How To Reheat Pizza In Air Fryer For Perfect Crispy Leftovers

Prof. Dannie Gottlieb IV 30 Jul 2025

Do you ever dream of that leftover pizza tasting just as good, or even better, than it did fresh out of the box? We understand that feeling, you know, when you have those delicious slices waiting in the fridge. For a long time, reheated food, especially pizza, just never seemed to hit the mark the next day. It often ended up soggy from the microwave or dried out from a traditional oven, which is a bit of a shame for something so wonderful.

But what if we told you there’s a way to bring those wonderful leftovers back to life with a satisfying crunch? It’s true, actually, and it’s surprisingly simple. We've spent a good deal of time putting various reheating methods to the test over the years, trying to find the best approach for common leftovers like pizza, meat, or fish. These efforts have helped us put together some really helpful tips.

Today, we’re going to share one of our absolute favorite discoveries for pizza: the air fryer. This handy appliance, it turns out, is a game-changer for giving your cold pizza a delightful second act. It’s pretty amazing how it works its magic, giving you that lovely crispness you crave. So, get ready to enjoy perfectly crispy pizza the next day, because we are going to show you how to easily reheat pizza in an air fryer to bring those leftovers back to life.

Why the Air Fryer is the Best for Pizza
Essential Tools for Reheating Pizza
Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Pizza
- Setting the Right Temperature
- How Long Does It Take?
Tips for the Crispiest Results
Air Fryer vs. Other Reheating Methods
Food Safety When Reheating Pizza
Frequently Asked Questions About Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer

Why the Air Fryer is the Best for Pizza

There's a good reason why so many people are turning to the air fryer for their leftover pizza, as a matter of fact. It really does a fantastic job of giving you that fresh-baked feel. The way an air fryer works is that it circulates hot air around the food, creating a cooking environment that's a bit like a convection oven, but on a smaller, more intense scale. This process, you know, helps to crisp up the crust beautifully while melting the cheese just right. It's truly amazing.

Unlike a microwave, which can make pizza crust soft and chewy, or a conventional oven that might take too long to preheat for just a slice or two, the air fryer is quick and efficient. It gets to the ideal temperature very fast, meaning you can have a perfectly reheated slice in just a few minutes. Plus, discover why the air fryer is the best way to reheat pizza; it’s because it delivers that delightful texture balance every single time.

It’s crazy easy to reheat leftover pizza in the air fryer to perfection in 5 minutes, or even less, depending on your machine. This quickness means less waiting and more enjoying, which is pretty great when you’re hungry for that cheesy goodness. So, if you're wondering how to reheat pizza in air fryer for the best outcome, this appliance is your answer.

Essential Tools for Reheating Pizza

To reheat pizza in an air fryer effectively, you need a few essential tools and equipment. The main thing, obviously, is an air fryer itself. There are many different sizes and models available, so make sure yours is clean and ready to go. You don't need a super fancy one; even a basic model will do the trick for a couple of slices.

Beyond the air fryer, you might find a pair of tongs helpful for carefully placing and removing the pizza slices without touching the hot surfaces. Some people also like to use a small piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil under their pizza to make cleanup easier, though this is optional. If you do use foil or paper, just be sure it doesn't block the air circulation too much, because that’s really important for even cooking.

It's also a good idea to have a cutting board or a plate ready for your perfectly reheated pizza. Having everything prepared before you start makes the whole process smoother, you know. Just gather your tools, and you'll be ready to bring those delicious slices back to their prime.

Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Pizza

Reheating pizza in an air fryer is a straightforward process, honestly. You'll be amazed at how simple it is to get great results. Follow these steps to effectively reheat your food, specifically your pizza, in the air fryer, and you'll be enjoying a delicious meal in no time at all. It really is quite simple to do.

First things first, you want to make sure your air fryer is on the correct setting. To reheat pizza in the air fryer, start by making sure your machine is on the air fry setting. This ensures the circulating hot air does its job properly. You wouldn't want it on a different mode, like bake or roast, because that might not give you the crispiness you are looking for.

Next, arrange your pizza slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent the air from circulating evenly. If you have a lot of slices, it's better to reheat them in batches, which is often the case. This way, each piece gets the proper amount of heat and air flow, ensuring every bite is just right.

Setting the Right Temperature

Getting the temperature right is a very important part of the process for how to reheat pizza in air fryer. The goal is to warm the pizza through without burning the cheese or crust, you see. To reheat pizza in an air fryer, it’s best to set the temperature to 350°f (175°c). This temperature is ideal because it allows the pizza to warm up evenly without burning the crust, which is really what we want to avoid.

