Can You Reheat Pizza?

Yes, you can reheat pizza. When done right, it can honestly rival the original. Most people default to the microwave and end up with something soggy and chewy, when all it takes is a different method. This guide covers four ways to reheat pizza, which one suits each situation, and a few things worth knowing about food safety.

Can You Reheat Pizza?

Absolutely. Leftover pizza is safe to eat cold and safe to reheat, as long as it was stored properly. The rule of thumb: refrigerate within two hours of it arriving, and eat within three to four days. When reheating, aim for an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). If the cheese is bubbling and the base is hot throughout, you’re there.

Reheating Pizza in the Oven

This method gets closest to fresh. It takes a few minutes longer than the microwave, but the result is a genuinely crispy base and properly melted cheese rather than a limp imitation of one.

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Put a baking sheet inside while it heats up.
2. Lay the slices on the hot baking sheet, or directly on the oven rack if you want maximum crispness.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling at the edges.
4. Let it sit for one minute before eating. The base stays crisp longer if you give it that brief rest.

Thick-crust or heavily topped slices will need an extra two or three minutes. Thin crust is usually done in seven.

Reheating Pizza in the Air Fryer

The air fryer is the fastest route to crispy pizza. It works especially well for thin-crust slices and gets there in about four minutes without heating the whole kitchen.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) for two minutes.
2. Place slices in the basket in a single layer, not stacked.
3. Cook for three to four minutes. Check at three minutes, because air fryers vary quite a bit in how powerful they are.

Deep-dish or thick-crust pizza will need an extra minute or two. Check that the centre is properly heated through before serving.

Reheating Pizza on the Stovetop

This is the method that surprises people. A dry skillet produces a base that’s almost better than the original: genuinely crispy on the bottom with the cheese melted properly above it. It takes about five minutes and uses one pan.

1. Heat a non-stick or cast iron pan over medium heat. No oil needed.
2. Put the slice in the pan and leave it for two to three minutes until the base is crisp and starting to colour.
3. Add four or five drops of water to the edge of the pan (not on the pizza) and cover with a lid immediately.
4. The steam melts the cheese in about one minute. Remove and eat straight away.

Reheating Pizza in the Microwave

Not the ideal method, but the fastest. The one trick that actually works: put a half-full mug of water in the microwave alongside the pizza. The water absorbs excess energy and keeps steam circulating, which stops the crust turning into cardboard.

1. Put the slice on a microwave-safe plate with a mug of water beside it.
2. Set the microwave to 60 to 70% power, not full blast.
3. Heat for 60 to 90 seconds. Add 30 more seconds if the centre is still cold.

The result won’t be crispy. For a quick lunch it’s fine; for a proper meal, the skillet or oven will serve you better.

A Few Practical Tips

• Toppings like fresh herbs or rocket should be removed before reheating and added back after. Heat destroys them.
• Never reheat on cardboard at oven temperatures. It retains moisture and can transfer unwanted compounds. Use a tray or the rack directly.
• Cold pizza from the fridge takes slightly longer to heat than pizza at room temperature. Factor in an extra two minutes if it’s gone straight from fridge to oven.
• If it smells off, bin it. Pizza left out for more than two hours in a warm kitchen should not be reheated.

How Many Times Can You Reheat Pizza?

Once. Each time food cycles through the bacterial danger zone (5°C to 60°C) on its way to being reheated, the risk increases. With pizza this matters most for the meat toppings. Reheat what you need, return the rest to the fridge, and don’t put the same slices through that cycle again.

Can You Freeze Pizza and Reheat It Later?

Yes, and it works well. Wrap individual slices in cling film and freeze them for up to two months. To reheat from frozen, place them directly in a 190°C oven for 15 to 20 minutes. No need to defrost first.

Which Method Should You Use?

Q: I love pizza just as much as the next guy, but, to be honest, I hate cold pizza. While I am using the microwave for quick zaps to warm up a slice, it leaves the crust rubbery and unsatisfying. Is there a better way to reheat pizza?

A: While many people do opt just to reach into the fridge and pull out a cold slice of pizza, many do prefer it warmed. No worries, the best way to reheat pizza in your oven!

The Oven Method

The oven is one of the most underestimated features of our kitchen; it is time we give it small tasks, as well as holiday baking.

To reheat your pizza, place on a baking pan, and put into the oven at 300 degrees. Feel free to add a few more toppings, or extra cheese! Allow the piece(s) to bake for 8-10 minutes, checking on them to ensure the crust is not burning.

Reheating your pizza in the oven ensures your pizza is warmed all the way through, and your crust is delightfully crispy. No longer do you need to do tricks when eating your floppy pizza, simply put it in the oven and enjoy a tasty snack.