Reheating Pizza: Air Fryer Method For Delicious Results

Pizza is one of those foods that tastes good hot, cold, or at room temperature. But if you want to bring back that crispy crust and gooey cheese, an air fryer is the best way to reheat your pizza. It gives you the same results as an oven or stovetop, but in a matter of minutes, with little to no need for monitoring or preheating.

The process is simple. First, assess what type of air fryer you're working with. If you have a basket-style air fryer, you'll need to reheat your pizza a slice or two at a time, depending on how big the basket is. If you've got an oven-style air fryer, you can reheat as many slices as will fit on the rack or tray.

Either way, start by lining either the floor of the basket or the rack or tray itself with perforated aluminum foil or parchment paper to allow for airflow so that the crust can crisp up, but also to prevent sticking. Arrange the pizza slice(s) on top, then spray the top of the pizza with cooking spray to prevent your toppings from drying out.

Air fry the pizza at about 350˚F and start by heating for three minutes before checking on the progress. Thin slices of pizza will reheat faster than doughier slices (like deep-dish pizza). If you think the crust could be crispier, air fry for another minute before checking again. Once reheated to your satisfaction, let the pizza cool for a minute before serving.

How to reheat thin-crust pizza in an air fryer

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a great way to revive your leftover pizza and enjoy a perfectly crispy crust and melted cheese in a matter of minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for reheating thin-crust pizza is 325°F (160°C). Allow it to preheat for about 2-3 minutes. This step ensures even and quick heating of your pizza.

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 arrangement allows for proper air circulation and even cooking. 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 or a disposable perforated parchment liner under the slices to catch any cheese that melts off and to make cleanup easier.

Set the Timer:

For thin-crust pizza, set the timer for 2-3 minutes. Keep in mind that thin-crust pizza reheats quickly due to its thin nature. If you prefer a crispier crust, you can air fry for an additional minute. Check on your pizza occasionally to ensure it's heating to your desired level.

Serve:

Once your pizza is heated to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Enjoy your freshly crisped-up thin-crust pizza!

Additional Tips:

• If you're working with a basket-style air fryer, you might need to reheat one or two slices at a time, depending on the basket's size.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket as it can lead to soggy and unevenly reheated pizza.
• Keep an eye on your pizza, especially if it's super-thin crust, as it can go from crisp to burnt quickly.
• If your pizza is browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25 degrees.
• For easy cleanup, line your air fryer basket with a disposable perforated parchment liner or a reusable silicone mat.

How to reheat thick-crust pizza in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat thick-crust pizza in an air fryer! 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, making sure they do not overlap. Overlapping slices will lead to soggy, unevenly reheated pizza.

Step 3: Timing

Thick-crust pizzas will likely need more time to heat thoroughly. Start with 4-5 minutes, then check if the pizza is done to your liking. 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! 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.

Tips:

• If you wish, you can place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to prevent any cheese from sticking to the basket.
• To allow for airflow so that the crust can crisp up, you can use perforated aluminium foil or parchment paper (DIY hole cut-outs are fine).
• If you are reheating your pizza in batches, keep in mind that subsequent batches may cook faster as the air fryer is already hot.

Why you should reheat pizza in an air fryer instead of an oven

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a game-changer. Here are some reasons why you should use an air fryer instead of an oven:

Speed and Efficiency

Air fryers are much faster than ovens. By the time your oven is preheated, your pizza will already be ready to eat! Air fryers are also more energy-efficient as they only heat up a small area, whereas ovens heat up a much larger space, wasting energy.

Even Heating

Air fryers use rapid air technology to circulate heat, ensuring even cooking and a crispy crust without drying it out. In contrast, ovens rely on a heating element that slowly disperses heat, and microwaves often result in soggy, unevenly heated pizza.

Ease of Use

Air fryers are simple to use and require little to no monitoring. You don't need to worry about your toppings drying out or burning, and there's no need for aluminium foil or baking sheets. Just place your pizza slices in the air fryer, set the temperature and timer, and you're good to go!

Versatility

Air fryers work for all types of pizza, including thin crust, thick crust, deep dish, gluten-free, and more. They are also suitable for reheating other foods like leftover fries, steak, fried fish, and chicken.

Taste and Texture

Air fryers deliver the perfect combination of a crispy crust and gooey, melted cheese. Your pizza will taste just like it did when it was fresh out of the oven, if not better!

So, the next time you have leftover pizza, skip the oven and reach for your air fryer. It's faster, easier, and will give you delicious, crispy pizza every time.

How to prevent toppings from burning

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

• Remove any toppings that may burn, dry out, or become overly crisp during reheating.
• Use a lower temperature. For example, if reheating a thin-crust pizza, preheat the air fryer to 325°F (160°C) instead of 350°F.
• Check the pizza frequently to avoid overcooking.
• If the crust is heating too quickly compared to the middle, cover the toppings with a small piece of aluminum foil for the remaining cooking time.
• If the toppings are drying out, spray the top of the pizza with cooking spray before placing it in the air fryer.
• Reheat the pizza for less time. For example, thin-crust pizzas may only need 2-3 minutes in the air fryer.

How to reheat frozen pizza in an air fryer

Prep

Place your frozen pizza slices in your air fryer in a single layer, ensuring there is a little space between each slice. Optionally, place parchment paper under the slices to make cleanup easier and catch any excess cheese or oil.

Air Fry

Set your air fryer to 350°F (176°C). Given that frozen pizza comes in different shapes and sizes, the cooking time will vary depending on the crust type. For thin crust, air fry for 8 minutes. For thick crust, air fry for 12 minutes. Check on your pizza after 8 minutes and continue to cook as needed.

Tips

• If you want to prevent your toppings from drying out, spray the top of the pizza with cooking spray before air frying.
• If you are using an oven-style air fryer, there is no need to preheat. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet or use an air fryer tray to hold your slices. Make sure to arrange the pizza slices in a single layer with some space in between for air circulation.
• If you find that your crust is heating too quickly compared to the middle, use a small piece of aluminium foil to lightly cover the top of the pizza for the remaining cooking time.

Frequently asked questions