Calzones are a well loved treat amongst people all over. There is nothing better than a crispy, flavorful calzone to take home from a local business. These delicious pockets of sauce, cheesy and crust are a fun, unique food to incorporate into your diet.
Sometimes you may grab an extra calzone to go, or you might find that your eyes were bigger than your stomach and you now have leftover food. When this is the case, be sure to save these leftovers and not let them go to waste.
If you find yourself with a leftover calzone that you want to enjoy later it can easily be reheated in a toaster oven, air fryer, conventional oven or microwave. How you choose to reheat your calzone will depend on how much time and effort you have to put into the process.
Calzones originated in Naples, Italy but have become popular all over the world with good reason. These flavorful, pocket sized meals are great to eat on the go and come in a variety of options. Calzones are just as good when reheated as they are freshly made.
Reheating A Calzone
Luckily there are a variety of relatively easy ways to heat up your calzone that you can choose from. All are using basic household items that most people have in their kitchen. Choose the one that best fits the duration of time you have to reheat a calzone and how much effort you want to dedicate to this task.
Oven Reheating
Oven reheating is one of the most highly recommended ways to reheat a calzone. This method preserves quality and texture without taking an abundance of time.
It is important to note that oven reheating will take the longest out of all methods, including time to preheat your oven and an additional twenty minutes of cooking. If you are in a time crunch this may not be the best method to use.
But if quality is your main concern in reheating and you have some extra time to wait for your calzone to cook, the oven method may be for you. To do so, simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Place your desired number of calzones evenly on an oiled baking sheet. Brush the calzones lightly with some oil or melted butter.
Place the baking sheet of calzones into the oven and allow to cook for twenty minutes. Cool for 3-5 minutes before enjoying.
Utilizing Your Toaster Oven
Many people reheating calzones may want to maintain quality without sacrificing a lot of time to do so. If this is the case for you, consider reheating with a toaster oven.
This method is very similar to reheating a calzone in the oven, only that it does not require as long to preheat or cook. Due to the smaller size of a toaster oven, it can be preheated in half of the time.
Preheating in the toaster oven may not be ideal for more than two or three calzones at most due to the size. So if you are looking to reheat a large number of calzones, this may not be the best method to use.
To reheat calzones in the toaster oven, simply set it to 400 degrees fahrenheit. While waiting for it to preheat, place calzones on an oiled baking sheet that is small enough to fit in the toaster oven. Make sure the calzones are in an even layer on the baking sheet.
Coat the calzones in melted butter or oil with a brush and place the baking sheet into the toaster oven. Allow to reheat for 10-15 minutes, cooling for an additional two before eating.
Reheating Calzones In The Microwave
Microwaving your calzone is one of the faster methods for reheating, only taking about 3-4 minutes. This method allows you to bring your delicious calzone back to life even when in a time crunch or having to eat on the go.
It is important to know what you gain in quickness you may sacrifice in quality when using the microwave to reheat your calzone. Calzones that have been microwaved may not be as crispy when reheated this way and may also seem slightly soggy.
The microwave also may not be best for reheating a large number of calzones. If you are hoping to prepare more than two or three at once, consider using the oven instead.
To reheat your calzone in the microwave, place it on a microwave safe dish or paper towel. Set your microwave to fifty percent power level.
After adjusting your microwave, place your calzones inside. It is best to microwave no more than three calzones at a time for space reasons.
Microwave your calzones for 3-4 minutes, flipping them over after a minute and a half. If they still are not heated all the way through, continue to heat at thirty second intervals.
Allow your calzones to cool for 1 minute before serving to avoid burning yourself. Be careful not to overcook.
What About An Air Fryer?
Airfrying is an easy, healthy method that provides both quality and quick reheating. This method only takes about four minutes and will not compromise quality in the process.
The only downside about using an air fryer to reheat calzones is that you typically cannot fit more than one or two inside at a time. If you are looking to reheat a large batch of calzones at once, the oven may be your best bet for doing this easily and efficiently.
To heat your calzones with an air fryer, turn it on and set it to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Coat both sides of your calzone with oil or melted butter using a kitchen brush. Once it has been preheated, palace the calzone inside and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes.
This method is definitely preferred when reheating a single calzone at a time. It is quick, easy and does not result in a soggy calzone that has lost its delicious crispy texture.
If you have an air fryer in your kitchen and are looking for a new way to use it, try popping your leftover calzones inside and see how you like it!
Safely Storing Leftover Calzones
Calzones are a great meal or snack to save for later, but you must be sure to store them correctly. This will prevent harmful bacteria from growing, making them unsafe to consume.
Calzones can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days. Place them in an airtight plastic container, resealable plastic bag, or wrapped in aluminum foil to keep them fresh.
If you want your calzones to be stored for longer than just a few days, consider freezing them. When in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag, frozen calzones can be stored for up to three months.
When it comes time to prepare and enjoy your frozen calzones, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This will ensure they cook properly and do not have any cold pockets or extra moisture that leads to sogginess.
Thawed calzones can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days before spoiling. These frozen, delicious meals are great to keep on hand for when you just don’t feel like cooking after a long day.
In Conclusion
Calzones are a delicious Italian classic that originated in Naples, Italy but have evolved overtime. These cousins of pizza can be found in various shapes and sizes with differing toppings and sauces.
If you have brought home a calzone from a local Italian food spot to enjoy later, be sure to store it properly. Maybe you even brought home a batch to consume over the next few days or weeks, which can be frozen for up to three months.
Refrigerating calzones after being at room temperature for up to two hours is essential to ensuring they are safe to consume later. Frozen calzones can be thawed and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
The oven is typically the most preferred method of reheating as it preserves quality and is ideal for reheating large batches. This method requires 20 minutes of cooking time before you can sink your teeth into that delicious calzone crust.
Using a toaster oven to reheat a calzone is a relatively straightforward process that is similar to using the oven. The temperature setting and process is about the same, the only difference being the amount of time needed to preheat and cook, as well as the amount of calzones you are able to reheat.
Microwaving calzones to reheat them is one of the fastest methods, though it can compromise quality. This method is very fast and easy, taking less than five minutes, but be mindful that your calzone may become less crispy in the process.
Airfrying is a healthy, fast method of reheating calzones that will help preserve quality in a fraction of the time. This method only requires about five minutes and will make sure your calzone is just as crispy and delicious as when you first purchased it.
However you choose to reheat your calzone, it will be sure to satisfy you for lunch, dinner, snacking or a late night bite. Choose the method that best suits your needs and you will be enjoying a warm, tasty calzone in no time!
