Reheating leftover pizza in the oven is a great way to make it taste fresh and hot again. With the right techniques, you can get the crust crispy and the cheese melted without drying out the pizza. Here are some tips for reheating pizza in the oven:
What is the Best Temperature for Reheating Pizza?
- 350°F is ideal for reheating pizza in the oven. This temperature gets the crust crispy and melts the cheese thoroughly without overcooking the toppings.
- If you want to reheat a single slice quickly, you can use a slightly higher temperature of 375°F. But watch it closely so the crust doesn’t burn.
- Lower temperatures around 300°F will take longer to heat the pizza but are gentler on the crust.
How Long Does it Take to Reheat Pizza at 350°F?
- For best results, reheat a whole pizza at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes. This gives enough time for the crust to crisp and cheese to melt.
- For pizza slices, cut them in half and reheat at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes until hot.
- If the crust or cheese still seems soft after reheating, leave it in the oven for 2-3 more minutes. Check frequently to avoid burning.
How Should I Prepare the Pizza for Reheating?
- Let any refrigerated or frozen pizza come fully to room temperature before reheating for more even heating.
- For a whole pizza, leave it on the baking sheet or pizza pan. You can line it with parchment paper for easier removal if desired.
- For slices, place them directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. The direct heat from the rack gives the crust extra crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd slices on a baking sheet. Leave some space between them.
Should I Cover the Pizza While Reheating?
- It’s best not to cover pizza while reheating in the oven. Covering can make the crust soggy.
- Let the pizza reheat uncovered so the crust can get crispy from the direct heat.
- You can tent foil loosely over the top in the last few minutes if the cheese seems to be browning too fast.
How to Use a Toaster Oven for Pizza Leftovers
- A toaster oven provides a quick, convenient way to reheat a slice or two of pizza.
- Use a higher temperature like 400°F in a toaster oven for 3-5 minutes to make the crust crispy.
- Watch pizza closely in a toaster oven as the high heat can burn it fast.
Here are some tips for preparing pizza for the best results when reheating in the oven:
- Let refrigerated or frozen pizza come to room temperature before reheating. This allows it to heat more evenly from the oven.
- For a whole pizza, leave it on the original baking sheet or pizza pan. You can line it with parchment paper first for easier removal after reheating.
- For slices, place them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. The direct heat from the oven rack helps crisp up the crust.
- Don’t crowd pizza slices too close together on the baking sheet. Leave some space between them to allow the heat to circulate properly.
- If the pizza has a lot of toppings, you may want to remove some before reheating so the crust doesn’t get soggy.
- Give the pizza a brushing of olive oil or cooking spray before reheating. This enhances browning and crisping of the crust.
- Do not cover the pizza while reheating. Keeping it uncovered ensures the crust gets crispy.
- Preheat the oven fully before reheating. Starting with a hot oven helps get the crust crisp faster.
Following these tips will help prepare leftover pizza for the best possible results when reheating in the oven. The goal is to make the crust crispy and heat the toppings through without overcooking the pizza.
Should I Preheat the Oven Before Reheating Pizza?
- Preheating is recommended. Starting with a fully heated oven helps the pizza crust get crispy and browned faster.
- For very quick reheating, like for a single slice, you can skip preheating. But the crust may not get as crispy.
Reheating Pizza in the Microwave
- For best flavor and texture, reheating pizza in the oven is preferable to the microwave.
- If using the microwave, use a lower power level around 50% and heat in 30 second increments. This prevents rubbery, soggy pizza.
- Add a cup of water to the microwave when reheating to help add moisture and prevent drying out.
- Finish off in a hot oven or toaster oven just to crisp the crust after microwaving.
Here are some tips for reheating pizza in the microwave:
- Use lower microwave power (50% or less) to avoid rubbery, soggy pizza. High heat can make the crust tough and dry out the toppings.
- Heat the pizza in short increments, like 30 seconds at a time. Rotate the plate each time for even heating.
- Add a cup of water to the microwave when reheating pizza. The moisture helps prevent it from drying out.
- Let the pizza sit for 1-2 minutes after microwaving. This lets the heat evenly distribute through the pizza.
