Warming up pizza is actually quite simple. This turns the leftovers from the day before into a delicious meal again – and crispy instead of soggy.

Are you also a fan of cold pizza that you bought the day before? According to chemist Maureen Cooper from the University of Sterling in Scotland, the persistent good taste of cold pizza is due to the fact that the tomato sauce prevents the cheese from seeping into the pizza base and making it soggy.

However, the taste of cold pizza doesn’t please everyone. With these methods, you can succeed in getting the taste pretty close to that of the day before. And at the same time, you contribute to combating food waste.

Warming up and enhancing the pizza

To make your pizza taste even more “like new,” you can add herbs, vegetables, or fresh cheese before or after reheating:

  • Herbs and greens: Fresh basil, arugula, thyme, or rosemary enhance every pizza. However, be sure not to put basil or arugula in the oven or pan, otherwise, they will lose their strong aroma and burn. For the other two herbs, this is fine.
  • Pickled and dried: Olives, peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes can be halved or cut into small pieces and also spread over the pizza. They can even go in the oven, as their flavor develops well in heat.
  • Fresh: Garlic and onions give your pizza a special freshness. If you want to add some vegetables, bell peppers or mushrooms are suitable, for example.
  • Mediterranean cheeses: With mozzarella or feta, you can enrich the cheese flavor of your pizza. Together with the herbs mentioned above, olives, or tomatoes, your pizza will have a special Mediterranean flavor. You can either reheat or add these cheeses afterwards, depending on whether you prefer a melted or fresher taste. Vegan cheeses, vegan parmesan, or vegan feta also work.
  • Eccentric: Many will frown at this recommendation, but for some, pineapple gives the pizza a special sweetness. Whether from a can or jar, canned fruits or vegetables are ready to use and can be processed immediately. Corn or red beets are also recommended.

Properly reheating pizza: in a pan or in the oven

Reheating pizza in a pan – the more energy-efficient option:

  • Heat your pan without adding oil to medium to high temperature.
  • Place the pizza in it and fry it until the dough is no longer “flabby.”
  • Then lower the temperature, add half a teaspoon of water to the bottom of the pan, and place a lid on top.
  • After one to two minutes, when the cheese melts, your pizza should be ready.

Reheating pizza in the oven:

  • Place your pizza on a baking sheet. Use a more sustainable parchment paper substitute instead of parchment paper.
  • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
  • Lightly spray the pizza with water and drizzle some olive oil on it so that it tastes fresh and crispy in the end.
  • Bake it for about five minutes.