If you’re searching for the best way to reheat pizza, you’ve likely tried reheating methods that produced underwhelming (or even downright unappealing) results. I was in the same boat until I discovered an easy way to restore leftover pizza to near-fresh-baked perfection!
This reheating method has quickly become one of my all-time favorite pizza hacks. I used to happily leave any pizza night leftovers to Dave and the kids, but now that I know how to reheat it properly, I’m thrilled whenever I have a couple of pieces of pizza tucked away in the fridge.
Regardless of your current stance on leftover pizza, this reheating method may inspire you to order extra pizza in the future just for the leftovers! (I’ve also included a few other ways to reheat pizza to give you more options.)
Jillee’s Take:
Table of Contents
How To Reheat Pizza In A Cast Iron Skillet
This is by far the best way to reheat leftover pizza, in my opinion. You’ll get the best results heating 1-2 slices at a time, so I recommend doing a couple of batches if you’re reheating more than that.
You’ll need:
- Leftover pizza
- Heavy skillet (cast iron is ideal)
- Lid
- Water
Directions:
Put one or two slices of leftover pizza into a cast iron skillet or stainless steel pan. (Don’t overlap or stack them to avoid uneven heating.)
Place the skillet on your stovetop over medium-high heat, then cover the skillet with a lid and wait 2-3 minutes for the pan and pizza to warm up.
Once the skillet is hot, add 1-2 teaspoons of water and replace the lid. Let it cook this way for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the steam to heat the cheese and toppings while the crust gets crispy.
Once the water has evaporated, your pizza will be reheated to perfection and ready to eat!
“This sounds like it will really work! I’ll have to try it because I do like a crispy crust. Thanks so much Jillee!”
– OGT Reader Pat S.
Why Is This The Best Way To Reheat Pizza?
This method has a couple of unique benefits that other reheating methods lack, the first being gentle, indirect steam heat. The steam helps gently warm the cheese and toppings without creating the hot and cold spots common to microwave heating.
The second benefit comes from the direct heat of the cast iron pan, which crisps the crust instead of making it soggy. I also appreciate how quick and easy this method is, and it’s a breeze to clean up my cast iron pan afterward!
Other Ways To Reheat Leftover Pizza
How To Reheat Pizza In The Oven
You’ll need:
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- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place your leftover pizza on it. (For a crispier crust, place the lined baking sheet in your oven while it preheats before putting the leftover pizza on it.)
Bake the pizza until the cheese is warm and melted, around 8-12 minutes. (Keep an eye on it to prevent it from burning, drying out, or overheating.)
How To Reheat Pizza In A Microwave
You’ll need:
- Microwave-safe mug or cup
- Water
Directions:
Place leftover pizza on a microwave-safe dish and place it in the microwave with a mug or cup of water. (The water will help with even heating and keeping the pizza crust crispy.) Microwave the pizza for 50-60 seconds, or until warmed throughout.
How To Reheat Pizza In An Air Fryer
You’ll Need:
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
Directions:
Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F, then arrange leftover pizza slices in the air fryer basket (lined with parchment paper or foil, if desired, for easy cleanup). Leave space between the slices to help with even heating.
For a soft or semi-crisp crust, heat the pizza in your air fryer for 2-3 minutes. For a crispy crust, heat the pizza for 4 minutes.
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How To Reheat Pizza On A Gas Grill
You’ll need:
- Aluminum foil
Directions:
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. When it’s hot, put the leftover pizza on a grill mat (or a piece of aluminum foil) on the grate of your gas grill. Close the lid and warm the pizza for 3-4 minutes until hot and crispy.
More Pizza Hacks And Recipes
No matter which method you use to reheat leftover pizza, these tips can help you achieve the best possible results:
- Let your appliance preheat for several minutes to achieve more even heating.
- Let refrigerated or frozen pizza sit at room temperature for a few minutes before reheating it.
- Overheating leftover pizza can cause it to burn or become tough, so keep a close eye on it.
- When reheating multiple slices of pizza, it’s best to use the oven method (or heat them in batches using another method).
- Use parchment paper or aluminum foil when reheating leftover pizza to make cleanup quick and easy.
Hungry for more? Don’t miss these other useful pizza tricks and recipes:
- How To Make An Unbelievably Delicious Cauliflower Pizza Crust
- How To Make A Seriously Good Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
- 6 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Use Ready-Made Pizza Dough
- 9 Of The Smartest Ways To Use Your Pizza Cutter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Better To Reheat Pizza In An Oven Or Pan?
Reheating pizza in a pan produces more delicious results, at least in my opinion. However, it may make more sense to reheat pizza in an oven if you have a lot of leftovers.
Is There A Way To Soften Pizza Crust When Reheating It?
To keep a pizza crust soft when reheating it, it’s essential to prevent moisture loss. One way to do this is by covering the pizza with a lid or plate while reheating it to improve moisture retention.
Do You Have Any Other Leftover Pizza Hacks To Share?
There’s a lot you can do with leftover pizza! Try making pizza croquettes by cutting leftover pizza into small pieces, shaping them into balls, coating them with egg and bread crumbs, and then frying until golden brown. Another way to enjoy leftover pizza is to add more toppings and fold it over to eat it like a sandwich.
Conclusion
The cast iron pan method is the best way to reheat pizza that I’ve tried, and I’ve tried a lot of different methods! It makes leftover pizza taste freshly baked and it’s so simple to do.
But if you don’t own a cast iron pan or want to try other reheating options, the microwave, air fryer, oven, and grill methods described above are also effective.
What’s your favorite kind of pizza?
How To Reheat Pizza In A Cast Iron Pan
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet or stainless steel pan
- Lid
Ingredients
- 2 slices pizza
- 1-2 teaspoons water
Instructions
Video
Sounds great! I never liked microwave reheating and putting it in the oven takes so long. Thanks for the idea! One question–how do you use a cast iron pan on your ceramic stove top without scratching it? I stopped using mine (sadly) because every time I did it left scratches. I miss my cast iron pan! :(
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Reheat pizza? Heck, there’s nothing better than left over pizza for breakfast the next morning, and room temp at that. But if you have the right microwave, reheating it in there is not a problem. The only one that’ll do it right is a Panasonic Inverter model, so you can actually reduce the cooking power to a sensible level, as opposed to all the others where reducing the power simply means that the oven runs at 100% and then 0% over and over, until whatever you’re trying heat is either overcooked or turned into shoeleather.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Al, different strokes for different folks. :-) My one son likes it at room temp like you do, but I only like it warm. You might want to give this process a try.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As much as I’d love to have one, I don’t have an air fryer yet so thank you Jillee for posting this. I will be sure to try it next time we have left over pizza.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hope you like the results as much as I did, Karin. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.air fryer all the time. I use it for everything! I think they should be available as an integrated appliance in a kitchen I would be the first in the queue! I bought one in the first lockdown (in London, UK) and it has transformed my cooking and I use it probably 6 out of 7 days a week.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Integrated appliance? Wouldn’t that be a convection oven? Much handier than dragging an air frier out all the time, no?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Air Fryer about 5 mins sitting flat on bottom, It’s the best way.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This sounds like it will really work! I’ll have to try it because I do like a crispy crust. Thanks so much Jillee!
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