How to REHEAT PIZZA in an Oven: Expert Ways-

Learn restaurant secrets of how to reheat pizza in an oven several ways. See times, temps, preparations, regular or convection. Keep reading to see how reheating pizza in an oven can end up being crispy, chewy, or both but not dried out. Also, see our complete guide of “How To Make & Bake Pizza in Oven” and our entire Pizza Recipes category.

Introduction to Reheat Pizza in an Oven

Reheating pizza in an oven is a little tricky if you want to have its original texture and flavor. This complete guide will walk you through several ways of how to reheat pizza in an oven properly. So, this will ensure your leftover slices don’t have to be eaten cold or melted & hard when nuked in the microwave.

The Science of Warming Up Pizza in the Oven

These methods to reheat pizza in an oven is quite superior to other ways. Fortunately, it’s so good that there are several ways of reserving reheated pizza slices. With these intentions, the oven carries a consistent heat distribution. Therefore, it helps return a lot of the pizza’s previous texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheat Pizza in an Oven

Let’s start with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to reheat your pizza in an oven.

1. Start To PREHEAT YOUR OVEN

Begin by preheating your oven as the first step towards reheating your pizza. When preheated, the oven will be able to better distribute the heat more evenly. Also, this is crucial that many will try to skip. During this time, you’ll be prepping the pizza slices.

First step to reheat pizza in an oven is to preheat oven

Start to preheat the oven. Keep reading to see different TIMES & TEMPS Chart…

Ovens and pizzas are all different. Initially, start to preheat your oven to 400⁰F (191⁰C)). However, keep reading to see other times and temps in our “Pizza Reheating Times & Temps Chart” you’ll soon see. Usually, this oven heating up takes about 10 to 15 minutes. While waiting, get your leftover pizza ready.

2. PREPARE YOUR PIZZA For Reheating

While your oven is preheating, prep your pizza. To start, set the pizza from the fridge out onto a baking sheet or other thin metal baking pan.

However, if your pizza slices are frozen: Pop them in the microwave, completely wrapped up in power towels. For 1 to 4 slices, go for about 30 to 45 seconds. Keep in mind, you’re only thawing them out, not reheating them to be hot. And, they only have to bend a bit; it’s okay if they’re like ¾ of the way thawed out. After that, put them on a baking sheet.

Then, coat or brush the pizza bottoms with vegetable oil. You don’t have to do anything to the baking sheet. So, just coat the pizza bottoms real well and it’s okay if oil drips over onto the baking sheet.

Coat or brush the pizza bottoms with vegetable oil.

Coat vegetable oil on pizza bottoms to reheat pizza in an oven

3. ADD Extra TOPPINGS: An Option To REFRESH Before You Reheat Pizza in an Oven

This is optional; however, you’ll greatly enhance the pizza if you doctor it up a bit by adding some pizza toppings. The 2 most significant toppings to add to reheating oven pizza are mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

Add extra toppings to reheat pizza in an oven

The 2 most significant toppings to add to reheating pizza in an oven are sprinkled grated parmesan cheese and regular shredded mozzarella cheese.

And the parmesan cheese can be the already grated kind from the store-bought plastic jar. As a matter of fact, these are the only 2 that I ever add. Also, I don’t always add them when reheating pizza from the oven.

4. BAKING TIME CHART To Reheat Pizza In An Oven

Next, insert your pizza loaded baking sheet onto an upper area of the preheated oven. Avoid the bottom and middle shelves for this.

Oven Temp (F⁰)	Oven Temp (Celsius ⁰)	Oven Bake Time
350⁰F	177⁰C	12-16 minutes
375⁰F	191⁰C	10-14 minutes
400⁰F	204⁰C	8-12 minutes

Oven Times & Temps Chart for Warming Up Pizza

5. WATCH TO CHECK Your Pizza Reheating In The Oven

Then, while in the oven reheating, look over the pizza in about 5-8 minutes. You’ll want it browned later but also ensure it won’t burn. Of course, it’s okay for the toppings (like cheeses) that spilled onto the baking sheet to have some burning. But, it’s the pizza overall you’re keeping a lookout for.

Use a TIMER for checking the pizza and for completion time.

Use a timer when reheating pizza in an oven

If necessary, as all ovens are different, here is what you can do to prevent burning while reheating pizza in an oven. These are tips in case you notice your pizza’s reheating way too fast and has the potential for burning.

Reduce the oven temperature down 50 degrees.
Open the oven door fully for about 5 seconds. Then, close it back. That reduces some peak heat temporarily.
Reduce the cook time by 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Check Your Pizza

After about 10 minutes, check on your pizza. The cheese should be bubbly and slightly golden, and the crust should be crispy. If it’s not quite there yet, give it another few minutes in the oven, but remember to keep a close eye on it.

Step 6: Let It Cool and Enjoy!

After your pizza cheese has become bubbly and a bit golden, remove it from the oven. Then, let it cool for a minute or two. After that, it’s time to serve again.

Enjoy your reheated pizza from the oven

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Reheated Pizza

Here are some excellent tips and tricks for a great reheated pizza from the oven. Also, there are several common errors to avoid when oven reheating pizza.

If you have it, the best vegetable oil for reheating pizza in the oven, for flavor, will be to use either peanut oil or olive oil.
Avoid reheating pizza in oven on lower shelf. It’s faster but it’s drier and inconsistently has “colder” areas.
If your leftover pizza is dried out, you can sprinkle some water droplets over the tops of each slice. That will add some moisture.
Don’t wrap pizza in foil. Basically, it makes reheated pizza soggy and way too moist. Therefore, all the crispness and chewiness is lost.
Pizzas with fewer toppings and thinner crusts take less time to reheat. An example is a basic cheese pizza. Pizzas with lots of toppings and/or a thicker crust will take longer. An example is a supreme pizza deep pan crust. For adding or reducing times, this is done by about 1-2 minutes.
Avoid too high of an oven temp like 450-500⁰F. Those higher temps are reserved for initially baking the pizza and its dough crust. So, it’s not for warming already cooked pizza up in the oven.
It’s not necessary to use a pizza stone or pizza steel. So, even though a ton of sites list them, don’t waste your effort and time. Basically, the quick heating of a regular, thin baking sheet is perfect for this simple task.
You don’t want to add any salt. That’s one thing that doesn’t deteriorate with leftover pizza.
Also, Hungry Howie’s mentions their best ideas in an article on “How to Reheat Pizza using an Oven“.

Conclusion of How To Reheat Pizza In An Oven

When you reheat pizza in an oven, it may take a bit longer than using a microwave. However, the results are well worth the wait. Also, it’s usually ready in about 25 minutes. By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy, and cheesy pizza that tastes just as good as when it was freshly made. Usually, it’s even a tad crispier! So, next time you decide on leftover pizza, use your oven!