How to reheat injera

To reheat injera, wrap in moist paper towels and microwave for 25-30 seconds or until soft. Injera bread is best when warmed using a microwave, but you can still use other methods like the oven, grill, air fryer, stove, or toaster.

When warming Injera in the microwave, aim for the softness by wrapping the Injera in a clean cloth and placing it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds.

Like other bread, when you see white/grey spots, it means Injera has spoiled; get rid of it. If Injera is frozen, first unthaw it by leaving it at room temperature or defrosting it. Place it in a microwave for 45 – 90 seconds until it becomes soft.

Stovetop

Using a stove is one of the ways to reheat leftover injera. You can use a stove to reheat anything.

Steps

1. Light the stove burner and set it to medium heat. 
2. Place a skillet on the stove and pour some oil into it. 
3. Heat the oil for a minute before adding injera to the skillet.
4. Cover the skillet with a lid and leave it on the stove for six to seven minutes. 
5. Uncover the skillet after seven minutes and flip the injera.
6. Leave it heating for another six to seven minutes with the skillet open. 
7. Serve injera with any sauce or stew of your choice.

Oven 

Using an oven is the most popular way to reheat injera and other types of bread. When using the oven, do not add oil to the injera.

Steps

1. Lay each piece of injera next to each other on a baking sheet. 
2. Set the oven to 400°F.
3. Put the baking sheet inside the oven and heat for about 10 minutes. 
4. Bring out the sheet and turn the injera over. 
5. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F, then heat for another 8 to 10 minutes. 
6. Once the bread is hot, take it out of the oven. 
7. Allow it to sit for a minute or two to cool, then serve.

Microwave

A microwave is an easy way out when you need to reheat injera. Before you reheat the injera, add some moisture to it, it becomes soft. Ensure the injera is wet enough to be pliable but not too wet. If it is crumpled and stiff, it is a sign that it is too dry. You should be able to un-crumple it easily with your hands.

Steps

1. Soften the bread with some water if it is dry. 
2. Knead the crumbs together to form a whole loaf and wrap with a paper towel.
3. Set the microwave to a high temperature.
4. Put the bread on a microwave-safe plate, then place the container inside the microwave.
5. Heat the bread for about a minute
6. Take it from the microwave and unwrap it. 
7. Wait for 30 seconds for it to cool and serve.

Grill

Using a grill is not ideal for reheating several meals, but not with the injera. Grilling provides incredible flavor (Simplegrillrecipes.com) ·

Steps

1. Preheat the grill to medium temperature. 
2. Break the bread into smaller pieces.
3. Place them in aluminum foil. 
4. Add some water to the foil and wrap them tightly. 
5. Place the wrap on the grill rack and heat for 4 to 5 minutes. When done, you will notice the edges bubbling. 
6. If you are not sure about the heat, check the bottom of the foil. If you see a brownish color, it shows that it is hot enough.
7. Take the bread out from the grill and serve.

Toaster Oven

You can also use a toaster oven to reheat injera. Toaster ovens are smaller, meaning it takes less time than ovens to reach the desired temperature (Apartmenttherapy.com).

Steps

1. Place the injera on the rack inside the toaster oven. 
2. Keep each bread one inch away from another so that they reheat correctly.
3. Heat the toaster oven to a temperature of 350°F. 
4. Warm the bread for 20 to 30 minutes. 
5. Once your bread is hot, take it out. 
6. Give your bread time to cool, then serve. 

Air Fryer

Steps

1. Place the injera side by side on a baking rack.
2. Place the rack inside the air fryer. 
3. Set the air fryer to a temperature of 390°F and heat the bread for three to four minutes. For a conventional air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F and allow the bread to heat for four to five minutes.
4. When the bread is heated through, take it from the air fryer. 
5. Serve your bread with any stew or sauce of your choice.

Storage

Injera turns moldy more quickly than other flatbreads. Prep the injera before storage to retain the soft texture of the flatbread. When kept at room temperature, injera keeps fresh for 2 to 3 days. 

Consume the flatbread as soon as possible, even when frozen. In the fridge, injera is safe to eat for seven days. When frozen, it keeps fresh for 2 to 3 months. The longer the injera is in the freezer, the higher the chances of texture and flavor change.

Safe Temperatures

Injera gets best heated at 350°F (177°C). Place the pieces on the oven rack and heat them until they are dry and hot but not burnt. Higher temperatures make the injera brown faster, producing a more dense texture.

FAQs

How long does Injera bread stay fresh?

​Injera is a perishable that needs extra care. Injera stays fresh at room temperature for 7-9 days but keeps in a refrigerator. It can last up to 21 days in a fridge. You can also store Injera bread in a freezer, lasting up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Injera Without Overcooking?

The injera needs to be reheated in a pan, and it is easy to overcook it. Follow the reheating steps to avoid overcooking. Overcooked injera will be hard, rubbery, and taste like burnt rubber. Just imagine chewing on a tire. 

How Long to Reheat Injera?

It takes between 5 and 10 minutes, but you may need to check on them after 5 minutes if they are not warm yet. It will dry out and become brittle the longer it remains out and absorb aroma from other kitchen items. Cut off a small piece and reheat it in a pan to freshen up your injera.

How to Defrost Injera?

Transfer the frozen flatbread from the freezer and onto the kitchen counter. Do not put the frozen injera in the fridge because once you reheat the flatbread, it dries up and becomes tasteless—Thaw for an hour.