If you're a pizza lover, you know that reheating leftover slices can be a bit of a challenge. Microwaving can leave your pizza soggy and unappetizing while reheating it in the oven can take longer than you'd like. Fortunately, there's a simple and efficient solution to reheat pizza - using an air fryer. This innovative kitchen appliance is perfect for bringing leftover pizza back to life, giving it a crispy crust and melted cheese that will make you feel like you're eating freshly baked pizza all over again.
In this guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of how to reheat pizza in an air fryer and provide you with some helpful tips to ensure that you achieve the best results possible. So, get ready to enjoy perfectly reheated pizza in just a few minutes with the help of your trusty air fryer!
Can You Reheat Pizza In An Air Fryer?
Without a doubt, air fryer reheating pizza is a quick and easy way to revive leftover slices and enjoy crispy, delicious pizza. Some may even argue that using an air fryer is the best method for reheating pizza, as it produces a satisfyingly crispy crust and evenly melted cheese.
Reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to revive those leftover slices from the pizza night before. The air fryer uses hot air to circulate around the pizza, which helps to crisp up the crust and melt the cheese, giving it that freshly baked taste.
You can use either an oven-style air fryer or a basket-style air fryer - whichever model you have to reheat pizza. The process and result will be the same, and it will be fast and easy compared to using a conventional oven and tastier than a microwave.
Reheat Leftover Pizza In Air Fryer Vs. Microwave
Microwaving pizza is quick and easy. However, as convenient as it may be, microwaving leftover pizza often leads to disappointing results. The moisture from the toppings and cheese would melt and saturate the crust with oil, resulting in an unappetizing soggy pizza slice. Additionally, uneven heating left the crust edge warm while the middle remained cold, and once the slice was finally heated through, the crust would be too tough to enjoy.
On the other hand, reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer can result in a crispy, delicious slice that tastes just like it was fresh from the oven. The hot air circulates around the pizza, crisping up the crust and melting the cheese evenly. With an air fryer, you can also reheat other leftover foods, such as french fries or chicken nuggets, without worrying about them becoming soggy.
Reheat Leftover Pizza In Air Fryer Vs. Oven
Using an oven to reheat leftover pizza would give a good result - melted cheese and a nice crispy crust. But first, you have to preheat the oven and then wait for the pizza slices to reheat! The duration of this process may vary depending on your oven, and it could take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes. Additionally, the oven can dry out the pizza, leaving it lacking in moisture. It's no wonder so many settle for the microwave instead.
On the other hand, reheating pizza in the air fryer is a relatively new technique that has been gaining popularity recently. When reheating pizza in an air fryer, the hot air circulates around the pizza, resulting in a crispy crust and evenly melted cheese.
One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer is the speed - reheating pizza slices can take as little as 3-4 minutes compared to the oven's longer reheating time. Plus, an air fryer can also help to retain the moisture in the pizza, resulting in a deliciously crispy slice that's not too dry.
Can You Reheat Pizza With Toppings In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely reheat pizza with toppings in an air fryer! In fact, reheating pizza with toppings in an air fryer can produce a crispy and delicious slice that is just as good as freshly made pizza.
However, you need to consider the type of toppings for a few reasons.
Small Topping Pieces
Any small light toppings not firmly secured to the pizza could get whipped off by the powerful fan that circulates the hot air.
delicate or sensitive toppings
If your pizza has delicate or sensitive toppings such as pepperoni and vegetables, you may want to adjust the cooking time or temperature to prevent them from burning or drying out.
Remove any grease or oil spots
If your pizza has a lot of grease or oil, you may want to blot it with a paper towel before reheating it in the air fryer to prevent any splattering or smoke.
Is It Safe To Reheat Pizza Slices In An Air Fryer?
Yes! Using an air fryer to reheat pizza is undoubtedly a superior method when it comes to heating up your leftover slices. It's also healthier because the saturated fat from the melting, gooey cheese will drip away rather than soaking into the bottom crust. Reheating leftover pizza in the air fryer is just as safe as reheating in an oven and microwave- but much faster and tastier. And once you are done, don't forget to clean the air fryer to help maintain its peak performance.
