Just because you’re eating pizza for leftovers doesn’t mean it has to be any less delicious. In fact, there are many ways to reheat pizza so that it tastes just as good as (or even better than) the next day.
The best way to reheat pizza is in the oven. Simply place an oven-safe baking sheet in the oven and preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Carefully add your pizza to the hot tray and bake for 5 minutes for crispy crust and ooey, gooey melted cheese.
In this article, you’ll learn 5 different ways to reheat pizza so that you can enjoy your favorite food any time you want. Whether you want to reheat pizza in the oven, microwave, toaster oven, skillet or air fryer, we’ll show you how.
A few notes to keep in mind as you’re reading through the following methods.
- There is no single “right way” to reheat pizza. Each method has pros and cons. We’ve called those out at the top of each section below. For example, one cooking method may give you better results in the quality department, but may take a little longer.
- Whether you made from-scratch fresh pizza, a frozen pizza or ordered takeout pizza, these methods will work with all types of pizza leftovers.
- The cook times listed are general guidelines. You may need to adjust cook times if reheating very thin crust pizza or deep dish pizza. The time can also vary if you’re heating a single slice or a whole pizza.
1. How to Reheat Pizza in the Oven
Using the oven is probably the most common way to reheat pizza. It’s also the best method to reheat a few leftover slices at a time.
The trick is to heat up your oven pretty high, usually around 450°F. High temperatures get the cheese bubbling again without drying out or burning the bottom of the crust.
Pros:
– Crisp crust and evenly melted cheese
– Even, consistent heating
Cons:
– Need to wait for the oven to preheat
– Using the oven can heat up your kitchen
Instructions To Reheat Pizza In Oven On a Hot Tray
- Place an oven-safe baking sheet, cookie sheet or pizza pan in the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not add the pizza yet.
- When the oven is heated, carefully place the pizza on the hot tray.
- Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Instructions To Reheat Pizza In Oven On Tin Foil
- Place cold pizza on aluminum foil directly on the middle rack. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for crispy crust or 350 degrees Fahrenheit for softer crust.
- When preheated, place the pizza on the foil.
- Bake the pizza for five minutes at 450 degrees or 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
PRO TIP: For best results, make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before you put the leftover pizza slices in. The hot oven is key for crunchy pizza crust and gooey cheese.
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2. How to Reheat Pizza in a Microwave
The microwave is perfect for reheating pizza quickly. If you don’t have time to wait for the oven method, the microwave oven is a faster option.
Just keep in mind that it’s an easy way, but not the best option to reheat pizza. It’s not going to come out tasting quite as good as if it were baked in a conventional oven or heated in a skillet. Pizza reheated in the microwave usually turns out chewy.
Pros:
– Quick, easy and fastest way to reheat pizza
Cons:
– May result in chewy or soggy crust
– Inconsistent heating can cause hot and cold areas
– Microwaves vary, so may need to play with cook time and power settings
Instructions To Reheat Pizza In Microwave
- Put the cold slice on a plate.
- Microwave for about 30 seconds on medium power.
- If needed, heat in 30-second intervals on medium until heated through and cheese melts.
PRO TIP: Start by warming your pizza in the microwave and finish it for a couple of minutes in a very hot oven. This will give you the speed of the microwave and the crunchy crust from the oven.
3. How to Reheat Pizza in a Pan or Skillet
Believe it or not, you can heat pizza right on the stovetop with a frying pan. And it turns out fantastic too! The cheese gets melty and bubbly, the crust becomes crispy. Plus you don’t have to wait for an oven to preheat.
Pros:
– Crispy crust and melty cheese
– Heats up quickly (no need to wait for an oven to preheat)
Cons:
– Limited heating area, so can only heat one slice of pizza at a time (need multiple pans if you want to reheat more than one slice)
– Crust and cheese can burn easily if not careful. You don’t want to leave the skillet unattended. It’s best to stand by the stove while heating.
Instructions To Reheat Pizza in a Pan or Skillet
- Place pizza in non-stick pan. You can add non-stick cooking spray if desired.
- Turn the heat to medium-low. Cook for about two minutes or until crust is golden brown and crunchy.
- Wet your fingers under the faucet, and sprinkle a couple of drops of water (less than a teaspoon) into the pan. The water will sizzle as soon as it hits the hot pan, so don’t stand too close.
- Cover the pan with a lid so that the evaporating water droplets can rehydrate the cheese.
