Many people wonder how to reheat pizza in the oven just right. You don't want it to be too soggy, you don't want it to burn, and you don't want it to turn rubbery and inedible, either. To be quite frank, reheating pizza in the oven properly can be somewhat of a science.
There's also much debate surrounding whether or not the oven is the right route to take when reheating pizza. Some people swear by a toaster oven, others say a microwave does the trick. Others eat their leftover slices cold. Here at Hungry Howie's®, we say as long as you love it, go ahead and reheat your leftovers with the method that works best for you.
Yet many struggle to get the reheating process just right and are always looking for a better way. Some have given up altogether and just accept that leftover pizza will never taste quite as good as it did the night before. We're here to let you know that's not true, and properly reheating pizza so that it tastes delicious is not only possible, but it's easy!
How to Reheat Pizza in the Oven
If you had pizza for dinner last night and didn't quite finish it, don't throw those extra slices out. You can wrap them in plastic wrap and tinfoil or keep them in an air-tight plastic Tupperware for a few days before the food goes bad. If you freeze the slices, they stay good for months. The challenge is always reheating it just right.
The pizza experts at Hungry Howie's® did some research and experimenting to find out how to reheat pizza in the oven the right way, so you can get the most out of your leftovers.
Steps to Reheating Pizza
First thing is first. What you do will depend on how your leftovers are stored. If your slices are frozen it's best to let them defrost in the fridge overnight, so that they are temperature-controlled and bacteria doesn't build up. If your slices are already safely packaged in the fridge then you're good to go!
Step One: Find the Right Tray
Many people make the mistake of reheating pizza in the oven on the wrong type of tray, and this can make all the difference. It might be tempting to throw your slice on a piece of tinfoil and slide it directly onto the rack, but we don't recommend taking this route.
Instead, find a proper baking tray. Non-stick is usually the way to go. You can use a shallow baking pan or a cookie sheet. If you don't have a non-stick pan you can lightly spray the pan or sheet with cooking spray–just don't go overboard or it can make the crust soggy.
Step Two: Set the Oven to the Right Temperature
This is where a lot of people go wrong. Many people believe that you can reheat anything at 350 degrees for a few minutes and it will be good to go. But pizza has a delicate balance of bread, sauce, cheese, and any toppings that you may order. What this means is that all of these foods need to cook together, safely.
We recommend that instead of the "standard" 350 degrees that you pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees. This will ensure that the cheese melts properly, that any toppings heat all the way through, and that the crust does not become soggy or rubbery.
Step Three: Bake for the Correct Amount of Time
This is another common question we hear in regard to how to reheat pizza in the oven. Does five minutes do the trick? Is fifteen minutes too long? You want to be careful here so that you don't burn the crust. It is imperative that you cook your leftover pizza for just the right amount of time.
The Hungry Howie's® experts recommend that you bake your slice(s) at 375 degrees for just ten minutes to get the consistency just right. Of course, if you take it out and your toppings are still cold, keep baking it. Check it every two minutes to make sure the pizza doesn't get overdone.
Baking Multiple Slices
Now, what if you have more than one slice you want to reheat? Maybe you saved half a pizza from last night, after a party where everyone simply couldn't eat all of the delicious pies. It happens. If you have several leftover slices that you want to reheat, we recommend using the same method. However, separate each of the slices slightly on the baking pan or cookie sheet so that there's a little bit of space between them.
Enjoy Your Pizza
The final step is simple–take the baking sheet out of the oven, allow the leftover slices to cool off a little so you don't burn your mouth, and enjoy! This is our tried and true method regarding how to reheat pizza in the oven and we think that you'll be pleased with the results.
And, if you're in the mood for more pizza tonight, place an order with Hungry Howie's® for delivery or carry-out.