Some air fryer models might perform a little differently, so you might find that setting the temperature to between 325 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit works best for your specific machine. It's often a good idea to start on the lower end of this range if you are unsure, and then adjust if needed. A slightly lower temperature can sometimes help prevent the cheese from getting too bubbly too quickly, letting the crust catch up in crispness.

This careful temperature control is what helps bring back the original flavors and textures of your pizza. It's not just about heating it up; it's about making it taste great again. So, take a moment to set your air fryer just right, and you'll be on your way to a fantastic pizza experience, almost as good as new.

How Long Does It Take?

The time it takes to reheat pizza in an air fryer is one of its best features, honestly. It’s incredibly fast. Generally, you're looking at a very short cooking time. It’s crazy easy to reheat leftover pizza in the air fryer to perfection in 5 minutes, give or take, which is really quite speedy.

For most regular slices, about 3 to 5 minutes should do the trick. Thicker slices or those with a lot of toppings might need an extra minute or two, so keep that in mind. Conversely, thinner crust pizzas might be ready even quicker, perhaps in just 2 or 3 minutes. It's always a good idea to check on your pizza after about 3 minutes, just to see how it's doing.

After the air fryer has run for a few minutes, you can open the basket and take a peek. You want the cheese to be nicely melted and bubbly, and the crust to be wonderfully crisp. If it needs a bit more time, just close the basket and let it go for another minute or so. This quick cooking time is why the air fryer has become such a popular choice for bringing back those delicious pizza leftovers.

Tips for the Crispiest Results

Getting that perfectly crispy crust is the main goal when you reheat pizza in air fryer, isn't it? There are a few little tricks you can use to make sure your pizza turns out just right every time. These tips help you avoid a soggy bottom or a dried-out top, which can sometimes happen if you're not careful.

One good tip is to avoid overlapping your pizza slices in the air fryer basket. Each slice needs its own space for the hot air to circulate freely around it. If slices are stacked or touching too much, some parts might not get as crispy, and that’s not what we want. So, try to give each piece a little room to breathe.

Another thing you might try, especially if your pizza seems a little dry, is to place a tiny, tiny piece of aluminum foil with a few drops of water in the bottom of the air fryer basket, away from the heating element. This creates a small amount of steam that can help keep the cheese from drying out while the crust gets nice and crisp. It’s a trick that some people find very helpful for a balanced texture. Also, remember that a light spray of cooking oil on the crust can sometimes help it achieve an even greater crispness, though this is optional and depends on your preference.

Air Fryer vs. Other Reheating Methods

When it comes to bringing leftovers back to life, there are several ways to go about it, as you know. While the air fryer is a fantastic choice for pizza, it's helpful to understand how it compares to other common methods. We’ve run dozens of tests over the years on reheating some of the most common leftovers and compiled our favorite methods into this handy cheat sheet. Find out how to reheat food (pizza, meat, fish and more) in the oven or microwave so it's tasty as new.

Here’s a guide to help you figure out if you should reheat your food on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave, with some tips to help you do each. For pizza, the air fryer truly excels at crisping the crust, something other methods struggle with. But for different foods, other appliances might be better. For instance, liquids or saucy dishes often do well in the microwave, while larger cuts of meat might benefit from an oven.

The main thing is to choose the method that best suits the food item and your desired outcome. For that glorious, crispy pizza, the air fryer really is the champion. It's all about matching the right tool to the job, you see, to get the best possible eating experience from your leftovers.

Reheating in the Oven

Reheating food in the oven can help bring back its original flavors and textures, making it a popular choice for many, especially for larger quantities or dishes that benefit from even heating. The ideal temperature for reheating leftovers in the oven is generally around 350°f (175°c), which is quite similar to the air fryer temperature. This temperature allows the food to heat through without drying it out too much.

To reheat pizza in a conventional oven, you would typically start by preheating your oven to the appropriate temperature. Place your pizza slices directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. The cooking time will be longer than in an air fryer, usually around 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pizza. You want to watch it carefully to ensure the cheese melts and the crust crisps up without burning.

Learn how to reheat food in the oven without drying it out with our expert tips and techniques. One tip is to place a small, oven-safe dish of water on the bottom rack of your oven while reheating, which can help add a bit of moisture to the air and prevent drying. This method works well for getting a decent crisp, but it takes more time and energy compared to the air fryer, especially for just a slice or two. Discover the best and easiest ways to reheat your favorite meals, and the oven is certainly a contender for many.

