Reheat Pizza in the Air Fryer
Leftover pizza turns soft and rubbery in the microwave and takes 15 minutes to warm in the oven. The air fryer reheats pizza in about 4 minutes at 350 °F, crisping the bottom while the cheese melts again. This guide covers the right temperature, the time for thin crust, regular and deep dish slices, and how to keep the toppings from burning.
- Temperature
- 350°F180 °C
- Total time
- 11min
- Prep time
- 2min
- Servings
- 2
- Internal temp
- 165°F74 °C
- Per serving
- 560kcal
Why the air fryer works for reheating pizza
Pizza has two textures that the microwave cannot hold together. The crust wants dry heat to crisp, and the cheese wants gentle heat to melt. The microwave heats the water in the dough and the sauce, so the bread steams and turns chewy. The oven does it right, but it takes 10 minutes to preheat and heats a whole kitchen for two slices.
In the air fryer, hot air moves quickly around the slice, which dries and crisps the bottom of the crust while the cheese softens on top. That is why air fryer reheat pizza tastes much closer to a fresh slice than anything from the microwave, and it is ready in about the time it takes to pour a drink. The basket is small, so a hot start and a single layer matter more than any trick.
How to reheat pizza in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the empty air fryer to 350 °F for . A hot basket crisps the bottom of the crust from the first second, which is what keeps the slice from going limp.
- Arrange the slices Place the slices in a single layer in the basket with a little space between them. Most 5–6 qt baskets hold 2 regular slices; for 4 slices, reheat in two batches. If the slices are long, fold the tip back or trim it so the cheese does not touch the heating element.
- Reheat Cook for at 350 °F. Thin crust slices are ready after . Check at the halfway point, and if the toppings brown faster than the crust, lower the heat to 320 °F.
- Check the center The cheese should be bubbling and the crust firm when you lift the slice by the edge. Slices with sausage, pepperoni or other meat should reach 165 °F in the center, which a thermometer confirms in a few seconds.
- Rest briefly Let the slices sit in the basket for . The cheese settles, the crust finishes crisping and the first bite no longer burns your mouth.
Times and temperatures
| Reheat Pizza | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Regular crust slice, from the fridgePreheat the basket first | 350 °F (180 °C) | 4 min |
| Thin crustCheck after 2 min | 350 °F (180 °C) | 3 min |
| Thick or deep dishLower heat warms the middle | 330 °F (170 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Cold slice at 400 °FWatch for scorched edges | 400 °F (200 °C) | 2–3 min |
| Frozen leftover slice | 350 °F (180 °C) | 7–9 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 165 °F (74 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Reheat cold, not warm. Slices straight from the refrigerator hold their shape. Pizza left at room temperature for hours is a food safety problem, so only reheat slices that went into the refrigerator within 2 hours of serving.
- Mind the paper. You do not need parchment. If you use a small piece to catch cheese, put it under the slices and only after the air fryer has preheated, so the weight of the pizza holds it down. Loose paper can fly into the heating element. See parchment paper and foil in the air fryer for the safe way.
- Match time to thickness. The crust, not the cheese, decides the time. Double the minutes for thick crust and lower the temperature, so the middle warms before the edge hardens.
Reheating different styles
Thin, New York style slices can be folded or left flat and need only 3 minutes. Thick, bread-like slices and deep dish need a lower temperature of 330 °F and up to 10 minutes. Stuffed crust slices reheat evenly at 350 °F for 5 minutes. Slices with lots of vegetables release a little moisture, so give them an extra minute and blot the top with a paper towel first.
If you want to make pizza from scratch rather than warm leftovers, the main pizza in the air fryer page covers homemade and frozen pizzas.
What to serve with reheated pizza
Leftover pizza needs little more than a crisp side salad with ranch or Italian dressing. For a bigger lunch, add carrot sticks, celery and a bowl of dip, or a handful of roasted tomatoes in the basket for the last 3 minutes.
Storing and reheating
Store pizza in a sealed container or wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Separate the slices with parchment so they do not stick. To store longer, wrap the slices individually and freeze them for up to 2 months, then reheat from frozen at 350 °F for 7–9 minutes. Any slice with meat should reach 165 °F in the center.
Variations
- Extra crisp: Brush the edge of the crust with a few drops of olive oil before cooking at 350 °F for a golden, garlic bread style rim.
- Fresh finish: After reheating, add grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, fresh basil or a drizzle of hot honey.
- Pizza on a tortilla: Slice off the topping layer of very thick slices, place them on a halved flour tortilla and air fry at 350 °F for 3 minutes for a quick thin version.
If it does not turn out right
- The crust is hard like a cracker
- The slice cooked too long or the heat was too high. Drop to 320 °F, cut the time to 2–3 minutes, and brush a very dry crust with a few drops of water before cooking.
- The cheese is melted but the bottom is soft
- The basket was not preheated or the slices were crowded. Preheat for 3 minutes and keep the slices apart so hot air reaches the underside.
- The toppings blow around or burn
- Light toppings such as basil or arugula should be added after reheating. Press loose pieces of pepperoni back into the cheese first.
Questions and answers
How long do you reheat pizza in the air fryer?
Plan on 3–5 minutes at 350 °F. Thin crust needs about 3 minutes, a regular slice 4 minutes, and thick or deep dish slices need 8–10 minutes at 330 °F.
What temperature is best for reheating pizza in an air fryer?
350 °F is the best balance. At 400 °F the pizza is ready in 2–3 minutes, but the edges can scorch, so watch it closely.
Can I reheat frozen leftover pizza in the air fryer?
Yes, with no need to thaw. Cook frozen slices at 350 °F for 7–9 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the center is hot.
Is it better to reheat pizza in the air fryer or the microwave?
The air fryer, if you want a crisp crust. The microwave is faster, but it steams the dough and leaves it chewy. The air fryer also beats the oven on time, since it needs no long preheat.
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