- Turn the heat to low and heat for another minute.
PRO TIP: Keep a close eye on the pizza when using this method. The cheese and crust can burn quickly.
4. How To Reheat Pizza In A Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens are great for reheating pizza because they have a small surface area, so the heat is more concentrated and you don’t have to worry about the crust or cheese burning.
Pros:
– Heats up quickly and evenly
– Small size makes it convenient for reheating one or two slices of pizza at a time
Cons:
– Can only reheat a limited number of slices at a time
Instructions To Reheat Pizza In Toaster Oven
- Preheat the toaster oven to 350 degrees F on the medium setting.
- Place the pizza in the toaster oven.
- Warm the pizza through 1 or 2 cook cycles or until it’s heated through.
5. How To Reheat Pizza in the Air Fryer
The air fryer is the newest way to reheat pizza! It makes it super crispy and melts the cheese perfectly. It’s also easy to reheat multiple slices of pizza at one time.
Pros:
– Crispy crust and melty cheese, similar to a pan or skillet (without burning)
– Can heat several slices at once, unlike a skillet which can only heat one slice at a time.
Cons:
– Takes a little longer than other methods
Instructions To Reheat Pizza In Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Place the pizza slices in the air fryer basket. The slices should be in a single layer to allow the hot air to circulate.
- Cook for about 4 minutes or until crispy and heated through.
FAQS About Reheating Pizza
Q. What is the best temperature to reheat pizza in the oven?
A. The best temperature to reheat pizza in the oven is 450 degrees F.
Q. How long does it take to reheat pizza in the oven?
A. It takes about 5 minutes to reheat pizza in the oven at 450 degrees F. However, if you are cooking at a lower temperature, it will take longer.
Q. What is the best way to reheat leftover pizza?
A. The best way to reheat leftover pizza is in the oven. The even, consistent heat results in the best crispy crust, melty cheese and overall great flavor. It only takes about 5 minutes. Plus you can reheat multiple slices of pizza at a time.
Q. Can I reheat pizza in a microwave?
A. Yes, you can reheat pizza in a microwave. It’s important to note that it may not heat evenly and the crust often becomes chewy.
Q. How long should you reheat pizza for?
The time to reheat pizza depends on the method you are using. Here’s a quick guide:
- Oven: 450 degrees F for about 5 minutes
- Microwave: About 30 seconds on medium power, repeating intervals as needed
- Skillet: Medium-low heat for a couple of minutes
- Toaster oven: 350 degrees F on medium heat for one or two cycles
- Air fryer: 350 degrees F for about four minutes
Q. How long does it take to reheat pizza at 350 F?
A. It takes about 10-12 minutes to reheat pizza in the oven at 350 degrees F.
Q. How long do you reheat pizza in the oven at 400 F?
A. It takes about 6-8 minutes to reheat pizza in the oven at 400 degrees F.
Q. Can you reheat pizza at 500 degrees F?
Yes, you can reheat pizza at 500 degrees F. Just keep a close eye on it so that the crust and cheese don’t burn. It will take 5 minutes or less to reheat pizza at 500 degrees.
Q. Is pizza safe to reheat?
Yes, pizza is safe to reheat. It’s a great way to enjoy your leftover pizza. There are several different methods you can use: oven, microwave, pan, toaster oven and air fryer. Just be careful not to overcook the pizza or the crust and cheese will become dry.
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to reheat pizza. The methods listed will work gret with frozen pizza, homemade pizza or takeout pizza. With the tips and tricks in this article, there’s no reason pizza lovers can’t enjoy leftovers just as much as the first time around!
You may also enjoy:
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How To Reheat Pizza In The Oven
Last night's leftover slices will taste as good as the first time around when you reheat them in the oven. The high temperature gets the cheese bubbling again without drying out or burning the bottom of the crust.
Ingredients
- Leftover pizza slices
- Oven-safe baking sheet
Instructions
- Place an oven-safe baking sheet, cookie sheet or pizza pan in the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not add the pizza yet.
- When the oven is heated, carefully place the pizza on the hot tray.
- Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Notes
Alternate Method:
Place cold pizza on aluminum foil directly on the middle rack. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for crispy crust or 350 degrees Fahrenheit for softer crust. When preheated, place the pizza on the foil. Bake the pizza for five minutes at 450 degrees or 10 minutes at 350 degrees.