Reheating pizza is a notorious minefield. Pop it in the microwave and you’re left with a limp, soggy base, whilst the air fryer risks turning the crust rock-hard and incinerating the cheese before it’s had a chance to melt properly. It’s a gamble that often sees us surrendering to eating yesterday’s slices stone cold.
However, for those determined to recapture that fresh-from-the-oven magic the day after a takeaway, there’s a superior method. According to RJ, an Instagram user, the “scientifically best way” to revive pizza slices involves a simple frying pan on your hob – forget the microwave and air fryer entirely.
RJ claims he’s put numerous reheating techniques through their paces, concluding that nothing beats the pan method, especially when combined with one clever addition that transforms the cheese back to its gloriously gooey consistency – banishing those cold, unmelted patches that spoil the whole affair.
The technique starts by heating a pan on medium heat. Crucially, RJ adds no oil or butter, letting the pan heat up completely dry before placing the pizza slice in, base-side down.
After just a few minutes, the pizza slice begins visibly glistening on top as the oils within the cheese rise to the surface and begin melting. Once you spot the oil appearing, it’s time to “do something a little crazy”, RJ explains.
At this juncture, RJ cranked up the heat to maximum and introduced his ace in the hole – a dash of water. He carefully poured a modest amount of water into the pan on both sides of his pizza slice before covering it with a lid to trap the steam inside.
The water works to steam the pizza slice, ensuring the cheese on top melts to perfection. Without this crucial step, the pan’s heat would scorch the base before the cheese had a chance to cook through properly, resulting in a disappointing slice.
RJ noted: “We will now wait for the liquid to evaporate, which will, in turn, melt the cheese. At this stage, we just need patience.”
After the cheese begins melting and the water has disappeared – a process RJ said requires roughly 4-5 minutes – you can whip off the lid and tuck into your “brand new” pizza slice. In his video’s caption, RJ suggested this reheating method is “just slightly better” than deploying an air fryer, though the marginal improvements are “totally worth it”.
Video viewers were gobsmacked by the technique, with numerous folk admitting they’d never considered that steaming a pizza slice could melt the cheese whilst avoiding a soggy base. That said, some countered it wasn’t worth the bother when cold pizza tastes perfectly acceptable without any reheating whatsoever.
One viewer confessed: “I feel really targeted by this video, considering my plate just cracked in half in the microwave, and my pizza got overcooked.” A second person chipped in: “When you do this right, it’s genuinely better than hot from the restaurant.”
But a dissenting voice said: “Cold pizza is better.”
How to reheat pizza slices
1. In the oven (best for crispiness)
Preheat your oven to 190°C (gas mark 5).Place the pizza slices directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.Heat for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispy.For extra crispiness, put a piece of foil under the pizza to catch any drips.
2. In a pan (quick and crispy)
Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat.Place the pizza slice in the pan and heat for 2–3 minutes, until the bottom is crispy.Add a few drops of water to the pan (not on the pizza), and cover with a lid for 1–2 minutes. This helps melt the cheese without making the crust soggy.
3. Microwave (quickest, but less crispy)
Place the pizza slice on a microwave-safe plate.Put a cup of water in the microwave next to the pizza (this helps prevent the crust from getting too chewy).Heat on medium power for 30–60 seconds, checking to avoid overheating.
