Air Fryer Pizza Warm-Up: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can warm up pizza in an air fryer. In fact, it's one of the best ways to reheat leftover pizza. It's quick, easy, and gives a perfectly crispy texture with gooey, melted cheese. The air fryer's rapid hot air technology crisps up the crust without drying it out and heats your pizza evenly, preventing a soggy or chewy middle.

How to prepare your pizza for the air fryer

First, you'll want to ensure your pizza is suitable for reheating in an air fryer. This method works best for leftover pizza, whether it's a slice or an entire pie. If you're working with frozen pizza, slightly thaw it first to reduce cooking time and ensure even heating.

Place the pizza in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray, depending on your model. It's essential to use a model-specific pizza accessory or a piece of aluminum foil with holes poked in it to prevent the cheese from dripping onto the heating element. Please keep it centered and not crowded to ensure even heating.

Set the temperature to between 350°F and 375°F (about 180°C). The exact temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer and the type of pizza you're warming. Fresh pizza leftovers may require a lower temperature to prevent overcooking, while frozen pizza needs a higher temperature to cook through properly.

Now, decide on the cooking time. For fresh leftover pizza, 3–5 minutes should be enough to warm it through and melt the cheese. Frozen pizza will take longer, around 7–12 minutes, depending on the thickness and your desired doneness. It's always a good idea to keep a close eye on your pizza the first time you use this method to avoid overcooking.

Finally, once the timer goes off, carefully remove the pizza from the air fryer using heat-resistant mitts. The basket and pizza will be very hot, so take caution. Let the pizza cool slightly before digging in, and enjoy your perfectly warmed slice!

With these simple steps, you can enjoy a warm and crispy pizza that tastes freshly made.

The ideal temperature and time for thin crust

Thin-crust pizza is best reheated in an air fryer using a quick, high-heat approach. The ideal temperature range for reheating thin-crust pizza is between 325°F (160°C) and 400°F (204°C). The time required will depend on the specific air fryer model and the thickness of the pizza, but generally, thin-crust pizza should be reheated for 2 to 4 minutes.

For optimal results, preheat your air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, place your thin-crust pizza slices in a single layer within the air fryer basket, ensuring that they do not overlap. Set the timer for 2 to 4 minutes, and check on your pizza occasionally to ensure it's warming to your liking. If it needs more time, you can always add an extra minute.

It's important to note that super-thin crust pizzas can go from crisp to burnt quickly, so keep a close eye on them during the reheating process. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even heating.

The ideal temperature and time for thick crust

Thick-crust pizza requires a slightly different approach to thin-crust pizza when using an air fryer. The ideal temperature for thick-crust pizza is between 300°F and 350°F (or 150°C and 176°C). Thick-crust pizzas will take longer to heat thoroughly, so you should start with 4-5 minutes and then check for doneness. If the cheese has melted and the middle is hot, your pizza is ready to serve. If not, you can give it another minute or two.

Thick-crust pizzas need a lower temperature than thin-crust pizzas to ensure that the crust doesn't burn and that the middle of the pizza is heated through. If you find that the crust is heating too quickly, you can use a small piece of aluminium foil to cover the top of the pizza for the remaining cooking time.

It's important to ensure that the pizza slices are placed in a single layer in the air fryer, with a little space between them, to allow for even cooking and air circulation.

Reheating thick-crust pizza in an air fryer will give you a slice of pizza that is hot and crispy, with gooey, melted cheese.

How to prevent toppings from burning

To prevent toppings from burning when reheating pizza in an air fryer, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. The ideal temperature for cooking pizza is typically around 350°F-375°F (176°C-190°C). However, if your toppings are burning, you may want to lower the temperature to 325°F (160°C).

To prevent common toppings such as bell peppers and olives from burning, you can lightly spray the top of the pizza with oil. Fresh toppings like basil and tomatoes are harder to prevent from burning, but oil will help. Additionally, you can use aluminum foil to cover the toppings while the crust cooks. This will prevent the toppings from burning while allowing the crust to crisp up.

It is also important to note that the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pizza and the model of your air fryer. Thin-crust pizzas will cook faster, while thick-crust or deep-dish pizzas will take longer. Keep an eye on your pizza while it's cooking, and adjust the temperature and timing as needed.

How to store leftover pizza

If you have leftover pizza, the best way to store it is not to leave it in its box and put the whole thing in the refrigerator. The cardboard and freely circulating air will cause the slices to dehydrate quickly. Instead, place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate and top with a layer of wax, freezer, foil, or parchment paper. Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the slices are on the plate. Then, wrap the stack tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. Stored like this, your 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