Leftovers
How to Reheat Leftover Pizza at Home like a Pro
Because pizza leftovers are one of life's greatest gifts.
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45 Comments
bonnie R.
July 16, 2022
air fryer makes it look, feel and taste like it did when you had the first slice.
Marla K.
March 7, 2020
Ecchhh! All this fuss. All these steps. All those pans to clean.
Pizza, especially leftover pizza is meant to be a convenience food, not something to be fussed over. Here's what works for me.
Pizza on a plate, in the microwave, with a glass of water. Zap for as long as you need, depending on thickness, size of slice, toppings, how long it's been out of the fridge.
The glass of water steams up the microwave and prevents drying out. And it's no fuss, no muss. You only have to clean the plate you're eating on.
Pizza, especially leftover pizza is meant to be a convenience food, not something to be fussed over. Here's what works for me.
Pizza on a plate, in the microwave, with a glass of water. Zap for as long as you need, depending on thickness, size of slice, toppings, how long it's been out of the fridge.
The glass of water steams up the microwave and prevents drying out. And it's no fuss, no muss. You only have to clean the plate you're eating on.
Frances R.
February 25, 2020
And I live outside of Philly so we have amazing pizza places so I always buy a large pizza and put the slices in my freezer. And take it out put it in my toaster oven at 3:50 375. Just until the cheese is all oozie. Especially good for a provolone pizza, where the cheeses on the bottom and the sauce is on top
Frances R.
February 25, 2020
If you have a large enough toaster oven put it on toast and throw in your pizza. It heats the fastest I am the hottest. And if you get delivery french fries, do the same thing dark toast. Your french fries will sizzle. You’re welcome
TZ
January 27, 2019
I've tried it this way several times and it just doesn't work the way described. I've even adjusted the directions, and still it does not work the way described.
Patrick P.
November 23, 2018
This worked well for regular or thin crust. The thick crust was hot on the bottom but still cold on top. Since I had a combination of thin and pan or real thick crust in the same pan, I had to remove the thin crust and place the thick crust in the microwave grill setting. The thick crust was going to burn the bottom in the pan with still have a cold topping. I guess I’m still quite a novice.
Carole L.
March 23, 2018
First - any left over pizza should be stored in Ziplock ON THE COUNTER! Never in the fridge. This tip was given to me by the owner of our favorite Pizza place. A Quick toaster oven toasting (on the tray) to bubble up the
cheese and crisp the bottom and it will taste even better than the night
before!
cheese and crisp the bottom and it will taste even better than the night
before!
52FOOD.com
November 8, 2022
Yes!!! This is true! Don't refrigerate your pizza for at least 24 hours, and up to 48. I leave it out for 48 and have done so with my pizzas for years! IT will help in the reheat process!!
Joe H.
October 4, 2017
i put me pizza in ten foil and put the oven on 275 and let it preheat then i put the pizza in the oven and let it stay in there for about 5 minutes then take it out and look at it and see if it needs to go back in the oven for a couple of minutes
Nina D.
April 10, 2016
I've always done this way cuz it would be faster than the oven and I come across with this post can't believe it hahahahahaha
FoodFanaticToo
April 6, 2016
Always in a skillet on the stovetop. I have never added water, though, and will definitely test it out! Thanks for the ideas.
Kat
April 5, 2016
In the grill! Or broiler I guess :) bottom side up first, then after its hot flip to get the cheese mealty and hot again too
DragonFly
April 5, 2016
I use a cast skillet in the oven at 350, the pizza comes out crispy and yummy!
Jacque J.
April 5, 2016
Perfect way for my family - place slices in toaster oven on rack and heat on dark toast setting. The slices come out bubbly on top and the crust is perfectly crisp.
Smaug
April 5, 2016
Seven minutes on a perforated pan starting in a cold oven. I've never had any problem with toppings drying out. I am not myself Italian, and I do not like soft pizza crust.
Susan L.
October 26, 2014
First I heat up some olive oil in any old pan, drop in the cold pizza and wait for the magic to begin. No water necessary, drop a cover on it for a smidge. Decadent!
David
October 16, 2014
Use Philips air fryer for 3-5 mins, heats and restores the Pizza like it was just baked
Christine H.
