This Is the Best Way to Reheat Pizza in the Oven

If there's one thing we can agree on, it's that reheating pizza in the oven is a worthwhile endeavor. Pizza is a crowd-pleaser, whether it's a homemade pie (like a classic Margherita), a store-bought deep dish one, or even that pizzeria pizza delivered to your door. And if there are leftovers, they make incredibly handy snacks or quick meals—as long as they are reheated properly.

Knowing how to revive those glorious slices is essential because no one wants last night's dinner to go to waste—but we also don't love cold straight-from-the-fridge pizza or soggy microwaved pieces. One of the best ways to reheat pizza is in the oven. After all, the pizza was originally baked in an oven, so it makes sense that you'd want to utilize the same cooking method. The only catch? If you don't know the right technique, the oven can quickly dry out the slice, resulting in a cracker-like crust and too-hot cheese. We talked to the experts to hear their tips on exactly how to reheat your pie in the oven for the perfect next-day pizza.

How to Reheat Pizza in the Oven

Factors like the length of time the pizza is in the oven and whether you preheated the pan or not impact taste and texture.

For a Crispy Crust

Whether you're reheating homemade pizza or store-bought slices, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you want the leftover pizza to develop a perfectly crispy crust, the key is to heat it on a baking sheet that's already hot. According to Ann Ziata, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, heating pizza directly on a hot surface—such as a preheated baking sheet—will get rid of any excess moisture in the crust. (This extra moisture comes from the toppings, such as the tomato sauce and cheese.) "The crust will become crisp again, mimicking how the pizza is originally cooked: directly on the surface of a very hot pizza oven," explains Ziata.

On that note, heating the baking sheet is one of the most important steps of this method, yielding crispy crust results. Here's how:

1. "Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, then line a baking sheet with foil [or parchment paper]," says Ziata. The aluminum foil or parchment paper will not only make cleanup easier but will also protect your baking sheets. 
2. Place the sheet in the oven for a few minutes until it's hot, then place your cold pizza on the preheated baking sheet. 
3. Cook the pizza until the cheese is bubbly, sizzling, and melted. Generally, "this takes five to seven minutes for thin-crust pizza and seven to nine minutes for thicker crust and deep dish (skillet) pizza," says Greg Lofts, food stylist, recipe developer, and former deputy food editor at Martha Stewart Living.
   

If You Like a Softer Crust

While crispy crust is the goal for many pizza lovers, others prefer a softer crust, with more chew than crunch. If you fall into the latter camp, don't preheat your baking sheet. Instead, just place the lined sheet in a preheated oven and proceed with the remaining steps above.

Thick or Thin?

It's worth noting that you can use the aforementioned tips to reheat pizza in the oven, regardless of your pizza's toppings or source (i.e., homemade, store-bought, or pizzeria), according to Ziata. What's more important is that you consider the thickness of your pizza's crust and adjust the heating time accordingly.

The Toaster Oven

If you only need to reheat one or two slices, using the oven can be a waste of both time and energy. What's more, the oven heats up your kitchen, not exactly an incentive on hot, humid summer days. In this case, follow the method described above, swapping the oven for a toaster oven, which uses infrared heat and takes much less time to heat up. Be sure to preheat the toaster oven and (mini) baking sheet as usual (cognizant of the caveat for a softer crust) and watch the slices closely. Since the pizza will be closer to the toaster oven's heating elements, it will likely take less time to reheat—about three to four minutes. You can also use your toaster oven's "pizza" setting if it has one.

Storing Leftover Pizza

And last but not least, there's the question (and answer) about storage. Never stow your remaining pieces in the delivery box it came in, or you'll wind up with dry, leathery leftovers. To extend freshness, opt for resealable plastic bags or double-wrap them in plastic and foil before refrigerating. Then you will be perfectly poised for leftover pizza that tastes as good as it did the first time.