Chicago style deep-dish pizza is an iconic dish – thick, cheesy, and saucy. When you have leftovers, you’ll want to reheat them so they maintain that just-out-of-the-oven freshness. There are a few methods for reheating deep dish pizza slices or a whole pie while keeping the crust crispy and the toppings hot and melty.
Use the Oven
One of the best ways to reheat Chicago style deep dish pizza is in the oven. This allows you to crisp up the crust again while melting and warming the toppings thoroughly. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the pizza on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Watch closely near the end to prevent burning.
For thicker slices or a whole pie, extend the cooking time to 20-25 minutes. Rotate the pizza halfway through for even heating. The beauty of using the oven is you can reheat multiple slices or the entire pizza together.
Reheat in a Skillet
Another way to crisp up that crust is by reheating the pizza in a skillet on the stovetop. Here’s how:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the pizza slices and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until warmed through and the crust is crispy.
- You can cover the pan while reheating to help melt the cheese faster.
The direct heat from the skillet crisps up the bottom crust nicely. Just watch the pizza closely to prevent burning. This method works great for a single slice.
Use the Microwave
For a quick reheat, you can use the microwave. While it won’t crisp the crust, it takes only a minute or two.
- Place the pizza on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave for 60-90 seconds, until warmed through.
- The timing will depend on the thickness of the crust, number of slices, etc. Start with less time and add more as needed.
Add a cup of water alongside the pizza to create steam and prevent the crust from drying out. The microwave can make the texture get rubbery, so this is best for a quick warm-up.
Reheat on a Pizza Stone
A pizza stone can give you a nice crispy crust when reheating. Here’s what to do:
- Preheat your pizza stone in the oven at 450°F for at least 30 minutes.
- Place the pizza directly on the hot stone.
- Heat for about 10 minutes until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
The hot stone crisps up the bottom crust. You can finish under the broiler for a minute or two to melt and brown the toppings. Use a pizza peel to easily transfer the pizza in and out of the oven.
Toaster Oven
A toaster oven offers a smaller, quicker version of a regular oven. To use one:
- Preheat the toaster oven to 400°F.
- Place the pizza on the rack and toast for 5-10 minutes, keeping an eye to prevent burning.
The direct heat from the toaster oven gives you a quick reheat with a crisped crust. This works great for 1-2 slices at a time.
Oven-Then-Skillet
For the best of both worlds, you can use a combo oven-then-skillet method:
- Reheat the pizza in the oven first until warmed through, about 10 minutes at 375°F.
- Then, transfer the pizza to a preheated skillet for 1-2 minutes per side to crisp the crust.
This gives you a hot, melty pizza with a crisped crust. It works great for both slices and a whole pie.
Deep Dish Pizza Reheating Tips
Here are some useful tips for reheating Chicago style deep dish pizza:
- Stagger the placement of slices when reheating multiple pieces so they crisp evenly.
- Use a lower oven temperature (325-375°F) to prevent burning.
- Watch the pizza closely near the end of cooking to prevent over-browning.
- Rotate or flip the pizza halfway through for even reheating.
- Let the pizza sit for 2-3 minutes after reheating so the cheese can set.
- Add a sprinkle of cornmeal or semolina flour to the pizza stone for easier transfer.
How Long Does Leftover Pizza Last?
Properly stored, leftover Chicago style deep dish pizza will last:
| Pizza Type | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Freshly baked | 3-4 days | 2-3 months |
| Takeout or delivery | 3-4 days | 1-2 months |
For best quality and safety, observe these storage guidelines:
- Refrigerate pizza within 2 hours of baking or ordering.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Use freezer bags or airtight containers for freezer storage.
- Reheat fully until steaming hot, at least 165°F.
- Do not refreeze previously frozen pizza once thawed.
Conclusion
Chicago deep dish pizza is well worth saving for later. With its thick, crusty layers and generous toppings, leftovers can be just as delicious as the fresh-baked original. Now that you know the best reheating methods, from the oven to the skillet, you can enjoy every last slice.
The key is using high heat and watching closely to crisp up the crust without burning it. Give the pizza enough time for the cheese and sauce to warm thoroughly. With the right technique, you can reheat your Chicago-style pizza to be almost as good as new.