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leftover pizza with green olives sausage and cheese in cardboard box

How to Reheat Leftover Pizza for a Crispy Crust

/56 Comments/in , /by Mary Hunt
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Leftover pizza is too good to waste, yet most people ruin it without even trying… either by stuffing the box in the fridge or nuking slices into rubber. If you’ve ever wondered how to reheat leftover pizza so it actually tastes good again, I’ve got you covered. With a smarter way to store it and one simple pan on the stove, you can bring leftovers back to life… crispy crust, melted cheese and all.

leftover pizza with green olives sausage and cheese in cardboard box

Let’s talk about leftover pizza. It starts with good intentions and ends far too often in a soggy microwave letdown. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit.

The good news? You don’t need fancy gadgets, an air fryer debate, or a full oven to fix it. With the right storage and one trusty skillet, yesterday’s pizza can come back crisp on the bottom, hot in the middle, and actually worth looking forward to. Simple tools. Better results. My favorite kind of solution.

And since this is clearly a topic of national importance, let’s talk pizza for a second.

Americans eat more than 3 billion pizzas every year and closer to 4 billion when frozen pizzas are included. That works out to about 350 slices every second. Each of us averages roughly 23 pounds of pizza per year, and more than half of people (57%) happily eat it cold the next day. Friday is still pizza night for most households, with Saturday close behind.

In other words, leftover pizza isn’t an occasional event. It’s a regular part of modern life. Which makes knowing how to reheat leftover pizza properly less of a novelty and more of a life skill.

So let’s make those leftovers count.

How to Store Leftover Pizza So It Doesn’t Dry Out

how to store leftover pizza parchment paper stacked wrapped on plate

The best way to store leftover pizza is not to leave it in the box and shove the whole thing into the refrigerator. Between the dry fridge air and all that airflow around the slices, your pizza is headed straight for stiff, chewy disappointment.

Stack and Wrap

Place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate and top it with a layer of wax paper, freezer paper, foil, or parchment. Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the slices are on the plate. Wrap the whole stack tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. That’s it.

It takes about one extra minute compared to tossing the box in the fridge, but that minute pays you back later in flavor and texture. Properly stored, leftover pizza will keep its best quality for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. Fewer wasted slices, better reheats, and one less thing to feel grumpy about later.

How to Reheat Leftover Pizza in a Skillet (Best Method)

how to reheat leftover pizza in a skillet on stovetop crispy crust cast iron with lid

There are plenty of ways to reheat pizza, but for one or two slices, the oven is more effort than it’s worth and the microwave turns good intentions into a soggy, rubbery mess. After plenty of trial and error, I’ve settled on the hands-down best method for how to reheat leftover pizza… a skillet on the stovetop. My favorite is a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, though any good nonstick pan with a lid will do just fine.

Patience Is the Secret Ingredient

This method isn’t hard, but it does require one thing: patience. Low heat and a covered pan do all the work for you, crisping the bottom while gently reheating the top. Follow these steps and you’ll get a crisp crust, hot center, and perfectly melted cheese, with no hint that the pizza is a day old.

  1. Place one or two slices of cold pizza in a cold, dry skillet, crust side down.
  2. Cover the skillet with a lid.
  3. Let the burner to Low. (Lower than you think. Every stove runs a little differently.)
  4. Set a timer for 8 minutes.
  5. Walk away. Do not peek. Do not lift the lid. Just let the pan do its job.

That’s it. No oil. No water. No flipping. No fiddling. The trapped heat warms the toppings while the dry pan restores the crust. Simple physics, great results.

If eight minutes turns out to be a little long for your stove, check at five minutes the first time. Not quite there? Keep it on Low for another minute or two. You’ll quickly learn the sweet spot for your setup.

Note: Results can vary slightly depending on your skillet and how your burner behaves on Low, so don’t be afraid to adjust once and then stick with what works for you.

Why the Low-and-Slow Skillet Method Works

Low heat allows moisture inside the pizza to gently turn into steam, which reheats the toppings and melts the cheese without drying them out. At the same time, direct contact with the dry skillet drives moisture out of the crust, restoring its crisp texture. The lid simply traps that gentle heat so everything warms evenly instead of unevenly and fast.

Reader Pizza Hacks

Turns out, reheating leftover pizza isn’t a strict rulebook. You can tweak the method to suit your taste and time. Some of our clever readers have shared their favorite hacks:

  • Add a little olive oil: Sally C. swears that a tiny drizzle in the cold pan before adding your slices makes the crust extra crispy without drying out the toppings.
  • Hybrid heat: Mary M. zaps her pizza briefly in the microwave and then finishes it in the skillet. This shortcut works well if you’re short on time but still want that crisp-bottomed perfection.
  • Freeze smart: Deb R. wraps slices in foil and places them in a freezer bag for later oven reheating. Perfect for stocking up on weekend pizza without sacrificing quality.

Experiment a little, find what works for your stove, skillet, or personal taste, and soon you’ll have your own foolproof method.

How to Reheat Frozen Leftover Pizza Without Ruining It

leftover pizza slice on kitchen counter

If your leftover pizza went straight into the freezer (smart move), let it thaw on the countertop for about an hour before reheating. You want it cold, not icy. Once thawed, follow the same skillet instructions above for the best results.

