To reheat lasagna in an air fryer, set it to 160°C (320°F) for 3-5 minutes. This gentle heat warms the layers evenly while keeping the cheese gooey and the pasta tender. Unlike microwaving, which can make lasagna soggy, air frying restores that freshly-baked texture with lightly crisped edges.
The air fryer circulates hot air around the lasagna, reheating it evenly without creating cold spots. Microwaves tend to overheat some areas while leaving others lukewarm. For those who love crispy cheese edges, the air fryer delivers where the microwave falls short. Visit airfryerrecipe.co.uk/recipes for more ways to revive leftovers.
Another advantage is speed – most air fryers preheat faster than conventional ovens. You can reheat a single portion of lasagna in under 8 minutes total. The rapid air circulation also prevents the dreaded "reheated pasta" texture that microwaves often create. For meal prep enthusiasts, this makes the air fryer indispensable.
If reheating refrigerated lasagna, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes first. This prevents thermal shock and promotes even heating. For frozen lasagna, thaw overnight in the fridge. Cut portions to fit your air fryer basket – about 10cm squares work well for most models.
Set your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for refrigerated lasagna or 150°C (300°F) for frozen. Cook time varies: 3-5 minutes for fresh, 8-10 minutes for frozen. Check our air fryer conversion chart for model-specific adjustments. Place lasagna in the basket with space between pieces for airflow.
For extra crispy top layers, spritz lightly with oil before reheating. If your lasagna has dried out, place a damp paper towel underneath it in the basket. To prevent sauce splatters, use an air fryer liner from our cleaning guide. Rotate the lasagna halfway through cooking for even browning.
For multi-layer lasagna, consider reheating at 150°C for longer (6-8 minutes) to ensure the centre gets hot. The lower temperature prevents the edges from burning before the middle warms through. This technique works especially well for thick, restaurant-style portions.
If your reheated lasagna turns out dry, it likely cooked too long or at too high a temperature. Next time, reduce the time by 1 minute and check frequently. Adding a teaspoon of water to the container before reheating can help restore moisture.
To fix a soggy base, try placing the lasagna on a small rack in the air fryer basket. This elevates it above any moisture. Alternatively, preheat the air fryer for 2 minutes before adding the lasagna to create a crisper environment.
While ovens can reheat lasagna well, they take longer and use more energy. The air fryer achieves similar results in about a third of the time. For large quantities though, the oven may be more practical. Check our meal prep section for batch reheating tips.
Microwaves remain the fastest option but sacrifice texture. If you must microwave, combine it with a final minute in the air fryer to crisp the top. This hybrid approach gives you speed with the air fryer's textural benefits.
