Keep pizza at the perfect temperature and at any occasion. From cast iron skillets to cordierite stone, here’s the best way to keep warm.
Pizza fresh out of the oven is one of life’s greatest pleasures. With a freshly baked crust covered in melted cheese and molten marinara sauce, it’s the perfect party food. But how do you keep pizza warm to keep that freshly baked taste?
Cardboard Box
Oven-heating pizza still in the box is the easiest method if it’s just been delivered. The oven is usually a standard fixture in most kitchens, and this process involves heating the pizza while it is still in the box. It’s a great way to avoid transferring the pizza between plates and just having it ready to eat. The other great thing about this method is that it stops the pizza from getting overcooked.
You do, however, have to make sure the cardboard box doesn’t catch on fire. At 450˚F, the package will ignite, and that’s something that you don’t want. Since it’s a bit hard to tell when the box has reached a dangerous temperature, it may not be a good idea to use the box in the oven. The other downside is that cardboard boxes can leave a bit of a smell on the pizza.
To heat it in the oven with a box, you will need to preheat the oven to 140-150°F (60-70°C). Then ensure the steam flaps on the box are kept open so the crust doesn’t taste like rubber due to the trapped steam in the box.
Pizza Stone
A pizza stone is a great way to heat your pizza in the oven. The stone has pores in it, which means the heat is constant and evenly spreads throughout. The pizza will heat up well as it sits well over the stone, heating all around. There isn’t any residual smell or taste left on the pizza when you heat it using a pizza stone, which is a great thing. Another advantage of this method is that the pizza will retain its shape.
To use a pizza stone, place it in the oven at 200˚F and heat the stone. It should take about 40 minutes, and the stones need to be super-hot so that the pizza is sufficiently heated all around. Then place the pizza over the stone and turn the heat off. The residual heat on the stone is what will heat the pizza.
Aluminum Foil
If you’re going to use foil, it has to be in the oven. The main advantage of this method is that the pizza crust gets crispy all around. If you don’t like a crispy crust, this may not be the best reheating method.
To use this method, you will need to separate the pizza slices from heating up properly. Then wrap the individual pieces in the foil sheets. Then switch the oven on at a maximum of 400˚F. Lay the slices in the oven, making sure not to stack or crowd them. This is to allow the steam to pass through freely. You will need oven gloves and utensils to handle the hot pizza.
Bake the slices for about ten or so minutes. A great way to tell when the slices are properly heated is when the cheese begins to bubble. This method works great for pizzas with a thin crust, and it also works very well when used in conjunction with a pizza stone.
Skillet
You can also use a skillet to reheat pizza. This method requires that you have a skillet the size of the pizza if you want it reheated whole. You will need to make sure that the skillet is non-stick, so the pizza slides right out when it’s done. It’s a go-to method if you prefer using a stovetop or don’t have an oven to work with.
Start by heating the stove on high heat. This will depend on the stove that you are using. Then place the pizza in the pan and heat it for about 2 or 3 minutes. This allows the crust to get crispy and hot. Then switch the stove to medium heat, so the sauce gets warm and the cheese melts.
The toppings will begin to sizzle, and the cheese will start bubbling when the pizza is hot enough. However, if it seems like the crust is getting hotter faster than the sauce, which could lead to burning, then you can add the lid on the pan to concentrate the heat. This method needs you to understand the precise time to remove it, which will come from practice.
Microwave
This is one of the go-to methods to use for a couple of reasons, such as the fact that it is easy to use, convenient, quick, and readily available in most kitchens. The downside, however, is that you may get a soggy crust. Unlike the other methods that use direct heating, this method cannot give you a crispy crust. A microwave uses radiation, which will work to reheat the pizza, but doesn’t go further than that.
To use a microwave to reheat pizza, place the pizza on a microwave-safe dish. Make sure to keep the slices apart slightly, giving them room to breathe. Then fill a cup with water and put it near the dish. This is to keep the crust moist. Then reheat the slices for 40 seconds or so at a time. This way, you will know when it is done and don’t reheat it too much.
Insulated Pizza Bags
An insulated pizza bag is how pizza delivery services keep it warm on its way from the kitchen to your table. The bag is designed to keep the pizza warm by helping it avoid losing its heat. But this method will not work for reheating cold pizza. While they are used commercially, they are affordable.
It is made in a way that it releases excess steam. You will not need extra equipment to use this method, aside from the bag and the pizza in question. The number of pizzas you can keep warm will depend on the size of the bag. It has hook and loop closures that help keep the pizzas snug and warm.
How to Keep Pizza Warm
Equipment
- cordierite pizza stone
Ingredients
- pizza
Instructions
Cardboard Box
- Preheat oven to 140-150°F (60-70°C)
- Open steam flaps on cardboard box before placing in oven, along with pizza.
- Warm until you’re ready to eat
Pizza Stone
- Preheat oven to 200°F (90°C)
- Arrange pizza on cordierite stone and place in oven
- Heat until ready, for no longer than 40 minutes
