Can You Reheat Fish & Chips From The Chip Shop?

If you have leftover fish and chips from the chip shop, don’t throw them away! You can crisp them back up the next day with just about any cooking appliance. 

There are many different ways you can reheat this classic British meal. No matter what you have in your kitchen, you don’t have to waste food or settle for cold leftovers. 

When people think of reheated fish and chips, they usually picture something soggy and unappetizing. 

However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Soggy leftovers are merely a result of not knowing the best way to reheat them. 

Nothing can compare to chip shop meals straight from the fryer. But when you heat them up the correct way, it can come pretty close. 

What to do with last night’s leftover fish and chips? 

Leftover fish and chips can make a delicious meal the day after you’ve visited a chip shop. After all, the portions can often be pretty large, so it’s hard to come home without leftovers. 

Many people will throw away their chip shop leftovers or simply not bring them home at all. But as long as you have access to a fridge and any cooking utilities, you can avoid wasting food! 

Once you know the best ways to reheat your leftover fish and chips, you’ll never want to throw them away again. 

Whether you have them for lunch, dinner, an unconventional breakfast, or even a nighttime snack, leftover fish and chips can be simply delicious. 

For even better results, try sprucing up your leftover fish and chips. Serve with tartar sauce or drizzle with lemon juice, and it will taste like you just brought it home from the chip shop! 

How to store leftover fish and chips 

Always remember to store your fish and chips the moment you bring them home. 

For the best quality, put your leftover fish and chips in an airtight container. It is best not to store them in the paper or polystyrene takeaway box. 

But if they are still piping hot, you should let them cool for a little bit. Refrigerating hot food allows condensation to form on the top of your food container, which will make your food soggy. 

Always put your fish and chips in the fridge as soon as they have reached room temperature. You should never let leftovers sit on your counter overnight. 

If you leave perishable food out for longer than two hours, bacteria can start to grow. This includes salmonella, E. coli, and even botulism, all of which can potentially be deadly. 

This is why it is very important to store your food properly. Doing otherwise will not only affect the quality, but it could pose a risk to your health! 

How to reheat fish and chips 

Now that you know how to store your leftover fish and chips properly, you may be wondering the best way to reheat them. 

Depending on what utilities you have in your home, the answer to that question can vary. 

Here are the most efficient ways to reheat fish and chips for each given appliance. 

Remember that all food that has been cooked and then chilled must either be eaten cold or be reheated all the way until it’s steaming hot in order to make it safe to eat.

How to reheat fish and chips in the oven 

This method takes the longest, but it’s the easiest way to make your leftovers nice and crispy without adding any extra oil. 

First, preheat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). 

While it’s preheating, line a baking sheet with some foil for easy cleanup. You should also spray it with cooking oil to prevent sticking. 

Lay your fish and chips on the pan evenly. Avoid putting any chips on top of each other. 

Finally, bake your fish and chips in the oven for ten to fifteen minutes. 

Once it’s done, it’ll be hot, crispy, and ready for you to enjoy! 

How to reheat fish and chips in a deep fat fryer 

Most people do not have deep fat fryers in their homes these days. But if you have access to one, it’s a great way to revive that juicy, crispy flavour that people love in their fish and chips. 

First, heat up your preferred choice of oil in the fryer. 

Next, place your fish and chips in the frying basket. Let them cook for two minutes or until they’re your desired level of crispiness. 

Once they’re done cooking, remove your fish and chips from the frying basket. 

This method adds quite a bit of grease, so make sure to wipe off excess oil with a paper towel before you eat! 

How to reheat fish and chips in a frying pan 

If you don’t have access to a deep fat fryer or an oven, this method can help yield similar crispy results. 

First, heat your pan to medium-low. You should either use a nonstick pan or add a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. 

Then, place the fish and chips on the pan. Let them cook for around 5 or 6 minutes, flipping them halfway through. 

Once they’re crispy on the outside and hot all the way through, they will be ready to enjoy. 

How to reheat fish and chips under the grill 

Does your oven have a grill? If it does, you can use it to make your leftover fish and chips as good as new. 

First, preheat your oven and turn on the grill setting. 

Then, line a cooking sheet with some foil. Use a cooking spray or some other type of oil to prevent sticking. 

Once it’s preheated, put the tray under the grill and let your fish and chips cook until piping hot. 

Make sure to check it halfway through if you have smaller chips or thinly cut fish. Otherwise, the grill setting can quickly burn your food. 

Once it’s warm and crispy, let your fish and chips cool for a minute, and they’ll be ready to enjoy! 

How to reheat fish and chips in an air fryer 

Want to fry your fish dinner without adding extra grease? If you have an air fryer, this is a perfect way to do it. 

First, preheat your air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius (roughly 360 Fahrenheit). 

Put your fish and chips in the air fryer’s basket and reheat for around three minutes until heated through. 

How to reheat fish and chips in the microwave 

If you don’t have access to any of the previous options, you can use your microwave to reheat fish and chips. It may not yield the best results, but it is still better than eating them cold. 

First, remove your fish and chips from the paper or tray and put them on a microwave-safe dish. 

Then, change your microwave setting to “low” or “50%”. Some microwaves come with a “reheat” option, so you can use that if it’s available. 

Microwave your fish and chips for one to three minutes. Rotate the fish halfway through to allow more even cooking. 

As with any microwavable food, allow your fish and chips to cool before eating. 

Related: How to reheat takeaway pizza (UK)

Best way to reheat fish and chips 

Regardless of what you have in your kitchen, there is a way to make the best of your leftover fish and chips. 

Some methods are better than others, though — so which is the best overall? 

Best way to reheat chippy chips 

The best way to reheat your chippy chips is to either deep fry, or shallow fry them. These two options are the most efficient way to make them hot and crispy!  

The only downside is, frying them adds a little extra fat. But when it comes to fish and chips, you can usually expect a greasy meal no matter how you prepare it. 

Psst! I also wrote a post on reheating doner kebab which includes kebab shop chips.

Best way to reheat chip shop fish 

When it comes to reheating chip shop fish, your best option is the oven. 

Baking your fish in the oven may take longer than the other methods, but it is the most surefire way to end up with crispy, delicious fried fish. 

The best part is, you don’t have to add any extra oil. Cooking it in the oven alone is enough to help revive that deep-fried crunchy texture! 

If you liked this post, then you should check out our other guides on how to reheat Nando’s chicken and how to reheat leftovers from a Chinese takeaway.

FAQ 

Still have some questions about reheating your chip shop leftovers? Here are the straightforward answers you need.