Air Fryer Pizza: Reheating And Cooking Tips

There's nothing worse than soggy pizza. But fear not, because air fryers are here to save the day! If you're looking to heat up leftover pizza, an air fryer will give you a perfectly crispy crust and deliciously gooey cheese in a matter of minutes.

Compared to a microwave, an air fryer will give your pizza a better texture. And compared to a conventional oven, an air fryer takes much less time. Plus, you don't have to heat up the whole oven for just a couple of slices of pizza.

Reheating thin crust pizza in an air fryer

Reheating thin-crust pizza in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy leftover pizza. It's quick, easy, and gives your pizza a crispy crust and gooey cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 325°F (160°C) to 350°F (176°C) and let it preheat for about 2-3 minutes. This step is important to ensure even heating and the best texture for your pizza.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza

Place your thin-crust pizza slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This allows for optimal air circulation and even cooking. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches. You can also place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to catch any cheese or oil that melts off, making cleanup easier. However, this is optional.

Step 3: Air Fry the Pizza

Close the air fryer basket and set the timer for 2-3 minutes for thin-crust pizza. Keep an eye on your pizza, as thin crust can go from crisp to burnt quickly. Check the pizza after 2 minutes, and if it needs more time, add another minute.

Step 4: Check and Serve

Open the air fryer and test for your desired level of crispiness. If it's ready, carefully remove the hot pizza from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula, and enjoy your freshly reheated thin-crust pizza!

Tips for Success:

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even and quick heating.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation.
• Use the recommended temperature of 325°F to 350°F for thin-crust pizza.
• Check your pizza frequently to avoid overcooking or burning.
• For extra-cheesy or greasy pizzas, consider using parchment paper or a silicone liner for easier cleanup.

Reheating thick crust or deep-dish pizza in an air fryer

Next, arrange your thick-crust slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Thick-crust pizzas will likely need more time to heat thoroughly, so start with 4-5 minutes and then check if the cheese has melted and the middle is hot. If not, return the pizza to the air fryer for another minute or two.

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.

You can also place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to prevent any cheese from sticking to the basket, though this is not necessary.

Why use the air fryer to reheat pizza?

There are several reasons why using an air fryer to reheat pizza is a great idea. Here are some of them:

Quick and Easy

Air fryers take just a few minutes to reheat your pizza, making them a quick and convenient option. You don't have to wait for the oven to preheat, and you don't need to heat up the whole oven for just a few slices of pizza.

Original Flavor and Texture

Air fryers retain the original flavor and texture of your pizza slice. The rapid hot air technology crisps up the crust without drying it out, and the even heating prevents a soggy or chewy middle, which often happens with microwaves.

Crispy Crust

Air fryers give you a crispy crust without drying it out. The hot air is circulated around the food, making the crust nice and crispy, while the inside remains moist and juicy.

Easy Clean-up

There are no baking sheets to clean with an air fryer. Clean-up is easy, and it's even easier if you use an air fryer liner.

Energy Saving

Air fryers are more energy-efficient than ovens as they only heat a small, concentrated area. This means you're not wasting energy heating up a large oven space when you only need to heat a few slices of pizza.

Perfect Texture

Air fryers give you a hot, crispy crust with perfectly melted cheese, no matter the type of pizza—thin crust, deep dish, and everything in between.

So, the next time you have leftover pizza, consider using your air fryer for a quick, convenient, and delicious reheat!

Step-by-step instructions for reheating leftover pizza

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You will need:

• Leftover pizza slices
• A basket-style air fryer
• Optional: parchment paper, aluminium foil, or silicone liners for easy cleanup

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Turn on your air fryer and let it preheat for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Arrange the Slices

Place the pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches.

Optionally, you can place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to prevent cheese from sticking to the basket, but this is not necessary.

Step 4: Air Fry

Close the basket and set the timer for 3-4 minutes for thin crust, or 5-7 minutes for thick crust. Check on your pizza occasionally to ensure it is heating to your liking. If it is browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees. If it needs more time, simply add another minute.

Step 5: Remove and Serve

Using tongs or a spatula, carefully remove your newly crisped-up pizza from the air fryer and enjoy!

Common mistakes to avoid when reheating pizza in the air fryer

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a great way to get that crispy crust and melted cheese without having to resort to the microwave or oven. However, there are some common mistakes that can ruin your pizza-eating experience. Here are some tips to ensure your reheated pizza tastes almost as good as it did when it was fresh:

Skipping the Preheat

Don't throw your cold pizza slices into a cold air fryer. Always preheat your air fryer first to ensure even and quick heating.

Overcrowding the Basket

Avoid packing too many slices into the air fryer basket, as this limits air circulation and leads to soggy, unevenly reheated pizza. Make sure each slice has enough space around it for optimal crispiness.

Using the Wrong Temperature

Reheating at too high a temperature can burn your pizza, while a lower temperature may leave it underheated and soggy. 350°F is a good starting point, but adjust according to your pizza's thickness. For thin crust, 325°F to 350°F for 2-3 minutes should be enough. For thick crust, lower the temperature to 300°F and heat for 4-7 minutes.

Ignoring Pizza Thinness/Thickness

Different types of pizza require different reheating times. Thin crust might only need 2-3 minutes, while a deep-dish slice could take up to 7 minutes. Adjust the temperature and timing based on your pizza's thickness.

Not Checking for Doneness

Don't rely solely on the timer. Keep an eye on your pizza to avoid overcooking it. Open the basket occasionally to check if it's warmed to your liking.

Frequently asked questions