How to Reheat Pizza (#5 is Our Favorite)

Nothing beats the taste of a sizzling hot pizza coming straight out of the oven. It is soft, crispy, and smells divine!

However, once your pizza turns cold, getting the same taste and texture can be a bit of a problem.

When you reheat leftover pizza, you are left with a soggy crust and rubbery cheese – which no one likes.

This is why a lot of people prefer eating their leftover pizza cold instead of reheating it.

While cold pizza tastes good too, hot pizza with melting cheese is always the top choice.

So, if you like your pizza hot, it’s time you learn how to reheat pizza.

Scroll down to take a look at different ways to reheat pizza.

How to Heat Up Pizza

There are multiple methods to reheat pizza and some produce better results than others. Ultimately, it is up to you to choose the method that works best for you.

1. Use pizza in the microwave

The microwave is the first thing we turn to when it comes to reheating food.

However, while it is an excellent option for reheating mashed potatoes and other foods, you may have noticed that pizza reheated in the microwave often turns hard and rubbery.

This is because pizza crust is made of flour that contains a high level of starch. Starch is comprised of sugar molecules.

These molecules melt at temperatures higher than 212°F.

So, when you heat the pizza in a microwave, the sugar molecules in the crust melt. However, once you take it out eat and the pizza cools, these molecules crystallize, hardening the crust.

So, if you must reheat pizza in the microwave, try to keep the temperature below 212°F.

You can do this by setting the microwave at a lower temperature and heating in short periods.

It is best to set the power setting to 30 – 40% and heat the pizza for no longer than 45 seconds at a time.  

2. Reheat pizza in the oven

If you are wondering how to warm pizza, your oven may be the answer! Reheating pizza in the oven is a better option as compared to using a microwave.

To reheat leftover pizza in the oven, preheat the oven to 375°F.

Then use foil to line the baking tray and place the tray in the oven for a few minutes. Transfer the pizza in the tray only when the foil is piping hot.

This is important because it doesn’t warm the pizza slowly, which means that the sugar molecules won’t break.

Leave the pizza in the oven for around 5 – 10 minutes and VOILA… your crispy hot pizza is ready!

3. Reheat pizza on the grill

Believe it or not – this method is a winner when it comes to reheating cold pizza. All you need to do is set the grill to medium-high heat. Once it is hot, throw the pizza on the grate.

Let it sit for 5 – 8 minutes.

However, keep moving it around to make sure you don’t burn the crust. In just a few minutes, the cheese will melt and you’ll know that the pizza has been reheated through and through.

The only downside to using this method is that you may get the taste of char. Plus, it is not as convenient as other methods.  

4. Reheat pizza on a skillet

Use a skillet to reheat pizza if taste and convenience are your top priorities. Pre-heat a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. Then place the pizza in it and cover it with the lid.

Covering the skillet is important as it makes sure that the top layer of the pizza is also heated. If you don’t have the lid, simply cover the skillet with foil. Let the pizza cook for 6 – 8 minutes.

Transfer to a plate and enjoy!

5. Reheat pizza in the air fryer

Regardless of the kind of pizza you have, using an air fryer will sure you end up with crispy and cheesy pizza – just how you like it.

Preheat the air fryer to 325°F and place the pizza in the air fryer basket.

If you are heating up pizza slices, make sure they don’t overlap. Now cook for 3 -4 minutes, and you are good to go!

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How to Store Leftover Pizza?

Most people simply throw the leftover pizza in plastic containers and store in the fridge. While it works, we have a trick that can help you retain moisture.

So, you can reheat your pizza without drying it.

To store your pizza properly, place the pieces on top of one another to make a stick.

Place a layer of foil or parchment paper between the slices to make sure they don’t stick together.

Once the stack is done, wrap it tightly using plastic and store it in the fridge.

How Long Does Leftover Pizza Last?

Properly stored pizza can last for a long time. It can retain the best quality in the fridge for around 3 – 4 days.

However, if you want to extend its life more, store it in the freezer. Frozen pizza can last for up to 2 months.

The bottom line 

While all the methods discussed above will get the job done, our favorite method involves using an air fryer.

An air fryer is an excellent option for reheating many foods. It is a popular option for reheating fries too.

This is because it makes sure that the food retains its moisture and does not dry out as it is reheated.

Now that you know how to reheat pizza, you can finally bid farewell to dry, hard, or soggy pizza. It’s time you enjoy your favorite snack just how you like it. Bon Appetite!

5 of our favorite pieces of cookware lately!

• Air Fryer
• Bamboo Salad Tongs
• Cast Iron Skillet
• Cheese Grater
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