What’s the Best Way to Reheat Leftover Pizza?

Leftover pizza can be seriously delicious hours after you’ve bought (or made) it, but some people get turned off by the sight and taste of cold pizza. There is a place and a time for a cold slice of pizza, but when you want to enjoy it warm and yummy, you might be wondering just what is the best way to reheat leftover pizza?

This is an age-old question (at least as old as pizza itself) and we’ve got you covered. We have two ways that are really easy and won’t ruin the pizza for good.

Common Problems Faced When Reheating Leftover Pizza

Reheating pizza can come with its own set of problems. If you’ve ever tried to bring some life to a day-old cold slice of pizza using the microwave, you’ll know.

Using a microwave really is not the best way to reheat leftover pizza. It’s actually the worst way. You’ll end up with a dried-out pizza that leaves a lot to be desired. The pie itself will get disgustingly soggy and the crust will be inedibly hard.

So, back away from the microwave and use one of the following two ways instead.

Methods for Reheat

We recommend experimenting with each method. They both compete for the number one spot as the best way to reheat leftover pizza but which one you choose depends on personal preference in the end.

Skillet

Using a skillet to reheat your leftover pizza is actually a pretty fast way. And yes, you can use that same skillet that you use to prepare pasta and noodle dishes.

While this sounds like an odd idea, it’s a very popular way of reheating pizza and other foods quite effectively. Just make sure that your skillet is a non-stick one or you may end up with some pizza left behind.

Here is what you have to do:

Step One

Place your skillet on medium heat and add the cold pizza slice directly onto it. Heat it up for only a handful of minutes. You don’t want to leave the pizza heating for very long or it might start to burn at the bottom.

Step Two

Add a few drops of water to your skillet’s base, but make sure it’s to the slice’s side and not on the slice itself.

Step Three

Cover your skillet with its lid and heat the pizza for a few more minutes. When it’s covered, the cheese will melt as the skillet steams up. Check on your slice often so you can make sure it’s not sticking or going to burn.

Take the slice out when you’re satisfied and enjoy!

Remember to not use high heat and don’t heat your pizza for more than a handful of minutes. The thickness of the pizza will determine how long you need to heat it.

Also, always use oven mitts when working with heated skillets so you don’t hurt yourself.

Oven

Heating pizza in the oven seems to many like a pretty bad idea. If you’re one of those people shaking your head thinking the oven is a no-no, you are partly correct. Using the oven often leads to dried-out slices of gooey cheese, but if you do it right, it can actually be the best way to reheat leftover pizza and you can have deliciously warmed-up pizza right from the oven.

For the best results, follow these steps:

Step One

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190.55°C) before you even try to heat up your cold pizza. You have to avoid heating your pizza very slowly or you will have a dried-out and gross mess.

You can move on to the next step while you wait for the oven to heat up nicely.

Step Two

Take a baking tray and line it with foil before you put it into the oven for a few minutes to get warmed up. You want the tray and the foil to be really hot before your cold slice of pizza touches it. (Use oven mitts so you don’t burn yourself in the process.)

Step Three

Once you’re satisfied that the tray and foil are piping hot, carefully take it out of the oven and place your pizza on it. Now, put the tray back into the oven for about eight to ten minutes. Don’t leave the pizza in the oven for longer than this or it won’t come out as yummy.

Check on your pizza regularly to make sure it doesn’t start to burn and you should end up with a deliciously warmed-up, crispy slice of reheated pizza.

Get Fresh Pizza Anytime with an Outdoor Pizza Oven

There you have it—the best way to reheat leftover pizza, and it’s not at all complicated and won’t take long. If you really love pizza, you’ll certainly appreciate Fontana Forni’s countertop pizza ovens that make it super easy to make and reheat all your favorite pizzas. Make it a perfect evening outside with fresh air—and fresh pizza! Discover the fine craftsmanship of Fontana Forni and view the full range of outdoor pizza ovens.