When craving a slice of that messy, cheesy goodness known as deep dish pizza leftovers can bring much joy.
Yet reheating this Chicago favorite properly to achieve the perfect combination of crisp crust, melted cheese and warm sauce can seem daunting.
Many have attempted to reheat deep dish pizza only to end up with a soggy mess not worth eating.
However, with the right techniques and equipment even day old deep dish pizza can taste nearly as good as when it first came out of the oven.
This guide will outline the best methods for How To Reheat Deep Dish Pizza so you can enjoy those leftovers without unwanted results, keeping the focus on the simple pleasures that this thick pan pizza delight provides.
How To Prepare To Reheat Deep Dish Pizza
Before setting out to reheat your leftover deep dish pizza, there are a few preparations you should make to ensure optimal results.
First, remove the pizza from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. This will prevent moisture from condensing on the crust while reheating.
Next, remove any aluminum foil covering from the pan. Foil will trap steam and sogginess.
Then, have a plate, baking sheet, or extra pan ready for transferring the pizza after heating to avoid a soggy crust.
Finally, gather any equipment you’ll need like an oven, skillet or grill so you’re ready to enjoy your perfectly reheated deep dish pizza!
How to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza
How to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza In The Oven
To reheat deep dish pizza in the oven, preheat the oven to 325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Slice the pizza into wedges if large and place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or in a pizza pan.
Bake the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
Remove from the oven and let stand for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.
The standing time helps ensure the crust does not become soggy from the hot filling reheating.
How to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in Toaster Oven
To reheat deep dish pizza in a toaster oven, preheat the toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the slices of pizza directly on the bottom rack of the toaster oven.
Bake the pizza for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and edges are crispy. Check the pizza halfway through cooking and rotate or flip the slices if needed.
When done, remove from the toaster oven and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving to allow the filling to absorb moisture from the crust.
How to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in Microwave
To reheat deep dish pizza in the microwave, place the slices on a microwave safe plate and cover loosely with microwave safe paper towel.
Microwave the pizza on medium power for 1 to 2 minutes, checking and rotating the slices every 30 seconds.
The exact time will vary based on the power of your microwave and the size of the pizza slices.
Remove the paper towel before the final 30 seconds of cooking to allow the crust to crisp slightly.
Let the pizza rest for 1 to 2 minutes after microwaving to allow the filling and crust to equalize in temperature before serving.
How to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in Air Fryer
To reheat deep dish pizza in an air fryer, place the slices directly on the bottom rack or basket of the air fryer.
Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and a cooking time of 8 to 10 minutes.
Flip the slices over halfway through the cooking time and shake the basket to prevent sticking.
The pizza is done when the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving to allow the filling and crust to equalize in temperature.
How to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in The Grill
To reheat deep dish pizza on the grill, preheat the gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the pizza slices directly on the grill grate and cover the grill. Grill the pizza for 4 to 6 minutes per side or until the cheese is melted and the bottom crust is crispy.
Keep a close eye on the pizza while grilling to prevent burning.
Remove from the grill and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving to allow the filling and crust to equalize in temperature and absorb any additional moisture.
How to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza
To reheat deep dish pizza in a skillet, heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.
Place the pizza slices in the skillet, leaving some space between each slice. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the bottom of the crust is golden brown.
Flip the slices and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes more or until the cheese is melted and the bottom crust is crispy.
Remove from the skillet and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving to allow the filling and crust to equalize.
How to Reheat Other Types of Pizza
Reheating pizza is a great way to enjoy your favorite pizza leftovers. However, different types of pizza require different methods for reheating to maintain their texture and taste. Look more Here!
How Long to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza
How Long to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza In The Oven
It typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to properly reheat deep dish pizza in the oven. Start checking the pizza after 10 minutes.
The crust should be crisping around the edges and the cheese beginning to melt. Continue cooking for another 2 to 5 minutes if needed, checking every minute.
The timing will depend on the size of your pizza slices and your oven’s heat distribution.
