There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly battered and fried seafood. Whether you’re enjoying our fried popcorn shrimp, fried oysters, or catfish, the crispy, golden exterior and the tender, juicy interior are a delight for the senses. But what happens when you have leftovers? Can you reheat battered and fried seafood without losing that delicious crunch?

The short answer is yes, you can reheat fried seafood, but you need to take some care to ensure it comes out just as delicious as the first time around. Here are some tips for reheating battered and fried seafood:

Reheating Fried Seafood: The challenge

Fried seafood is a delicious treat that is enjoyed by many people around the world. However, when it comes to reheating fried seafood, it can be a challenging task. This is because of two reasons. One the delicate coating, like on our battered seafood, can quickly lose its crispy texture. And two, the most common mistake when reheating seafood, not just batter fried, is overcooking it.

So, how do you keep battered fish from getting soggy?

  1. Use a preheated oven
    • Before reheating your seafood, it’s important to preheat your oven to the right temperature. This will help to ensure that the seafood cooks evenly and maintains its crispiness. A temperature of 350-375°F is ideal for reheating battered and fried seafood.
  2. Flip the food
    • The length of time that you reheat a fried seafood dish can vary. An average cooking time is about 15 minutes. Flipping halfway through, or even every 5 minutes can ensure that all sides of your fried seafood get crispy.
  3. Use parchment paper
    • To prevent the seafood from sticking to the baking sheet, line it with parchment paper. This will also help to absorb any excess oil and keep the seafood crispy. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper on a single layer to prevent overcrowding.
  4. Don’t overcrowd!
    • Make sure you don’t overcrowd the baking sheet, as overcrowding can cause fried seafood to become soggy. Make sure you give each item enough room for any steam to escape. If you have a lot of seafood to reheat, like our combo plates, do it in batches.
  5. Don’t cover it!
    • To keep your seafood crispy, don’t cover it with anything while its reheating. That would trap in steam and moisture and prevent it from staying crispy.
  6. Serve immediately!
    • Don’t let it sit on the baking sheet too long. Plate, Serve, and Eat!

    How do you reheat seafood without overcooking it?

    1. Use a thermometer
      • If you have a meat thermometer, this would be a great time to use it. The most common seafood reheating mistake is overcooking. Check the internal temperature so that it is a minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
    2. Check it often
      • Fried seafood can reheat quickly, so make sure you check it often. A regular cook time is about 15 minutes, but that depends on the type of seafood, its thickness and desired temperature.

    Bonus tips

    • Try using an air fryer. Just place your seafood evenly layered and turn your air fryer to reheat mode. This usually takes about 6 minutes. Don’t forget to flip your seafood about half-way through to ensure that both sides are heated evenly and remain crispy!
    • The best way to reheat most other types of seafood is in the oven on a low temperature or on a skillet. Different types of seafood have slightly different reheating requirements. For example, delicate fish like cod should be reheated gently for a shorter time than denser fish like salmon or tuna. Scallops should only be reheated in the over, however some seafood, like our Spicy Peel & Eat Shrimp or crab can be reheated quickly in a skillet. To prevent seafood from dying out, place it on a baking sheet with a splash of water or broth. You could also drizzle a little bit of olive oil or white wine to a skillet. Just remember that overcooking is the most common mistake when reheating seafood, so keep a close eye on it.
    • Food safety is also crucial when reheating leftovers, so refrigerate promptly, reheat only once, check the temperature, and discard any leftovers that have been sitting for too long.

    Reheating battered and fried seafood can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, you can enjoy leftovers that are just as delicious as the original dish. Just remember to keep it crispy and don’t overcook it. These tips will help you get the most out of your delicious leftovers, without sacrificing flavor or texture. Enjoy!

    Can’t decide what’s for dinner? Try our N.C. Seafood House Platter that includes – 1 Piece Fried Flounder, Fried Popcorn Shrimp, 3 Fried Sea Scallops, 3 Fried Oysters, 1 Fried Deviled Crab!

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