Reheating pizza properly is all about starting out cold, keeping the heat Low to Medium, and (this part really matters) not lifting the lid until it’s done. Rushing the process or cranking up the heat is what leads to tough crust and unevenly warmed toppings. Slow, steady heat brings frozen pizza back to life without drying it out or scorching the bottom.

how to reheat leftover pizza in a skillet on stovetop crispy crust cast iron with lid
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How to Reheat Leftover Pizza for a Crispy Crust

Bring your leftover pizza back to life with a crisp crust, perfectly melted cheese, and hot toppings all without the soggy mess of the microwave or the fuss of the oven.
Prep Time1 minute
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time9 minutes
Category: Dinner, lunch, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Yield: 1 slice

Materials

  • Cast iron skillet with lid
  • 1-2 slices leftover pizza (cold from fridge or thawed from freezer)

Instructions

  • Place a cold, dry skillet on the stovetop.
  • Add slices of leftover pizza, crust side down.
  • Cover the skillet with a lid.
  • Turn burner to Low heat. Start with 8 minutes; check at 5 minutes if unsure.
  • Do not lift the lid until cooking time is up.
  • Once done, carefully remove slices. Enjoy hot, crisp, and melty pizza.

Notes

No oil, water, or flipping needed. Low-and-slow heat restores the crust while gently melting toppings.
If your pizza is frozen, thaw on the countertop for about an hour before reheating.
Adjust timing slightly for your stove and skillet; the goal is crisp bottom and hot, melted toppings.

 

Question: Be honest… microwave, oven, air fryer, or skillet? How are you reheating your leftover pizza right now? Share in the comments below.

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56 replies
  1. Ellen says:

    i have a glass top stove – so i don’t use cast iron on it. plus my cast iron skillet doesn’t have a lid.

    i can put the skillet in the oven with some aluminum foil – would that work? i hate to throw the leftover pizza away!

    Reply
  2. Jean says:

    I used to get great results with my old fashioned toaster oven. I simply placed the slices on the oven’s wire rack and toasted them. They were great.
    My air fryer did not work for melted cheese topped toast like I hoped it would. I assume it won’t work for pizza either. The toaster oven had been a hero for both, but there’s no room on the counter for both the toaster oven and the air fryer.
    I’ll gladly try your stove top method. Hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy the melted cheese topped toast again as well:). It had been a favorite side with corn on the cob or with tomato-based or vegetable soup.

    Reply
  3. Eileen says:

    Let’s face it, every now and then you need to have a quick pizza lunch or dinner in the freezer like Newman’s or diGiorno. Or at least I do. But we have found that the pizza always seems to come out dry and over cooked on the bottom making it almost inedible. I read your Domino’s pizza bakeoff and thought that using the oil on the pan and cornmeal method of baking might solve this problem. What do you think?

    Reply
  4. Anita says:

    Great tips. Another idea, which I read about in Molly Yeh’s cookbook “Home is Where the Eggs Are”: cut the warmed pizza into small squares and add them to your salad (greens tossed with a vinaigrette dressing & some chickpeas) – you’ve essentially got pizza croutons 🙂

    Reply
  6. Sally Clark says:

    Been reheating in the skillet,with lid,since Mary
    shared this tip!
    I love adding a little olive oil to the cold pan and than adding the cold pizza. Even better than the original!

    Reply
  7. Robert says:

    Re Leftover Pizza-
    Please don’t forget that in the morning, leftover pizza, like revenge is best served cold. (More accurately, room temperature.)

    Reply
  9. Margie M Shapira says:

    Hi Mary,
    Since I saw that the first time, husband and i are hooked on that pizza reheating suggestion and really love it. THANK YOU SO MUCH and you’re absolutely right: it’s sooooo simple. You are the best!!

    Reply
  10. Kim says:

    I was told years ago how to reheat pizza in the microwave. Most leftovers should be reheated at 50% power, and everything should be covered, but pizza should always be reheated at 30% power. It will take longer, maybe 2-3 minutes, but it comes out pretty good when you are in a hurry! If reheating 2 slices, I turn them so the edges that were next to each other for the 1st 60-90 seconds are away from each other for the 2nd 60-90 seconds. If it looks dry, I’ll sprinkle a little water on it. Works great!

    Reply
  11. Jenny says:

    I use a pan called Reheatza for leftover pizza and many other things. The crust comes out crispy and the filling like fresh. You heat it in the microwave and just takes a few minutes. Also makes a great grilled cheese sandwich. We liked it so much that we gave our friend one for Christmas and they love it also.

    Reply
  12. Vicki Tavana says:

    I have tried the oven and microwave methods and hated both. My problem with the skillet method is I don’t like crispy crunchy crust. I like mine softer (as in deep dish pizza) How do I get this result?

