The 6 Best Ways to Reheat Pizza Ranked in Order

Nothing quite beats pizza that's fresh out of the oven. But sometimes you can't finish a whole pie in one sitting, and that's where reheating comes in. The 6 best ways to reheat a pizza include your typical appliances; microwave, oven, toaster, etc. The ranking in this post has to do with the effectiveness of the reheating method. Certain options require more handling of the pizza slice, which can lead to over-crisping, burning, or general messiness. Try out these methods for yourself to get a better idea of your own personal rankings, because when it comes to properly reheating pizza, it can be a bit of an art form.

So, read on to get an idea of some of the best ways to reheat a pizza. Whether it's a whole pie or just some leftover slices, many of these options will do the job just fine. It's the mechanics and effort that go into these various methods that have led to their rankings on this list. Let's get into the cheesy, melty goodness of reheating delicious pizza slices, one possible method at a time.

1. Toaster Oven

The toaster oven ranks first due to its ease and efficiency. According to Bon Appétit, you simply turn the toaster to the bake function (around 325° Fahrenheit,) and let the toaster work its magic. This method increases crust crispness and melts the cheese pretty evenly. This is in comparison to some of the other methods further down the list that can easily burn the toppings, and turn the crust soggy without the correct approach. The toaster oven reheat option is quick and easy.

2. Air Fryer

Next up we have the air fryer, which acts similarly to the toaster oven in terms of efficiency. Air fryers burst onto the cooking appliance scene in 2017 and since then lots of people have added them to their kitchens, but not everyone owns them, which is why it's slightly lower on this list than the toaster oven. Delish recommends lining the basket with either parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking. You can reheat your pizza slice in the air fryer at 360° Fahrenheit for between 3-6 minutes.

3. Oven

The oven, which may be one of the more obvious reheating options, is third on this list because it can take a while and does require some checking. This method is great for reheating more than one slice at the same time, which cannot be said of the previous two, so it's got that going for it. Using a baking sheet or tray, line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place your slice, slices, or full pie onto the sheet/tray. Preheat it to around 375° Fahrenheit and place the pizza in the oven. If you want extra crisp, put the tray in for a few minutes before putting the pizza in, which enables the crust to get even crispier when it's placed on the now-heated tray. Let the pizza rehat for between 10-15 minutes. Be sure to check that it's not burning. Some ovens can be finicky, so this method does require more moderation.

4. Stove Top

For the stovetop method, you have a few options. You can use a stove grate, like the one pictured below, any kind of non-stick skillet, or you can use a cast-iron pan. Depending on the kind of stove you have, one of these options may work better than another. For non-stick skillets, let the skillet warm up, and then place your slice to crisp up. Adding water to the pan and covering it with a lid will help the cheese on top to get all melty and delicious. The cast-iron skillet requires the most skill because it heats up so quickly. You'll need very little water and a dry pan to start, so the pizza crust doesn't stick to the bottom. Cover the pan to create steam for the cheese to melt, but be sure that you're watching out for burning!

5. Waffle Iron

This is a rather unique option for pizza reheating that actually blew up on TikTok. You'll need two slices of pizza, and the outcome is more panini than a typical pizza slice, but it does get the job done. Bon Appétit does warn that it's one of the messiest possible options for reheating. You'll want to heat up your waffle iron and place your two pizza slices together (cheese side in) on top of the waffle iron. Close the lid and allow the crust to crisp, and the cheese to melt. The result is a pizza panini, piping hot and ready to eat.

6. Microwave

And last, we have the microwave method. This is last because if you simply place your pizza slice into the microwave, the result is a melted, yet decidedly soggy crusted pizza slice. If you're wondering why that happens in the first place, it's because the microwave turns the moisture in the pizza into steam which spreads into the crust and makes it soggy. So, this method is not the best for reheating, but there is a hack that should help if a microwave is all you have. According to the New York Post, popular pizza chain Domino's recommends putting a cup of water in with the slice. The idea is that the cup of water absorbs some of the microwaves while the pizza is reheating. It can allow the pizza to reheat at a slower rate, reducing the steam from spreading into the crust. So, while you still won't have the crispy, melty results of some of the other methods, this should help the reheated pizza to be a little less soggy overall.

Conclusion

The toaster oven and air fryer are clearly among the best, though the oven option tails closely behind. In terms of effectiveness, all of these methods will provide you with some kind of reheated pizza. If you'd prefer quick options, the ones near the top will be your best bet. For larger pies or more slices, the oven is the way to go. If you only have a microwave or stovetop at your disposal, be sure to pick the method you feel most comfortable using (skillet, cast iron, or grate).

If you're going the microwave route, don't forget a cup of water to avoid that soggy crust! Lastly, if you're up for trying the pizza panini, and cleaning up a fair bit of mess, get out your waffle iron and the remaining slices of pizza. Another TikTok trend is to make pizza waffles with pizza dough and toppings (stick to cheese and red sauce at first), using your waffle iron. If you're looking for more recipes for making pizza at home, check out this great option.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©V. Matthiesen/Shutterstock.com.