Home › Recipes › Frozen & Reheating › How to Reheat Pizza in the Air Fryer

How to Reheat Pizza in the Air Fryer

CrispyAir Kitchen · Updated October 22, 2026 · Air fryer recipes with exact times & temperatures

Leftover pizza takes 3–5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) in the air fryer, and it is not close: the base crisps back up, the cheese bubbles again, and the slice tastes like it did last night. The microwave makes pizza hot and sad; the oven takes 15 minutes to preheat for one slice. The air fryer is the correct tool — just give the slices space and watch the cheese at the end.

Ingredients

• Leftover pizza slices, fridge-cold
• A few drops of water (optional, for very dry slices)

Method

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 2–3 minutes.
2. Place slices in a single layer without overlapping — usually 1–2 slices per batch depending on your basket.
3. Cook thin slices 3 minutes, standard slices 4 minutes, deep-dish 5–6 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the base is crisp when lifted.
4. For a very dry-edged slice, flick a few drops of water onto the crust (not the top) before cooking to soften the rim while the base crisps.
5. Rest 1 minute — reheated cheese burns mouths with confidence — and eat.

Tips that actually matter

• A small square of baking paper under the slice catches cheese drips and makes lifting easy, but leave the edges open so air reaches the base.
• Frozen pizza slices (uncooked) are different: cook at 380°F (193°C) for 8–11 minutes instead.
• Two slices stacked with a piece of paper between them is a myth that produces one soggy slice. Batches win.

Why this recipe works

Stale pizza has two problems — a soggy base and rubbery cheese — and the air fryer solves both at once: dry circulating heat re-crisps the base from below while gently re-melting the top. The microwave adds steam, which is the opposite of what the base needs.

Variations to try

Frozen food takes flavour best after cooking, while it is hot: toss fries in Cajun spice, garlic salt or grated Parmesan the second they land; glaze nuggets in Buffalo or honey-BBQ sauce; serve sticks and rings with marinara, ranch or garlic aioli.

What to serve with it

With a sharp green salad and chilli oil, exactly as it deserved the first night too.

Storage & reheating

Reheat only what you will eat — pizza reheated twice gives up. Cold leftovers keep 3–4 days in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the air fryer better than the oven for reheating pizza?

For 1–3 slices, yes: no long preheat, and the base crisps better. For a whole pizza, the oven's size wins.

Why did the toppings slide or burn?

The fan can move light toppings on very dry slices — press toppings gently into the cheese first, and avoid the maximum temperature.

Can I reheat pizza from frozen (leftover, already cooked)?

Yes — 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes from frozen. Lower and slower melts the cheese before the base turns to cardboard.

More recipes like this

See the full cooking times chart