How to reheat pizza without it going soggy: Experts at Domino’s reveal their go-to hacks – and some VERY unusual (and tasty) ways to eat your leftovers
- Domino’s Australia has shared insider tricks for reheating leftover pizza
- Placing a cup of water beside a slice in the microwave will stop it getting soggy
- Sticking two slices together in a jaffle iron creates a crispy ‘pizza sandwich’
- Individual slices are best reheated on a dry frying pan or in an oven set to low
- The Domino’s Japan team reused leftover crusts by frying them as churros
Sandwiching slices in a jaffle iron and microwaving single pieces beside a glass of water are the best ways to reheat leftover pizza, food researchers at Domino’s Australia have revealed.
Tests conducted by the delivery giant on restoring leftovers to their former glory of crispy bases and melted tops found individual slices are best reheated on a dry frying pan or in an oven set to a low temperature.
The results revealed that contrary to popular belief, it is possible to microwave pizza without ruining it. The secret lies in heating each slice with a half-full glass of water, which sucks in moisture that would otherwise be absorbed by the dough.
Domino’s experts also recommended sticking two slices together and pressing them in a waffle or jaffle iron for an indulgent homemade ‘pizza sandwich’, and reusing leftover crusts by frying them as churros, a sweet snack traditional in Spain.
Reheating in a toaster scored lowest for safety and practicality, where slices burn easily and need to be monitored from the moment you turn it on.
Microwaving single slices of pizza with a half-full glass of water is the secret to avoiding a soggy base, because the water sucks in moisture that would otherwise be absorbed by the dough
IN A MICROWAVE
Domino’s experts say it is possible – albeit tricky – to microwave pizza without destroying it with a soggy, wet crust.
To prevent moisture seeping into the base, place a half-full cup of water onto the microwave plate beside the pizza and heat for roughly 45 seconds.
Without the cup of water, the dough of the base absorbs heat much faster. This vaporises the water in the pizza, which causes them to soak into the crust, making it damp.
While the water trick doesn’t guarantee a crispy slice, the experts claim it’ll emerge considerably crispier than microwaving it alone, so it’s certainly worth a shot.
Crust a la churro: The very unusual Japanese way to eat leftover pizza
Domino’s Japan invented a curious way to use up leftover pizza crusts which are often thrown in the bin with the box.
The team turned crusts into churros, thick, fried-dough pastries popular as in Spain, Portugal, the Philippines and the US.
They are normally eaten for breakfast or as a dessert dipped in chocolate sauce or Dulce de Leche, a rich caramel that originated in Latin America.
To make your own, simply pull the crusts from your leftover slices, fry them in melted butter and sprinkle icing sugar over the top before serving with your choice of sauce.
Source: Domino’s
Pizza crusts fried as churros by the Domino’s Japan team, with icing sugar sprinkled on top to add sweetness to the thick dough
IN A JAFFLE IRON
If you have more than one slice to reheat, the experts suggest sticking two pieces together with the toppings facing inwards to make a DIY ‘pizza sandwich’.
Lay it flat on a sandwich press of jaffle iron and close it over for about a minute for crispy crust on the outside and melted cheese on the inside.
A waffle iron works just as well, but your slice will be covered with square indents.
Pizza sandwiches can be made by sticking two slices together, toppings facing inwards, and toasting them on a jaffle or waffle iron (pictured) for about a minute
IN A FRYING PAN OR OVEN
If you’re after a simple slice with a crispy base and warm toppings just like you get delivered to your door, Domino’s experts recommend reheating in an oven or dry frying pan.
For oven reheating, lay slices about an inch apart on a baking tray covered with grease-proof paper, and toast on a low heat until the cheese starts to soften.
For the frying pan, simply warm one slice at a time over the stove set to a low heat.
Single slices should be reheated inches apart on a baking tray in the oven (left) or on a dry frying pan (right) for a crispy base and lightly melted cheese
Dry fry without oil, as this will turn the base greasy.
These appliances are the safest way to achieve that fresh taste of lightly toasted base with fluffy dough and melted cheese.
Single slices also reheat well in air fryers, which are available from Kmart for $49.
Domino’s experts recommend scraping cheese and toppings from the base and cook them in an omelette (left), and holding onto leftover crusts which can be used as dipping sticks (right)
IN AN OMELETTE
For anyone who can’t stomach the thought of dense dough first thing in the morning, Domino’s researchers suggest reusing the toppings in an omelette.
Gently crack two or three eggs into a frying pan and drop whatever cheese, meat and vegetables you’ve scraped off the base on top.
You can bin the dough but hang on to the crusts, which can be kept in the fridge and used as dipping sticks if you fancy a snack later in the day.