October 3, 2014
2 slices, face to face, squished in a waffle iron until hot...DONE! BEST! BOOM! Thank me later
walkie74
October 1, 2014
Broiled pizza slice in the toaster oven for five minutes at about 300 or so. Crispy, melty and hot. I've never had a dried out piece of pizza that way--somebody must be doing something wrong.
Ordinary B.
September 30, 2014
Put room temp pizza on a cookie sheet. Put it in a Preheated 350 oven for exactly six minutes.
Ander G.
September 29, 2014
I microwave the slice for 20-30 seconds, so that they get warm and the cheese a little soft. Then I put it in a preheated cast iron skillet to finish it off for 2-4 minutes. DELICIOUS!
Des
September 28, 2014
Eat it cold. It's great. Pizza is not a pie. If you live too far away to bring home hot pizza then you could probably must make it quicker yourself (Lynda) :)
Lori
September 28, 2014
A friend taught me this method which results in a delicious "different sort of pizza":
Set a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a slice or two of pizza TOPPING-SIDE-DOWN. Cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is browned. Flip and cook crust-side-down for another 4-5 minutes to crisp and heat it. Yum!
Set a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a slice or two of pizza TOPPING-SIDE-DOWN. Cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is browned. Flip and cook crust-side-down for another 4-5 minutes to crisp and heat it. Yum!
Lynda
September 28, 2014
My husband & I always get a large pie half cooked. We live to far away to bring home a hot pie. I slice it in half and we finish
cooking it at 375 on a hot cookie sheet. Yummy hot slices. Oh, we freeze the other half for when we get hungry.
cooking it at 375 on a hot cookie sheet. Yummy hot slices. Oh, we freeze the other half for when we get hungry.
karmaya
September 28, 2014
safer to use cast iron pan - heating non stick pans without covering entire bottom of pan with food can result in toxic fumes. been using dry cast iron pan for years - terrific way to crisp a soggy slice of pizza, for reheating pizza, samosa, enchillada, etc etc.
DragonFly
September 28, 2014
We warm out leftover pizza on a cast-iron skillet at 350, makes for a nice crispy crust.
(that is when there is leftover pizza, usually we finish it off!)
(that is when there is leftover pizza, usually we finish it off!)
Patrick R.
September 25, 2014
I just spritz it with a bit of H20 on a n oven hot pizza stone & wait for the smell. ;)
Mike O.
September 25, 2014
I preheat a cookie sheet in a 375° to 400° oven, then add a slice for 4 min. But some great alternatives here I'll surely give a try.
Jeremy D.
September 24, 2014
I'm pretty simple but find this effective. Turn the oven on to 400 and put the pizza in immediately. Leave it until just about the time it warms to 400 degrees (usually under 5 minutes) and you're good to go!
Adam
September 24, 2014
I use the broiler. Put pizza on a cookie sheet, cheese side down, and heat under broiler until nice and hot (if th crust gets some brown spots even better). The, flip over and heat under broiler until cheese starts to bubble. DO NOT walk away during this process. Sometimes pizza reheated this way is better than when it was fresh - depending on the pizzeria.
alison B.
September 24, 2014
Anything from Roberta's is gospel. I have been an avid pizza eater and foodie for years and I am always in search of the best pie. Last January I was able to visit Roberta's while in NY and it blew almost every pizza I have ever had out of the water. The only place that holds a candle to Roberta's is a close second called Mozza in the Hollywood, CA area. If you have the chance to visit either of these fine establishments you will not be disappointed.
dandelioneyes
September 24, 2014
I learned in college that the BEST, very best way, is a George Foreman grill. I imagine a panini press would work too. In the absence of either of these, I always go the skillet route, but I start it cheese-side-down because (a) any grease is left to crisp up the bottom and (b) crispy fried cheese is wonderful. If you ordered cheap delivery, the fried leftovers will be a vast improvement, guaranteed.
Susan W.
September 24, 2014
I think I learned the skillet method from ATK or Cook's Illustrated years ago. I use my cast iron skillet, but minus the water. Heat on medium high, in goes the pizza and covered. It takes just 3 minutes and the pizza comes out like we used a pizza oven.
Daniela R.
September 24, 2014
Uhmm, I don't know about this... the best way to reheat cold pizza is stabbing the slice a fork and scorching it over a stove burner :D
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