Want to know how to reheat Pad Thai? We share how to properly reheat Thai food leftovers in the microwave, stove, oven and air fryer.
Ready to indulge in some delicious pad Thai but don’t know how to reheat it?
Fear not, because we’re here to show you the easiest way possible!
Pad Thai is a great dish to make ahead of time, and with these simple instructions, you’ll be able to enjoy it any day of the week.
So what are you waiting for? Read on for all the details!
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And make sure to check this post about how to reheat leftover lasagna too!
What is Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a dish that originates in Thailand.
It consists of stir fried rice noodles with shrimp, zucchini, bean sprouts and peanuts.
Typically Pad Thai is served with lime wedges, fish sauce and dried chili peppers on the side for added flavor.
Best way to reheat Pad Thai in the microwave
My favorite way to reheat Pad Thai is using the microwave.
It’s quick and easy, and the noodles turn out perfect every time.
All you’ll need is a microwave safe dish, and the following steps:
1. First thing’s first, make sure your leftover Pad Thai is in a microwave safe container! I like to use these glass storage containers , because they’re inexpensive yet very durable.
2. Add about a tablespoon (or a couple depending on how much leftover Pad Thai you have) of water or stock and place the dish in the microwave for 1 minute.
3. Give it a stir, and then heat again for another 30 seconds – 1 minute until heated all the way through.
4. Optional: Garnish with lime juice or dried chili peppers to add some extra flavor!
The extra water is what prevents thePad Thai from drying out in the microwave.
Reheat Pad Thai on the stove
The second best way to reheat Pad Thai is using the stove.
This option is best if you don’t have a microwave.
All you’ll need is a large pan or wok, and the following steps:
- First, make sure your leftover Pad Thai sauce hasn’t become too thick over time. You can always add more water or soy sauce to fix this if necessary.
- Then, add 2 tablespoons oil to the hot wok. Make sure it coats the entire surface.
- Heat oil on medium high heat for about 1 minute, then add your cold noodles.
- Let them sit in the hot wok for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before stirring them around with your spatula. Add more soy sauce or stock if the noodles and sauce are too thick.
- Continue heating and stirring until the noodles are hot and coated with sauce.
- Optional: Garnish with nuts, basil leaves or lime wedges to add some extra flavor!
The oil prevents the Pad Thai from sticking to the pan, while the soy sauce/stock adds flavor and helps to make the sauce runny and creamy again.
How to reheat Pad Thai in the oven
Reheating in the oven takes more time than using the microwave or stove.
- Coat a baking dish with oil and add the Pad Thai.
- Sprinkle with 3 tablespoon water or stock. I sometimes also add a little bit more soy sauce. Gently stir.
- Cover with foil.
- Then, heat the oven to 400°F and place your dish inside for 10-15 minutes or until heated all the way through.
Optional: Garnish with lime wedges and crushed nuts to add some extra flavor!
Reheat Pad Thai in the air fryer
Reheating Pad Thai in the air fryer is totally possible and has a similar result to using the oven.
Just place the leftover Pad Thai with a couple tablespoons water or stock in a container covered with foil and into the air fryer basket and heat at 400°F for 5-7 minutes.
Optional: Garnish with lime wedges and crushed nuts to add some extra flavor!
Keep in mind that this method is not the best if your noodles and sauce are too thick and sticky.
How to store leftover Pad Thai
If you have a limited number of leftovers, it’s best to store them in the fridge.
Wait for it to completely cool down at room temperature. Then transfer to an air tight container.
You can store leftover Pad Thai in the fridge up to 3-4 days.
Just make sure you are not packing tight your noodles, as this will make it more difficult for reheating.
What can I do with leftover Pad Thai?
Surprisingly, there are a lot of things you can do with leftover Pad Thai! For example:
- You can obviously reheat it and serve it as is
- Doctor it up and add more sauces, meats or veggies. I love this option especially if you don’t have enough leftovers for a meal.
- Make it a breakfast! Cook some bacon until crispy and set aside. Reheat the Pad Thai in the bacon fat. Top with the crumbled bacon and a sunny side up egg.
- You can also make a tortilla. Whip some eggs add the Pad Thai and cook like a Spanish tortilla.
Frequently asked questions about Pad Thai
How do you reheat Pad Thai without drying it out?
The best way to reheat Pad Thai without drying it out is using the microwave. Just make sure not to overheat it for too long!
Also adding a couple tablespoons of water or stock are great ways to keep the noodles moist.
Can you freeze leftover Pad Thai?
Yes, you can freeze leftover Pad Thai in an air tight container for up to 3 months. I recommend moving it from the freezer to the refrigerator before and then once it’s thawed microwaving it just like you would if it was a normal leftover.
Is pad Thai good the next day?
Totally! I find it even tastes better because the flavors have a chance to meld together.
You can also add more soy sauce or chili sauce if you want your noodles to be spicer, yet don’t worry about adding water/stock since they will soak up in the noodles overnight.
How do you keep Pad Thai moist?
I recommend keeping it in an air tight container to prevent the noodles from drying out.
You can also use the microwave, adding a couple tablespoons of water or stock.
Why is my Pad Thai soggy?
If your Pad Thai turns out as a sad mushy mess, it most likely means it has too much sauce or you didn’t cook your noodles properly.
