The air fryer or oven gives you the crispest tortilla and the most even heat, while the microwave wins on speed if you use reduced power and a damp paper towel. Either way, pull off cold toppings like lettuce or sour cream first, and reheat until the centre hits 74°C (165°F). Short on time? Microwave briefly, then crisp it in a skillet or toaster oven.
TL;DR:
- Set an air fryer to 350–375°F (175–190°C); cook thawed burritos for 3–7 minutes and frozen ones for 8–15, flipping halfway.
- Bake burritos wrapped in foil at 350°F (175°C) for 15–25 minutes, then uncover for 3–5 minutes; frozen or oversized burritos may need longer.
- For microwave reheating, cover the burrito with a damp paper towel, use 50% power in 60–90 second bursts, rotate it, then rest 1–2 minutes.
- Use a thermometer to confirm 165°F (74°C) at the center of the filling, remove cold toppings first, and do not reheat the same portion twice.
- For one burrito, cover a skillet and warm it over low heat for 4–6 minutes per side, then sear uncovered for 1–2 minutes.
Table of Contents
- Which appliance should you use?
- How to reheat a burrito in the air fryer
- How to reheat a burrito in the oven
- Reheating a burrito in the microwave without drying it out
- Warming a burrito in a skillet or frying pan
- Frozen vs refrigerated burritos: what changes
- Food safety: hitting the right temperature every time
- Fixing common reheating problems
- A practical two-step method for meal-prep burritos
- Skip the reheating and order fresh instead
- FAQ
- Sources
Which appliance should you use?
Your choice comes down to how much time you have and how much you care about texture.
- Air fryer: the best shot at a crisp exterior with minimal effort.
- Oven or toaster oven: the most reliable option for heating a burrito evenly all the way through.
- Microwave: the fastest method, but it needs technique to avoid a soggy or cold centre.
- Skillet: ideal when you only have one burrito and want a crisp finish without turning on a second appliance.
As a rough guide, expect 3 to 15 minutes depending on the appliance and whether the burrito is frozen or refrigerated. When speed matters most, a two-step approach, microwave first and crisp second, tends to beat any single method on its own.
How to reheat a burrito in the air fryer
Air fryers circulate hot air, which makes them one of the better tools for reheating a burrito without drying it out or leaving the tortilla limp.
- Preheat the air fryer to 175 to 190°C (350 to 375°F).
- Place the burrito in the basket with space around it so air can move freely; avoid stacking or overcrowding.
- Cook thawed burritos for 3 to 7 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Cook frozen burritos for 8 to 15 minutes, checking at the midpoint and flipping if needed.
- Leave it unwrapped for maximum crisping, or wrap loosely in foil for the first half of cooking if you want to protect moisture before finishing uncovered.
- Check the centre with a digital thermometer. If the outside is browning faster than the inside is heating, drop the temperature slightly and tent with foil so the centre can catch up without burning the tortilla.
Large or very full burritos sometimes need a few extra minutes, since the air fryer’s small chamber can brown surfaces before the centre is fully warm.
Pro Tip: Slice the burrito in half before air frying if it’s thick or tightly packed, it cuts the time needed to heat the centre by exposing more surface area.
How to reheat a burrito in the oven
The oven is the safest bet when you want even heat all the way through without babysitting the process.
- Preheat to about 175°C (350°F) for a refrigerated burrito.
- For a frozen burrito, raise the temperature to as high as 205°C (400°F) or extend the cooking time to compensate for the extra mass.
- Wrap the burrito in foil to trap moisture and bake for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on size and whether it started frozen or refrigerated.
- Unwrap for the final 3 to 5 minutes if you want a crisper tortilla, returning it to the oven uncovered.
- Check the centre temperature before serving, thick or frozen burritos sometimes need a few extra minutes even after the outside looks ready.
A toaster oven works well for a single burrito and heats up faster than a full-size oven. For extra crispness, finish it under the broiler for a minute or pan-sear one side in a hot skillet once it’s heated through.
Reheating a burrito in the microwave without drying it out
Microwaves heat unevenly because they excite water molecules inconsistently, which is why a damp paper towel and reduced power matter more here than with any other method.
- Wrap the burrito in a damp paper towel to keep the tortilla from drying out.
- Microwave at about 50% power in short bursts, starting with 60 to 90 seconds.
- Check the centre, then flip or rotate the burrito before continuing in additional short intervals.
- Total time varies by wattage and by whether the burrito started frozen or refrigerated, so judge by temperature rather than the clock.
- Let it rest for 1 to 2 minutes after microwaving so the heat distributes evenly through the filling.
For a crisp finish, move the burrito straight from the microwave to a hot skillet for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or into a preheated toaster oven for a few minutes.
