Freezing leftover pizza may be the best pizza hack of them all. There is no better thing in the world than heating up a leftover slice, but sometimes we just can't eat it in time before it goes bad. Sure, you can store it in the refrigerator for five days or so if you do it right, but after that you have to toss it. Unless, of course, you freeze it. But how long can pizza last in the freezer?
We're not talking the kind that you buy pre-frozen at the supermarket. We're talking about a real, cheesy, melty, pie that you ordered on Friday night after searching for the closest pizza delivery near me. Did you even know that freezing leftover pizza was possible? It turns out that it is. And best of all, it can keep those slices safe to eat for quite a while.
How Long Will Pizza Last in the Freezer?
If you're looking to freeze your slices, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that frozen pizza will stay edible and tasty for up to sixty days. After that point it doesn't become dangerous to eat, but it may not be as delicious.
This is great news for those who can't stand the idea of throwing uneaten pizza in the trash. Trust us, we get it. There is nothing more disappointing than tossing a perfectly good portion of pizza away. Especially when there are ways that you can save it for later. Such as freezing leftover pizza.
How to Properly Freeze Pizza
Now, you can't just take the leftovers from your dinner and toss them in the freezer and hope for the best. For optimum results that are sure to keep those slices tasting good for months to come, there's a protocol to follow. Luckily, it's simple.
The best way to store pizza in the freezer is to keep it in an air-tight container. It's tempting to use any old Tupperware, but most of these containers are not air-sealed. You want to make sure that your pizza stays protected while it's in the ice box. If you don't have any air-tight storage containers laying around it's worth a trip to the store or a quick online order to scoop some up. They're relatively inexpensive and keep your food as fresh as can be.
If you're in a pinch, and freezing leftover pizza needs to happen right now, but you're without an air-tight container, there is no need to worry. You can use an alternate technique of wrapping your slices tightly in plastic wrap, and then wrapping the outside in aluminum foil.
If you are using the plastic wrap and aluminum foil method for freezing leftover pizza, make sure that you only wrap one slice at a time. You don't want pockets of air in-between slices, as it can lead to freezer burn. Wrap each slice on its own, and then if you wish, bundle them together with another layer of either plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, unwrap the packets slice by slice when you're ready to enjoy them.
Cooking Frozen Leftover Pizza
There is much debate on the best way to reheat leftover pizza. Some people prefer using a microwave, some people swear that it's best when you bake it in the oven, and some people say that a toaster oven will do. How you heat up your leftovers is a personal choice, and we say do it the way that you think makes it taste best.
But, with frozen leftovers there is a catch. You want to avoid the pizza becoming mushy, or conversely, rock hard when you re-cook it. You want your pizza to turn out perfectly. We get it, because we love perfectly cooked pizza ourselves.
To cook your frozen leftovers, we recommend that you let the pizza defrost in the refrigerator. You can take it out of the aluminum foil wrapping, but keeping the plastic wrap on is best. Defrosting pizza in the refrigerator may take several hours, or you may need to leave it there overnight. After you defrost it in the fridge, go ahead and reheat the slices with your method of choice. Or, go ahead and eat it cold.
When You Want to Skip Defrosting
We know that sometimes you're hungry and you need something to chow down on now. You can't wait several hours, or overnight, for your frozen pizza to defrost before you have a chance to eat it. When a pizza craving hits, it hits. The good news is that there is a shortcut to cooking frozen leftovers.
You can put the pizza directly in the oven or microwave, but beware that it may become rubbery or tough if it is not carefully watched. Be sure not to overcook the leftovers.
Get to Eating
Now that you know freezing leftover pizza is possible, how to store it properly, and how to defrost and cook the slices, it's time to get to eating! If you're hungry after reading this, we don't blame you. If your freezer is currently pizza-free, it's time to call Hungry Howie's® for fast, fresh pizza delivery!