What Is the Best Method To Reheat Pizza

Wait, Who Has Leftover Pizza?

This might be the question you are asking yourself right now, I too have heard the expression “any pizza is a personal pizza if you believe in yourself.” To these people I need to ask: have you ever been to Chicago (check out this history of deep dish)? Anyways, should you manage to stop yourself before the pizza causes a food coma of epic proportions, this will be your go-to blog on the best method to reheat pizza.

OK, OK So Microwave?

If microwaving is your favorite method to reheat pizza I need to ask you: who hurt you? Sorry, little food gate-keeping escaped there. In all seriousness, microwaving your pizza will get it hot, and it will do in a pinch, but it is probably going to produce the lowest quality pizza. The microwave has the magical ability to turn half your slice to mush while producing one patch of desiccated, sad pizza rock. Conversely it can also produce and entire slice of pizza rock while having one cold spot. Honestly, I am a bit impressed. If you have to use the microwave, try putting a mug with some water (note, half full is plenty) in the microwave with the pizza, this should at least prevent the pizza desiccation.

Alright, Oven Then?

Your oven will work, with a few caveats. If you just toss your cold pizza on a baking sheet and throw it in your oven it will for sure get the job done. Compared to the microwave that pizza will be fantastic, but I have found that the crust is a bit soggy. There is a fix though, preheat the pan. This will work best with a pizza stone or a cast iron skillet, but if you don’t have either of those items any pan will work. Preheating the pan lets the pizza crust get crisp while everything heats up.

Here’s how you reheat in the oven:

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 (might need higher temps for deep dish, 450 is hot enough)
• Step 2: Place your pan in the oven to preheat.
• Step 3: Grease the pan with some cooking spray and arrange your pizza on the pan in a single layer.
• Step 4: Cover with foil. If your baking sheet doesn’t have a lip around the outside, try tenting the foil. You can also coat the inside of the foil with cooking spray so the cheese doesn’t stick.
• Step 5: Bake until hot. This usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but every oven is different, so cook times will vary wildly.

Oven Reheating Tips:

The oven is really the best method if you are reheating more than a couple slices of pizza. The drawbacks are the fact it can heat up your whole kitchen, and it’s not really efficient. There are possibly better methods if you are reheating just a slice or two.

A few pointers I have learned: set a timer, nothing is sadder than burnt left over pizza. Cheese can sometimes get a weird texture from reheating, I fix this by broiling. After your pizza is hot, turn on the broiler and broil the slices (uncovered) for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese browns just a little bit at the edges.

If you forgot to preheat your pan and your crust is soggy, the easiest fix is a pan on the stove. Heat a skillet on medium heat and then place the pizza in the skillet crust down, a few slices at a time. It will fix the soggy crust.

Better Method You Say?

If you are just trying to heat up a slice or two the second method might be the easiest: use your air fryer. There are a couple downsides to this method, mainly you need an air fryer and typically air fryer baskets are small so one or two slices might be all you can physically fit. Air fryers use convection heat, so they will produce evenly heated pizza with a crisp crust with the least amount of work.

Here’s How You Reheat Pizza In the Air Fryer:

• Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 350F.
• Step 2: Place pizza in the foil or parchment lined basket (don’t forget to use cooking spray).
• Step 3: Heat for 3 to 5 minutes- this again will vary wildly depending on your air fryer, and the size of the pizza so adjust cook time as needed.

That’s it, it’s truly the easiest method.

Is It the Best Though?

If you have ever googled this topic, you will already know what the internet suggests for reheating pizza: in a skillet on the stove. This third method results in a crispy crust and nicely melted cheese, so I agree that it likely results in the best reheated slice.

Here’s How Your Reheat Pizza In A Skillet:

• Step 1: Preheat a pan, select a pan big enough to hold the slices you want to reheat, use low to medium low heat.
• Step 2: Place the pizza in the pan crust side down and cover the pan.
• Step 3: Check your pizza after a few minutes to make sure your pan is set low enough to avoid burning the crust.
• Step 4: Heat covered about 5 to 6 minutes until the pizza is hot and the cheese is melted.

Some articles on the internet say you need to use a few drops of water in the pan to provide steam, this isn’t really necessary, but if you pizza is a bit dry it can help. The steam will also help heat the cheese quickly, so if your crust is getting too done, add a couple drops of water. I recommend using a small amount of olive oil (garlic infused if you fancy) in the bottom of the pan to more evenly transfer the heat and improve the texture of the crust.

Bonus Reheating Method

As a bonus method a toaster oven can be used to reheat pizza. The method is largely the same as the oven, except I think you can skip using a pan/tray and just put the pizza directly on the rack. If you do use a pan, you will still want to reheat it. Depending on your toaster oven, 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes should be enough, but this will also vary.

Bonus Tips:

• Reheated pizza is rarely as good as a fresh pie, so you might want to add some Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, Parmesan, or even salt to the pizza before reheating to revitalize the flavor some.
• To Properly refrigerate pizza make sure you either individually wrap slices in plastic wrap, or use a zip lock type storage bag that you can keep relatively air tight. If you leave pizza in it’s delivery box (or bag) it will dry out in the fridge.
• You can freeze leftover pizza and bake it using the same method you would from a frozen pizza. I can understand your skepticism, but it really works.
• Just eat it cold- cold pizza can be great, while I prefer my pizza hot and fresh, a cold slice of pizza makes a great quick snack.

If you are looking to reheat other items we have another post here. Check out our homepage for more food related content. If you happen to be in the market for an Air Fryer, Amazon has some great deals at the time of this posting.

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