To reheat pizza in an air fryer, cook slices at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until the cheese melts and the crust turns crisp again.
If you’ve ever opened the fridge, stared at a stack of leftover slices, and wondered how long do i reheat pizza in the air fryer?, you’re not alone. The goal is simple: hot cheese, crisp base, no dried-out crust or rubbery toppings.
The good news is that air fryers handle leftover pizza very well. You just need the right time and temperature range for your slices, plus a few tweaks for crust style, toppings, and how cold the pizza is when it goes in. This guide walks you through those details so you can stop guessing and start reheating with confidence.
We’ll look at the best timing ranges, how to adjust for different pizza styles, a clear step-by-step method, and fixes for common problems like burnt edges or soggy centers. By the end, you’ll have a simple routine you can repeat every time leftovers land in your basket.
How Long Do I Reheat Pizza In The Air Fryer? Time Basics
For most chilled, leftover slices, the sweet spot is 3–5 minutes at 350–375°F (175–190°C). Thin slices sit closer to 3 minutes, thicker slices and deep-dish pieces sit nearer 5 minutes. That range gives the cheese time to soften and the crust time to crisp without burning the top.
You don’t need a long preheat for pizza, but letting the air fryer run for 2–3 minutes at the target temperature helps the slices heat evenly. Place the slices in a single layer, leave a little space between them, and check at the lower end of the time range first.
| Pizza Type | Air Fryer Temp | Typical Reheat Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thin-Crust Slice (Chilled) | 350°F (175°C) | 2–3 minutes |
| Regular Hand-Tossed Slice | 350°F (175°C) | 3–4 minutes |
| Thick Or Pan-Style Slice | 360–375°F (180–190°C) | 4–6 minutes |
| Deep-Dish Or Stuffed-Crust Slice | 360–375°F (180–190°C) | 5–7 minutes |
| Extra-Cheese Or Loaded Topping Slice | 340–350°F (170–175°C) | 4–6 minutes |
| Frozen Leftover Slice (Not Pre-Thawed) | 320–330°F (160–165°C) | 7–10 minutes |
| Garlic Bread Or Cheesy Bread | 330–340°F (165–170°C) | 3–5 minutes |
These ranges are starting points, not rigid rules. Air fryers run a little different from model to model, so watch your first batch closely. Once you know how your unit behaves, you can lock in a go-to time range for your favorite style of pizza.
For food safety, leftover pizza should reach at least 165°F (74°C) in the center. That matches the temperature given for leftovers in the safe minimum internal temperature chart on FoodSafety.gov, so a quick check with a food thermometer is smart when slices are thick or heavily loaded.
Reheating Pizza In The Air Fryer: Times By Slice And Style
Different crusts behave in different ways under hot air. Thin crust turns crisp fast, while deep-dish pizzas need more time for the base and toppings to warm through. The more cheese, sauce, and toppings on the slice, the longer the heat needs to work its way to the center.
For a plain cheese slice, 3–4 minutes at 350°F usually does the trick once the air fryer is warm. Pepperoni or meat-heavy slices might sit in the basket for 4–5 minutes so the thicker topping layer heats evenly. If you like your crust extra crisp, keep the pizza in the basket for another 30 seconds to 1 minute after the cheese looks ready.
Deep-dish slices respond well to a slightly lower temperature and a longer time. Drop the heat to around 360°F, warm the slice for 3 minutes, then peek and continue in 1-minute bursts until the base is hot to the center. The cheese may look done before the bottom heats through, so the thermometer check really helps here.
Gluten-free and cauliflower crusts dry out faster than regular dough. They usually prefer the lower end of the temperature range and a shorter time. Start at 330–340°F for about 3 minutes, then decide whether the slice needs one more short burst of heat.
Factors That Change Air Fryer Pizza Reheat Time
There’s no single time number that fits every slice. Several small details change how long pizza needs to sit in the basket. Once you know how these details work, you can adjust on the fly instead of staring at the timer and hoping for the best.
Crust Thickness And Style
Thicker crust holds more moisture and takes longer to warm up. A thin New York-style slice might be ready in 3 minutes, while a deep-dish slice with a doughy base can need twice that time. If the base feels soft even when the cheese looks glossy, add another minute at a slightly lower temperature.
