Got some leftover pizza slices from last night? Well, the next day’s breakfast is sorted, then. There are very few things on this planet that I find as infuriating as a stone-cold pizza. So I had to make it a point to master the technique of reheating pizzas to perfection.
It’s not really as simple as just tossing the slices into a hot frying pan. It will hardly heat up toppings but will definitely burn the crust. And that’s even worse than cold pizza.
Microwaves aren’t foolproof, either. Reheat it for too long, and your pizza will be a rubbery mess. However, it doesn’t have to be. Proper heating time, temperature, and moisture can bring your leftover pizza to life with just the right amount of crunch and chewiness for that perfect bite.
In today’s article, I’ll list down the methods I have used over the years to reheat pizzas in a frying pan, cast iron pan, skillet, oven, microwave, toaster oven, air fryer, as well as a grill. Let’s get to it, then.
7 Foolproof Ways to Reheat Pizzas to Perfection
When you buy pizza, it’s always best to eat it right away. However, if you can’t do that, there are a few ways to reheat it without turning it into a soggy, sad mess. Let’s discuss the top 7 methods of reheating pizzas.
Next Read: Know The Secret Code to the Perfect Pizza Dough
Pro Tips for Reheating Pizzas in an Oven
For me personally, the oven is the best tool for reheating a day-old pizza. You can get a gooey, cheesy center with a perfectly crispy crust at the right temperature and baking time.
Here’s how I do it to get consistent results:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Place the slices on an aluminum foil and put it directly on the bottom rack. This will ensure that your pizza gets evenly heated both at the top and bottom. If you don’t have or don’t want to use aluminum foil, simply line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling, then remove from the oven and enjoy immediately.
- For a crispier crust, bake at 450 degrees for 5-7 minutes.
Pro Tips for Reheating Pizzas in an Air Fryer
A lot of people find air-fried leftover pizzas better in terms of texture than pizzas reheated in the oven. I am not going to argue about which one is better. But what I can vouch for is that air fryers are ideal for heating up one or two slices on the fly because there’s no preheating time.
Before we get to the steps, note that how many slices you can reheat at a time will depend on what kind of air fryer you own.
The regular basket/bucket-style models can hold one to two slices at a time, while the oven-style air fryers can reheat a whole pie. If you are using the latter, make sure to put the pizza on the middle rack.
Here’s how to properly reheat pizza in an air-fryer:
- For regular basket-style air-fryers, line the basket with aluminum foil or perforated parchment paper.
- Put one or two slices on it. Make sure the slices don’t overlap.
- Cook it for 3-6 minutes at 350 degrees until the cheese melts and the crust reaches your desired level of crispness. Thicker pizzas will take longer to heat. Keep checking the doneness level after the 3-minute mark.
The above-mentioned cooking time is only applicable to non-preheated air fryers. If you are reheating the pizza slices in batches, you will have to reduce the cooking time for the subsequent batches, as the air fryer will already be at the right temperature.
Pro Tips for Reheating Pizza in a Non-stick Frying Pan and/or Cast Iron Skillet
If you don’t have an oven or air fryer and you just have to reheat one or two slices, a shallow, non-stick pan. You can also use a cast iron skillet for an even crispier crust.
Here’s how to properly reheat pizza on a stovetop using a skillet or frying pan:
- Preheat your frying pan over medium heat and coat it with one tsp of olive oil and add the slices. Make sure the pan is not too hot when you are adding the slices.
- Place one or two slices into the pan, depending on the size of the cookware.
- Cook for 1-3 minutes on medium heat or until the case turns crunchy.
- Once it reaches the desired crunch level, lower the heat, and add 2-3 drops of water around the sides of the pan.
- Cover the pan with a lid or foil and cook for another minute or two. The water will prevent the crust from drying out and also soften up the cheese, giving you a gooey center.
Pro Tips for Reheating Pizza in a Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens are one of the easiest ways to reheat a frozen pizza. It’s best to thaw out the frozen pizzas in the refrigerator before reheating them. Just take it out of the freezer and pop it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or until completely defrosted. Then do the following steps:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Place the frozen pizza directly on the baking sheet and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Try each method once to see which one works best for you.
