How to reheat cold, soggy pizza in an air fryer for perfectly crispy results

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• Reheating pizza in an air fryer yields ultra-crispy slices, and only takes about 7 minutes.
• For best results, preheat the air fryer and lightly coat the pizza with oil before reheating.
• The cook time will vary based on the thickness of the crust — 4 minutes is a good starting point.

When it comes to reheating leftover pizza, there are a few different methods to choose from — but not all of these options are created equal. 

While the microwave is speedy, it can also result in soggy-bottomed slices, and while the oven can maintain a crisp crust, it also tends to dry out the 'za. That's where the air fryer comes in. Not only is this method quick and easy, but it also happens to yield perfect results every time.

Below, experts share why — and exactly how — to reheat pizza in the air fryer.

Why reheat pizza in an air fryer?

If you want your leftover pizza to have a crispy crust, reheating it in the air fryer is the way to go, says Farwin Simaak, a food blogger at Love and Other Spices, where she specializes in developing air fryer recipes. That's because the air fryer acts like a mini convection oven, with super hot air circulating rapidly around the pizza — allowing it to crisp up quickly without drying out.

While the microwave may seem like the obvious go-to for reheating slices, microwaves tend to heat liquid ingredients much faster than dry ingredients. As a result, you may find that the sauce gets overcooked before the cheese re-melts. Thanks to the fan and concentrated heat source, air fryers usually cook food more evenly.

Not to mention, reheating pizza in the air fryer is a lot faster than using a traditional oven. An oven takes 12 to 15 minutes to heat up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas an air fryer takes 3 to 4 minutes at most.

How to reheat pizza in an air fryer

Reheating pizza in an air fryer couldn't be simpler. Just follow Simaak's step-by-step instructions below.

1. Preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 350 degrees and start the air fryer. It should take about 3 to 4 minutes to preheat. 

2. Prep the slices. While this step is optional, consider spraying or drizzling the slices with a tiny bit of oil, which can help prevent the toppings from drying out. 

3. Add water to the outer air fryer basket. Pouring just 1 to 2 teaspoons of water into the drawer underneath may help to prevent the crust from drying out, says Simaak. As the pizza reheats, the water turns into steam to keep the crust moist.

4. Place the pizza slices in the air fryer. When positioning the pizza in the air fryer, avoid any overlapping, which might result in the slices cooking unevenly or getting stuck together by the cheese. 

5. Air fry the pizza. Set the cooking time for 4 minutes. Check on the pizza — if need be, continue cooking in 1-minute increments until the cheese looks thoroughly melted and the crust feels hot and crispy. The thinner your pizza crust, the faster it will reheat in the air fryer. A thicker crust may require 5 to 6 minutes or more to reheat thoroughly.

6. Remove the pizza. Using a potholder or mitt, remove the air fryer basket and transfer the pizza to a plate. 

Insider's takeaway 

Reheating pizza in the air fryer isn't just quick and convenient — it also produces crisper, more evenly cooked slices. 

The key to getting perfect results every time is to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes, make sure the slices don't overlap, and continue checking on the pizza in 1-minute intervals after cooking it for the first 4 minutes.