The Best Way to Reheat Pizza Without Ruining the Crust

Leftover pizza presents us with an interesting dilemma. We already have pizza. That’s the good news.

Unfortunately, there's a surprisingly large distance between last night's crispy slice and today's chewy triangle sitting in the fridge. The microwave will certainly make it hot. But, whether it will make it good is another matter.

Fortunately, there's a better way to reheat pizza, and all we need is a skillet and a few minutes.

Put the Pizza in a Skillet

For one or two slices, a skillet gives us something the microwave struggles with: a crispy bottom and warm, melty cheese at the same time. All you have to do is place the pizza in a skillet and gently warm it on the stove. 

If you cover the pan, it will help hold in the moisture and heat the toppings while the bottom of the crust gets direct heat from the pan.

There's also some science behind why gentle reheating works so well. When bread cools and sits, its starches change in a process called retrogradation, which contributes to that familiar stale texture. 

Heating the pizza can partially reverse those changes, but too much heat can also drive out moisture and leave the crust dry.

The Oven Works Better for a Crowd

If you’re reheating several slices, standing over a skillet one slice at a time would defeat the purpose. That's when the oven becomes useful. It can heat several slices at once while helping the crust regain some of its crispness. 

Just keep an eye on the pizza because yesterday's already-browned cheese doesn't need another lengthy baking session.

Then, there’s the air fryer. It works well for the opposite situation. Its small cooking area and circulating hot air make it handy when you only have a slice or two and don't want to wash a skillet afterward.

And Then There's the Microwave

The microwave remains the champion of heating up pizza quickly quickly.

But, the texture is where things become complicated. Microwaves heat the water inside our food. So, the crust can become soft or chewy, rather than crisp. 

If lunch starts in five minutes and you're hungry, this may be a compromise you’re willing to make. But, if you have an extra few minutes, the skillet will give that leftover slice a much better second act.

Don't Forget How Long It's Been in the Fridge

Before rescuing your last slice, think about when you ordered it.

The USDA recommends refrigerating leftovers within two hours and using refrigerated leftovers within three to four days. It also recommends reheating leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.

So, if you’re trying to remember whether the pizza arrived on Tuesday or the previous presidential election, reheating techniques aren’t your biggest concern.

Yesterday's Pizza Deserves Better

Cold pizza certainly has its fans, and we're not here to interfere with anybody's breakfast traditions.

But, if you’d like that leftover slice to be hot again, the microwave doesn't automatically win just because it has a convenient button. Give the skillet a few minutes.

Last night's pizza won’t be what it was when you first opened the box, but a nice, crispy crust and some gooey cheese will get you pretty close.

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