Pro Tips for Reheating Pizzas in a Microwave
This is by far the most popular method for reheating pizzas. It is also the fastest and most convenient option available to most people.
There are a few different ways that you can reheat pizza in a microwave, but I recommend following these three steps if you want to get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible:
- Place the pizza on a microwave-safe plate.
- Pop it in the microwave, along with a glass of water on the side.
- Cook it on high heat for 30-45 seconds, depending on the thickness of the slice. And that’s it! The water keeps the toppings from cooking too quickly and keeps your pizza from drying out.
You can also use this method to reheat frozen pizzas in a microwave, although it will take longer than if you you’re using a day-old, refrigerator-cold pizza slice.
Pro Tips for Reheating Pizzas with a Pizza Stone
Reheating pizza on a pizza stone ensures even heating, and that comes out nice and crispy on the bottom by absorbing all the excess moisture and oil. Pizza stones are best for reheating an entire pie at once instead of reheating slices in batches.
To reheat the pie on a pizza stone, do the following:
- Place your stone on the middle rack of your oven and preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes.
- After allowing it to heat up, carefully slide the pizza onto the stone (careful! it’s hot)
- Cook it for 6-10 minutes until you get the desired crispiness. You may need to adjust the time depending on your oven, but the general rule of thumb is that thinner pizzas should be cooked for a shorter amount of time than thicker ones.
Pro Tips for Reheating Pizzas on a Grill
Now, this is a rather unorthodox way to reheat a pizza, but it does work. It will get you a carry crust, which a lot of people like, so that’s a plus.
Here’s how I do it:
- The key here is to ensure that your grill is medium-hot before cooking the pizza. If you’re using an outdoor grill, turn all burners to 425 degrees and preheat for 15 minutes.
- Once the grill is nice and hot, toss the pizza on the grate.
- Cook for 5-8 minutes, rotating the pizza every 2 minutes. It should be done when it’s golden brown on the bottom and lightly charred on the top.
And voila! Your pizza is ready to be devoured!
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | Can recreate the crispy texture of a freshly made pizza | It takes longer to heat up and may not be practical for small portions |
| Stovetop | Quick and easy for small portions | It does not recreate the crispy texture of a freshly made pizza |
| Microwave | Quick and easy for small portions | It does not recreate the crispy texture of a freshly made pizza and may cause the crust to become soggy. |
| Toaster oven | Can recreate the crispy texture of a freshly made pizza | It takes longer to heat up and may not be practical for small portions |
| Grill | It can recreate the crispy texture of a freshly made pizza and adds a unique smoky flavor. | It does not be practical for small portions and requires additional equipment. |
FAQs Related to Reheating Pizza
Is it safe to reheat pizza left out overnight?
The short answer is yes, it’s safe to reheat pizza left out overnight. The long answer is that it’s not ideal. The best way to avoid foodborne illness is to prevent it in the first place by following proper food safety practices, including refrigerating perishable foods pizza, in this case) within two hours of cooking them.
That said, if the pizza is left out for less than 8 hours in a cool place, it should be okay to reheat.
How to reheat pizza to make it crispy?
Medium hot temperature and 6-10 minutes of cooking on a frying pan, air fryer, or preheated oven, and 30-45 seconds in a microwave along with a glass of water should do the trick. You can also use any method mentioned above and then place the pizza under the broiler for an additional 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
How many times can you reheat pizza?
The correct answer is as many times as you want. With each reheating, the pizza will be good to refrigerate for an additional 3-4 days. On the flip side, the taste will deteriorate every time you reheat the pie. So try to consume the pizza as soon as possible. It’s really not that hard, you know?
Can you reheat the pizza in the box?
Absolutely NOT. The box is designed to keep the pizza warm, but it’s not supposed to be placed in a microwave or oven. So if you want your pizza hot and fresh every time, take it out of the box first, please! Unless you are craving cardboard-flavored pizza, of course.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are several ways to reheat pizza without burning or mushing it up. All it takes is a little bit of know-how, a little patience, and the right equipment. You’ll be able to enjoy your favorite pizza treat again in no time flat.
