to drip off.
Remember to take care when removing the fish from the pan, as it contains delicate bones that could break if not handled correctly.
Always leave the fish to cool down completely before attempting to cut into pieces.
Can you reheat fried fish more than once?
It depends on the type of fish that you have chosen to cook, but most types of fish will be fine to eat more than once after they have been cooked.
You may need to give them an extra minute or two under the grill or oven to get the texture just right.
If you are cooking salmon, cod, or any other type of white fish, you will probably only need to reheat it briefly before eating it again.
However, when cooking oily fish like tuna, mackerel, or herring, you will need to give it longer under the grill or oven so that all the oil is absorbed into the flesh of the fish.
So, if you are going to serve your fish more than once, you will need to keep an eye on how long it takes to cook each time, depending on the temperature you are using.
Once you have cooked the first time, you will know exactly how long it needs to be cooked for next time, and you won’t waste any time by overcooking it.
When reheating fried fish, remember that it is important not to overdo it.
It is perfectly acceptable to cook it again if you wish, but make sure that you don’t let the temperature rise above 140° F (60°C) when reheating it.
What should you do if your fried fish isn’t reheating evenly?
If your fried fish is not cooking evenly or quickly enough, then you need to check that your oil isn’t too hot.
You don’t want to burn the outside of your fish while leaving the inside raw, so make sure that your pan is heated through before adding the fish.
You can also add more oil if needed – you don’t want to overcrowd your pan, so add more as needed.
It’s also worth noting that if you have a gas stove, then you may need to adjust the flame slightly depending on the type of burner you have.
It’s always better to undercook rather than overcook your fish, so try to get it to a medium-rare state by checking its temperature after five minutes.
This will ensure that your fish cooks evenly across all parts of it, which will result in a tender texture throughout.
Reheating fried fish
Once your fish has reached the correct internal temperature, it’s time to start cooking again.
Once you’ve removed your fish from the heat, cover it with aluminum foil to stop any further cooking, then leave it to rest for 5 minutes.
After this period, you can remove the foil and place it back into the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) for 5 minutes.
After this, you can serve it straight away.
If you’d prefer to keep your fish warm for longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge.
You will be able to enjoy it later on in the week.
Air Fryer Fish Fillets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 800 gram fish fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup bread crumbs dry
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or granules
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Serving:
- tartar sauce
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Defrost frozen fish fillets before using. Drizzle with olive oil, making sure the fish is thoroughly coated.
- Mix the bread crumbs with the paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a shallow dish.
- Coat each fish fillet in bread crumbs before placing in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes in an air fryer at 390°F (200°C). After 8-10 minutes, open the air fryer and flip the fish fillets to the other side before continuing to cook.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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