Pro Tip: Never skip the rest period, the centre often finishes heating during those two minutes even after the microwave shuts off.
Warming a burrito in a skillet or frying pan
A skillet with a lid does two jobs at once: it traps steam to warm the centre and lets the tortilla crisp against the hot surface.
- Warm on low heat with a lid on for 4 to 6 minutes per side so heat has time to reach the centre.
- Once warmed through, sear uncovered on medium heat with a little oil for 1 to 2 minutes per side for a crisp finish.
- Avoid cranking the heat to speed things up, it overcooks the tortilla before the filling catches up.
- Check the centre temperature and flip as needed; very large burritos reheat faster if sliced in half first.
Frozen vs refrigerated burritos: what changes
A refrigerated burrito and a frozen one need different handling, mostly around timing and whether you thaw first.
- Thawing overnight in the fridge gives the most even result and shortens cooking time in any appliance.
- If you’re reheating straight from frozen, a brief microwave defrost followed by air fryer or oven finishing often works better than one long cook in a single appliance.
- A typical staged approach: microwave for 60 to 90 seconds to defrost partially, then air fry for 6 to 10 minutes or bake for 15 to 25 minutes to finish.
- Refrigerated leftovers should be eaten within 2 to 4 days, and perishable food shouldn’t sit at room temperature for more than two hours.
For burritos you’re prepping ahead of time, our meal-prep guide covers storage and portioning in more detail.
Food safety: hitting the right temperature every time
Health Canada sets the minimum safe reheating temperature for leftovers at 74°C (165°F), measured with a digital thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the burrito, usually the centre of the filling.
A digital thermometer reading of 74°C (165°F) in the centre confirms the burrito is safe to eat, according to Health Canada’s guidance on reheating leftovers.
After reheating, let the burrito rest for 1 to 2 minutes so heat spreads evenly through the filling, and avoid reheating the same portion more than once. A quick routine covers you every time: strip off cold toppings, reheat to 74°C, rest briefly, then serve.
Fixing common reheating problems
A few small adjustments solve most reheating headaches.
- If the outside browns before the centre warms, lower the heat, tent with foil, or slice the burrito in half to speed things along.
- If it comes out soggy from the microwave, ditch the damp wrap and pan-crisp or broil it briefly instead.
- If the filling tastes dry, add a spoonful of salsa or sauce before reheating.
Pro Tip: Only reheat what you’ll actually eat in one sitting, and add fresh toppings like guacamole or sour cream after reheating, not before.
A practical two-step method for meal-prep burritos
For burritos I’ve prepped ahead, a two-step method beats any single appliance: a short microwave burst to thaw and warm the centre, followed by a few minutes in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp tortilla. It’s faster than a straight oven bake and produces far better texture than the microwave alone.
If you’re building a batch of burritos to freeze and reheat through the week, our meal-prep guide walks through storage and portioning, including notes for gluten-free and vegan fillings that hold up well through freezing and reheating.
— Austin
Skip the reheating and order fresh instead
Every method above gets you a solid result, but nothing beats a tortilla pressed and filled to order.
- Browse the full menu for burritos, bowls, tacos, and quesadillas made fresh to order.
- Planning a group event? Our catering page covers options like Burrito Express and Bueno Burrito Bar for parties and offices.
- Reheating works in a pinch, but for texture-conscious eaters, fresh is simply the easiest route.
Order online or check availability near you, skip the thermometer and the foil, and get it hot the first time.
FAQ
How to reheat an already made burrito?
The best approach is the air fryer or oven for even heat and a crisp tortilla, or the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel at reduced power if you’re short on time. Whichever method you use, reheat until the centre reaches 74°C (165°F) and remove cold toppings before you start.
How long to reheat a burrito in the oven at 350 degrees?
At 175°C (350°F), a refrigerated burrito wrapped in foil typically needs 15 to 25 minutes depending on its size, with an optional 3 to 5 minutes unwrapped at the end to crisp the tortilla. Frozen burritos usually need more time or a higher oven temperature to reach a safe centre temperature.
Is it better to reheat a burrito in the microwave or air fryer?
The air fryer generally produces a better result because it crisps the tortilla while heating the filling evenly, with thawed burritos taking about 3 to 7 minutes. The microwave is faster, often just a few minutes, but needs a damp paper towel and reduced power to avoid a soggy or cold centre.
What is the best way to reheat a burrito without using a microwave?
A skillet with a lid works well: warm on low for 4 to 6 minutes per side to heat the centre, then sear uncovered for 1 to 2 minutes per side for a crisp finish. The oven and air fryer are also strong microwave-free options, both giving a more even result than stovetop heating alone.
Sources
- Canada
- Reheat a Burrito in the Air Fryer (+ 4 other methods) – Beat The Budget
- Reheating Foods and safe handling guidance (VCHA)
