How do you reheat leftover pizza for a crispy crust? We love pizza at our house, yet for years, we would be content with soggy, microwave slices.
Whether it’s homemade pizza in your kitchen or delivered as takeout, pizza holds an unbeatable allure. It’s the universal comfort food, has a magical appeal that transcends homemade creations or the finest takeout. The joy of indulging in a slice adorned with bubbly cheese, a crispy crust, and perfectly toasted toppings is unparalleled.
Picture it, piping hot and bubbling with a delightfully crisp crust, crowned by perfectly toasted toppings. It’s a symphony of flavors that culminates in pure perfection, leaving you savoring every last delightful bite.
Now, what about the leftover pizza slices tucked away in the fridge? While a cold slice of next-day pizza has always been a worthy indulgence, resurrecting your pizza to its former glory with all the cheesy goodness and crispy deliciousness would be better. For me, the only way to eat pizza is piping hot with a crispy crust and gooey toppings. All I want is a slice of leftover pizza that tastes as good as it did the night before.
Is there a best option? Actually, there are a few different ways. It all depends on how many slices you are reheating at the same time, how much time you have, and what kitchen appliances you have on hand to reheat your cold next day pizza.
Crispy Revival
Cold pizza has earned a special place in our hearts, a delicious next-day treat. But is it possible to bring back the crispy crust and gooey cheese that made the pizza unforgettable in the first place?
The Best Ways to Reheat Leftover Pizza for a Crispy Crust
There are a few different methods for reheating leftover pizza while preserving that coveted crispiness.
Reheat Pizza in the Oven for Magically Crispy Crust
Preheat your oven to around 375°F (190°C). While it is heating, pop a baking sheet in so it gets nice and hot. For easy clean up, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. But you don’t have to. Any cheese that melts and slides off is a chewy piece to pick off and devour anyway. You could also use a cast iron skillet or a pizza stone.
Once the oven and the pan have fully preheated, add the slices and cook for four to five minutes for a slice of pizza or a couple of slices. Reduce the time about 2 minutes for traditional thin-crust pizzas.
Pro Tip for the crispiest crust. The Spritz of Water Trick. Elevate your reheating game by spritzing a bit of water on the crust before placing it in the oven. The steam created helps rejuvenate the crust’s crispiness.
Using a Skillet to Reheat Pizza
For those who crave a quicker fix, the skillet method works wonders. Use a non-stick pan or cast-iron pan with a lid. Preheat the pan on medium-high heat. Let the pan get hot enough that when you flick water droplets into the pan, it sizzles.
Then it’s time to add your pizza slices along with about eight droplets of water. Place the lid on the pan to trap heat and steam. The Pioneer Woman says to melt the cheese on top faster, splash a few drops of water onto the pan around the pizza. It will create steam that’ll melt the cheese quickly.
Within one to two minutes, the cheese should melt, the crust will crisp up, and any other toppings will be brought back to life.
The frying pan crisps up the bottom crust, while the steam quickly heats the top ingredients. To be honest, it is probably one of my favorite methods.
Pop a Few Slices in a Toaster Oven
If you have a toaster oven, it’s an excellent tool for reheating pizza. Set it to a medium heat and place the leftover slices directly on the rack or on a tray. Cook 7-10 minutes making sore to monitor closely to prevent overcooking.
Embrace the Air Fryer
For a trendy twist, the air fryer is a fantastic option. Food and Wine recommends setting the air fryer to 350°F then place a couple slices in a single layer inside. This is one of those air fryer recipes to keep in your recipe box.
You can even reheat leftover pizza hut pizza in air fryer. In fact, if you own an air fryer, it is probably the best way as it’s a game changer for crispiness. Especially, if you are reheating a thin crust pizza. And there are just a few simple steps.
Place a few slices in the air fryer basket. Cook the pizza for just 1-2 minutes for a thinner pizzas or two to four minutes for thicker crusts. Cook until the crust is crispy, and the cheese is gooey. The only thing that you need to do is watch it closely as it can burn quickly. Make sure to check after a couple of minutes as the cook times can vary based on the type of pizza you are reheating. For instance, thicker pizzas such as a deep dish pizza will take a few minutes longer to cook.
In must a matter of minutes, you can be enjoying slices of pizza with melty cheese and a nice crispy crust.
Next time you find yourself with leftover pizza yearning for a resurrection, remember these tried-and-true methods.
Whether you opt for the oven’s slow and steady heat, a convection oven, the skillet’s quick panache, or the innovative air fryer, your reheated pizza can once again boast a crispy crust and the gooey delight of perfectly melted cheese.
Bid farewell to soggy reheats and savor the satisfaction of a revived leftover pizza that rivals its freshly baked counterpart. Bon appétit!
If you love pizza, we have a few more recipe ideas for you to explore.
