Reheating a burrito is a simple process that aims to restore its original flavor and texture. Burritos, a popular Mexican dish, are typically filled with ingredients like rice, beans, meat, cheese, and vegetables. Because they are both delicious and convenient, people often make large batches for later use, especially during family gatherings on weekends and holidays.
However, many struggle with reheating burritos properly to ensure all components are warm and enjoyable. The key is to avoid making the burrito soggy or dry. Use gentle, consistent heat to warm the inside while keeping the tortilla soft or slightly crispy, according to your preference.
In this post, I’ll explore the best methods for reheating burritos, the preparations to make, and the signs a properly warmed burrito should have. Plus, Iโll share common mistakes to avoid and tips for keeping burritos fresh.
Let’s start!
Crucial Notes Before Reheating a Burrito
To have a wholly reheated and crispy burrito, please pay attention to these notes before the reheating process:
This way will help prevent the tortilla shell from getting too soggy and soft, and the fresh ingredients will also not turn soft and mushy.
What Are the Best Ways to Reheat a Burrito? 6 Effective Methods
Hereโs a short summary, all presented in a table for you, about the 6 methods and time to reheat burritos.
Reheating methods | Heat | Time |
---|---|---|
Use the oven | 230 degrees Fahrenheit | 25 – 30 minutes |
Use the toaster oven | 230 degrees Fahrenheit | 20 minutes |
Use the air fryer | 330 degrees Fahrenheit | 15 minutes |
Use the grill or BBQ | Low heat | 30 minutes |
Use the skillet | Medium heat | 4 – 6 minutes |
Use the microwave | Highest heat | 3 minutes |
1. Conventional Oven
Reheating your leftover burrito by using the oven is the best way to reheat a leftover burrito as it comes out crispy, tasty, and wholly warm. Despite spending the most prolonged time among the techniques listed above, it is the easiest way.
What you will need:
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 230ยฐF for a few minutes.
Step 2: Wrap the burrito loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Step 3: Use the thermometer to check the internal temperature. The burrito is ready when it reaches 165ยฐF.
Step 4: Once the burrito reaches the ideal temperature and is wholly heated, use the oven mitts or tongs to take it out and enjoy your hot and crispy burrito!
2. Toaster Oven
Using a toaster oven to reheat your burrito is the second-best way compared to the conventional oven method. You can reheat your burrito without any cold spots and sogginess by using the toaster oven.
But you need to keep an eye on your burrito while reheating it, as it is more likely to be burnt.
What you will need:
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the toaster oven to 230ยฐF.
Step 2: Place the wrapped burrito on the baking sheet of the toaster oven and let it bake for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Check the inside of your burrito to know whether it is fully heated or not by using the probe thermometer.
Step 4: If the temperature of your burrito is 165ยฐF, it is time to enjoy your warm and crispy burrito.
3. Air Fryer
If there is an air fryer sitting around your kitchen, use it to reheat your leftover burrito. The burrito will not only have the perfect texture and taste, but it is also heated inside out. The instructions to do this method are also easy and quicker than the two previous methods.
What you will need:
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 330ยฐF.
Step 2: If your burrito is wrapped with tin foil, you need to unwrap it before putting it in the air fryer.
Step 3: Spray cooking oil on all surfaces of the burrito to make it crisper after reheating.
Step 4: Reheat your burrito in the air fryer for 15 minutes before taking it out and serving.
Reheating a burrito in an air fryer is quick and efficient. Watch this video:
4. Grill or BBQ
This is the most suitable way to reheat burritos, especially when you make a batch of them for your picnic or any outdoor activities on the weekend or holiday.
What you will need:
Instructions:
Step 1: Wrap your burrito with aluminum foil before reheating it on a grill or BBQ.
Step 2: Light up the grill and start to grill your burrito for 15 minutes for each side, so you will need 30 minutes in total to make the grilled burrito thoroughly heated and not soggy any longer.
Step 3: After your burrito is grilled well, use the tongs for kitchen usage to remove it. Let it cool down a little, and enjoy!
5. Skillet
You know that fried food is always crispy. The fried burrito is just the same. The best way to reheat a burrito when you do not have an oven or air fryer is to fry it on a skillet or an electric skillet.
