How to Reheat Chimichanga (5 Methods)

As a dish that’s popular in Mexican cuisine, chimichangas have become quite a hit among food enthusiasts.

Their crispy exterior, savory filling, and satisfying flavor have made them an absolute favorite.

However, as much as we enjoy these mouthwatering bites during mealtime, they can be particularly tricky to reheat.

If you’ve ever found yourself with leftover or frozen chimichangas and wondered how to get them back to their original golden-brown crispness, look no further.

In this post, we’ll break down the five best ways to reheat chimichangas and discuss the pros and cons of each method.

Importance of Knowing How to Reheat Chimichanga

Reheating chimichangas is essential when you want to enjoy leftovers or pre-made meals.

Proper reheating techniques ensure that your food stays safe for consumption while retaining its initial texture and flavor.

That’s why it’s crucial to learn different techniques for reheating your chimichangas accurately.

Without knowing the right methods for rending them hot again while keeping their crispy exterior intact can lead to soggy textures or worse; unevenly heated pockets in your food.

Here are some ways that you can successfully reheat a chimichanga:

Microwave Method

Reheating Chimichangas in the microwave is probably one of the easiest methods available.

This technique is fantastic if speed is your top priority if getting back into eating after working long hours or just trying not to waste anything in your fridge by finishing off those left-over Chimichangas from yesterday’s dinner!

Steps:

1. Start by unwrapping your refrigerated or frozen Chimicanga from its wrapper.
2. Place it on a microwave-safe plate.
3. Use a damp paper towel cover-up over the top of it.
4. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. If there is more than one Chimichanga, add another 30 seconds for each extra dish.
5. Check the center of your Chimichanga to make sure it’s hot throughout.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Quick and efficient
• Use your microwave to get mini-meals on a budget

Cons:

• The Chimichanga may not come out as crispy as before.
• Overheating may result in unevenly heated spots.

Oven Method

For those who like their chimichangas crispy (like me!), this is the best way to reheat them after long periods of refrigeration or even when eating leftover ones from dinner last night. The oven method offers simple steps that anyone can follow with an oven in their kitchen.

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven – keep the temperature between 350°F – 375°F (180°C).
2. Begin with unwrapping your refrigerated or frozen Chimicanga from its packaging.
3. Spread a thin layer of butter or oil on both sides to prevent sticking to the oven’s baking sheet while baking for approximatively ten minutes
4. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil paper sprayed with cooking spray.
5. You will need to bake your chimichangas for about 10-15 minutes until they are heated through and crispy again.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Ensures even heating, that makes them crispy
• Can cook multiple chimchimas at once

Cons:

• Slower than the microwave technique
• Uses more energy than other techniques

Air Fryer Method

The air fryer method is another way you can get your reheated chimichangas crispier, more evenly heated inside out without making them oily then ever before!

Steps:

1. Unwrap the refrigerated or frozen Chmicangas
2. Preheat air fyrer up to 350°F
3. Once preheated, place the chimichangas in the air fryer baskets without any overlapping.
4. Cook them for 5-10 minutes, flipping once or twice in-between until thoroughly heated and crispy.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Makes them even crispier than a toaster oven or microwave technique
• Faster method

Cons:

• May dry out Chimichanga fillings if left longer then necessary
• Not cost-effective if you don’t own an Air Fryer

Toaster Oven Method

If you are looking for a chimichanga reheat option that’s convenient yet retains the original flavor’s crispy texture from yesterday’s dinner, try out the toaster oven technique!

Steps:

1. Unwrap your Chimicanga
2. Set timer at around 375°F (180°C).
3. To avoid it getting too dry, Place it either straight onto its rack or lined with parchment paper.
4. Wait for around ten minutes before grabbing your nicely warmed-up chimchimas.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Crispy like baked one
• Uses less energy than an oven

Cons:

• The size of most classic toaster ovens barely fits one larger-sized Chimichanga so reheating multiple chimiachangas at once may not be possible.

Stovetop Method

Reheating on Stovetop is ideal when aiming to get evenly heated defrosting without creating drying pockets inside. It’s best used when working with leftover cold, refrigerated or frozen Chimichangas.

Steps:

1. Begin by unwrapping refrigerated or frozen Chimichangas from its packaging.
2. Add a tiny bit of oil into a non-stick pan frying the surface with sides facing down first.
3. Let each side fry four minutes long; flip it over once carefully using tongs now the other side becomes golden and crispy too!
4. Once it is done, remove it from the stove to rid of any excess oil.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Heats evenly, crisps up the tortilla
• Requires next to no prep work.

Cons:

• Slow method
• Can make fillings dry out if left on pan for too long

Tips for Reheating Chimichangas Perfectly

When reheating chimichangas, it’s essential to keep a few things in mind:

1. Invest in quality containers that can withstand microwave and oven temperatures without being destroyed.
2. Be careful not to overheat your chimichangas as they can quickly become soggy or dry out.
3. Avoid overcrowding your oven or air fryer machine as this can make cooking uneven.
4. Experiment with different cooking methods and see which one works best for you.

Conclusion

Reheating a chimichanga may seem like an impossible task at first glance, but with these five techniques discussed above, you should have no trouble getting perfect bites every time!

Whether using microwave, oven or air fryer , toaster ovens, stovetop options; each have their individual benefits depending on what suits you best. Just remember the tips mentioned above and enjoy perfectly reheated chimchimas without breaking your wallet trying new recipes from day to day!