How to Reheat Pizza (So It Tastes Fresh Again)
Leftover pizza is one of life’s small joys - until it’s reheated the wrong way. We’ve all been there: a slice that comes out of the microwave floppy, soggy, or weirdly chewy, with lava-hot cheese and a cold center. Not exactly the experience you were hoping for.
The good news? Reheating leftover pizza doesn’t have to ruin it. With the right method, you can bring back a crisp crust, melty cheese, and balanced heat - without drying it out. As a brand that lives and breathes pizza, we know exactly what happens to crust, cheese, and toppings when they cool - and how to bring them back to life. Below, we’ll walk through our best ways to reheat pizza using common kitchen tools, step by step.
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The Best Way to Reheat Pizza (TL;DR)
If you just want the short answer, here it is:
- Best overall: Reheat pizza in the oven if you have time and multiple slices. It heats evenly and preserves texture.
- Best for 1-2 slices: Use a skillet on the stove for a crisp bottom and melty top.
- Best for fast & crispy: An air fryer works great, especially for thicker slices - just watch thin crusts closely.
- Best for short on time (last resort): The microwave only if you’re short on time, but use our few tricks to make it better.
Now let’s break down each method in detail.
How to Reheat Pizza in the Oven
The oven is one of the most reliable ways to reheat pizza, especially if you’re warming up more than a slice or two. The oven heats the pizza gradually, which helps the crust re-crisp while allowing the cheese and toppings to warm through evenly.
Why the Oven Works
- Even heat = no cold center
- Dry heat helps revive the crust
- Best for sharing or reheating several slices at once
Step-by-Step: Oven Method
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. In most scenarios, this temperature is hot enough to crisp the crust without burning the cheese. Oven temperatures and performance may vary depending on oven type, climate, or altitude, so adjust temperature settings as needed.
2. Place slices on a baking sheet. You can use parchment paper or foil, but placing slices directly on the sheet helps with browning.
3. Loosely cover with foil (optional). This prevents the cheese from over-browning, especially for thicker slices.
4. Heat for 8–12 minutes. Check at the 8-minute mark. The pizza is ready when the cheese is melted and the bottom feels firm.
5. Remove foil for the last 2 minutes (if used). This helps restore crispness.
Reheating Tips by Pizza Crust Type
Not all pizza crusts reheat the same way. Thickness, moisture, and fillings all affect how heat travels through a slice, which means that both method and timing matter. Use the notes below to adjust your approach and get the best results for each crust style.
- Thin Crust: Check early (6–8 minutes). Thin slices heat fast and can dry out.
- Pan Pizza: The oven works especially well here - it helps bring back that golden, slightly crisp bottom.
- Stuffed Crust: Use foil for the first half of reheating so the cheese inside the crust warms through without scorching the top.
- Deep Dish: Lower the temp slightly (350°F) and add time so the center heats evenly.
How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer
Air fryers are great at delivering crisp results quickly, but they’re powerful. Thin slices can go from perfect to overdone fast. When used carefully, an air fryer can revive the crust while melting the cheese in just a few minutes, making it a convenient option for small portions - as long as you keep a close eye on timing and temperature.
Advantages of Using an Air Fryer
- Strong circulating heat crisps crust quickly
- Faster than the oven
- Great for single servings
Step-by-Step: Air Fryer Method
1. Preheat to 350°F (if your model requires it).
2. Place slices in a single layer. Don’t overlap.
3. Heat for 3–5 minutes. Check at 3 minutes.
4. Remove once the cheese is melted and the crust is crisp.
Best Pizzas Types to Heat in the Air Fryer
- Pan pizza
- Thicker crust styles
- Heavily topped slices
Pizza Types to Avoid the Air Fryer
- Thin crust
- Very light slices (they can dry out or burn)
How to Reheat Pizza in the Microwave (and Actually Enjoy It)
Let’s be honest: people often feel that the microwave is the worst option for reheating pizza. It heats unevenly and turns crusts chewy. But sometimes speed matters - and if you’re going to microwave pizza, there is a better way.
Our Recommended Microwave Method
1. Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Put a microwave-safe cup of water next to it. This adds moisture to the air and helps prevent rubbery crust.
3. Heat on medium power (50%) for 30–45 seconds.
4. Check and continue in short bursts if needed. This won’t give you a crisp crust, but it will improve texture and avoid that tough, overcooked bite.
Other Ways to Reheat Pizza (Toaster Oven, Pizza Stone & More)
If you have other tools, they can work well too:
- Toaster Oven: Great for 1–2 slices. Use 350–375°F and heat for 5–8 minutes.
