How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer: The Ultimate Guide for Crispy, Delicious Results

If you’re looking for the best way to reheat leftover pizza and end up with a slice that’s crispy on the bottom, melty in the middle, and free of soggy edges, your air fryer is the answer. Unlike microwaves (which turn crusts soft and chewy) or ovens (which take too long and often over-dry), air fryers use rapid hot air circulation to revive cold pizza quickly while locking in flavor. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to reheat pizza in an air fryer—step by step, with pro tips to avoid common mistakes and ensure every slice tastes fresh out of the oven.

Why Air Fryers Are Perfect for Reheating Pizza

Before diving into the “how,” let’s understand why air fryers outperform other methods. Here’s what makes them ideal:

1. Hot Air Circulation = Crispy Crusts

Air fryers work by blasting food with hot air (up to 400°F/200°C) at high speeds. This dries out excess moisture on the pizza’s surface—especially the crust—preventing sogginess. Unlike microwaves, which heat from the inside out and trap steam, air fryers mimic the dry heat of an oven but at a fraction of the time.

2. Even Heating Without Overcooking

Air fryers have a small, enclosed space, so heat distributes evenly. This means no hot spots that burn the cheese or leave the center cold. For pizza, this is critical: you want the crust crisp, the cheese gooey, and toppings (like pepperoni or veggies) heated through without turning rubbery.

3. Speed and Convenience

Reheating pizza in an oven can take 10–15 minutes; in an air fryer, it takes 3–5. That’s a huge win for busy mornings or lazy evenings when you want a quick, satisfying meal. Plus, air fryers are compact, so they don’t require preheating a large appliance.

Step-by-Step: How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer

Now that you know whyit works, let’s get to the how. Follow these steps for consistently perfect results:

Step 1: Prep Your Pizza (and Your Air Fryer)

• ​Start with cold pizza: Let leftover pizza sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes if it’s straight from the fridge. Chilled pizza takes longer to reheat and may result in uneven texture.

• ​Pat dry excess moisture (optional but recommended)​: If your pizza has a wet sauce or soggy veggies (think pineapple or mushrooms), use a paper towel to gently blot the top. Too much surface moisture can make the crust soft—blotting helps the air fryer crisp it faster.

• ​Prep the air fryer basket: Lightly grease the basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, especially if your pizza has cheese or oily toppings that might seep down. Avoid foil—it can block airflow and cause uneven heating.

Step 2: Set the Right Temperature and Time

Most pizzas reheat best at ​375°F (190°C)​. Here’s a general guideline based on pizza thickness:

• ​Thin-crust pizza: 3–4 minutes. Thin crusts cook fast—overheating leads to brittleness.

• ​Hand-tossed or medium-crust: 4–5 minutes. This thickness needs a bit more time to warm the center without burning the edge.

• ​Deep-dish or thick-crust: 5–6 minutes. The extra dough and toppings (like cheese layers) require additional heat to melt everything through.

Pro tip: If your air fryer doesn’t have precise temperature control, start at 375°F and check after 3 minutes. Adjust as needed—some models run hotter than others.

Step 3: Arrange the Pizza in the Basket

Place slices in a single layer, leaving space between them. Crowding the basket traps steam, which softens the crust. If reheating multiple slices, work in batches.

Step 4: Reheat and Check for Doneness

Slide the basket into the preheated air fryer. Set the timer and let it run. Here’s how to tell when it’s done:

• ​Cheese: Should be bubbly and slightly golden, not just melted.

• ​Crust: Edges should be crisp and lightly browned—no soft or doughy spots.

• ​Toppings: Meats (pepperoni, sausage) should be hot, and veggies (bell peppers, onions) should be warmed through without wilting further.

If the crust isn’t crisp enough after the initial time, add 1 minute and check again. If the cheese is browning too fast, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the remaining time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to mess up pizza reheating. Here are the top errors to skip:

Mistake 1: Skipping Preheating

Just like an oven, air fryers need time to reach the target temperature. Preheating ensures the pizza starts cooking immediately, which helps set the cheese and crisp the crust. Skipping it can lead to uneven heating and a soft base.

Mistake 2: Overcrowding the Basket

As mentioned, stacking slices or packing them too tightly traps moisture. This turns the crust into a damp, chewy mess. Stick to one layer with space between slices—work in batches if you have a lot of pizza.

Mistake 3: Using High Heat for Too Long

Air fryers cook fast, so high heat (above 400°F/200°C) can burn the cheese or char the crust before the center warms up. Stick to 375°F unless you’re reheating a very thick slice, then adjust incrementally.

Mistake 4: Forgetting to Pat Dry Wet Toppings

Soggy veggies or a saucy top release steam in the air fryer, which softens the crust. Blotting with a paper towel removes excess moisture, letting the hot air do its job on the crust.

Advanced Tips for Specific Pizza Types

Not all pizzas are created equal—here’s how to adjust for different styles:

1. Frozen Pizza

Leftover frozen pizza? No problem. Air fryers reheat frozen slices better than microwaves (which leave them icy in the center). Follow these steps:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

• Place the frozen slice directly in the basket (no thawing needed).

• Cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until the crust is crisp and the cheese is fully melted.

2. Pizza with Delicate Toppings (e.g., Arugula, Prosciutto)

Leafy greens or thin meats can dry out or burn. To protect them:

• Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 4–5 minutes.

• Add the delicate toppings afterreheating—sprinkle arugula on top while it’s still hot, or place prosciutto slices on the slice just before serving.

3. Square or Rectangular Slices (e.g., Detroit-Style)

Thicker, square slices have more mass to heat. Use:

• 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes.

• Flip halfway to ensure both sides crisp evenly.

Troubleshooting: What If It’s Still Not Perfect?

Even with perfect technique, issues can arise. Here’s how to fix them:

Problem: Crust is still soft

Solution: Your pizza likely had too much moisture. Next time, blot the top with a paper towel before reheating. If it’s already done, pop it back in the air fryer at 375°F for 1–2 minutes to crisp further.

Problem: Cheese is overcooked/burned

Solution: Lower the temperature to 350°F next time. If it’s only slightly burnt, scrape off the worst bits—underneath should still be gooey.

Problem: Toppings are cold in the center

Solution: Your pizza is too thick, or you didn’t reheat long enough. For thick-crust or loaded pizzas, add 1–2 minutes to the cook time.

Final Thoughts: Why Air Fryer Pizza Reheating Wins

Reheating pizza doesn’t have to mean settling for sad, soggy slices. With an air fryer, you can achieve that fresh-from-the-pizzeria quality in minutes. By following the steps above—prepping the pizza, using the right temperature, avoiding overcrowding, and adjusting for specific styles—you’ll turn leftovers into a meal that tastes just as good as the first bite.

So next time you have leftover pizza, skip the microwave. Fire up your air fryer, follow these guidelines, and enjoy a crispy, melty slice that proves leftovers can be legendary.