How To Reheat Pizza

If you don’t know how to reheat pizza it’s about time you find out! Don’t let left over pizza go to waste because it too can be tasty if you go about reheating pizza the right way. A thin crust or deep dish pizza can sometimes taste better the day after, but it is all a matter of preference. Let’s take a closer look into the different ways you can reheat pizza.

What is The Best Way To Reheat Pizza?

The best way to reheat pizza depends on your preference for texture, where it was stored (refrigerator or freezer), and how much time you have. There are a handful of tools you can use to reheat pizza which include using the following:

• Microwave
• Toaster Oven
• Skillet
• Oven
• Grill
• Waffle Iron

Note that whether you are reheating takeaway pizza from the night that you bought it, or leftover pizza the next day that contains poultry or meat, the USDA always recommend reheating your food to a temperature of at least 165° F.

How To Reheat Pizza in the Microwave

Using a microwave is by far the fastest way to reheat pizza. When reheating pizza in the microwave you may get mixed end-results since it depends on the type of pizza, the microwave, and its settings. However, a pizza slice reheated in the microwave have in general a tendency to become a bit soggy with a chewy crust. There is a way to reduce that type of texture if you do not like it, which we will discuss.

1. To reheat pizza in the microwave you will want to use a safe glass or ceramic dish and put the pizza on it. If you are dealing with a smaller microwave you will only be able to reheat one slice at a time.

2. Check your microwave settings as you may already have a preset “pizza setting” or “reheat setting”, which you can use. The fastest way to reheat pizza is on full power and just nuke it for 30 seconds to 1 minute. You could also reheat at 50 percent of full power for about 1.5 minutes time. Yes, either way you do it, your pizza will come out somewhat soggy and chewy. To make the pizza less soggy, find a glass that will fit inside the microwave and fill it up with 2/3 or water. Put the glass next to the plate with your cold pizza slice and reheat for 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes, depending on the amount of power you use.

Let us share a few instructional videos from people reheating pizza using the microwave.

First video here is using the cup of water method to reheat a slice of pizza.

Next video is also the cup of water method, but wrapping a slice of pizza in a paper towel to keep the moisture.

This video is from someone just placing the pizza in the microwave for three minutes on the “reheat” setting.

How To Reheat Pizza in a Skillet

Let your stove-top do the work and use a skillet to revive your leftover pizza. For many, this is the best way to reheat pizza. You will end up with a crispy base, nice melted cheese, and the the rest of the toppings perfectly cooked.

1. Heat up a non-stick skillet on medium temperature and just add the pizza. Oil or spray is not necessary because as the pizza warms, it will provide oil.

2. Place a lid or foil over the top of the pizza as it is warming. This keeps heat in and melts the cheese. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until bottom is crisp and the cheese melted.

Alternatively, if you want to shorten the time you can instead first microwave the pizza for 45 seconds. Then add the pizza to a skillet that is preheated on medium/high heat. Cook for about 45 seconds until the base is crispy. If you use a nonstick pan, you could even flip the pizza and give it a few seconds on the pan.

Let’s take a look at some videos from users reheating pizza using a skillet.

First out is from a pizzeria employee using a skillet without a lid.

Next video is using a lid over the skillet to keep the right temperature and moisture.

The temperature to reheat pizza can also be controlled by using foil over the skillet.

This is a video from someone that first microwaved the pizza and then past it to a skillet to crisp up the bottom of the delivery pizza.

How To Reheat Pizza in the Oven

Reheating pizza in the oven is easy, but it does take a little bit more time. However, the good thing is that it allows for larger quantities of pizza to be reheated at once. The best way to reheat pizza in the oven is by baking it for about 5 minutes at around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on how thick it is or how you want the texture of the crust you can keep it longer. Some put it directly on the rack while others use a pan. Either way, you should keep an eye on it so it does not burn.

See how easy it is that even a toddler can assist you in reheating leftover pizza.

How to Reheat Pizza in the Toaster Oven

Using a toaster oven is also a great way to reheat pizza. This usually takes less than five minutes on the broil setting, at around 350F. Just pop the pizza into the toaster oven and set the temperature, and you are on you way to eat a tasty warm pizza.

How to Reheat Pizza using a Grill

During summer times many of us enjoy barbecuing and a viable option is actually to use your outdoor grill to reheat your pizza. Try it out! Just toss a slice of pizza over medium/high heat for about five minutes. Lift the pizza to make sure the crust looks good and make sure the cheese is bubbly. You may be surprised at how good it will taste.

How to Reheat Pizza with a Waffle Iron

If you want to make something different with your pizza you should go with this alternative. Just bring out that waffle iron or sandwich grill that is picking up dust in your kitchen and follow this easy pizza reheating instructions.

1. Take two slices of pizza and sandwich them.
2. Just put them in the waffle iron and you have a pizza panini in a couple of minutes

How to Reheat Frozen Pizza

Frozen pizza you often get from the supermarket requires you most often to use a full-sized oven to cook a pizza. This is because the pizza manufactures test their products in a full-sized oven, which often will get you the best results. However, when it comes to reheating frozen pizza that you froze yourself, you have other choices. You can use a toaster oven or the oven for what we believe gives the best results. There is no need to thaw the pizza before hand as it can be put in to the oven still frozen.

1. Preheat oven to 375F

2. Wrap a pizza slices in foil and put it in the oven.

3. Wait for about 10-15 min and it is ready

You can cook frozen pizza on a cookie sheet, foil, or just place the pizza directly on the rack for a crispier crust.

Whether it is delivery pizza from Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Dominos, or any other type of pizza you keep as leftovers, you now know of different ways to warm up your pizza. It is no more a matter of how to reheat pizza, but instead finding what best suits you.

FAQs

Is it safe to reheat pizza in a bread toaster?

This method is not safe. Bread toasters are not made to heat up pizza. If you try to do this the pizza toppings can drip inside the toaster, which can cause a fire. Even if you slide in a thin crust pizza it might end up being too crunchy.

Can you reheat a pizza with a blow dryer?

Well, it is possible if you are desperate and sitting in your hotel room without the option to reheat it with better methods. The USDA recommends food to be reheated to a temperature of at least 165° F, which you will not reach with a blow dryer, besides it will dry out the pizza.

How do you best reheat a deep dish pizza?

Use the oven as it will get an even heat penetrating the pizza.