- Pizza Stone or Steel: Preheat the stone or steel fully in a 375–400°F oven, then place slices directly on the hot surface for excellent crispness. Reheat for 5–8 minutes, checking early for thin crust and allowing a bit more time for thicker slices until the bottom is crisp and the cheese is melted.
- Grill/BBQ: Heat pizza slices over indirect heat with the lid closed. A charcoal grill adds a subtle smoky flavor, which is fun for summer reheats.
Keep these methods simple and monitor closely.
How to Reheat Frozen Pizza
But what if you froze your leftover pizza? You can still get that crispy crust and melty cheese if you follow the right steps. Reheating frozen pizza is a bit different from leftover slices. Frozen pizza needs a little extra time and careful temperature control to heat evenly to avoid drying it out.
Oven Method (Best for Frozen Pizza)
1. Preheat the oven to 375–400°F. Higher heat helps the crust crisp while the toppings warm through.
2. Place the pizza directly on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Avoid stacking or covering - you want direct heat on the crust.
3. Bake for 12–18 minutes, depending on thickness. Thin crusts may be ready in 12 minutes, while deep-dish or pan-style slices can take closer to 18.
4. Check for bubbling cheese and a golden crust. That’s your cue that the pizza is hot and ready.
Skillet (Stovetop)
If you’re reheating a single frozen slice, a skillet works surprisingly well:
1. Heat a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Place the frozen slice in the pan and cover it with a lid.
3. Heat for 8–12 minutes, adding a few drops of water outside the pizza to create steam.
4. Check periodically - the crust should crisp and the cheese melt evenly.
Air Fryer
Air fryers are perfect for frozen slices, especially smaller or single servings:
1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
2. Place the slice in the basket without overlapping.
3. Heat for 5–8 minutes, checking early to avoid burning thin crusts.
Microwave (Quick, But Risky)
Microwaving frozen pizza isn’t ideal, but if time is short:
1. Place the slice on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Add a microwave-safe cup of water next to it to reduce rubbery crust.
3. Heat on medium power for 1–2 minutes, checking for even melting.
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t skip preheating the oven or skillet: Frozen pizza needs even, steady heat to crisp properly.
- Adjust timing for crust type: Thin crust cooks faster, pan or stuffed crust takes longer.
- Avoid covering in foil too soon: You want the top to warm without steaming the crust.
With these methods, even frozen pizza can taste close to fresh, with a crisp crust, gooey cheese, and perfectly warmed toppings - just like it was meant to be.
Common Reheating Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Even with the right method, reheating pizza can sometimes go off-track. In this section, we’ll provide troubleshooting advice and practical tips for the most common reheating mistakes, helping you fix soggy crusts, rubbery cheese, and unevenly heated slices so your leftovers taste as close to fresh as possible.
- Soggy crust: Heat was too low or pizza was reheated in the box → use higher heat and proper cookware.
- Burnt cheese, cold middle: Heat too high → lower the temp and extend time.
- Chewy, rubbery slice: Over-microwaving → reduce power and add a cup of water.
- Dry pizza: Reheated too long → check earlier and cover loosely if needed.
The Bottom Line on Reheating Pizza
The best way to reheat pizza depends on how much you have, how much time you’ve got, and the kind of crust you’re working with. The oven is often your go-to for multiple slices, the skillet shines for quick reheats, and the air fryer delivers fast crispness if you watch it closely. Even the microwave can work in a pinch if you handle it carefully.
Of course, if your leftover stash is gone, there’s always the easiest option: start fresh with a hot, made-to-order pizza.
Frequently asked questions
The best way to reheat pizza is in the oven (or toaster oven) at 375°F, especially if you’re warming multiple slices. The oven heats evenly, helping the crust re-crisp while the cheese melts smoothly. For one or two slices, a skillet on the stove is an excellent alternative that delivers a crisp bottom and melty top in just a few minutes.
Most leftover pizza reheats well in the oven in 8–12 minutes at 375°F. Thin crust slices may be ready closer to 6–8 minutes, while thicker styles like pan or stuffed crust may need the full 10–12 minutes. Always check early to avoid over-drying.
From a food-safety standpoint, it’s best to reheat pizza only once. Each time pizza cools and reheats, it passes through temperature zones where bacteria can grow. Reheat only the slices you plan to eat and store leftovers properly in the refrigerator.
Leftover pizza is generally good for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best quality, keep slices tightly wrapped or stacked with parchment paper between them to prevent moisture loss and sogginess.
Pizza should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that, bacteria can begin to grow quickly. If the pizza has been out longer than that, it’s safest to discard it rather than reheat it.
The best way to reheat frozen pizza is in the oven at 375–400°F (depending on your oven and altitude). This method crisps the crust while evenly melting the cheese and warming toppings. For single slices, a skillet or air fryer works well, too.