Reheating penne pasta in an air fryer takes just 3-5 minutes at 160°C (320°F), giving it a deliciously crispy texture while keeping the inside moist. This method beats microwaving, which often leaves pasta rubbery or unevenly heated. Whether you’ve got a saucy bake or plain penne, your air fryer can revive leftovers brilliantly.
Air fryers circulate hot air rapidly, which reheats food more evenly than microwaves while adding a light crispness. Penne pasta benefits particularly well because its tube shape catches the airflow, creating slightly crunchy edges. Unlike oven reheating, which can dry out pasta, the air fryer’s efficiency locks in moisture when timed correctly. For saucy dishes like penne arrabbiata or carbonara, a quick reheat preserves the sauce’s creaminess. Check out more air fryer recipes for inspiration on other dishes that reheat beautifully.
Another advantage is speed – most air fryers preheat in under 3 minutes, whereas ovens take 10-15 minutes. This makes it ideal for quick lunches or adding last-minute sides to dinners. If you’re reheating multiple portions, consider our air fryer conversion chart to adjust cooking times for larger batches.
160°C (320°F) is the sweet spot for reheating penne pasta in an air fryer. This temperature warms the pasta through without evaporating too much moisture. Higher heats (above 180°C) risk drying out the pasta, especially if it’s been refrigerated overnight. For extra-crispy results, some models have a ‘reheat’ preset – consult your manual or try our general air fryer settings guide.
Start by spreading your leftover penne pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket – overcrowding leads to uneven heating. If the pasta is sauced, lightly toss it with a teaspoon of water or olive oil to prevent sticking. For dry penne, like in a pasta salad, spritzing with water helps revive the texture. Set your air fryer to 160°C and cook for 3 minutes, then shake the basket and check for hot spots.
Most penne pasta will be perfectly reheated after 4-5 minutes total. If you’re adding cheese (like on a baked penne dish), sprinkle it on after the first 2 minutes to prevent burning. For larger portions or very cold pasta from the fridge, add 1-2 extra minutes. Always check that the centre of a pasta tube reaches at least 75°C for food safety. Discover more meal prep tips to make reheating even easier.
The key to moist reheated penne is managing moisture loss. Adding a splash of water or sauce before reheating creates steam inside the air fryer. If your pasta dish originally had a creamy sauce, placing a small ovenproof dish of water in the air fryer basket helps too. Another trick is covering the pasta loosely with foil for the first half of cooking, then removing it to crisp up. For cheesy dishes, adding fresh grated parmesan mid-way through reheating boosts flavour.
Turn basic leftovers into something special by adding fresh ingredients during reheating. Try tossing cold penne with cherry tomatoes and torn basil before air frying – the tomatoes burst slightly, creating a quick sauce. For protein, mix in cooked chicken or prawns at the 2-minute mark to warm through. Crispy breadcrumbs or pangrattato sprinkled over penne in the last minute add fantastic texture. Our airfryerrecipe.co.uk has dozens of ideas for transforming simple reheated pasta.
Another clever hack is making ‘air fryer pasta chips’ from leftover penne. Toss cooled pasta with olive oil, garlic powder and parmesan, then air fry at 180°C for 6-8 minutes until crispy. These make brilliant snacks or salad toppings. For saucy dishes, reserve a little fresh sauce to drizzle over after reheating – it makes the dish taste freshly made. Always clean your air fryer after cooking saucy pasta with our recommended cleaning methods.
