4 Hacks for Reheating Your Pizza to Perfection
When it comes to meals that just about everybody can enjoy, pizza is #1. It's inexpensive, it feeds a large number of people, it's totally customizable, and it's obviously delicious. The best part about ordering pizza, though? Having leftovers for days! Of course, if you've ever tried re-heating your leftover pizza only to end up with a soggy, disappointing mess, then you might feel a little differently about pizza leftovers. But hold on...because these pizza-reheating hacks are about to change your life, helping you achieve the perfect reheated pizza every single time.
These hacks also work on our famous Grinders!
1.) On the Stove-Top
Move over, microwave! The hands-down best way to reheat a slice of pizza is to use your stove top. Not only does the average stove top heat up much faster than an oven (which means less waiting to bite into that cheesy, sauce-y goodness), but it also tends to cook leftover slices of pizza more evenly.
The higher quality skillet you use, the better results you'll have. Cast-iron skillets are the best choice here, as they heat up evenly and are pre-seasoned. However, if you don't have a cast-iron skillet, don't fret; you can use a regular non-stick pan and your pizza will turn out just fine.
Reheat your leftover pizza on the stove-top in a matter of minutes. Start with placing your best skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's heated up evenly, toss your slice (or two) of pizza onto the skillet and allow it to start reheating. After a couple minutes, add a few small drops of either water or olive oil to the skillet and then cover with a lid. This will breathe new life into the pizza crust without causing it to get soggy in the process. Turn the stove-top temperature down to low and allow the pizza to heat for a few more minutes before enjoying!
2.) On the Grill
Another reheating method worth trying on your leftover pizza involves using your grill. Might sound odd, but don't knock it 'til you try it. Grilling your pizza gives it a little bit of that charred taste while also rendering the crust nice and crispy and the cheese hot and bubbly. Not to mention, this method is super quick and easy.
Get started by heating your grill up to medium-high heat, preferably on a nice day (you don't want your pizza getting rained on...that would be sad). Once the grill is heated up, go ahead and toss the pizza slices right on the grate; no need for any oil or cooking spray. The pizza shouldn't take more than five minutes or so to reheat entirely, but be sure to use a spatula to check the bottom of the crust every so often to ensure it's not burning. Once the pizza is evenly reheated and the crust has some nice grill marks on it, remove and allow to cool before enjoying.
The great thing about this method is that it allows you to reheat as many slices of pizza as your grill has room for, unlike the skillet method which limits you to a slice or two at a time.
3.) In the Oven
If you've been unhappy with your pizza leftovers as reheated in your standard oven, maybe you've been doing it wrong. The key is to allow your oven to completely pre-heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, stick your pizza slices directly into the oven (not on a pizza stone or baking sheet) and leave it in for about five minutes. This will yield crispy (not rubbery) crust every time and also allows you to reheat several slices at once.
4.) In the Microwave (Last Resort!)
Let's say all your skillets are in the dishwasher, the weather is too miserable for grilling, and you don't have time to wait for your oven to preheat. Still, you want some pizza leftovers. This is where the microwave comes in as a last resort.
Start by placing a piece of paper towel underneath your pizza; this will help to absorb any moisture while cooking and avoid soggy crust. Adding a microwave-safe mug full of water to the microwave next to your pizza will also help to reheat the slice evenly. This is by no means the best way to reheat a pizza, but it'll do in a pinch.