Crispy, cracker-style crusts reach a crunchy finish in no time. Keep a close eye on these slices; they can shift from crisp to hard quickly. When you reheat this type of pizza, the lower half of the time range in the table usually works best.
Starting Temperature Of The Pizza
Cold slices straight from the fridge take longer to reheat than slices that have been on the counter for 10–15 minutes. Chilled pizza starts closer to 40°F, so the air fryer has more work to do to reach that safe 165°F center.
If your slices feel icy or come straight from the back of the fridge, stay closer to the higher end of the time range or plan to add 1 minute. If the slices sat out for a short while (still under the usual two-hour food safety limit), they may need 1 minute less.
Amount Of Cheese And Toppings
Cheese acts like a warm blanket over the slice. A lightly topped Margherita slice heats faster than a loaded meat-lover’s pizza with several layers of toppings. Extra toppings also hold moisture, which slows crisping on the crust.
To keep cheese from scorching while the base finishes, you can lower the temperature by 10–20°F and extend the time by a minute or two. That softer heat lets the middle of the slice catch up without burning the top layer.
Air Fryer Size And Basket Style
A small basket air fryer concentrates heat around the slice more than an extra-large oven-style unit. In practice, that often means shorter time ranges for compact models and longer ranges for bigger ones.
The basket material matters too. Non-stick baskets with solid bottoms heat the base differently than mesh trays or perforated inserts. If your base comes out too soft, test a batch on a perforated liner or rack to let more hot air reach the underside.
How Full The Basket Is
Crowded baskets slow the air flow and lead to uneven heating. Two or three slices in a single layer heat well. A stack of overlapping slices in one corner leads to cold spots in the middle and burnt cheese at the edges.
If you have a lot of leftover pizza, reheat in batches. That extra round or two takes less time than scrubbing cheese off the basket after an overheated pile of slices falls apart.
Step-By-Step Method For Reheating Pizza In The Air Fryer
Here’s a simple routine you can follow every time you reheat leftover pizza. It keeps times predictable and makes it easy to tweak for different crusts and toppings. This is also where the main question of how long do i reheat pizza in the air fryer? fits into your daily cooking rhythm.
Core Steps For Consistent Reheat Results
- Check That The Pizza Is Still Safe To Eat.
Leftover pizza should be stored in the fridge within two hours of cooking and eaten within three to four days. Food safety experts, including the USDA leftovers guidance, recommend reheating leftovers to 165°F in the center.
- Bring The Slices Out Of The Fridge.
Let the pizza sit on the counter for 5–10 minutes while you set up the air fryer. This small pause evens out the chill and helps the slices heat more evenly.
- Preheat The Air Fryer.
Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) for standard slices. Run the air fryer empty for 2–3 minutes. This step is quick, and it cuts down on hot and cold patches on the pizza.
- Arrange The Slices In A Single Layer.
Place slices in the basket without overlap. If the basket has large holes, a piece of perforated parchment helps keep cheese from sticking while still letting air reach the bottom.
- Reheat For The First Time Block.
Start with 3 minutes at 350°F for regular slices. For deep-dish or very thick pieces, use 360–375°F for 4 minutes. Listen for a light sizzle and check that the cheese looks soft and glossy.
- Check Temperature And Texture.
Peek under the slice to see if the base is browned. If you have a thermometer, slide the tip into the center; you want at least 165°F. If the base is pale or the center feels cool, go back in.
- Finish In Short Bursts.
Continue reheating in 30- to 60-second bursts until the slice reaches the texture you like and a safe internal temperature. This guards against burnt cheese and over-dry crust.
Optional Tweaks For Extra Crisp Or Softer Crust
If you love extra crunch, leave the slice in the basket for a short burst after the cheese already looks ready, but keep the temperature steady or even slightly lower. For a softer base, lower the heat by 10–20°F and focus on time, not intensity, so the slice warms through without drying out.
Different Pizza Styles And How They Reheat In The Air Fryer
The time ranges in that first table give you a wide funnel. This section narrows things down for some of the most common pizza styles you’ll see in weeknight leftovers.