    Reply
  16. Rocal R Lanotte says:

    Love pizza! For several years now, I’ve been reheating one of two slices at a time in my toaster oven. I put it right on the rack and toast it on a low setting. My toaster oven has a toast “shade” range of 1 to 7. For one piece I use a setting of 3, and for two pieces, a setting of 4. I keep an eye on the process so the pieces won’t be over-cooked, and this works very well for me. The only detractor is that cheese or some other tidbit of topping might fall below, but that only means a minor clean-up to me. P.S. I like cold pizza, too, if the crust isn’t soggy!

    Reply
  17. Ruth says:

    Best way to reheat pizza is use your air fryer. Heat to 350, put one or two slices on rack, cook for 3-5 minutes. Crust gets nice and crispy.

    Reply
  18. Jenn-Jenn says:

    We have a steam oven, which are common Europe, but we live in the USA. We have not used a microwave for over 8 years. The steam oven makes a reheated pizza taste like it just came out of the original oven.

    Reply
  20. Jenny says:

    I found a great microwave crisper called Reheatza on sale and took a chance on it. We like ours so much that we gave our friends one for Christmas….and they also love their Reheatza. I take leftover frozen right from the freezer and it reheats in minutes….and taste like fresh. Also good for grilled cheese and other things.

    Reply
  22. Ann Wiess says:

    My father, Linnington, used to use the deep fryer to reheat pizza. It always made a BIG MESS, but was so flavorful. Especially if he wrapped it in a tortilla filled with CHEESE!

    Reply
  23. Jean Marshall says:

    I use my toaster oven. There are just 2 of us. But I put a damp paper towel over the pizza slices and that works well.

    Reply
  24. Dianna Sadler says:

    Does anyone have what they would consider as the perfect pizza cutter? I’ve gone through too many with no luck.

    Reply
    • Jean says:

      I once watched a pizza being cut in a take out place. They used a large two-handled knife to cut straight down, not saw, and used a bit of a rocking motion to make sure they got the edges and all the way through. They cut from edge to edge with one application. Then turned the pizza and made the next slice. I’ve been using my sharp chef’s knife ever since, but a santoku knife would probably work as well. Just clean and dry the blade carefully afterward for both and hone the blade afterward as well. If the knife isn’t long enough you cut from one edge toward the middle, then move the knife to cut the rest of the way to the opposite edge.

      Reply
  25. Gena says:

    I used to do the oven… could not tolerate the microwave (gross). But now, the only way and the quickest is Air Fryer!!! This is also a good way to heat up left over fried foods, such as chicken, pork chops, etc… it makes them taste (almost) as good as fresh!!!

    Reply
  27. Suzanne says:

    I live in a senior residence and cannot use a skillet only a microwave. Do you have any way to stop it from being mushy?

    Reply
  28. Dylan Peterson says:

    I appreciate what you said about reheating leftover pizza on the stovetop. My sister has been telling me about a pizza party that she wants to have in a few weeks, and she wants to make sure that she can still enjoy the leftovers. I’ll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for reheating them this way.
    http://tmpizza.com

    Reply
  29. Linda Pries says:

    I plan on having leftovers frequently with pizza. I place 2 or 3 slices in a Ziploc bag and refrigerate or freeze depending on how much I have. My toaster oven does a great job of reheating.

    Reply
    • Michelle says:

      Linda, Ditto, that’s exactly what I do. 2 slices to a bag. I usually end up with six extra slices because it’s just me. So I just grab one and heat the slices up in the toaster oven. It makes a good quick lunch for the next couple of days.

      Reply
  30. Susan says:

    I have never been able to re-read pizza to the point of it tasting like fresh until I tried my new air fryer. Wow! Just like picking it up at the pizza parlor! Just like fresh!

    Reply
  31. Rocky says:

    I’ve never stored leftover pizza in the freezer, so thank you for the instructions! For several years now I’ve been reheating leftover pizza in my toaster oven, using the “toast” function. I put one of two pieces right on the rack and press start. I keep an eye on the slices and turn the toaster oven off right before they look like they are going to singe. This has been working well for our family.

    Reply
  33. Vickie says:

    I happen to like cold, leftover pizza. And it doesn’t make me or anyone else who likes it pathetic. I do eat it hot the first time.

    Reply
  34. Suzanne Patterson says:

    I’ve used the skillet method since the first time you wrote about it and it works. In fact, we ate leftover pizza reheated this way last night. Yum.

    Reply
  35. Kim says:

    I agree that warming the oven for a few slices of pizza is too much bother but I will warm my toaster oven. It only takes a couple of minutes but it is hands down better than the microwave.

    Reply
  36. Janet says:

    Thanks for storage ideas!

    To reheat in oven we use a pizza grate with parchment paper. By the time toppings and cheese are hot the crust is all but same as fresh. The paper makes all the difference with the crust.

    Reply
  37. Deb R. says:

    I never gave freezing a leftover pizza a thought until our local pizza shop owner told me her mother freezes pizza all the time. The next leftover pizza was wrapped in foil (a few slices together) then placed in freezer bags. The foil-wrapped slices went directly in the oven and turned out surprisingly good but just not quite the same. I am eager to try your skillet method the next time we have leftover pizza.

    Reply
  38. Darlene says:

    We will enjoy this tip. I microwave reheated pizza and it was rubbery two days ago. Might save a slice just to try this next time. Thanks Mary.

    Reply

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