Reheating Pizza: Air Fryer Method For Quick, Crispy Results

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy like-new pizza without the sogginess of a microwave or the time-consuming nature of an oven. It's quick, easy, and delivers a crispy crust and gooey, melty cheese. The circulating hot air in the air fryer crisps the crust without drying it out, and heats your pizza evenly, preventing a soggy or chewy middle.

To reheat pizza in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 350°F. Place your pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. For thin-crust pizza, reheat for 2-4 minutes, and for thick-crust pizza, reheat for 4-7 minutes. Check your pizza occasionally to ensure it's not burning, and adjust the temperature as needed.

So, the next time you have leftover pizza, give your air fryer a go!

How to reheat thin-crust pizza in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat pizza in an air fryer and it is considered the best way to revive leftover pizza! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat thin-crust pizza in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 325°F (160°C) to 176°C and let it warm up for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Layer the Pizza

Place your thin-crust slices of pizza in a single layer within the air fryer basket, ensuring no overlap. You can place the pizza directly into the basket or line the basket with a disposable parchment paper liner or reusable silicone liner for easy cleanup.

Step 3: Timing

Set your timer for 2-4 minutes. Thin-crust pizza reheats quickly due to its thin nature. Check on your pizza after 2 minutes and add another minute or two if needed. For super-thin crust pizza, keep a close eye on it as it can go from crisp to burnt quickly.

Step 4: Check and Serve

Open the air fryer and test for crispiness. If it’s to your liking, remove the pizza slices and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you wish, you can place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to prevent any cheese from sticking to the basket. However, this is not necessary.
• If you find that the crust is heating too quickly compared to the middle, you can use a small piece of aluminum foil to lightly cover the top of the pizza for the remaining cooking time.
• If your pizza is browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees.
• The final cook time will depend on the model of your air fryer as well as the thickness of the pizza.

How to reheat thick-crust pizza in an air fryer

Reheating thick-crust pizza in an air fryer is simple and will result in a slice that tastes just like new. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 300°F (about 150°C) and preheat for 2-3 minutes. The lower temperature ensures that the cold pizza slices heat all the way through without drying out.

Step 2: Place the Pizza

Arrange your thick-crust slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Overlapping slices will lead to uneven heating and sogginess. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches.

Step 3: Set the Timer

Thick-crust pizzas will likely need more time to heat thoroughly. Start with 4-5 minutes, then check if the cheese has melted and the middle is hot. If not, give it another minute or two.

Step 4: Check and Serve

If the cheese has melted and the middle is hot, your pizza is ready to eat! Use a pair of tongs to remove the pizza from the air fryer and enjoy.

Tips:

• For easy cleanup, you can place a piece of parchment paper, aluminium foil, or a silicone liner under the pizza slices. However, this is not necessary.
• If the crust is heating too quickly compared to the middle, you can lightly cover the top of the pizza with aluminium foil for the remaining cooking time.
• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even and quick heating.
• Be careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this will result in soggy, unevenly reheated pizza.

How to reheat frozen pizza in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat frozen pizza in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer

Set your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. This is an important step as it ensures even and quick heating of your pizza.

Step 2: Prepare the pizza

Place the pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. The number of slices you can fit will depend on the size and type of your air fryer. You can place the pizza directly into the basket or use a disposable parchment paper liner or a reusable silicone liner for easy cleanup.

Step 3: Air fry the pizza

Close the air fryer basket and set the timer. For frozen pizza, cook at 350°F for 8-12 minutes. Check on your pizza at the 8-minute mark and then continue cooking as needed. If your pizza is browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees.

Step 4: Serve

Once your pizza is heated to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer using a spatula or tongs. Repeat this process for any remaining slices.

Tips for optimal results:

• To prevent cheese from sticking to the basket, you can place a piece of parchment paper under the slices.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even heating.
• Keep an eye on your pizza during the cooking process to prevent overbrowning.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your pizza and the model of your air fryer. Adjust the time accordingly.

How to prevent toppings from burning

To prevent your pizza toppings from burning when reheating pizza in an air fryer, there are several steps you can take:

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to around 350°F (175-180°C) and allow it to preheat for 2-5 minutes. This will ensure your pizza reheats evenly, achieving that desired crispy texture without burning the toppings.

Secondly, prepare your pizza. If your pizza slices are large, cut them to fit into the air fryer basket. You can also place a piece of parchment paper, aluminium foil, or a silicone liner at the bottom of the basket to catch any toppings that may fall off.

Thirdly, when you are ready to reheat, place the pizza slices in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Overlapping slices may cause uneven heating and affect the cooking of the toppings.

Finally, keep a close eye on your pizza while it is cooking. Check on its progress after the initial cooking time of 3-4 minutes. If the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, it is ready to be removed from the air fryer. If you prefer a crispier crust, you can continue cooking for an additional minute or two, but be careful not to let the toppings burn.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a perfectly reheated slice of pizza with crispy crust and melted toppings, without burning the toppings.

How to store leftover pizza

If you have leftover pizza, it's best not to store it in the box and shove the whole thing in the refrigerator. The cardboard and freely circulating air will dehydrate the pizza. Instead, opt for one of the following methods:

Method 1: Stack in a Resealable Bag

Let any remaining slices cool down, then stack them into a resealable bag. The cheese will have hardened and cooled off enough that the slices won't stick together. Place the resealable bag on a refrigerator shelf.

Method 2: Layer and Wrap Tightly in Plastic Wrap

Place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate. Top with a layer of wax, freezer, foil, or parchment paper. Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the pizza is on the plate. Wrap the stack tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.

Method 3: Use a Ziploc Bag

Place leftover pizza in a Ziploc bag and store it in the refrigerator. This will keep the crust and cheese from drying out.

No matter which method you choose, properly stored leftover pizza will retain its best quality for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer.

Frequently asked questions