Pizza is the best food. It is the base of many delicious suppers and has been eaten for centuries by many cultures throughout history. But it has one problem that, to be frank, is rather annoying: it cools down fast while sitting at your table. How do you keep pizza warm?
What if I told you that it is possible to solve this problem by keeping the pizza warm and crispy? Yes, it really is possible! So, keep reading to see how to keep pizza warm.
How to Keep Pizza Warm – What Is The Problem?
The problem is simple – when a pizza sits on the table for more than a minute or two, the bottom part of the pizza starts getting cold because of the air around it. The pizza seems to warm up for a few minutes, and it does so faster than before when it cools again.
How long does a pizza stay warm in the pizza box? Well, probably not more than 3 minutes. The longer a pizza is in the box, the longer it stays warm. However, two minutes is already a pretty long time for someone hungry.
How Does The Air Infiltrate The Pizza?
It is a question you might have. The answer is that the air infiltrates through the box lid, the edges of the pizza box, and the pizza itself. Indeed, warm air cannot pass through solid objects, but it can penetrate through thin objects.
The air infiltrates all these things very easily, and we will see why in a second. And after a few minutes, these “infiltration points” cool down again. Then, the air temperature drops, and the pizza can’t warm up again.
Helpful Methods To Keep A Pizza Warm
The solution consists of good air circulation in the whole apartment, which works well when you have a proper ventilation system. But if you don’t have the means to make an appropriate ventilation system, you need to use a couple of tricks to work on any pizza, not just deep-dish pizza.
Good thing, there are tons of hacks n how you keep its warmth. Check them out!
Method 1: Put the pizza in the oven while on its box
One of the most convenient solution to keep a fresh pizza is to put it in the oven while it is still in its box. The box will protect the pizza from losing warmth, and the oven will keep the pizza warm for a long time.
Set your oven to 170 degrees Celsius, and wait for 30 minutes until the pizza is ready.
By doing so, the box will help to lower the temperature of the pizza, while the oven will raise it again. Now the pizza is ready to eat, and it will stay warm for a few hours.
Just make sure that you won’t catch fire. You sure don’t want to burn your pizza.
Method 2: Keep Pizza Warm On The Stovetop
Do you want to enjoy your pizza party? Then you should avoid putting it on the table because that’s where it will cool down faster. Instead, set a pizza stove on your oven to boil water and put your pizza slices directly on its top.
The idea is that the box keeps the air in while the steam is released from inside, and heat will spread evenly onto its surface. This way, the pizza will stay warm for a long time so that you can enjoy your party after, even at the lowest temperature.
Method 3: Use Aluminum Foil Method
Another easy and quick trick to keep a pizza warm is to wrap it in aluminum foil. It’s easy and fast, and it keeps the heat. Just double-wrap it properly around and on top of the pizza. Now leave it for 10-15 minutes until the aluminum foil melts slightly so that water vapor can move easily through.
That way, the heat will be evenly distributed, and you will get a warm pizza without problems.
Method 4: Pizza Stone May Do The Trick
If you plan to heat up the oven at the end of your workday, you should try putting your pizza on the pizza stone instead of on an oven rack.
Why is this a good idea? The reason is that the pizza stone will distribute the heat evenly and keep it warm for quite some time. That way, you can use the pizza stone as a warming tray.
Just set the oven timer for 40 minutes, and put your pizza on top of this stone to avoid losing its heat during that time. That way, you can make a pizza in advance.
Method 5: Wrap The Pizza In A Cloth, Then Turn It Inside Out
This hack works very well on a deep-dish pizza because it keeps the air away from the crust and deep-fried toppings. To do this, all you need to do is wrap the entire thing in aluminum foil, wrap that aluminum foil with another one, overlapping them like layers of a cake.
This will keep all of the steam inside and create an enclosed container for the pizza. Use a cloth or paper towel to wrap up the whole thing and keep it clean. Then turn it right-side-out and you’ll notice that the pizza is warm, but not soggy.
Method 6: Microwave Heat
You can also use a microwave to heat the pizza. It works quite well.
First, you need to take the pizza out of its box and put it in a microwave-safe bowl or plate. It will help warm it up without getting much soggy. Don’t put any toppings on it, though, unless you like them burnt more than usual.
You should set the microwave for around 25-30 minutes. It is just enough to heat your pizza up and keep it warm until you’re ready to eat.
What’s great about this trick is that you can use it whenever you want to. Just keep the pizza in the microwave for a few minutes when you will eat it later.
Method 7: Hot Oven
One of the best alternative methods to keep the food warm is to put it inside an oven. The benefit is that you don’t have to use any other tools at all. Just let the oven do its work, and after a while the pizza will be nicely warm and ready for you. You should leave it in there for about 30 minutes.
When removing the pizza, make sure that you turn off the oven quickly so that it doesn’t burn your hand and your food.
After your pizza has been warm for a while, you can then put your sauce, cheese, and toppings on it. That way, you will get a soft-cooked pizza with its original taste and texture.
If you like your pizza hot, though, you can also open it back up in the oven just as in the microwave. This way, you can use the residual heat for cooking the food further and making your pizza even more delicious.
Ovenless? Try The Frying Pan Method
Don’t have a microwave or an electric oven? Relax, we got you covered. A frying pan, especially the non-stick pan can be a lifesaver too, to maintain a gooey pizza!
Spray a frying pan with olive oil. Cut your pizza dough in half and start stretching it out to place it on the pan. Place plenty of toppings on it, including extra cheese and sauce if you want to.
If you like your pizza very crispy, place your chicken tenders on it too! Once you’ve done this, hit the pan with a little bit of oil and give the pizza a few good stirs. You should see some nice browning happen in no time at all. When your pizza crust has acquired a golden colour, you are ready to eat. You can also mix fresh mozzarella into the sauce to make a more special dish.
Wrap up
There you have it – easy hacks that can help you do some crazy things with your pizza. Mix and match different toppings to make a variety of specialties. Now that you know how to cook pizza, you have no more excuses for skipping your favorite food.
Nothing is more delicious than a freshly made hot pizza that has been cooked to perfection. But the struggle on keeping its warmth and freshness is real! Fret not, my pizza-loving friends, because you can use all the helpful hacks in this article to make your pizza cooking experience better.
You’ll love the result and may even surprise your family and friends with how good it tastes.
FAQs
Q) How Can You Keep Pizza Warm Without an Oven?
A) The easiest way is to use a microwave. If you have a microwave, you can use it to keep the pizza warm. Just place slices of the pizza on a microwave-safe plate. Then get a microwave-safe bowl 3/4 way filled with water and place it at the center of the microwave. Place your pizza plate on top of the bowl.
Q) Can You Put Pizza in the Oven Without a Pan?
A) Yes, you can. It’s actually really simple. Every oven comes with a baking sheet. All you need to do is to invert your baking sheet just before you heat up your oven. Place it on the lowest oven shelf for the best results.
Q) How Do You Keep Pizza Warm in the Car?
A) One of the easiest ways to keep your pizza warm in the car is to put it in an airtight bag immediately after you get it from the shop. Ensure that you get as much air out of your bag as possible. Once done, place the pizza in your car. If it’s the cold season, make sure that your car is well warmed up prior to getting the pizza in. You can also wrap it up with a folded towel or blanket. Make sure you eat the pizza as soon as you get to your destination.
