Air Fryer: The Best Way To Reheat Leftover Pizza

There's nothing worse than soggy, chewy leftover pizza. But fear not – you can use an air fryer to reheat your pizza and make it crispy and delicious!

Air fryers are a fast, easy, and convenient way to reheat your leftover pizza. They use rapid hot air technology to crisp up the crust without drying it out, and heat your pizza evenly, preventing a soggy or chewy middle. Plus, it only takes a few minutes!

Here's how to do it:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C). Then, place your leftover pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. You can optionally place parchment paper or aluminium foil under the slices to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier, although this may affect how crispy your crust gets. Close the basket and air fry for 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your crust. For thin crust, air fry for 3-4 minutes, and for thick crust, air fry for 4-7 minutes. Check on your pizza occasionally to make sure it's not burning, and adjust the temperature or timing as needed. Once the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, your pizza is ready to enjoy!

How to prepare your leftover pizza for the air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Before placing your leftover pizza in the air fryer, it is important to preheat the appliance. Set your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and allow it to preheat for about 2-3 minutes. This ensures even heating and helps to prevent a soggy or chewy texture in your pizza.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Slices

Place your leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket or rack, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This arrangement allows for proper air circulation, which is crucial for achieving a crispy crust. The number of slices you can fit will depend on the size and type of your air fryer.

For easy cleanup, you can optionally line the air fryer with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silicone liner. However, some sources suggest that placing the pizza directly on the air fryer surface without any lining may result in a crispier crust.

Step 3: Air Fry the Pizza

Close the air fryer basket and set the timer. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pizza crust. For thin crust pizza, air fry for 2-4 minutes, and for thick crust or deep-dish pizza, air fry for 4-7 minutes. Check on your pizza occasionally to ensure it is heating to your desired level of crispiness and to prevent overbrowning.

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. Enjoy your freshly revived leftover pizza with a crispy crust and melted cheese!

The best temperature to heat your pizza

Reheating leftover pizza in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a slice that tastes like it's fresh from the oven. The air fryer's rapid hot air technology crisps up the crust without drying it out, and its even heating prevents the soggy or chewy texture you might get from a microwave.

Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to between 325°F and 350°F (160°C to 176°C) when reheating pizza. However, the ideal temperature may depend on the thickness of your pizza crust. For thin-crust pizza, a higher temperature of 350°F to 400°F (176°C to 204°C) is best, while thicker crusts do better at lower temperatures of 300°F to 325°F (149°C to 163°C).

Once your air fryer is preheated, place your pizza slices inside, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them for optimal air circulation. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your crust and the model of your air fryer, but it typically takes 3 to 5 minutes for the pizza to be warmed through and the cheese to melt. For thin crusts, this can be as quick as 2 to 3 minutes, while thicker crusts may need up to 7 minutes. Keep a close eye on your pizza to ensure it doesn't burn, and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed.

How long to heat your pizza for

The amount of time it takes to heat your pizza in an air fryer depends on the type of crust and the model of your air fryer.

For thin-crust pizza, reheat for 2-4 minutes at 350°F (176°C). If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you can also do this at 325°F (160°C). If your pizza is super thin, keep a close eye on it as it can quickly go from crispy to burnt.

For thick-crust pizza, reheat for 4-7 minutes at 300°F (150°C). If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you can also do this at 325°F (160°C).

For deep-dish pizza, reheat for 5-7 minutes at 300°F (150°C). If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you can also do this at 325°F (160°C). For this type of pizza, you may want to cover the toppings with a small piece of aluminium foil to prevent them from burning.

For thin-crust pizza cooked at a higher temperature of 400°F (204°C), reheat for just 2 minutes.

For reheating frozen pizza, pop it in the air fryer for 8-12 minutes at 350°F (176°C).

How to prevent toppings from burning

To prevent toppings from burning when reheating leftover pizza in an air fryer, you can try the following:

Use the Right Amount of Oil

Using too much oil can cause your food to burn, but too little oil can also be an issue. A light coating of oil or cooking spray on your pizza can create a protective barrier that reduces the risk of burning while promoting even browning. However, be aware that some toppings, like cheese, already have enough oil in them, so adding more isn't necessary.

Avoid Overloading the Air Fryer

Overloading your air fryer can cause the heating element to overheat and start cooking the food too quickly, which can lead to burnt food. To avoid this, use the appropriate-sized container for your air fryer, preheat it before adding food, and cook the pizza in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation.

Adjust the Temperature

If your air fryer is burning toppings, it's likely because the temperature is too high. Air fryers can reach temperatures of up to 400°F, but this is much higher than what's needed to cook your pizza. For most air fryers, a temperature of 350°F is a good starting point, but you may need to adjust this based on the type of crust you're reheating. For thin crust, a temperature of 325°F for 2-3 minutes is recommended, while thick crust pizzas should be cooked at 300°F for 4-5 minutes. If your toppings are browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees.

Turn the Pizza Regularly

Turning the pizza over at regular intervals will expose all sides to the circulating hot air, preventing any one side from becoming overly crispy or burnt. Use a pair of food tongs to turn the pizza quickly and efficiently, minimising any fluctuations in temperature inside the air fryer.

Use Parchment Paper

Using a piece of parchment paper under your pizza slices can make cleanup easier, especially if your pizza is particularly cheesy or greasy. Punching a few small holes in the parchment paper directly under the crust will ensure air can still circulate around the pizza.

What to serve with your pizza

So, you've successfully reheated your leftover pizza in the air fryer and now you're looking for some sides to serve with it. Here are some ideas:

Salads

A crisp salad is often a great choice to serve as a side with pizza. Here are some types of salads that can complement your pizza:

• Caesar salad
• Arugula salad with caramelized walnuts, goat cheese, and a punchy vinaigrette
• Avocado Caprese salad
• Spinach salad with a warm bacon dressing
• Heirloom-tomato salad
• Tomato-mozzarella salad with a bacon garlic dressing
• Chopped salad
• Roasted pepper-tomato salad with crispy black-eyed peas
• Watermelon radish salad

Vegetables

If you're looking for a hot side dish, roasted vegetables are a great option. Here are some ideas:

• Roasted asparagus
• Roasted artichokes with creamy garlic dipping sauce
• Roasted Brussels sprouts with crushed red pepper flakes and Parmesan
• Oven-roasted frozen broccoli
• Sautéed squash and zucchini
• Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus
• Roasted Parmesan asparagus
• Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

Other Sides

And if you're feeling extra hungry, why not load up on carbs with some garlic bread? Or try one of these options:

• Air Fryer Fried Pickles
• Avocado and Mango Green Salad
• Antipasto tray

Frequently asked questions