Knowing how to reheat enchiladas will help you to enjoy them the next day, but knowing the best way to avoid soggy or dry enchiladas is essential!

The good news is: You have lots of options when it comes to reheating enchiladas. Read one of our most popular cooking tips to find out which one is best for you.

Read more: The Best Ways to Reheat Enchiladas for 2024

How to Reheat Enchiladas

We love Mexican recipes, and enchiladas are a popular Mexican food we often enjoy as a delicious meal. I’m talking about great Mexican food you can make at home, like these Enchiladas Verdes.

Whether you get them in a restaurant or make them yourself, you’ll likely wonder how to reheat enchiladas for the next day because of the leftovers.

Lucky for all of us, there are many different ways to do this so you can enjoy them as delicious leftovers.

Common questions

There are several ways to reheat enchiladas, including:

• An oven
• A skillet on the stove top
• Air fryer
• Toaster oven
• Microwave.

All of these methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

Learn how to reheat enchiladas based on the different types you want to reheat and what equipment and supplies you have in your kitchen.

The best way to do this depends on the type of enchilada, the available equipment, and your timeframe.

How to reheat enchiladas in the oven

The oven method is the most effective way to reheat enchiladas, especially if you want them to have a crispy texture. Here are the simple steps to follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place them in an oven-safe baking dish, making sure they are in a single layer.
3. Pour the remaining sauce (if any) on top of them.
4. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of them.
5. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent them s from drying out.
6. Bake them for 20-25 minutes or until they are heated through.
7. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese on top of the enchiladas. This will also give you a nice crispy texture!
8. Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
9. Add your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, on top.

Pros

The oven method is a great way to reheat a large number of enchiladas at once, making it perfect for feeding a whole family. It also allows them to cook evenly and gives them a nice crispy texture.

Cons

The oven method takes longer to heat up and requires a longer cooking time than other methods. It’s also not the best option for smaller portions or single servings of enchiladas.

Skillet (stove top) method

The skillet or stovetop method is another good way to reheat enchiladas.

1. Heat up a small amount of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Place them in the skillet, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the enchiladas are hot.

Pros: The skillet method is quick and easy, making it a great option for busy weeknights. It’s also a good way to reheat smaller portions or single servings.

Cons: The skillet method can be messy and may result in splatters of red sauce on your stovetop. It’s also not the best option if you want a crispy texture.

While the stovetop method can work, reheating the enchiladas evenly without burning them can be challenging. Also, this method doesn’t allow for much sauce to be added while reheating, leading to dry and overcooked enchiladas.

How to reheat enchiladas in an air fryer

If you’re reheating enchiladas leftovers on a busy weeknight, the toaster oven or air fryer method is a great option as they require less cooking time. Plus, you can get a beautiful crispy texture. Here are the steps:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer.
3. Spray some vegetable oil on top of the enchiladas to prevent them from drying out.
4. Air fry them for 3-5 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy.
5. Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
6. Just like with the oven method, add your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, on top.

Pros

The air fryer method is quick and easy and gives the enchiladas a nice crispy texture. It’s also a great option if you only have a small number of enchiladas to reheat.

Cons

The air fryer method may not be the best option for frozen enchiladas or larger portions. It may also require some experimentation with cooking time to get the best results.

Expert Tip: If you want to know how to reheat enchiladas in a fryer, place them in a single layer and spray some vegetable oil on top to prevent them from drying out.

Use a toaster oven

If you only have a few leftover enchiladas or want to reheat single servings, a toaster oven method is a great option. Here are the steps:

1. Preheat your toaster oven to medium-high heat.
2. Place them on a toaster oven-safe plate.
3. Drizzle some vegetable oil on top of the enchiladas to prevent them from drying out.
4. Place the plate in the toaster oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through.
5. Remove the plate from the toaster oven and let the food to cool for a few minutes.
6. Once again, add your favorite toppings.

Pros

The toaster oven method is quick and easy, making it a great option for busy weeknights. It’s also an excellent way to reheat smaller portions or single servings.

Cons

The toaster oven method may not be the best option for frozen enchiladas or larger portions. 

In the microwave

A microwave is good if you’re short on time and wondering how to reheat enchiladas quickly. However, this may result in soggy enchiladas if you don’t do it correctly.

1. Place them on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Drizzle some enchilada sauce on top of the enchiladas.
3. Cover the plate with plastic wrap, leaving some room for air to circulate.
4. Microwave them on medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until they are heated through.
5. Remove the plastic wrap and let the enchiladas cool for a few minutes.
6. Add your favorite toppings if you want.

Pros

Speed: Microwaving leftover enchiladas takes only a few minutes, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.

Convenience: Since most households have a microwave, this method requires no additional equipment or prep work.

Moisture: Microwaving enchiladas will help retain their moisture, preventing them from drying out.

Cons

Texture: Microwaving enchiladas can produce a soft and sometimes soggy texture, especially if they are not heated properly.

Uneven Heating: Microwave ovens can heat unevenly, causing some parts of the enchiladas to be too hot while others remain cold.

Appearance: The microwave may not heat them evenly, resulting in an unappetizing appearance.

Expert tips

1. Cover the plate with plastic wrap or a paper towel to prevent splatter if you’re reheating enchiladas in the microwave.
2. To prevent the enchiladas from becoming soggy, wrap them in a paper towel before reheating them in the microwave.

Reheating enchiladas in the microwave is my least favorite way to do it.

Different types of enchiladas

When it comes to knowing how to reheat enchiladas, you should consider the different types.

Cheese: If you’re wondering how to reheat cheese enchiladas, you need to know that the cheese may cause the enchiladas to become soggy when reheated. To prevent this, it is recommended to use an oven temperature of around 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake them until they are heated through, and the cheese is melted.

Homemade enchiladas can also be reheated this way, and any remaining sauce can be poured over the top before reheating in the oven.

Chicken: When it comes to reheating chicken enchiladas, corn tortillas are the most commonly used type of tortilla. To prevent the tortillas from becoming too dry, it is recommended to wrap them in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container.

You’ll want to let them cool a bit, almost to room temperature. For food safety reasons, you’ll want to get them in the fridge as soon as possible.

If the enchiladas are frozen, a freezer bag is a good way to store them, but freezer burn may occur if the bag is not airtight.

Expert tips

1. Store the leftover enchiladas in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
2. If you’re reheating frozen enchiladas, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating them.
3. If you’re reheating homemade enchiladas with meat filling, it’s best to cut them into smaller pieces to ensure that they are heated through.
4. If you prefer a spicier flavor, add chili sauce to the enchiladas before reheating them.

There are different ways to reheat enchiladas, but using the oven method will usually give you the best results.

However, the toaster oven, microwave, and air fryer methods can also be good options depending on your preferred method and the type of enchilada you’re reheating.

Following these simple steps and tips, you can enjoy a delicious beef enchilada, cheese enchilada, chicken enchilada, or enchilada casserole at home or work for a quick and easy meal.

Overall, the best method to reheat enchiladas depends on the type of enchilada, the available equipment, and your time. Homemade enchiladas are delicious, and with our step-by-step guide, you can prepare them easily.

Fun fact!

A fun fact about enchiladas is that the word “enchilada” actually means “in chile” or “covered in chili sauce” in Spanish. This refers to the traditional red or green chili sauce that is poured over the rolled tortillas before baking or reheating.

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