As good as yesterday's pizza is still good, giving it back that crunchy texture it had just taken out of the oven seems impossible. Many believe that by heating it in the traditional oven or microwave, the pizza becomes hard rather than fragrant again. A hard and chewy pizza is certainly not appetizing, for this reason it is important to reheat it in the right way so that it returns to being as delicious as it was freshly made!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Reheat the Pizza in the Microwave
Step 1. Get a dish suitable for the microwave
It can be ceramic or glass, the important thing is that it does not have metal decorations or edges. Objects that are partially or entirely metal should never be used in the microwave, as they could start a fire.
- If you don't have anything else available, you can use a common paper plate. In this case, make sure it doesn't have a plastic coating.
- Never use plastic containers. If exposed to microwaves, they could release chemicals that are harmful to health and transfer to food.
Step 2. Put the pizza on the plate
Line the plate with a paper towel so it can absorb any excess moisture. If the pizza is already feeling pretty dry, you can avoid using a napkin. Divide the pizza into several parts with the idea of heating 2 or 3 at a time. Arrange the pieces of pizza on the plate so that they do not touch each other and can heat up evenly.
- If there are many pieces of pizza, heat them several times. Heating them all at once would prevent the heat from spreading evenly, resulting in a cold pizza with a chewy consistency!
- If you love crispy crust pizza, replace the paper towel with a piece of parchment paper.
Step 3. Put a full cup of water in the microwave
Choose a ceramic mug with a handle. Do not use any other type of material: the glass could break, while the plastic could release chemicals that are harmful to health. Pour cold water into the cup, filling it about two thirds of its capacity. The task of the water is to make the crust softer, while revitalizing the ingredients of the filling.
- Check that the microwave can hold both the cup and plate at the same time. If there is not enough space, you can place the plate directly on the cup.
- Choose a cup with a handle to be able to remove it from the oven without risking burns. If you are forced to use a cup without handles, wait until it has completely cooled before taking it out of the microwave.
Step 4. Heat the pizza
Turn the microwave on to half power, then heat the pizza in one-minute intervals until it reaches the desired degree of heat. By heating it slowly, the ingredients will have more time to reach an even temperature. Generally, the topping on the surface heats up faster than the rest of the pizza, so make sure it doesn't reach too high a temperature while the thicker parts and the center are still cold.
- Check if the pizza is hot enough by putting your finger in it. Don't touch it to avoid burning yourself.
- If you are in a hurry, turn on the microwave at 30-second intervals after setting it to maximum power. However, remember that the crust will not become as soft.
Method 2 of 3: Reheat the Pizza in the Traditional Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 175 ° C
Most modern ovens are equipped with a function that is able to let you know when the required degree of heat has been reached. If yours doesn't have this option, you can use a regular kitchen timer: 7-10 minutes should be enough to reach the correct temperature.
Always move carefully when using the oven. Never open the door when someone is in front of the oven, also keep away any flammable object
Step 2. Bake the pizza
If you want it to be very crunchy, place it in a pan lined with aluminum foil. If, on the other hand, you prefer the dough to be crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside, place the pizza directly on the oven rack. In this case, remember that the cheese may melt and slide to the bottom of the oven. While not a serious damage, it would prevent you from enjoying part of the filling!
When handling the oven door and utensils, always wear suitable gloves to protect yourself from the heat. Alternatively, use a thick towel by folding it back on itself several times
Step 3. Remove the hot pizza
After about 3-6 minutes the pizza should be quite hot. As soon as it has reached the desired degree of heat, remove it from the oven. If you used a baking sheet, you can wear gloves and simply take it out and place it on the stove. If, on the other hand, you have placed the pizza directly on the oven shelf, you will need to be a little more cautious. Bring the serving plate close to the grill, aligning it at the same height, then use a pair of kitchen tongs to slide the pizza onto the plate. Be very careful not to burn yourself.
- Do not try to lift the pizza with the tongs, otherwise you risk that the cheese and other topping ingredients fall sideways. Try to gently pull it towards the plate.
- Let it cool for about a minute to avoid burning your mouth.
Method 3 of 3: Further Refine the Result
Step 1. Perfect the cooking in the pan
If you are a huge fan of crispy crust pizza, consider reheating the pizza in a pan. Choose a cast iron one, then heat it over medium heat. After reheating them in the microwave, transfer one or two slices of pizza to the pan using the kitchen tongs. After about 30-60 seconds, lift them up to check the bottom. Heat them in a pan until they reach the degree of crunchiness you want.
- Don't put too many slices of pizza in the pan. Otherwise, the result cannot be uniform.
- If you wish, you can try melting half a tablespoon of butter in the pan before adding the pizza. The dough will take on an even more crunchy texture and a rich and savory taste.
Step 2. Use a waffle iron
In this case, you can also avoid preheating the pizza in the traditional oven or microwave. First, arrange the topping: you will have to transfer it entirely to a single half of the pizza slice, close to the crust. At this point, fold the slice in half to create a pocket that can hold the filling. Finally, transfer it to the preheated plate. Heat it for about 5 minutes, checking it at regular intervals.
If the pizza slices are small enough or if the waffle iron is large, you can avoid moving the topping and folding the pizza in half. All you have to do in this case is to make pizza sandwiches by placing one slice on top of the other
Step 3. Make the pizza even tastier
Add some fresh ingredients, for example basil leaves, a few slices of mozzarella, olives, some anchovies or thin slices of pepper. You can give free rein to your imagination by indulging your personal tastes. If there are leftovers in the refrigerator, for example slices of salami, use them to give an even more succulent note to the preparation.
Alternatively, you can add more tomato sauce or a cheesy topping to make the pizza moister
Advice
- Store leftover pizza appropriately. Arrange it on a plate lined with some paper towels, then cover it with cling film. Try to create an airtight environment. The next day the pizza will still be excellent!
- After heating the pizza in the microwave, clean it immediately to remove any spilled sauce or cheese: once cold they will be much more difficult to remove!
