Can You Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer

How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer for Perfectly Crispy Results

Nothing beats the joy of a fresh, hot pizza straight from the oven, with its crispy crust and gooey, melted cheese. But when it comes to leftovers, reheating pizza can be a challenge. Microwaves often leave the crust soggy, and ovens can take forever to preheat for just a slice or two. Enter the air fryer—a game-changer for reviving leftover pizza. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can you reheat pizza in an air fryer?” the answer is a resounding yes, and it might just become your go-to method. Here’s everything you need to know to reheat pizza in an air fryer, ensuring a crispy crust and melty cheese every time.

Why Use an Air Fryer to Reheat Pizza?

Air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens that use rapid hot air circulation to cook food quickly and evenly. Unlike microwaves, which can make pizza doughy and chewy, or traditional ovens, which require long preheating times, air fryers strike the perfect balance. The high-speed airflow crisps up the crust while reheating the toppings, giving you a slice that tastes almost as good as it did fresh from the pizzeria. Plus, it’s quick, energy-efficient, and requires minimal cleanup, making it ideal for small batches of leftovers.

According to food scientist Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, the air fryer’s even heat distribution prevents soggy spots, unlike conventional ovens where uneven heating can leave some parts of the pizza undercooked. This makes it particularly effective for tackling the common issues of leftover pizza, like soggy crusts from tomato sauce or rubbery toppings from high-water-content ingredients like vegetables.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is straightforward, but a few key steps ensure the best results. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare the Pizza: Take your leftover pizza out of the fridge. If it’s been stored for more than a day, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to reduce the temperature difference between the cold pizza and the hot air fryer. This helps the pizza heat more evenly. If your pizza has delicate toppings like fresh arugula or prosciutto, consider removing them before reheating to prevent overcooking, then add them back afterward.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional): Preheating isn’t always necessary, but if your air fryer has a preheat function, set it to 350°F for about 5 minutes. This ensures the pizza starts reheating immediately, preventing the crust from burning before the toppings are warm. If you’re in a rush, you can skip this step, but check the pizza earlier to avoid overcooking.
3. Arrange the Slices: Place the pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they don’t overlap. Overlapping prevents proper air circulation, which can lead to uneven heating and soggy spots. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you may only fit one or two slices at a time. For basket-style air fryers, two slices are typically the max, while oven-style air fryers with trays can handle more.
4. Set the Temperature and Time: Set your air fryer to 350°F. For thin-crust pizza, cook for 2-3 minutes. For regular or thick-crust pizza, aim for 3-5 minutes. Deep-dish or frozen pizza may require 5-7 minutes at a slightly lower temperature, around 300-325°F, to heat through without burning the edges. Check the pizza after 2 minutes to gauge progress, as air fryer models vary in heat intensity.
5. Check and Adjust: Open the air fryer basket to check the pizza’s crispiness and ensure the cheese is melted and bubbly. If it’s browning too quickly, lower the temperature by 25°F and continue cooking in 1-minute increments until it’s heated to your liking. Use tongs or a spatula to carefully remove the hot slices.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Let the pizza cool for a minute or two before digging in. Add fresh toppings like a sprinkle of parmesan or a handful of arugula for an extra flavor boost.

Tips for the Best Reheated Pizza

• Use a Liner Sparingly: If your pizza has extra cheese or sauce that might drip, you can line the air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper or a reusable silicone mat with holes to allow airflow. However, for the crispiest crust, skip the liner altogether, as it can slightly impede air circulation. The cheese’s natural oils usually prevent sticking, so cleanup is minimal.
• Adjust for Crust Thickness: Thin-crust pizza reheats quickly and can burn if left too long, so keep a close eye on it. Thick-crust or deep-dish varieties need a lower temperature and longer time to heat through without drying out. For example, The Pioneer Woman suggests 300°F for 5-7 minutes for thick-crust pizza to ensure even heating.
• Don’t Overdo It: Reheat only what you plan to eat. Repeated reheating can degrade the pizza’s texture and flavor, so store leftovers properly in an airtight container or zip-top bag with parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking.
• Frozen Pizza: If reheating frozen pizza slices, increase the cooking time to 8-12 minutes at 350°F. Check at the 8-minute mark to avoid overcooking, as advised by Allrecipes.

Why Not Use Other Methods?

While microwaves are fast, they often leave pizza soggy due to the way they heat food by exciting water molecules, which softens the crust. Ovens and toaster ovens work well but take longer—often 10-15 minutes, including preheating—and can dry out toppings if not monitored closely. Stovetop methods, like using a skillet with a lid, can crisp the crust but may not heat toppings evenly, requiring more attention. The air fryer combines speed, ease, and consistent results, making it the superior choice for most home cooks. As one user on X raved, “Toss a slice into air fryer 350° for 3 minutes and it will come out like it first did out of the pizza oven .”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the Basket: Stacking or overlapping slices prevents air circulation, leading to uneven heating. Work in batches if needed.
• Skipping the Check: Air fryers vary widely in power. Checking the pizza halfway through prevents burning, especially with thin-crust slices.
• Using the Wrong Temperature: Setting the air fryer too high (e.g., 400°F) can burn the edges before the center is warm. Stick to 350°F for most pizzas and adjust as needed.
• Ignoring Toppings: Delicate toppings like fresh herbs or greens can wilt or burn. Remove them before reheating and add them back afterward for the best flavor.

Storing Leftover Pizza for Optimal Reheating

To ensure your pizza reheats beautifully, store it properly. Place slices in an airtight container or zip-top bag with parchment paper or paper towels between layers to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen slices in the fridge overnight before reheating for the best texture. Avoid storing pizza in its original cardboard box, as it can absorb moisture and make the crust soggy.

Final Thoughts

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and foolproof way to enjoy leftovers that taste almost as good as fresh. With a crispy crust, melty cheese, and perfectly warmed toppings, it’s no wonder so many home cooks swear by this method. Whether you’re reviving last night’s takeout or a homemade pie, the air fryer delivers in just a few minutes. Try it once, and you’ll likely agree with the countless fans who say they’ll never go back to microwaving pizza again. For more air fryer tips and recipes, check out Live Eat Learn for creative ways to make the most of your appliance.