Remove the pizza when the crust is crispy and the cheese is completely melted. Then let the pizza rest and equalize for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.
How Long to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in Toaster Oven
A toaster oven takes 8 to 10 minutes to reheat deep dish pizza slices. Set a timer for 8 minutes and check the pizza halfway through.
The cheese should be beginning to melt and bubble and the bottom crust crisping. If needed, continue cooking for another 1 to 3 minutes.
Rotate or flip the slices to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. The pizza is done when the cheese is completely melted and pulls away slightly from the crust.
Let the pizza rest in the toaster oven for 1 to 2 minutes after cooking to allow the filling and crust to equalize in temperature.
How Long to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in Microwave
Microwaving deep dish pizza slices typically takes only 1 to 2 minutes on medium power. Start with 1 minute and check the pizza, rotating the slices.
If needed, continue microwaving in additional 15 to 30 second increments until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Keep a close eye on the pizza to avoid overcooking the crust. Let the pizza rest for 1 to 2 minutes after microwaving to allow the filling to absorb excess moisture from the heated crust.
How Long to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in Air Fryer
An air fryer takes between 8 to 10 minutes to properly reheat deep dish pizza. Check the slices at the 8 minute mark.
The crust should be crisping and the cheese beginning to melt and bubble. If needed, continue air fying for another 1 to 3 minutes.
Shake or rotate the basket midway through cooking to avoid sticking. The pizza is ready when the cheese is completely melted and the crust is crispy.
Let the reheated pizza rest in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes after cooking to allow the filling and crust to equalize in temperature.
How Long to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza in The Grill
Grilling deep dish pizza takes 4 to 6 minutes per side, for a total of 8 to 12 minutes. Check the bottom crust after 4 minutes—it should be beginning to char and crisp.
Flip the slices and continue grilling for another 4 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted. Cooking times will vary based on the intensity of your grill’s heat.
Remove the pizza from the grill and let it rest for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the filling to be absorbed by the crust and equalize in moisture.
How Long to Reheat Deep Dish Pizza In The Skillet
A skillet takes 2 to 3 minutes per side to reheat deep dish pizza slices. Check the underside of the crust after 2 minutes—it should be beginning to brown and crisp.
Flip the slices and continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and the bottom crust is crispy.
Keep a close eye on the pizza while it cooks to avoid burning. Remove the slices from the skillet and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the filling to absorb excess moisture from the heated crust.
How to Store Deep Dish Pizza?
Deep dish pizza is best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days of purchasing or making it fresh. To store deep dish pizza and extend its freshness:
Place leftover slices in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil. Store in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Cold temperatures will slow the growth of bacteria that causes foodborne illness.
Refrigerated deep dish pizza will last up to 3 days. For optimal quality, reheat slices using the oven, toaster over or air fryer instead of the microwave.
What to Serve With Deep Dish Pizza?
Deep dish pizza is a hearty and filling dish, so simple side accompaniments work best. A green salad topped with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and shredded carrots is a light and refreshing choice.
Another option is coleslaw made with creamy dressing and cabbage, complementing the rich, cheesy pizza.
For a carb-on-carb meal, garlic bread made with buttered and parmesan-crusted Italian bread is a classic pairing.
Potato products also pair well, whether it’s wedges roasted with rosemary and olive oil or chips served with a dipping sauce.
Does deep dish pizza freeze well?
Deep dish pizza does freeze well when packaged and stored properly. It’s best to freeze individual slices on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a zip-top bag once frozen solid.
Thawed frozen deep dish pizza may require 25% extra reheating time compared to fresh leftovers.
Can you reheat deep dish pizza twice?
It is not recommended to reheat deep dish pizza more than once. With each reheating, the crust becomes drier and the filling becomes more separated from the crust. After a single reheating, the pizza is best consumed right away.
Can deep dish pizza cause diarrhea?
