4 Tried-And-True Methods to Reheat Your Pizza to Perfection

Pizza is one of the most popular foods globally, enjoyed in different shapes and sizes, with various cheeses and toppings, hot or cold. Nothing trumps a hot pizza with deliciously melted cheese. But what do you do with the leftovers? Our guide presents all the ways you can reheat pizza and which process has proven to be the best.

How to Reheat Pizza in an Oven

Reheating pizza in the oven is one of the best methods to retain the taste of your pizza from the previous day. Heating the oven, however, for a single slice is impractical and costly. But if you have larger pieces of leftover pizza, consider turning the oven on to get the best possible results. Using your range can also warm up the kitchen—so this approach may be better for the winter months.

If you decide to reheat pizza in your oven, follow these easy steps.

1. Preheat the oven to 180° Celsius;
2. Place your leftover pizza either on a preheated sheet pan, aluminium foil, or a heated pizza stone;
3. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Place your pizza on an unheated pan if you want a softer crust. And for a crispy crust, use a pizza stone—excellent for homemade pizza and reheating leftovers.

How to Reheat Pizza in a Microwave

Microwaving is the quickest method for reheating pizza, but you need to do it properly so as not to end up with soggy chunks of pizza. Microwave pizza becomes soggy because the microwaves heat up water molecules inside the crust. But if you do decide to microwave your pizza, follow these easy steps.

1. Put the pizza on a plate;
2. Place a cup of water next to the plate in the microwave (which absorbs some of the microwaves);
3. Turn the heat on high for 30 to 45 seconds;
4. Check to see if the pizza is heated to your liking.

Reheating pizza in a microwave doesn’t produce the best results, but if you’re strapped for time, or it’s the only option you have, it’ll do.

How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer

You can cook and reheat a variety of food in air fryers, and they’re excellent for reheating pizza leftovers by following these simple steps.

1. Put the pizza in the air fryer;
2. Set the temperature to 200° Celsius;
3. Set the timer to about five minutes;
4. Enjoy your hot pizza.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is an excellent option since you don’t need to preheat the air fryer—it only takes a few minutes to heat. And any excess oil from the pizza is caught in the drip tray to prevent a greasy pizza. The only downside to this process is that you can reheat only one slice at a time, but given how quick the process is, this shouldn’t be too bothersome.

The temperature and timing needed to reheat a pizza depend on the different brands of fryers. You should carefully read the air fryer’s manual or set the timer according to your previous experience.

How to Heat up Pizza in a Skillet

As previously mentioned, you don’t want to turn on the oven only to reheat a slice or two of leftover pizza. Instead, use a skillet on your stove burner and follow these steps. (Both iron and stainless steel skillets will do.)

1. Put a lightly oiled skillet on the stove with medium heat;
2. Add the pizza slices and cook uncovered for a few minutes;
3. Add several drops of water to the pan;
4. Cover the skillet and turn down the heat to low;
5. Cook covered for a few minutes until the cheese has melted and the toppings are hot.

This is the best way to heat up pizza if you want a slightly moist (but not soggy) pizza. The few drops of water to the pan turn to steam, which prevents the pizza from completely drying out. This skillet approach is excellent if you have just a couple of slices and want a quick and efficient method to turn cold pizza into a hot meal.

And if you don’t have a skillet, you can use a non-stick frying pan to reheat takeaway pizza.

The Best Way to Reheat Pizza

Now that you’re familiar with the methods for reheating pizza, you may wonder which is the best process. The oven is the undisputed winner of this ranking for the following reasons.

• An oven provides even heat distribution.
• The taste is similar to freshly baked pizza.
• You can heat large pieces at once.
• It produces a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.

If you decide against reheating pizza in an oven, using an air fryer or a skillet on the stovetop are good options, especially if you’re only heating up a slice or two. But of all the listed methods, using a microwave is the worst option—often leaving you with a soggy, chewy mess.

Reheating Pizza Dos and Don’ts

Reheating your pizza requires some thought. So consider the following dos and don’ts.

✅ Do…

• Follow instructions: Regardless of your chosen process, follow the instructions listed above.
• Reheat oven/skillet: You don’t need to preheat a microwave or an air fryer, but ovens and skillets need to be.
• Wait for melted cheese: Reheating pizza must melt the cheese. Make sure it has completely melted before you take it out.
• Ensure it doesn’t burn: Make sure the starch in your crust doesn’t burn, as it can give your pizza a bitter taste.

❌ Don’t…

• Additionally season: Don’t add any oil or other seasonings because it will make your pizza too greasy.
• Reheat after four days: If you’ve kept pizza for more than four days, do not reheat it; it’s not safe to eat.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best way to warm up pizza, our guide has listed several good ways to reheat your leftover pizza. Whichever method you choose, follow our instructions, and soon you’ll have a deliciously hot, good reheated pizza.