How to reheat pizza so it's like just out of the oven: 4 proven ways
How to heat a pizza to keep it crispy and juicy (illustrative photo: Freepik)
When reheating cold pizza, we often face a problem - it becomes soft, "rubbery" and loses its appetizing appearance. However, there is a secret that will restore its perfect texture and make the dish crispy, flavorful and juicy again.
How to heat pizza in the microwave
Preferably not at all. Although it's quick and convenient, this method of heating makes the pizza rubbery, sluggish, moist, and tasteless.
Why does pizza become like this after being heated in the microwave? It's very simple. Microwaves heat food by causing the water molecules inside it to vibrate. This creates heat, which heats the product. Pizza, especially the base and toppings, contain moisture. In the microwave, this moisture begins to evaporate and condense. The resulting steam softens the crust, making it limp, rubbery, and lacking in crispness.
Thus, experienced chefs recommend heating pizza in a microwave only if you have no other choice.
Microwaves are not the best method for heating pizza (illustrative photo: Freepik)
How to reheat pizza in the oven
This method takes a little bit of time, but it's not very effortful, so it's worth it.
When the oven is hot, put the baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes. Then place the pizza on the hot baking sheet. This process ensures that the bottom of the pizza becomes crispy and the top remains molten and cheesy. After about 10-15 minutes, you will get a fresh slice of carbonara (or any other pizza you like).
How to heat pizza on the stove
There are two different approaches to heating pizza on the stove: fast and slow.
For the first method, heat a skillet over medium heat and place a slice of pizza in the pan. It should warm up almost completely in 2-5 minutes. To melt the cheese well, add a few drops of water to the pan (away from the crust) and cover with a lid to let the steam warm up the top of the pizza.
The Slow heating method is for those who are willing to wait for a particularly crispy crust. Your secret weapon is a cast-iron skillet: it conducts and retains heat particularly well, which is key to avoiding soggy pizza bottoms.
Place a slice of pizza directly in the pan and heat it, uncovered, over medium-low heat. All you have to do is wait. Depending on the power of your stove, this process will take 7 to 10 minutes. You will know that the pizza is ready when the cheese starts to melt and bubbles start to appear. By this point, your crust will have warmed up and will probably be even crispier than when the pizza was fresh.
You can heat several pieces of pizza at once in the oven (illustrative photo: Freepik)
How to reheat pizza in an air fryer
An air fryer combines the convenience of a microwave with the crispness of an oven-ready crust, making it one of the most efficient methods of heating a slice of pizza.
Line the Air Fryer Basket with perforated parchment paper or aluminum foil, and then heat the slice at approximately 180°C for 3-6 minutes.
Recommendation for all heating methods. Remove the pizza from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before reheating, leaving it at room temperature. This will allow it to warm up more evenly.
Choose the method of heating you prefer and enjoy delicious pizza as if it were fresh from the oven!
Source: Delish.
