Air Fryer Pizza: Reheating Made Easy And Quick

The air fryer is a great way to reheat leftover pizza. It's quick, easy, and delivers hot, delicious, and crispy pizza slices. The hot circulating air gets food crisp without drying it out, resulting in a slice with a crispy crust and gooey, melted cheese on top. It's also a more energy-efficient option than using a conventional oven, as you don't need to heat up the whole oven for just a few slices of pizza.

Air fryer vs oven for reheating pizza

Reheating pizza is a delicate art. Too often, we are left with a soggy, chewy, or burnt slice of what was once a delicious meal. But fear not, the air fryer and oven are here to save the day and revive your pizza to its former glory.

The Air Fryer Method

The air fryer is a quick and easy way to reheat your pizza. It is faster than the oven, as you don't have to wait for it to preheat, and it also saves energy as you are only heating a small space. The air fryer will give you a crispy crust and gooey cheese in a matter of minutes, and it works for all types of pizza, from thin crust to deep dish.

Here's how to do it:

• Preheat your air fryer to 325-350°F (160-176°C).
• Place your pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. You can use parchment paper, aluminium foil, or a silicone liner for easy cleanup.
• Air fry for 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your pizza. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want it to burn.
• Carefully remove the hot pizza from the air fryer and enjoy!

The Oven Method

The oven is a traditional method for reheating pizza, but it does have its drawbacks. It can take a long time to preheat the oven, and then you have to heat up the whole oven for just a few slices of pizza. It can also be tricky to get the right balance of heat and time, as the oven can dry out your pizza or leave it soggy.

Here's how to do it:

• Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
• Place your pizza slices on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving space between them.
• Cover the baking sheet with aluminium foil and place it in the oven.
• Reheat for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

So, Which Is Better?

Both methods have their pros and cons, but if you're looking for a quick, easy, and crispy reheat, the air fryer is the way to go. It saves time and energy, and you're less likely to end up with a soggy slice. However, if you don't have an air fryer or are reheating a large amount of pizza, the oven is still a viable option. Just be mindful of the temperature and timing to avoid drying out your pizza.

Now you know the best ways to reheat your pizza, so go ahead and enjoy that crispy, gooey slice!

How long to reheat pizza in an air fryer

Yes, you can definitely reheat pizza in an air fryer! In fact, it's one of the best ways to reheat leftover pizza. In just a few minutes, you'll get a perfectly hot pizza with a crispy crust and melted cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for reheating pizza is around 325°F to 350°F (160°C to 176°C). Preheat for about 2-5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Slices

Take your leftover pizza slices out of the refrigerator. Place them in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring that they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This is important to allow proper air circulation and even cooking. You can line the basket or tray with parchment paper or perforated parchment paper for easy cleanup, especially if your pizza is particularly cheesy or greasy.

Step 3: Air Fry the Pizza

Now, it's time to air fry your pizza! Place the basket or tray into the preheated air fryer and set the timer. For thin-crust pizza, air fry for 2-4 minutes. For thick-crust or deep-dish pizza, air fry for 4-7 minutes. Check on your pizza occasionally to ensure it's heating evenly and not burning.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your pizza is heated to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Serve and enjoy your freshly reheated pizza!

Tips for Perfect Results:

• Always preheat your air fryer for even and quick cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or tray. Leave enough space between slices for proper air circulation.
• Keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking. Check on it frequently to prevent overcooking or burning.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your pizza and the model of your air fryer. Adjust the time accordingly.
• If you're concerned about toppings burning, you can remove them before reheating and add them back for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.
• For extra crispy slices, you can spray a little olive oil on the pizza before cooking, but it's not necessary as the toppings usually have enough oil.

Best temperature to reheat pizza in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to reheat leftover pizza. They can give you a crispy crust and gooey cheese in just a few minutes. The best temperature to reheat your pizza will depend on the type of crust you have—thin, thick, or deep dish.

Thin Crust

For thin-crust pizzas, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Thick Crust

For thicker crusts, preheat your air fryer to a lower temperature of 300°F (150°C) and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.

Deep Dish

For deep-dish pizzas, preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

Regardless of the type of crust, always keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking. You can check for doneness by opening the basket and testing for crispiness. If your pizza is browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees.

How to stop pizza toppings from burning

Yes, you can heat up leftover pizza in an air fryer. It's a great way to revive your pizza and avoid soggy crust or dry, burnt pizza.

To prevent pizza toppings from burning, you can try the following:

• Lightly spray the top of the pizza with oil. This is especially helpful for fresh toppings like basil and tomatoes, which are harder to prevent from burning.
• Remove delicate toppings like fresh herbs or leafy greens before reheating, and add them back in after. These types of toppings may wilt or become mushy during the reheating process.
• If your toppings are burning but the crust isn't crisping up yet, you can remove the toppings, continue crisping up the crust, and then add the toppings back in for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking time.
• Use parchment paper: if your pizza is extra cheesy or greasy, placing parchment paper underneath can help with cleanup and may also help to protect the toppings from direct heat.
• Keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking, and check on it often, especially if you're using an air fryer for the first time. This way, you can remove the pizza from the heat as soon as the toppings start to brown.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate properly and cook your pizza evenly.
• If you have a lot of toppings that are prone to burning, you can cover them with a small piece of parchment paper for most of the cooking time, removing it towards the end so that the crust can crisp up.

General Tips for Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to 325–350°F (160–175°C).
• Place your pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap.
• Cook the pizza for 3–5 minutes, checking on it occasionally.
• If your pizza is warmed to your liking, remove it from the air fryer. If not, cook for another 1–2 minutes and check again.
• Use tongs to remove the hot pizza from the air fryer to avoid burning your fingers.
• If you want extra crispy slices, spray them with a little olive oil before cooking.

How to stop pizza from sticking to the air fryer

To prevent pizza from sticking to your air fryer, you can use parchment paper, aluminium foil, or a silicone liner. If you use foil, make sure to cut holes in it to allow for airflow so that the bottom of the pizza can get crispy.

If you don't want to use any of these options, you can also sprinkle a thin layer of flour or cornmeal on the bottom of the air fryer to create a barrier between the pizza and the surface. Alternatively, you can use a thin layer of olive oil, but be careful not to use too much, as this can make the dough soggy or greasy.

Frequently asked questions