Reheating Pizza: Air Fryer Method For Quick, Crispy Slices

If you're looking to revive leftover pizza, an air fryer is the best way to get a perfectly crispy crust and melted cheese in a matter of minutes. Compared to the oven, it's much faster, and unlike the microwave, it won't leave you with a soggy, chewy mess.

Preheat settings

Firstly, always preheat your air fryer. Preheating ensures that your pizza reheats evenly and quickly, preventing sogginess and uneven cooking. Set your air fryer to around 350°F (176°C) and let it warm up for about 2-3 minutes. This temperature setting is suitable for most types of pizza. However, if you're working with a super-thin crust, you might want to lower the temperature to 325°F (160°C) to prevent overbrowning.

For thick crusts or deep-dish pizzas, a lower preheat temperature of around 300°F (150°C) is recommended. This ensures that the inside of the pizza gets heated through without drying out the crust. If you're using a basket-style air fryer, you can simply place the pizza slices directly into the basket. Alternatively, you can line the basket with a disposable parchment paper liner or a reusable silicone liner for easier cleanup.

When arranging your pizza slices, place them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. This arrangement allows for even heating and prevents sogginess. The number of slices you can fit will depend on the size and type of your air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to heat the slices in batches.

Now, onto the cooking time. For thin crusts, set the timer for 2-3 minutes, as they cook faster due to their thinner nature. For thick crusts or deep-dish pizzas, start with a slightly longer cooking time of 4-5 minutes, and then check if more time is needed. Remember, the final cook time will depend on your specific air fryer model and the thickness of your pizza.

During the cooking process, keep an eye on your pizza. If it's browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25-30°F. Additionally, if you notice the crust starting to burn but the inside needs more time, you can lightly cover the top of the pizza with a small piece of aluminium foil for the remaining cooking time.

Lastly, when your pizza is heated to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula, and it's ready to be enjoyed!

Pizza placement

Spacing and Layering:

Place your leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. This is crucial because it allows hot air to circulate around each slice, promoting even cooking and crispiness. Overlapping slices may result in soggy or unevenly reheated pizza. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to reheat the slices in batches.

Parchment Paper or Liner:

Optionally, you can place a piece of parchment paper or a reusable silicone liner under the pizza slices. This makes cleanup easier, especially if your pizza is particularly cheesy or greasy. If using parchment paper, punch a few small holes directly under the crust to ensure proper air circulation.

Basket vs. Tray:

If you have a basket-style air fryer, place the pizza slices directly into the basket. If you have an oven-style or tray air fryer, you can use a small baking sheet or racks to hold your slices. For oven-style air fryers, laying the slices on a sheet of parchment paper without preheating the air fryer can help the pizza heat more evenly.

Number of Slices:

The number of slices you can fit in your air fryer will depend on its size and type. Generally, it's best to reheat only a few slices at a time to allow for proper spacing and air circulation. For example, if your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to heat the slices in batches.

Thickness and Type of Crust:

The placement and arrangement of your pizza slices may also depend on the thickness and type of crust. For thin-crust pizza, ensure that the slices are placed in a single layer and given enough space to heat evenly. Thin crusts cook faster, so be careful not to overcook them. For thick crusts or deep-dish pizzas, you may need to adjust the placement to ensure even heating. Thick crusts may require a lower temperature setting and a bit more time to heat thoroughly.

Timing

The timing for reheating a slice of pizza in an air fryer depends on the type of crust and the model of the air fryer. Thin-crust pizzas typically take around 2-4 minutes, while thick-crust or deep-dish pizzas may require 4-7 minutes. It's important to note that different air fryer models heat up at different rates, so it's recommended to keep an eye on the pizza and adjust the timing accordingly.

For thin-crust pizza, a temperature setting of 350°F (176°C) is generally recommended, with a cooking time of 3-4 minutes. However, some sources suggest a lower temperature of 325°F (160°C) for 2-3 minutes to achieve the perfect crispiness without burning.

Thick-crust or deep-dish pizzas require a more delicate approach. It's best to start with a lower temperature of around 300°F (150°C) and cook for 4-5 minutes, checking for doneness and adding more time if needed. This ensures that the middle is heated through and the cheese is melted without drying out or burning the crust.

When reheating pizza in an air fryer, it's crucial to place the slices in a single layer, allowing adequate space between them for optimal air circulation. Overlapping slices or overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in soggy, unevenly reheated pizza.

Additionally, preheating the air fryer is essential. Skipping this step can lead to uneven heating, affecting the overall quality of the reheated pizza.

In summary, the timing for reheating pizza in an air fryer ranges from 2 to 7 minutes, depending on the type of crust and the specific air fryer model. Always remember to preheat, use the appropriate temperature settings, and allow for proper airflow by arranging the slices in a single layer.

Temperature

The temperature you should set your air fryer to depends on the type of crust your pizza has. For thin crust pizza, a temperature of 350°F (176°C) is recommended. However, some sources suggest that you can cook thin crust pizza at an even higher temperature of 400°F for 2 minutes. For thick crust pizza, it is recommended to set your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). This lower temperature ensures that the thicker crust heats up all the way through without drying out. For deep-dish pizzas, a temperature of 330°F for 6 minutes is recommended to ensure that the cheese does not burn while the inside heats up.

It is important to note that the temperature settings may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer. Therefore, it is recommended to keep an eye on your pizza while it is cooking and adjust the temperature as needed. If your pizza is browning too quickly, you can try lowering the temperature by 25-30°F.

Additionally, the desired temperature may depend on your personal preference for the texture of the crust and the toppings. A higher temperature will result in a crispier crust, while a lower temperature will help to prevent burning and promote even heating.

Toppings

Choose the Right Toppings

When reheating pizza in an air fryer, it's best to choose pizzas with toppings that can withstand the heat. Heartier toppings such as peppers, onions, mushrooms, and sausages tend to hold up better than fresh toppings like basil, spinach, or fresh tomatoes. If you have a pizza with more delicate toppings, consider removing them before reheating and adding them back on top after the pizza is done.

Prevent Burning

To prevent your toppings from burning, it's important to keep an eye on your pizza while it's in the air fryer. Check on it frequently, especially if your pizza has a lot of toppings or if your toppings are prone to burning. If you notice that your toppings are starting to burn, you can try lowering the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit or covering the toppings with a small piece of aluminium foil for the remaining cooking time.

Add Extra Toppings

If you're looking to add some extra flavour to your leftover pizza, reheating it in the air fryer is a great opportunity to add some extra toppings. Classics like pepperoni or extra cheese are always a good choice, and they will hold up well in the air fryer. You can also try adding some fresh herbs like basil or oregano after reheating to give your pizza a fresh flavour boost.

Adjust Timing

The timing for reheating pizza in an air fryer will depend on the type of toppings you have. If your pizza is topped with a lot of cheese or other hearty toppings, it may need a little extra time to ensure that the cheese is melted and the toppings are heated through. On the other hand, if your pizza has lighter toppings, it may take less time to reheat. As a general rule, check on your pizza frequently and adjust the timing as needed to ensure that your toppings are heated to perfection.

Prevent Drying

To prevent your toppings from drying out, it's important to ensure that your air fryer is not set to a temperature that is too high. As a rule of thumb, 350 degrees Fahrenheit is a good starting point for reheating pizza. You can also try spraying the top of your pizza with a bit of oil before placing it in the air fryer to help keep the toppings moist.

Frequently asked questions