The best way to heat up pizza is by using a real pizza oven. This method will make your pizza taste like new.
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The question of how to reheat a pizza has plagued pizza lovers for a frustratingly long time. Is it even possible to make day-old pizza taste fresh again? And if so, which technique delivers the best results?
Knowing how to reheat pizza properly gives you the ability to enjoy it like it’s fresh from the oven, even after it’s been sitting in your fridge. Yes, it’s possible to breathe life back into your pizza. There are several ways to do so, from the microwave or conventional oven to a pizza oven or stovetop. But while each technique will indeed reheat your pizza, not all of them can make it taste like it was made fresh out of the oven.
SummaryIt is possible to make your pizza taste like new again. You can reheat pizza using a microwave, conventional oven, pizza oven, or stovetop.
The best way to revive your leftover pizza is to reheat it in either a propane pizza oven or an electric pizza oven. These specially-designed ovens can make leftover pizza taste like new in a matter of minutes. Follow the steps below for the best results:
While this method will make your pizza taste like new again, it may not be the most convenient method, as it takes a while to heat up your pizza oven.
Things to keep in mind when using a pizza oven to reheat leftover pizza:
SummaryA pizza oven can quickly and effectively reheat leftover pizza in under a minute. The drawback to this method is that it takes a while to heat up your oven.
Using a microwave to reheat pizza is undeniably the fastest and most convenient option. But microwaved pizza tends to be tougher and sometimes soggier than a slice that was reheated a different way. The reason for this unpleasant texture has to do with the science behind how microwaves work.
Because a microwave cooks food from the inside out, moisture in the pizza, particularly in the sauce, is heated and evaporates. This then essentially steams the pizza and causes it to become soggy.
However, if you’re low on time and desperate to scarf down some leftover pizza, the microwave will definitely help bring your pizza back to life as long as you follow the steps below:
SummaryUsing a microwave to warm up leftover pizza isn’t likely to make it taste like new, but it will safely and effectively reheat it. If you’re pressed for time, microwave a slice of leftover pizza with a mug of water to prevent your crust from drying out.
For reheated pizza that closely resembles both the taste and texture of a freshly-made slice pie, use a conventional oven. This technique is more time-consuming than using a microwave, but it produces far better results.
To reheat pizza in a conventional oven, follow the steps below:
A few things to keep in mind when reheating pizza in a conventional oven:
SummaryReheating pizza in a conventional oven produces fantastic results: a crispy crust and warm, gooey toppings. Use a foil-lined baking sheet in a 375-degree oven and enjoy.
Leftover pizza stays fresh for longer when stored in the freezer, but can it still be reheated to taste like new again? Absolutely!
The best way to warm up frozen pizza is on a stovetop in a skillet. Reheating frozen pizza in a skillet makes a significant difference when it comes to texture and taste. To properly warm up a frozen pizza, follow the steps below:
A few things to keep in mind when warming up frozen pizza in a skillet:
SummaryThe best way to warm up frozen pizza is on a stovetop in a skillet. Heat one slice of pizza at a time and heat both sides to ensure the pizza is heated through and the texture resembles a freshly-made pie.
If you have a pizza stone or baking steel, you should absolutely use it. Pizza stones and baking steel are specifically designed to give pizza the crispy crust and melty toppings you desire. Place your leftover pizzas directly on the stone or steel and heat for 5-8 minutes in a 450-degree oven. Then enjoy your leftovers just like you did on day one.
Whether you order from your favorite pizzeria or make your favorite kind of pizza from scratch at home, food safety should always be a top priority. Leaving pizza out of the fridge for too long can expose it to numerous types of food-borne bacteria and create the perfect environment for that bacteria to flourish.
Many pizza lovers mistakenly assume that a pizza is fine to leave out of the fridge for longer when it’s kept in the box it came in. Unfortunately, that cardboard box provides zero protection from bacteria that grow on pizza left to sit at room temperature.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, cooked food, like pizza, shouldn’t sit at room temperature for more than two hours. If it has been sitting at room temperature for longer than two hours, it should be thrown away. This is because bacteria that are known to cause various illnesses breeds the most at temperatures between 40- and 140-degrees Fahrenheit.
But it looks and smells fine, so it’s still good right? – No. Pathogenic bacteria don’t usually change the smells, appearance, or taste of the food they breed on.
If you’re left with uneaten pizza after a meal, either toss it or store it in the fridge within two hours to prevent food-borne illnesses.
SummaryPizza shouldn’t sit at room temperature for longer than two hours. Leaving pizza at room temperature for too long creates a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria: the kind of bacteria that will get you sick.
Your leftover pizza is safe to eat for up to four days if your fridge is set at 40F or lower. More than four days in the fridge and the risk of getting a good borne illness increases.
Once you discover that you can effectively reheat pizza, you’ll want to order more than enough so that you can have leftovers to eat later. But with food safety in mind, it’s essential to store your leftover pizza properly so that you can safely enjoy it the second time around.
Rather than shoving the pizza box into your fridge until your next craving hits, transfer it to a covered storage dish. And be sure to lay out the slices in a single layer rather than stacking them. Stacking slices of pizza on top of one another increases the likelihood of bacteria growth. You can then keep your leftover pizza in the fridge for up to six days or in the freezer for three months.
SummaryThe safest way to store leftover pizza is in a single layer in a covered storage dish. Avoid stacking your pizza, and be sure to consume it within six days if it’s stored in the fridge or within three months if it’s stored in the freezer.