Undercooked or reheated deep dish pizza left outside of refrigerator temperatures for too long can cause foodborne illnesses like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
This is due to bacteria that multiply quickly in moist, rich environments at improper storage temperatures. Thoroughly reheating pizza to an internal temperature above 165°F can help avoid this.
Pros Tips to reheating Deep Dish Pizza?
- Slice the pizza before reheating to allow for even heating. Place foil under the pizza to catch drippings.
- Start with the minimum cooking time and check often, especially toward the end. Deep dish pizza can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
- Cover with a paper towel when microwaving to absorb moisture and prevent a soggy crust. Remove the towel for the last 30 seconds to crisp the crust.
- Let the pizza rest for a few minutes after reheating to allow the filling to absorb moisture from the now-steamed crust, maintaining texture.
- Reheat as soon as possible after purchasing for the best results. The thicker the pizza, the harder it is to properly reheat leftovers days later.
After reheating, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle on more Parmesan and red pepper flakes to restore moisture and punch up flavor that was lost during the reheating process. Follow these tips to achieve the best results when reheating your leftover deep dish pizza slices for a nearly fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Conclusion
There are many ways to reheat deep dish pizza to enjoy those leftovers almost as good as fresh.
The oven, air fryer and toaster oven produce the crispiest crusts while also heating the thick layers evenly.
The microwave is fastest but requires keeping a close eye on the pizza to avoid a soggy crust.
No matter the reheating method you choose, monitoring the pizza closely and letting it rest after cooking helps ensure the filling and crispy crust of your deep dish pizza nearing its fresh-made quality.
Following the tips covered in this guide on “How To Reheat Deep Dish Pizza,” from slicing the pizza thinner to resting it briefly after reheating, will help you enjoy that leftover Chicago-style pie that’s nearly as good as the day you first baked or ordered it.
With a little patience and these reheating hacks, you can revive that deep dish pizza and savor every last delicious, cheesy bite.
FAQs
Should I cover deep dish pizza when reheating?
It is recommended to cover deep dish pizza loosely with foil or a paper towel when reheating, especially in the microwave.
This helps prevent the filling from drying out and the crust from becoming soggy from moisture released by the hot filling. The cover can be removed for the final minutes of reheating to allow the crust to crisp slightly.
How long can deep dish pizza sit out at room temperature before reheating?
Leftover deep dish pizza should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
After that bacteria can begin to grow rapidly in the moist and rich environment, posing a potential food safety risk.
Can reheated deep dish pizza make me sick?
If the pizza is reheated properly to an internal temperature above 165°F and consumed right away, it is unlikely to make you sick.
However, bacteria does multiply on food left in the ‘danger zone’ between 40 to 140°F, so thoroughly reheating and not letting pizza sit at room temperature for long is important.
Does reheating deep dish pizza in the oven affect the taste?
While any reheating method can impact the taste slightly, the oven tends to produce results closest to the original flavor since all parts of the pizza are exposed to dry, even heat.
Covering the pizza with foil can further preserve the fresh-made flavor during oven reheating.
How long does reheated deep dish pizza last in the fridge?
Reheated deep dish pizza should be consumed within 2 days of reheating, though quality will gradually decrease the longer it sits in the refrigerator.
Following reheating, store leftover slices in an airtight container and place immediately in the fridge. Reheated pizza contains more moisture which accelerates bacterial growth at improper storage temperatures.
When reheating deep dish pizza, should I add more sauce?
Adding extra sauce before or after reheating deep dish pizza can help refresh the flavor and moisture content that is often lost during the reheating process.
Drizzling some extra sauce over the slices, especially oven-reheated pizza, can infuse it with additional tomato and herb flavors. However, do not drench the pizza in sauce as this can make the crust soggy.
Since a young age, my love for pizza has only grown stronger. As a writer, I am dedicated my career to exploring the art behind a perfect pie. From the crisp crunch of the crust to the perfect blend of savory sauce and gooey cheese, I dedicated to captures the essence of what makes pizza so beloved. With each article, I hopes to inspire others to share in my passion for this timeless dish.