Pizza is delicious at any time of the day or night, but when it cools it tends to become soggy and chewy or dry out. If you made pizza at home or ordered it at home and there are some slices left over, find out how best to store and reheat them. The pizza will be as good and crunchy as freshly made.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Storing the Advanced Pizza
Step 1. Line a plate or container with kitchen paper
A few small tricks are enough to better preserve the leftover pizza. When you are ready to eat it will have a consistency similar to the original one. First, line a plate or the bottom of a container with paper towels. Use a plate or container that can comfortably hold one or two slices of pizza.
- Even if it is late and you are tired, do not give in to the temptation to leave the pizza in the box and simply put it in the refrigerator, otherwise the next day it will be mushy and chewy. The base will absorb the moisture of the tomato sauce and cheese and you will not be able to make it crunchy again, even by heating it in the best way.
- If necessary, you can use parchment paper or aluminum foil instead of absorbent paper.
- If you intend to freeze leftover pizza, use an airtight container and not a plate.
Are you in a hurry?
Wait for the pizza to cool, then transfer it sliced into a resealable plastic bag. Without blotting paper it may dry out a little more, but the result will always be better than storing it in the refrigerator still whole in its carton.
Step 2. Overlap the slices of pizza and create a layer of absorbent paper between one "plane" and the other
Arrange the first slices of pizza on the plate, then cover them with a second layer of paper before adding more. Continue to alternate a layer of pizza with one of kitchen paper until you have used up all the slices.
If necessary, use more than one plate or more than one container
Step 3. Wrap the plate with plastic wrap or put the lid on the container
After you have stacked all the pizza slices, wrap the plate and the entire contents with cling film. If you used a container, close it with the lid. Being protected from the air, the pizza will keep good longer.
If you can't find the lid of the container, you can cover it with plastic wrap
Step 4. Store the pizza in the refrigerator if you intend to eat it within 2-3 days
The refrigerator preserves the original texture of the pizza better than the freezer and keeps it good for several days. Keep in mind, however, that after 2-3 days it will begin to deteriorate, so it's best to freeze it if you don't intend to eat it quickly.
At the end of the third day, move it to the freezer or throw it away if you haven't eaten it yet
Step 5. Put the pizza in the freezer if you want it to last a long time
The freezer will keep it almost intact for about 6 months. If you have a lot of slices left over and you know you won't be able to eat them within a couple of days, freeze them.
- Even if you've already put the pizza slices on a plate, transfer them to an airtight container if you intend to freeze them. Line it with kitchen paper and leave the layers of paper that separate the pizza slices intact.
- Let the pizza thaw at room temperature for about an hour before reheating it.
Suggestion:
frozen pizza on sale at the supermarket can last up to a year, since it has been industrially frozen. The pizza that you freeze at home has a shorter shelf life, approximately 6 months, because you do not have sophisticated equipment such as those found in the industrial sector.
Method 2 of 2: Reheat the Advanced Pizza
Step 1. Reheat the pizza in the oven to make it crisp again
Turn it on to about 180 ° C and let it heat up for 5-10 minutes. When it has reached the desired temperature, transfer the pizza to a pan and heat it for 5 minutes. Whether it's a whole pizza or just a few slices, the oven is the best option to make it crunchy again. As in the original version, the cheese will melt and become stringy again.
- If you want to use the baking stone, put the pizza on it and put it in the oven. The heat will be distributed more evenly and the pizza crust will become even more crunchy.
- Line the pan with parchment paper so you don't have to waste time cleaning the pan.
Suggestion:
if some of the ingredients that make up the pizza have an unattractive appearance (for example they are dry, soft or wilted), remove them before putting it in the oven.
Step 2. If you have only one or two slices of pizza left, you can reheat them in the electric oven to save time
Turn it on to 200 ° C and let it warm up before putting the pizza in the oven. Heat the pizza slices for about ten minutes or until the crust feels crunchy and the cheese stringy.
Since electric ovens are small, this method is suitable if you only want to heat a portion of pizza
Step 3. Heat the pizza in the pan
Heat a skillet over medium heat (use a cast iron skillet if possible). Once hot, add a slice or two of pizza and then cover it with the lid. Heat the pizza for 6-8 minutes without lifting the lid. The crust will gradually become golden and crunchy, the added ingredients will heat up and the cheese will start spinning again.
- Putting the lid on the pan serves to trap the heat needed to reheat the top of the pizza as the crust becomes crisp again. You can use a sheet of aluminum foil if you don't have a properly sized lid.
- If after 6-8 minutes the pizza is hot but still not crunchy enough, remove the lid and let it heat for a few more minutes.
Step 4. Reheat the pizza in the microwave if you are in a hurry
However keep in mind that the texture will not be the same as the original one, as this is not the best method of reheating pizza, unless you like the hard and chewy crust. However, if you are short on time, it may be the only way to eat it hot. To limit the damage and get the best possible result, place a layer of kitchen paper between the plate and the pizza, set the microwave to half power and heat the pizza for about a minute.
Suggestion:
to prevent the pizza from becoming mushy when you heat it in the microwave, try putting a glass of water in the oven as well. Choose a heat-resistant glass and fill it halfway with water, then place it next to the plate with the pizza. The water will absorb part of the waves that will bounce inside the oven and consequently the pizza will heat up more evenly.
