Ahh, pizza. Easily one of the best foods ever made. A fan favorite, truly.
We’ve all been there. You order a massive spread, XL pizza boxes stacked on top of each other like you just ordered for a fraternity party.
Inevitably, you’re gonna be left with some leftovers you just couldn’t finish. Now, it’s the next day and you’re wondering; can you reheat leftover pizza?
You absolutely can! The best way is to wrap each individual slice and pop them into the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
But, if the oven just isn’t your thing, there’s more ways you can go about it.
Oven
The oven is by far the best way to reheat leftover pizza. You’ve probably tried this method before, with mixed results, but follow these directions and you’ll be able to get this right every time.
Cold, stiff leftover pizza becomes warm and soft and stringy like it was freshly baked.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit
- Grab a baking tray or cookie sheet and line it with aluminum foil
- Lay your pizza slices in an even later on the sheet
- Cover with another layer of aluminum foil and do your best to seal it
- Pop the tray into the oven and bake for up to 10 minutes
- Remove from heat and serve immediately
Microwave
We all know the microwave isn’t the best choice to reheat most foods. Really, only rice and soup do the best here.
But don’t worry! There still is a way to bring your pizza back to life using one of these methods.
Paper towel
- Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towel
- Place your slices on the plate
- Cover them entirely with a damp paper towel, making sure it touches the pizza
- Heat for 30 seconds on high power
- Check for desired temperature
- If still cold, heat in 10 second increments until done
- Serve immediately
Plastic wrap
This method is very similar to the previous paper towel method, but a little different
- Line a microwave safe container with high edges with paper towels
- Place your slices into the container in a single layer
- Cover the container with plastic wrap, making sure not to touch the pizza at all
- Poke holes into the plastic wrap
- Heat for 30 seconds on high power
- Check for desired temperature
- If still cold, heat in 10 second increments until done
- Serve immediately
Toaster oven
The toaster oven is a godsend for a lot of kitchens. In this case, it’s no different. This will give you a tasty, crispy and melty pizza without having to wait quite as long like with a conventional oven.
- Preheat toaster oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit
- Place your pizza on the baking tray
- Spritz your pizza with a bit of water
- Heat for 7 minutes
- Remove from heat and serve immediately
Skillet
Heating your pizza on the stove top may not be the first thing that comes to mind for most people, but seriously! It’s quick and easy, and can even give you that delicious crispy crust the oven can.
- Grab a non-stick skillet or pan
- Warm the pan on medium heat
- Place your cold pizza in an even layer directly into the skillet
- Add a tbsp of water to the pan, around the pizza – do not put water on top of your slice
- Cover the pan
- Heat for 2 minutes
- Check for doneness, if still cold heat for another 60 seconds
- Remove from pan and serve immediately
Air Fryer
While the air fryer can’t beat the speed and efficiency of the humble microwave, it most definitely can beat the quality.
The air fryer is a very simple “set it and forget it” method to reheating your leftover pizza.
- Preheat the fryer to 350 degrees fahrenheit
- Place a few slices at a time into the basket, do not overlap them
- Heat for around 5 minutes
- Check for doneness, if still a little cold heat for an additional 30-60 seconds
- Remove from air fryer and serve immediately
Final Thoughts
While surely most people have been forced to eat an unpleasantly cold slice of leftover pizza for breakfast, this doesn’t have to be you! Unless you like cold pizza, in which case high five – you’re unique!
Any of these methods will ensure you a perfectly delicious, crispy bottomed, melty gooey cheesy slice of pizza every time. Whether you use the skillet or the microwave, you’re bound to find a method that’s perfect for you and your needs.
But seriously, do try to avoid the microwave here.