Reheating in the Microwave

The microwave is undoubtedly the fastest way to reheat many foods, and it's super convenient for a quick warm-up. However, for pizza, it often falls short on texture. When you reheat pizza in the microwave, you often end up with a very soft, sometimes rubbery crust and cheese that can become overly hot and chewy. This happens because microwaves heat the water molecules in the food, which is great for speed but not for crispiness.

While it might seem like the easiest option, it doesn't really give you that satisfying crunch that makes leftover pizza so enjoyable. If you absolutely must use a microwave, a common trick is to place a small glass of water in the microwave alongside your pizza slice. This can help keep the crust from getting too tough, but it won't give you the crispness of an air fryer or oven.

So, for speed and general warmth, the microwave is fine, but if you're looking for that perfectly crispy pizza experience, it’s honestly not the best choice. It's a compromise, you know, when you're really in a hurry and don't mind the texture change.

Stove-Top Reheating

Reheating pizza on the stove top can be a pretty good alternative if you don't have an air fryer or prefer a different method. This approach usually involves a non-stick pan and a lid. You place your pizza slice in a dry pan over medium-low heat, which helps the bottom crust get nice and crisp, almost like it was just made.

After a few minutes, once the bottom crust starts to crisp up, you can add a few drops of water to the pan, away from the pizza, and quickly cover it with a lid. The steam created by the water will help melt the cheese beautifully without drying it out. This method can give you a really nice balance of crispy crust and gooey cheese, which is quite satisfying.

The stove-top method is more hands-on than the air fryer or oven, as you need to monitor it closely to prevent burning. However, it’s a surprisingly effective way to get a good result, especially for a single slice. It's a bit of a classic technique for a reason, you know, for those who want a good texture.

Food Safety When Reheating Pizza

No matter how you choose to reheat your pizza, or any leftovers for that matter, food safety is very important. You want to make sure your food is not just tasty, but also safe to eat. This means heating it to the correct temperature to eliminate any potential bacteria that might have grown since it was first cooked. Reheated food never really tastes as good the next day if it makes you sick, so safety first.

The general rule for reheating leftovers is to ensure they reach and maintain 165°f (70°c) for two minutes. While you won't typically be stirring pizza slices, this temperature guideline applies to all reheated foods. For pizza, this means the cheese should be fully melted and bubbly, and the crust should be hot to the touch. You'll usually see steam coming off the pizza when it's properly heated through.

Always make sure to store your leftover pizza properly in the refrigerator as soon as it cools down after the initial meal. Don't leave it out at room temperature for too long. When you are ready to reheat, use a clean air fryer basket or pan. By following these simple food safety practices, you can enjoy your delicious reheated pizza with peace of mind. For more detailed information on food safety guidelines, you might want to check out resources from a reputable public health organization, like the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer

How do you reheat pizza in an air fryer without drying it out?

To keep your pizza from drying out when reheating it in an air fryer, you can try a little trick. Place a very small, heat-safe dish or a piece of foil with a few drops of water in the bottom of the air fryer basket, away from the pizza itself. This creates a tiny bit of steam that helps keep the cheese and toppings moist while the crust gets delightfully crispy. Also, keeping the temperature around 325-350°F (160-175°C) and not overcooking it helps a lot, you know.

What temperature do you put pizza in an air fryer?

For the best results when you reheat pizza in air fryer, it’s generally recommended to set the temperature to around 350°F (175°C). This temperature is ideal because it allows the pizza to warm up evenly without burning the crust, which is really quite important. Some people might go slightly lower, perhaps 325°F, depending on their specific air fryer model and how crispy they like their crust.

How long do you put pizza in an air fryer for?

The time needed to reheat pizza in an air fryer is usually very short, often just 3 to 5 minutes. Thinner slices or those with fewer toppings might be ready in as little as 2 or 3 minutes. For thicker slices or pizzas with lots of toppings, it might take closer to 5 or even 6 minutes. It's always a good idea to check on your pizza after about 3 minutes to see how it's doing and adjust the time as needed, so you get it just right.

Bringing your leftover pizza back to its crispy, delicious glory using an air fryer is a game-changer, honestly. It’s a simple, fast, and very effective way to enjoy perfectly reheated slices that taste almost as fresh as they did the day before. By following these straightforward steps and tips, you can say goodbye to soggy or dried-out pizza and welcome a new era of amazing leftovers. We are always finding new ways to make the most of our food, and this method is certainly one of our favorites. Learn more about air fryer cooking on our site, and you might also find other great tips on reheating various foods right here.

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How To Reheat Pizza In Air Fryer For Perfect Crispy Leftovers

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