The Best Way To Cook Frozen Pizza Isn't What You Think It Is

I not too long ago bought a whole massive pie for the only objective of packing it up for the fridge and freezer. This act, which flies within the face of centuries-old pizza norms, had a noble objective: decide, as soon as and for all, one of the best ways to reheat pizza. CNETAs a family of 1, ordering an entire pizza is not economically possible and ceaselessly leads to leftovers, thus discovering one of the best ways to reheat pizza is as a lot a private endeavor as it’s skilled. And after an occasion like a Super Bowl social gathering the place you may most likely have a number of pizzas and much more leftovers? Forget it.Enter me, one massive pizza and 5 completely different strategies for reheating it: microwave, toaster oven, standard oven, air fryer and my private, darkish horse proposal: sauté pan with lid. And what are we on the lookout for in a reheated pizza slice? Three issues, primarily: crust integrity, cheese texture and the power for the tactic to extend the crisp of pepperoni, America’s favourite topping, which may truly be made higher than its unique state by the method of reheating.In the spirit of full disclosure, I selected a sq. pizza with a medium-thick crust right here, each for area causes and to higher characterize pizza consistency throughout the nation, reasonably than the droopy-thin slices that may categorize New York model pizza, the place this experiment was carried out.In order from least efficient to only, using each refrigerated and frozen slices, listed here are how the 5 strategies for reheating pizza panned out.MicrowavePros: quickestCons: restricted area, least qualityTime requirement: 1 minute The microwave is the quickest however under no circumstances one of the best ways to reheat pizza. Pamela Vachon/CNET
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There as soon as was a time that the mighty microwave was an omnipotent system, saving us valuable time and basically doing the cooking for us. Those days are over. Following some AI recommendation, I opted to not cowl the pizza slices for the microwave, as to not trigger them to steam, however did place them on a plate, as a result of I’m not a monster. (She says, as somebody who repeatedly defrosts bagels instantly on the glass.) Working in 30-second intervals, the cheese received sizzling and sizzly in just one minute. If you actually do not have two to 4 extra minutes to spare for a greater end result, then I suppose that is the tactic for you. This was the one methodology the place I might truly understand a slight distinction within the slice that started chilly versus the one which started frozen, in the identical quantity of cooking time. As pizza is comparatively skinny and even and the bread crust ethereal, the frozen slice meets up with the chilly slice fairly rapidly. The crust wasn’t soggy right here, precisely, however undoubtedly doughy. If you’ve got a palate that’s delicate to crunchy breadstuffs, then it is a potential upside for microwave utilization. (My dad will combat me on this one. When I go to dwelling, reheating pizza is mechanically a two-device course of.) If you aren’t a fan of chilly pizza, then the microwave will do, however simply know that you are able to do higher.Saute pan with lidPros: direct warmth, good qualityCons: Uneven cooking, restricted spaceTime requirement: 3-4 minutes The stovetop methodology was OK however the cheese and toppings do not get as melty and crispy as different strategies I attempted. Pamela Vachon/CNETThere is a particular circumstance the place this methodology could also be helpful: a summer time rental home with no toaster oven, no air fryer and no air con, such that turning on the oven appears oppressive. If there is a microwave obtainable, then it is a toss-up. You’ll undoubtedly get a crunchier crust right here, however it requires a bit extra time and close to fixed vigilance.Placing the pizza slices on a dry saute pan, over medium warmth, mimics the recent, flat floor of a pizza oven. The crust will profit from this direct floor warmth, however it’s important to be aware to not burn it. The lid is important, in any other case the cheese and toppings will not get appreciably heat, however you are successfully steaming it from the highest. The cheese does not get fairly as melty on this manner, and there is not any hope for crispy pepperoni, however it all will get sizzling, and you will have a satisfying crust crunch in case you search it.Conventional ovenPros: even warmth, most spacious, highest qualityCons: slowest methodTime requirement: 10-20 minutes A standard oven reheats pizza properly however it takes longer than some other methodology. Pamela Vachon/CNETUltimately, the one component working in opposition to the standard oven is the time it requires. My oven took about 10 minutes to return as much as the beneficial, high-heat temp of 400 levels, then the pizza, with medium thickness, wanted about 7 minutes to turn out to be sizzling and sizzly. I opted to make use of a sheet pan right here, reasonably than simply put the slices instantly on the rack, since cleansing a full dimension oven of drippings is far more annoying than probably cleansing a toaster oven. Quality sensible, although, this was simply probably the greatest outcomes. Maybe rather less cheese caramelization than another strategies, however the crust was deeply crunchy, aided by the sheet pan, and the pepperoni truly received a bit charred on the perimeters, which was a bonus. If you are reheating a whole pizza (like, how did that even occur?) and even simply greater than a few slices at a time, then this strikes from second runner-up to huge winner.Air fryerPros: air circulation, even warmth, highest high quality, no further dishesCons: least area, no window for observing reheat processTime requirement: 2-3 minutes The air fryer is quick and the outcomes are nearly as good as any. Pamela Vachon/CNETDepending on the scale of your air fryer, there could also be a giant downside right here by way of what number of slices you’ll be able to match. If it is just one (as is the case with mine) and your meal requirement is a couple of, then this methodology loses first place on a technicality, as a result of reheating two slices individually is antithetical to the comfort issue of reheated pizza. Assuming your bigger air fryer can match a minimum of two, I’ll let you know what — the air fryer was surprisingly quick with its sizzling air circulation. Without a window into the proceedings, I used to be stunned to search out the pizza bubbly and crispy after solely about two and a half minutes. And the result was principally good: melty, caramelized cheese, crunchy crust and completely blistered pepperoni.Toaster OvenPros: shut, direct warmth, highest high quality, no further dishesCons: restricted spaceTime requirement: 5 minutes Despite taking a bit longer than air fryer, the toaster oven remains to be my prime choose for reheating pizza. Pamela Vachon/CNETThis has been my go-to pizza reheating methodology ever since I’ve owned a toaster oven. Its performance is myriad and goes manner past toast. It can be utilized to truly bake: I’ve made each a small pan of cornbread and a cookie or two within the toaster oven. Reheating pizza is its superpower, nevertheless, in my view. The tremendous shut, direct heating coils are warming the pizza from the highest and backside each evenly and concurrently. The prime heating coil virtually acts as a broiler, caramelizing the cheese and inflicting the pepperoni to curve up properly on the edges. Plus, the open window permits you to see when the cheese and pepperoni begin scorching, taking the guesswork out of when the pizza is prepared. Plus, laying the slices instantly on the rack within the toaster oven means one much less dish to scrub on the finish of the meal.