How To Reheat Pizza In Air Fryer
Reheating pizza in the air fryer is an incredibly easy and straightforward process! The process is the same for both basket- and oven-style air fryers and the only difference is that you can put more slices of pizza on the oven-style tray than in the basket!
1 Preheat
Preheat the air fryer to 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3-5 minutes to ensure the air fryer is heated up and ready to reheat pizza evenly. Some air fryers even have leftover pizza cook mode.
2 Bring Cold Pizza To Room Temperature (optional)
While this step is optional, we recommend taking the leftover pizza out of the fridge and letting it come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Allowing the pizza to come to room temperature helps prevent the crust from becoming too crispy and the cheese from becoming too hard when you reheat it. If the pizza is too cold when you put it in the air fryer, it may not cook evenly.
3 Place Pizza In Air Fryer
To reheat leftover pizza using an air fryer, simply place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the baking sheet. Avoid any overlap, as airflow is important! This ensures that each slice is heated evenly and crispy all around. If the slices are overlapping, they may not cook properly.
4 Air Fry
Once you have placed the pizza in the air fryer basket or on the baking sheet, slide it into the air fryer and set the timer for 3 to 4 minutes.
Keep in mind that the cooking time for reheating in an air fryer may vary depending on the pizza slices' thickness and the air fryer's temperature. Thin-crust pizza won't need as much time as thicker-crust pizza. To avoid overcooking or burning the pizza, it's recommended to start with a shorter cooking time and check the pizza frequently during the reheating process.
5 Check On Your Pizza
Quickly pull out the air fryer basket and check that your air fryer pizza is warm all the way through! If not, cook it for 1 to 2 minutes more.
Once the air fryer pizza is heated through and crispy, carefully remove the hot pizza from the air fryer basket or rack using tongs or a spatula. Be sure to use oven mitts or a towel to avoid burning your hands on the hot basket or rack.
Be sure to let the reheated pizza cool for a minute before serving, as the air fryer pizza can be very hot.
How To Prevent Pizza From Becoming Too Crispy Or Burnt In The Air Fryer
Air fryers are a great tool for reheating pizza and giving it a deliciously crispy texture. However, it's important to know how to prevent your pizza from becoming too crispy or burnt. Here are some tips to help you get perfectly reheated pizza every time:
Check Frequently
Air fryers cook food faster than traditional ovens, so it's important to keep an eye on your pizza while it's reheating. Be sure to check the pizza frequently and remove it from the air fryer as soon as it's heated through and has achieved the desired level of crispiness.
Reduce the cooking time
If you find that your pizza is getting too crispy or burnt, try reducing the cooking time by a minute or two. You can always put it back in the air fryer for a little longer if needed.
It's important to keep your pizza thickness in mind. Thin crust pizza will cook in a quick 3 to 4 minutes, while thick crust pizza may need 5 to 6 minutes. Put slices of similar pizza crust thickness together. Mixing thin crust and deep dish pizza slices is a recipe for burnt pizza.
Lower the temperature
Another way to prevent your pizza from getting too crispy is to lower the temperature of the air fryer. Try reheating your pizza at a lower temperature, such as 325°F, and see if that helps.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer
It's important to ensure that there is some space between the pizza in the air fryer basket or on the rack. This allows for proper air circulation and even heating of the slices. If the slices are too close together, they may not cook evenly and could become too crispy or burnt in some spots.
Sprinkle a little bit of water
One great tip for reheating pizza in an air fryer is to sprinkle a little bit of water on the pizza before reheating it in the air fryer. The water will help to keep the pizza from drying out during air frying and make it taste even more delicious.
How To Clean Air Fryer After Reheating Pizza
You may be tempted to use aluminum foil or parchment paper when you go to air fry leftover pizza. All those drips of oil from the cheese melts will surely make your air fryer a pain to clean up, right? The problem is that covering the holes in the basket or tray keeps the air from circulating and cooking your pizza slice!
Tin foil might keep your pizza from sticking, but you can also lightly spray the tray with cooking spray to prevent sticking. For the heating element in your air fryer to do its job, you have to have holes, so grease will drip.
Most air fryers have dishwasher-safe components. Take the basket or tray out of the air fryer, and either place it in your dishwasher or hand-wash it using warm, soapy water. Then, use the washcloth to clean the inside of the air fryer. Let all of the components dry thoroughly, and then reassemble.
