Cold pizza? Here's how to reheat it like a pro at home
You ordered pizza or have a few slices left from the night before — but now it’s cold, limp, and far from appetizing. Sound familiar? Whether it’s delivery that arrived lukewarm or leftover slices forgotten in the fridge, the dreaded “soggy cardboard effect” is real.
But don’t worry — your cold pizza still has a second chance at greatness!
With just a few simple tricks, you can bring those slices back to life: crispy on the bottom, gooey on top, and smelling like they just came out of the oven. Whether it's a margherita or a loaded meat lover's, here’s how to reheat pizza properly ;)
1. In a non-stick skillet: the quickest, crispiest method
The nonstick skillet method is among the most popular, and not by accident: it's quick, makes almost no mess, and gives a pizza that's crispy underneath and stringy on top, just as fresh out of the oven. If you have a large skillet, you can reheat an entire pizza that arrived a little cold. With a small skillet, however, it's perfect for reheating some leftover slices from the day before.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat (no oil needed).
- Place the slice directly in the pan.
- Cover with a lid to trap heat and help the cheese melt.
- Heat for 2–3 minutes, until the bottom is golden and crisp.
Result: crispy bottom, well melted mozzarella cheese and irresistible aroma. A great alternative to baking, ideal for those who like their pizza "like in a pizzeria."
2. In the oven: best for reheating a full pizza
Pizza arrived late because the rider got lost-and now it's cold and disappointing? No problem: the conventional oven is the ideal way to bring it back to life.
- Preheat oven to 180–200°C (350–400°F).
- Place slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper — no overlapping!
- Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until heated through and crisp.
Pro tip: Lightly spritz the crust edges with water before baking. It keeps the inside soft while crisping the outside — a perfect balance.
3. In the air fryer: ideal for reheating a few slices
The air fryer is one of the quickest and most effective ways to reheat pizza, especially when you only have a few slices left over and don't want to turn on the oven. Perfect for a crispy, dry result without adding oil.
- Set the temperature to 180°C (350°F).
- Arrange the slices in the basket without overlapping them.
- Reheat for 3-4 minutes, checking that they do not dry out too much.
The result? A crispy, well-heated base, ideal for breathing new life into your pizza from the day before.
4. Microwave with a smart hack: when you're really short on time
Okay — microwaving pizza has a bad rap. But if you’re in a rush, there’s a hack that helps.
How to do it:
- Place the slice on a microwave-safe plate.
- Put a glass of water next to it (this helps prevent the crust from turning chewy).
- Heat for 30–60 seconds at medium power, just until the cheese melts.
Heads up: The base will stay soft — but it’ll be hot and totally edible in a pinch.
Bonus tip: Let it rest first!
If your pizza has been in the fridge, don’t reheat it straight from cold. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes first. This avoids a sudden temperature shock that can mess with the dough’s texture — making it either rubbery or dried out.
Letting it come up to room temp helps keep the crust tender and the toppings evenly heated.
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Daniele Mainieri
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