Reheating Pizza: Air Fryer Method For Quick, Crispy Results

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy your favourite food all over again. It's quick, easy, and most importantly, it retains the original flavour and texture of your delicious pizza. The air fryer’s rapid hot air technology crisps up the crust without drying it out, and prevents a soggy or chewy middle.

The time it takes to reheat pizza in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the crust and the model of the air fryer. For thin-crust pizza, it should take around 3 minutes to reheat, while thicker crusts may need up to 7 minutes. The ideal temperature to reheat pizza in an air fryer is around 350°F, but this may vary depending on the type of crust.

To reheat pizza in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Then, place your pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. You may need to heat the slices in batches if you have a smaller air fryer. Finally, air fry for the recommended time, depending on the thickness of your crust. And that's it! Your leftover pizza will be crispy and delicious, just like it's fresh out of the oven.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is essential to ensure your pizza heats evenly and quickly. It's best to preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes.

The optimal temperature for reheating pizza in an air fryer is 350°F (176°C). However, if your pizza is browning too quickly, lower the temperature to 325°F (160°C).

For thin-crust pizza, preheat your air fryer to 325°F (160°C) for 2-3 minutes. The lower temperature ensures that the thin crust doesn't burn.

For thick-crust or deep-dish pizza, preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) for 2-3 minutes. The lower temperature ensures that the pizza heats all the way through without drying out.

If you're using an oven-style air fryer, there's no need to preheat. Simply set the temperature to 325°F (160°C) for thin crust or 300°F (150°C) for thick crust.

Prep the slices

Now that your air fryer is preheated, it's time to prepare the slices for reheating.

Place your leftover pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping and have enough space around them for optimal crispiness. The number of slices you can place will depend on the size of your air fryer. A typical basket-style air fryer can fit about two slices, but larger air fryers or those with a tray may accommodate more.

If your pizza has a lot of cheese, consider placing a piece of parchment paper underneath to catch any cheese that might melt off. Punching a few small holes in the parchment paper directly under the crust will ensure proper air circulation. Alternatively, you can lightly spray or drizzle the slices with a tiny bit of oil to prevent the toppings from drying out.

If you're reheating thick-crust pizza, you may want to start with a lower temperature setting and increase the cooking time. For thin-crust pizza, a higher temperature and shorter cooking time will do the trick.

Now, you're all set to air fry your pizza!

Add water to the outer basket

When reheating pizza in an air fryer, it is not necessary to add water to the outer basket. However, adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the outer basket can help to create a steam environment, especially if your air fryer is on the drier side. This can help to prevent the pizza from drying out and ensure that the crust stays moist and crispy.

If you do decide to add water to the outer basket, here are some tips to follow:

• Only add a small amount of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the basket.
• Use a heat-safe container, such as a silicone cup or a small metal bowl, to hold the water. This will help to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly and will also make it easier to remove the container from the hot air fryer when you're done.
• Be careful when removing the container of water from the air fryer, as it will be hot. Use oven mitts or tongs to protect your hands.
• Do not add water directly to the air fryer basket, as this can cause electrical issues and may damage your air fryer. Always place the water in a separate container.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your reheated pizza turns out crispy and delicious, with a moist crust and melted cheese. So, whether you're reheating a thin-crust or thick-crust pizza, don't be afraid to experiment with adding a small amount of water to the outer basket to create a steam environment and prevent your pizza from drying out.

Place the pizza slices in the air fryer

When you're ready to reheat your pizza, place the slices in your air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. This is important because it allows hot air to circulate around the entire slice, ensuring a crispy crust. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches.

Although this step is optional, you can place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to prevent any cheese from sticking to the basket. However, this may not be necessary, as some people claim that using parchment paper can inhibit air from flowing around the slices and cooking them evenly.

If your pizza has a lot of cheese, consider punching a few small holes in the parchment paper directly under the crust to ensure proper air circulation.

Air fry the pizza

Air frying is the best way to reheat your leftover pizza. It's quick, easy, and will restore your pizza to its former glory with a crispy crust and melty cheese. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C) for thin crust or 325°F (160°C) for thick crust. If you have a deep-dish pizza, preheat to a lower temperature of 220°F (104°C). It should take about 2-4 minutes to preheat.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Slices

Place your leftover pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. This is crucial to allow proper air circulation and even heating. If you have a lot of pizza, you may need to heat the slices in batches.

You can optionally place a piece of parchment paper under the slices to prevent any cheese from sticking to the basket and make cleanup easier. However, this isn't necessary, and some sources advise against using foil as it can inhibit airflow.

For extra cheesy or greasy pizzas, you can lightly spray or drizzle the slices with a small amount of oil to prevent the toppings from drying out.

Step 3: Air Fry the Pizza

Close the basket and set the timer. For thin-crust pizza, air fry for 2-4 minutes. For thick-crust pizza, air fry for 4-6 minutes. Check on your pizza after the recommended time. If it needs more time, continue cooking in 1-minute increments until the cheese is melted and the crust is hot and crispy.

Step 4: Remove and Serve

Using tongs or a potholder, carefully remove your freshly crisped pizza from the air fryer and enjoy!

Tips:

• The cook time will depend on the thickness of your crust and the amount of toppings. Keep an eye on your pizza to avoid overcooking, especially if it's a thin crust.
• To add an extra boost of flavor, sprinkle some Italian seasoning, oregano, dried basil leaves, or red pepper flakes on your pizza before air frying.
• For an even crispier crust, you can pour 1-2 teaspoons of water into the drawer underneath the air fryer basket. The water will turn into steam and help keep the crust moist.

Frequently asked questions