Reheated pizza usually turns out either too soggy or too dry, and while eating cold pizza is okay in a pinch there’s nothing like a properly reheated slice, whether it’s topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, or just cheese. Here are five tried and true methods for reheating pizza, from the oven to the microwave.
One quick note for whichever method you choose: It’s best to reheat pizza only once, so make sure to heat up as much as you’re planning to eat instead of heating up an entire pie and having to put it back into the fridge again afterward. You can always add more slices if you’re hungry afterward!
When I reheat pizza, I turn it into a meal, serving it with salad and dessert. My favorite combo is a slice of reheated pizza, a caprese stack salad, and S’mores cookies for dessert. Amazing!
1. How to Reheat Pizza in the Oven
The oven is the classic, reliable method for most people looking to reheat more than just a couple slices. For this method, you’ll preheat the oven to 375 before placing the slices directly on the oven rack for the crispiest crust. You can also place the slices on a baking sheet if you’d rather avoid the potential for cheese dripping down the bottom of your oven.
Bake the pizza for 8 to 10 minutes for a standard thin-crust slice, checking at the halfway point. Thick crusts, deep dish pizzas and frozen pizzas can each take 12 to 15 minutes to warm all the way through.
For deep dish, drop the temperature to 350 and surround the pizza with a tent made of foil, removing it halfway through the bake. This method keeps the cheese from browning before the center has heated all the way through. Remove the pizza once the cheese is fully melted and the crust feels properly crisp.
2. How to Reheat Pizza in the Air Fryer
If you own an air fryer, you can get all the benefits of reheating in the oven in half the time. First, make sure you preheat the air fryer to 350. Skipping the preheat is one of the most common reasons why people end up with damp, soggy crust.
Once the air fryer is preheated, place the slices in a single layer in the tray. Try to make sure all of the slices have enough space and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spray the slices with any oil. With most pizzas, the cheese has enough fat to crisp up the dough on its own. If you’re heating up a thin-crust slice, it may be ready in as few as two minutes. Thick-crust or deep-dish slices need more time, usually about 6 minutes to make sure the toppings don’t get burned before the middle warms up. If you notice the edges browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees and continue cooking.
3. How to Reheat Pizza on the Stove
Reheating slices in a skillet is one of the best-kept-secrets among pizza-reheating experts.
Start with a nonstick or cast-iron skillet. Unlike the previous methods, there’s no need to preheat here. Place the pizza in the pan and set the heat to medium-low.
Once the pan is hot, add a few drops of water to the pan (not directly on the pizza) and cover with a lid immediately. The steam from the water will melt the cheese and warm the toppings while the grease crisps the crust underneath.
Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, checking partway through to make sure nothing’s getting burned. If you want your pizza extra crispy, take the cover off the pan for the last minute or two so any leftover moisture will cook right off.
4. How to Reheat Pizza in the Microwave
Anyone who’s ever had leftover pizza is probably familiar with the microwave method, but it’s probably the most likely to result in chewy, rubbery crust. However, there’s a way to upgrade your microwaved pizza with just a little bit of water.
First, place a small microwave-safe cup of water next to the pizza on the microwave’s turntable. Cook the pizza in a few 30 to 45-second rounds. As everything heats up, the cup of water releases steam that keeps the crust from getting that dry, rubbery texture common with microwaved pizza.
Most single slices are ready in under 2 minutes, but it’s worth noting that you’re not going to get the world’s crispiest slices with this method.
5. How to Reheat Pizza in the Toaster Oven
The rules for reheating pizza in a toaster oven are pretty similar to using a full-sized oven, and it’s perfect for summer days where you don’t want to heat up the whole kitchen for a slice or two.
First, set the toaster oven to 350 and place the slices directly on the rack or on a small tray.
With most toaster ovens, you’ll want to bake the pizza for 6 to 10 minutes, but this varies with how powerful your oven is. Make sure to pay attention as it cooks so that you can take your slices out as soon as the cheese is melted and the crust looks crisp.