From detailed instructions to helpful tips, here’s everything you need to know about reheating pizza in an air fryer. I have no qualms about cold pizza. But it’s nothing compared to a reheated slice, where the crust has regained its crispy-soft texture, and the cheese has re-melted into ooey-gooey perfection. There are a few disadvantages, though, depending on the method you use. The oven takes forever, while the microwave doesn’t heat it evenly. The air fryer, however, is a completely different story. In fact, I think it’s the best thing that happened to leftover pizza. It yields the same results as reheating it in the oven, but only in a matter of 4 minutes. So don’t let laziness get in the way of perfectly reheated pizza! With the dependable air fryer, your leftover pizza will be as terrific as it did the minute it came out of the oven.
Why Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer?
I think the right question is, why shouldn’t you? Need more convincing? Here are some compelling points. In the battle between the oven and the air fryer, the latter is the superior choice. Here’s why. While the oven yields a perfectly reheated pizza, it does so in such a long time! Preheating it alone will take at least 5 minutes. Actually reheating the pizza takes another 10. Then there’s a matter of cleaning up. Using the oven requires placing the pizza on a baking sheet, which means aside from the dishes, you’ll have an additional item to wash. With the air fryer, you’ll get the same results, but it will only take you 5 minutes. There’s no baking sheet required, either, so there’s no extra stuff to wash after. What about the microwave? Yes, it’s faster. But think about it: have you ever really been able to successfully reheat pizza in the microwave? I certainly haven’t. It’s either too hot, or hot in some areas and cold in others. The crust either gets too soggy, too tough, or too rubbery. The microwave can also dry out some of the toppings. And let’s be honest, no one wants dry pepperoni! With the air fryer, the crust becomes crispy again, the cheese melts nicely, and both the crust and the toppings are reheated evenly. It has that magical ability to make leftover pizza taste as if it were freshly made! The air fryer is also perfect for any type of pizza. Thick crust, thin crust, homemade, store-bought – whatever it is, it will reheat it right up! So there you go. The air fryer is, indeed, the best way to reheat leftover pizza – there’s no question!
Helpful Tips
You can reheat as many pizza slices as you want at the same time, provided that you don’t overcrowd the basket or the tray. Arrange the pizza in a single layer, and don’t let them overlap with one another.
The air fryer works by creating and circulating hot air around the food. If there’s not enough space inside, the air won’t be able to move around properly.
You also want to reheat similar-sized slices at the same time. That way, you’re assured they cook evenly. That said, don’t reheat a thin crust and a deep-dish in one go. You can always cook in batches.Spray cooking oil at the bottom of the basket or tray if your air fryer isn’t non-stick. This will also add extra crunch to the base of your pizza.Reheat the pizza at a medium temperature – not too high, not too low. 350 degrees Fahrenheit is the most recommended temperature for reheating pizza. Don’t go beyond the prescribed temperature in an attempt to reheat the pizza faster. Extreme heat will cause the pizza to dry out. Conversely, if the temperature is too low, the pizza will come out soggy.If the pizza starts to brown or burn before it’s warmed all the way through, reduce the temperature of the air fryer by 25 degrees.Check the progress of your pizza towards the last few minutes, especially if it’s your first time.Remove the pizza slices from the basket as soon as they’re reheated. Letting them sit in the air fryer will cook them further and cause them to dry out.Reheated pizza will be very hot, so handle with care! Use a pair of tongs to safely remove it from the air fryer.
Is Oil Necessary?
Absolutely not. Even without oil, the air fryer will still do a marvelous job at reheating your pizza and bringing it back to life. If your air fryer isn’t non-stick, you may want to spritz the bottom of the basket or tray with a bit of cooking spray. Not only will it prevent the pizza from sticking to the air fryer, but will also make the base of the crust extra crispy. Don’t use an aerosol oil spray, such as Pam, though. It contains a harmful chemical called soy lecithin that will damage your air fryer over time. Here’s what you should do, instead: get an oil mister. It’s affordable and available everywhere! As for the oil, use either olive, canola, or avocado oil. Those oils have a high smoking point, so they won’t burn your pizza.
Reheating in an Air Fryer Oven Vs. Air Fryer Basket
First of all, let’s distinguish the two models. While they both operate the same way, there’s a main difference. The air fryer oven has pull-out trays, while the air fryer basket has a pull-out basket. With the oven, you can make cookies, pancakes, and other baked goods from scratch. With the basket, you’ll be able to cook small batches of fries and other fried goods. Here’s the good news: you can reheat pizza in either of them. The only difference is, you can reheat more in the oven (about 5 at a time) than in the basket (around 3). When reheating with the air fryer oven, placing is key. Don’t put the pizza on either the bottom or the top shelf. The pizza will take much longer to reheat if you put it on the bottom shelf. On the other hand, if you put it on top, you’ll risk burning it and drying it out. To get perfectly reheated pizza, your best bet is the middle shelf. Now, when it comes to an air fryer basket, you’ll want to set it to medium to low heat. If the temperature is way too high, the pizza becomes dry. Too low, and it’ll take you a while. For my air fryer, the sweet spot is 325 degrees Fahrenheit. But again, air fryers aren’t created the same. If it’s your first time reheating pizza in yours, you’ll need to experiment with the temperature until you get it right.
How Long Do You Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer?
It depends on several factors. For instance, how many slices are you reheating, and how big are they? Also, how efficient is your air fryer? Understandably, the thicker the pizza is, the longer it will take to reheat. By the same logic, more slices also equate to a longer cooking time. Here’s a summary of estimated cook times for your guidance. On average, reheating pizza will take more or less 4 to 5 minutes. The best way really is to check the progress of your pizza towards the last few minutes of cooking. Keep in mind that some air fryers are more powerful than others, so that’s another thing to consider. This table applies to powerful air fryers, such as Philips, Nuwave, and Ninja Foodi. If you have a less powerful air fryer, check your pizza a minute earlier. If you’re happy with the result, take it out. If not, cook it for another minute and test again. You won’t need to turn off the air fryer. You can simply pull out the basket to check.
How to Store Leftover Pizza
Ditch the box! It’s most likely too big to fit in your fridge, anyway. Instead, place the remaining slices in an airtight container lined with paper towels. The paper towels help keep the pizza moist. If you want less clean-up, wrap the remaining slices in aluminum foil. This way, you’ll save space, and there are no dishes to clean. Leftover pizza will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Click on a star to rate it!
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