If you choose electric skillets, donโt forget to check if itโs clean. Usually the steps involved in cleaning electric skillets can be somewhat tricky, making it easy to miss a dirty spot, and no one wants to eat contaminated food.
What you will need:
Instructions:
Step 1: Pour a little amount of oil or spray cooking oil over the skillet and heat it at a high temperature.
Step 2: When the oil boils, add your burrito to the skillet and put the lid on
Step 3: After 2 to 3 minutes, open the lid and flip the burrito. Then, cover the lid and let the burrito cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 4: If both sides of the burrito are golden brown, your burrito is ready to serve.
You can reheat the leftover burrito by frying it on a skillet easily thanks to this instruction.
6. Microwave
This is the most mentioned way that people can think of when they want to reheat anything as it is done in a wink and easy to do for a lazy day. However, the tortilla shell will not be crispy, and the fillings will not be heated thoroughly in just a few minutes.
If you do not require a perfect reheated burrito with hot fillings and a crispy tortilla, use the microwave to reheat your burrito!
What you will need:
Instructions:
Step 1: For burritos wrapped in aluminum foil to heat properly, you will need to remove the aluminum foil.
Step 2: Place it in an oven-safe plate or bowl and set it in your microwave
Step 3: Microwave your burrito in the highest setting for 1 minute. Then, let it rest in the microwave for 45 seconds.
Step 4: Continue to microwave the burrito for another 1 minute. Finally, let it rest for 30 seconds. Use the thermometer to check and eat it when it reaches 165ยฐF.
What Are the Signs of a Properly Warmed Burrito?
These are clear signs that a warmth burrito should have:
For more information, you can uncover the mistakes to avoid when reheating burritos.
What Mistakes to Avoid When Reheating Burritos?
To reheat burritos, you should avoid making these mistakes to ensure the best result:
Aside from that, there are many tips you should try after reheating burritos to keep them fresh.
How to Keep Burritos Fresh After Reheating?
Once youโve got hold of warm burritos, these are what you need to do to keep it fresh:
FAQs
Enjoy Your Perfectly Reheated Burrito!
Reheating a burrito can be done quickly and easily using an oven, microwave, air fryer, grill, and skillet. Each method ensures your burrito remains flavorful and satisfying.
I hope all of your wonders have been clarified after reading this article. Please like and share this post as well as share with me your reheating results. I would love to hear some words from you.
How to Reheat a Burrito?
Equipment
- Conventional Oven
- Toaster Oven
- Air Fryer
- Grill or BBQ
- Skillet
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 2 Leftover burritos
- Cooking oil (optional)
- Aluminum foil (optional)
Instructions
Using The Conventional Oven
- Preheat the oven to 230 degrees F.
- Wrap the burrito loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
Using The Toaster Oven
- Preheat the toaster oven to 230 degrees F.
- Wrap the burrito with aluminum foil.
- Bake the burrito for 20 minutes.
Using The Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 330 degrees F.
- Unwrap the burrito if it's wrapped in tinfoil.
- Place the air fryer in the fryer's basket and spray oil all over it. Reheat your burrito in the air fryer for 15 minutes.
Using The Skillet
- Spray cooking oil over the skillet.
- Heat it on high heat.
- Add your burrito to the skillet and put the lid on.
- Cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes.
Notes
- Always defrost your burrito if you store it in the freezer to reduce the time you have to spend reheating.
- Unwrap your burrito, remove the fillings to reheat and put it back later.
- If the burritos start to emit a weird smell, and have dark spots or mold on them, you should throw them away.
Jamie Scott
Editor in Chief, Senior Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Western Food Evaluation Expert
Education
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
Local Community College, New York, NY
Jamie Scott is a skilled culinary expert and content creator specializing in Western cuisine. With over 15 years in the culinary field and formal training from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, Jamie deeply understands how to blend nutrition with delicious flavors. His passion for cooking matches his commitment to making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.
On Fifteen.net, Jamie brings a fresh perspective to classic dishes and beverages, offering readers insightful recipes, cooking tips, and a fresh view on meal planning that emphasizes taste, health, and simplicity.