- Only microwave until hot, not completely piping hot. Finish by crisping up the crust in a hot oven or toaster oven.
- Place a paper towel under the pizza to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
- For just a slice or two, reheating in the microwave can work fine if you heat it gently and finish it off in the oven after.
- For a whole pizza, microwave reheating is not recommended. Use the oven for the best texture and flavor.
- Never microwave pizza in its original cardboard box or on paper napkins which can catch fire. Use a microwave-safe plate.
With the right techniques, the microwave can be used to reheat leftover pizza effectively when you don’t want to wait for the oven. Just be careful not to overdo it and turn your pizza into a rubbery mess!
What Temperature is Best for Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer?
- Air fryers are great small appliances for reheating a slice or two of pizza. Their super hot circulating air makes the crust crispy.
- Use temperatures between 350-400°F to reheat pizza in an air fryer. Check it frequently as air fryers cook fast.
- Brush or spray pizza lightly with oil before air frying for extra crisping.
Here are some tips for reheating pizza in an air fryer:
- Preheating the air fryer before adding pizza allows it to reheat faster and more evenly. Preheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Use air fryer temperatures between 325°F and 400°F. Higher temps make the crust crisper.
- Brush or spray a light coating of oil on the pizza before air frying. This helps the crust get crispy.
- Reheat pizza in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes. Check frequently as air fryers cook rapidly.
- For a whole pizza, cut into slices or pieces before air frying. Pieces reheat quicker than a whole pizza.
- Don’t overfill the air fryer basket. Air flow is needed for crisping.
- Flip or rotate smaller pizza pieces midway through cooking for even reheating.
- Let the pizza rest 1-2 minutes after cooking to allow heat to fully distribute before eating.
The super hot circulating air of an air fryer makes it great for crisping up pizza crust and browning cheese for tasty reheated leftovers. Just watch cooking times closely to avoid burning.
Here are some top-rated air fryer models that work great for reheating pizza:
- Ninja Foodi Dual Heat Air Fryer:
- Rapid Air Technology: Ensures crispy and evenly reheated pizza.
- Dual Heat Technology: Combines convection and conduction heating for faster and more efficient reheating.
- Air Fry Basket: Provides ample space for reheating multiple pizza slices.
- Temperature Control: Adjustable temperature settings allow for precise reheating to your desired crispiness.
- Cosori Air Fryer Max XL:
- Large Capacity: Accommodates up to a 12-inch pizza, making it ideal for reheating larger pizzas or multiple slices.
- Preheat Function: Quickly preheats the air fryer for faster reheating times.
- Digital Touchscreen: Easy-to-use touchscreen with preset cooking functions, including a dedicated pizza reheat setting.
- Adjustable Temperature and Time: Customize the temperature and cooking time to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
- NuWave Brio Air Fryer:
- Compact Design: Suitable for smaller kitchens or reheating individual pizza slices.
- Rapid Air Circulation: Distributes heat evenly for consistent reheating.
- Adjustable Temperature: Choose the right temperature for your desired level of crispiness.
- Non-Stick Basket: Ensures easy cleanup after reheating pizza.
- Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL:
- Twin TurboStar Technology: Combines hot air and a grill element for faster and more thorough reheating.
- Large Capacity: Accommodates up to a 1.8-pound pizza, making it suitable for reheating larger pizzas or multiple slices.
- Smart Sensing Technology: Automatically adjusts the cooking time and temperature for optimal reheating results.
- Keep Warm Function: Keeps your pizza warm and crispy even after reheating is complete.
- Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven:
- Multi-Function Appliance: Combines the functionality of an air fryer, toaster oven, and convection oven, offering versatility for reheating pizza and other foods.
- Air Fry Function: Dedicated air fry setting for crispy and evenly reheated pizza.
- Adjustable Temperature and Time: Customize the temperature and cooking time to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
- Large Capacity: Accommodates up to a 12-inch pizza, making it suitable for reheating larger pizzas or multiple slices.
When shopping, look for air fryers with adjustable temperature settings up to 400°F, large capacities, and functions designed specifically for pizza reheating.
