The Perfect Way to Reheat Pizza in Air Fryer
What Is The Perfect Way to Reheat Pizza in Air Fryer?
Say goodbye to the days of having cold pizza for breakfast! Now, you can savor flawlessly crispy pizza in the morning (or even at dinner) with the magic of an air fryer. Yes, you heard it right folks – discover the ultimate method to reheat pizza using an air fryer!
I must admit, I occasionally exhibit a touch of laziness when it comes to consuming leftover pizza. Cold pizza doesn’t really bother me; I’m not very choosy when it comes to food. However, my friends and family insist that reheating pizza is the way to go.
But what truly is the best technique to rekindle that pizza magic?
The microwave? Oh dear, no – it turns the pizza crust into a chewy, melancholic state.
The oven? Who has the luxury of time for that?
Enter the air fryer as a potential solution. I thought, why not give it a shot? Lo and behold, reheating pizza in the air fryer results in a marvelously crispy outcome, far superior to the cold pizza experience.
Reheating pizza in an air fryer does come with its own set of tricks and hacks. In this post, I’ll unravel all the insights I’ve gained about flawlessly reheating pizza using the air fryer, sparing you the need to experiment as I did (this method is adaptable to virtually any pizza recipe).
Here’s What You’ll Need
Although reheating pizza in an air fryer doesn’t necessitate a list of ingredients, different types of pizza will call for varying cooking times.
- Leftover Pizza: This guide is exclusively tailored for reheating pizza – specifically, leftover slices. While crafting fresh pizza in the air fryer is possible, that’s not the focus here. If you’re interested in that, check out my Air Fryer Pizza recipe. The method I’m detailing applies to all kinds of leftover pizza, excluding frozen ones. Just make sure to consult my insights regarding cooking time discrepancies between thin and thick crusts.
Tip for Reheating Pizza
Leftover pizza covers a spectrum of preferences. Some are fans of heavily-loaded cheesy varieties, while others adore the crispness of Sicilian-style thin crust. For cheese-rich slices, here’s a useful tip: place a sheet of parchment paper beneath the pizza to catch any melted cheese or oil that might drip. To ensure proper airflow, I recommend puncturing a few small holes in the parchment paper, directly below the crust.
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How To Reheat Pizza In Air Fryer
The technique for reheating pizza in an air fryer is refreshingly straightforward. Only two steps stand between you and perfectly hot, pizza-shop-fresh slices, requiring less than 5 minutes of your time.
Step 1: Prep
Arrange your leftover pizza slices in a single layer within the air fryer. If you’d like, place parchment paper beneath the slices to simplify the cleaning process. This particularly comes in handy for especially cheesy or greasy pizza.
Step 2: Air Fry
Set your air fryer to 350°F (176°C). Given the diverse forms and sizes of pizza, the duration for air frying leftover pizza will differ based on the type of crust. For thin crusts, air fry for 3 minutes. For thick crusts, air fry for 4 minutes.
Recipe Tips:
Leftover pizza is going to vary because we all have our favorites. Some like Lotzza Motzza (tons of cheese) and others like Sicilian style thin crust. A tip for working with lots of cheese – it is helpful to lay a piece of parchment paper underneath to catch any cheese or oil that melts off the sides. To ensure air can get though, I recommend punching a few small holes in the parchment paper directly under the crust.
Storage: Due to its size, you can only reheat a limited number of pizza slices at once in an air fryer. However, it’s unlikely you’ll have leftovers! It’s best to reheat only the amount you plan to eat. Remember that reheating pizza multiple times can affect its taste negatively.
Spacing: Air fryers function by circulating hot air throughout the basket. It’s essential to place the pizza slices in a single layer with some space between them. This ensures proper air circulation for even heating.
Why This Recipe Works:
In summary, warming up pizza in an air fryer is incredibly quick (under 5 minutes) and results in reheated pizza that’s crispy but not hard. If that isn’t convincing enough, here are a few more reasons why using an air fryer for leftover pizza is a great idea:
Speed: This method takes less than 5 minutes, almost as fast as a microwave.
Easy: Just place the slices in the basket, close it, and press “on.” Just keep an eye on it to prevent any toppings from burning.
Saves energy: Using an air fryer saves energy. It heats up quickly and only requires enough energy for small quantities. Unlike preheating an entire oven, you’re not wasting energy when reheating just a few pieces of pizza.
Perfect Texture: The air fryer achieves a crispy bottom and gooey top. While the exact science behind this isn’t entirely clear, the quick cook time prevents burning on top while hot air from below keeps the bottom crispy.
FAQs:
Q: Can I heat frozen pizza in the air fryer?
A: Absolutely! It takes about twice as long though. For frozen pizza, set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 8-12 minutes. Check at 8 minutes and continue cooking if needed.
How do I keep the toppings from burning?
A: To prevent common toppings like bell peppers and olives from burning, lightly spray the top of the pizza with oil. Fresh toppings like basil and tomatoes are trickier to protect since they’re usually added post-cooking, but a bit of oil can help.
Make Pizza Night A Full Party!
I enjoy having a side with my reheated pizza to make it feel less like leftovers. Here are some quick favorites that pair well with reheated pizza:
Classic Vegetarian Caesar Salad: A quick and satisfying option with a crispy salad and warm pizza.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles: Since the air fryer is already in use!
Avocado and Mango Green Salad: An unconventional but delightful choice. The sweet mango and creamy avocado complement the cheesy pizza and crispy crust beautifully.