Thin-Crust And New York-Style Slices
Thin-crust slices come back to life fast. After a short preheat, 2–3 minutes at 350°F usually gives you a crisp base and stretchy cheese. If the crust already started out very dry, drop the heat to 330–340°F and extend the time to about 3–4 minutes so the base warms without turning hard.
These slices are very sensitive to crowding, so give them room. One layer, a little space between slices, and a quick check at the two-minute mark keeps things under control.
Regular Hand-Tossed And Chain-Style Pizzas
Most takeout pizzas fall into this layer of thickness: not ultra thin, not pan-style. For these, 3–4 minutes at 350°F is a reliable starting point. Meat-heavy toppings might nudge the time toward 4 minutes so the middle warms fully.
If the cheese browns before the base crisp ups, lower the temperature to 340°F and add 1–2 extra minutes. That minor shift makes a big difference in texture.
Pan, Deep-Dish, And Stuffed-Crust Slices
Pan and deep-dish slices act more like small casseroles. They contain more dough, more sauce, and often more cheese, so they need patience. Start at 360–375°F for 4 minutes, then check the center with a thermometer.
If the top looks ready but the middle sits under 165°F, reduce the temperature by about 20°F and keep going in short bursts. That gentler heat lets the core catch up while the top stays in a safe zone.
Gluten-Free, Cauliflower, And Alternative Crusts
These crusts usually contain less gluten and more delicate ingredients. They dry out faster and can crumble if overheated. A temperature range of 330–340°F for 3–4 minutes, with close checks, works well for many brands.
When the crust base is already very firm, place the slice on a small piece of parchment so direct contact with the basket doesn’t over-brown the bottom before the cheese softens.
Homemade Slices And Heavily Customized Toppings
Homemade pizzas vary a lot in thickness and moisture. If your own dough leans thick and bread-like, treat the slice a bit closer to pan-style pizza. If it leans thin and light, treat it like a New York-style slice and keep time shorter.
Layers of fresh vegetables add extra moisture. In that case, a slightly longer reheat at a lower temperature keeps the crust from burning while the toppings steam and soften.
Troubleshooting Common Air Fryer Pizza Reheat Problems
Even with good time ranges, things go sideways now and then. Maybe the cheese scorches, or the base stays floppy. This is where a quick diagnosis saves your next batch and helps you adjust the answer to how long do i reheat pizza in the air fryer? for your setup.
| Problem | Likely Cause | How To Fix Next Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese Browned, Crust Still Pale | Heat too high, time too short | Lower temp by 10–20°F and add 1–2 minutes |
| Crust Hard Or Dry | Time too long for a thin crust | Cut 30–60 seconds and check earlier |
| Middle Still Cool | Slice too thick for time used | Use longer time at slightly lower heat, check 165°F |
| Soggy Center With Wet Toppings | Basket crowded, steam trapped | Reheat fewer slices at once, leave space |
| Cheese Slides Off Slice | Basket too hot when pizza went in | Preheat less, or start at a lower temp |
| Burnt Edges, Pale Middle | Heat focused near walls or hot spots | Rotate basket halfway, lower temperature |
| Sticking To Basket | No liner and melted cheese on metal | Use perforated parchment or a mesh tray |
Use the table as a quick reference when something looks off. Most problems respond to one of three tweaks: lower temperature with longer time, more space between slices, or shorter first time block followed by very short bursts.
Final Air Fryer Pizza Reheat Tips
Air fryers make leftover pizza taste close to fresh again, as long as you give each slice enough space and tune the time to its style. Thin-crust slices like short bursts of heat; thick and deep-dish slices need lower heat and extra minutes so the center reaches a safe temperature.
Keep food safety in the picture too. Store leftovers in the fridge within two hours, eat them within three to four days, and reheat until the center of the slice reaches at least 165°F. A small thermometer costs little and removes the guesswork.
Once you know how your own model behaves, you’ll settle on a favorite routine for reheating pizza in the air fryer. A few small notes on time, temperature, and slice thickness turn late-night leftovers into a quick win rather than a gamble.