Reheating pizza slices in an air fryer takes just 3–4 minutes at 160°C (320°F), giving you crispy crust and evenly melted cheese without drying out the toppings. Unlike microwaves that leave pizza limp or ovens that take too long, air fryers circulate hot air to revive leftovers like they’re fresh from the takeaway. Whether you’re working with fridge-cold slices or day-old pepperoni, this method beats all others for speed and texture.
Air fryers excel at reheating pizza because their rapid air circulation mimics a commercial pizza oven. The compact space heats evenly, crisping the base while gently warming toppings. Unlike microwaving, which steams the crust soggy, or conventional ovens that require preheating, air fryers deliver restaurant-quality results in minutes. For those who love crispy edges but worry about dried-out cheese, a light spritz of water on the crust before reheating helps balance moisture. Check out our air fryer conversion chart for adapting other oven recipes to your machine.
Another advantage is portion control. Air fryers typically fit 1–2 slices at once, preventing overcrowding that leads to uneven heating. This makes them ideal for solo diners or small households. If you’re reheating multiple slices, work in batches and keep finished slices warm in a low oven. For more tips on meal prep with an air fryer, explore our meal prep category.
Start by preheating your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for 2 minutes. Place slices in the basket without overlapping – if they’re large, halve them first. Cook for 3 minutes, then check for crispness. Add 30-second increments if needed. For extra-crispy crust, flip slices halfway or place them crust-side up initially. Avoid using foil, which blocks airflow; a perforated parchment liner works better if you’re concerned about cheese dripping.
While 160°C (320°F) for 3–4 minutes suits most pizzas, thicker slices or loaded toppings may need 170°C (340°F) for 4–5 minutes. Frozen pizza slices require 180°C (350°F) for 5–6 minutes straight from the freezer. Always peek at the 3-minute mark to prevent over-crisping. Our recipes section includes specific guides for reheating deep-dish, thin-crust, and gluten-free pizzas.
Different air fryer models vary in heat distribution. Basket-style units may need a mid-cook shuffle, while oven-types with trays might require rotating the tray. If your pizza has delicate toppings like arugula or fresh herbs, add them after reheating. For cleaning sticky cheese residue post-cooking, our air fryer cleaner guide has handy solutions.
Soggy pizza? Ensure your air fryer isn’t overcrowded and that slices aren’t touching. Burnt crust but cold cheese? Lower the temperature by 10°C and extend the time slightly. If reheating refrigerated pizza, let slices sit at room temperature for 10 minutes first to reduce thermal shock. For stuffed-crust varieties, wrap foil around the edges to prevent over-browning.
Transform leftovers by brushing crusts with garlic butter or sprinkling grated parmesan before air frying. For a breakfast twist, crack an egg onto the pizza in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Meat lovers can add extra pepperoni or chorizo, while veggie pizzas benefit from a handful of fresh spinach. Discover more inspiration in our breakfast recipes featuring air-fried classics.
For dessert pizzas with Nutella or fruit toppings, reduce the temperature to 150°C (300°F) to prevent burning. Leftover cold pizza also makes excellent air-fryer croutons – cube and crisp at 170°C (340°F) for 4 minutes to top salads or soups. The versatility of air fryers extends far beyond reheating, as seen in our comprehensive airfryerrecipe.co.uk guides.
