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How to Reheat a Calzone? (My 2 Best Picks)

how to reheat a calzone

Calzones are a hit among the masses. So let’s find out how to reheat a Calzone and make it easier to enjoy that delicious folded pizza goodness all over again with tasty leftovers.

The options are quite versatile, from the ones filled with vegetables and cheese to the ones filled with shredded meat and cheese. If you are making calzones at home, you will likely make more. Because, let’s be real, we all like some frozen calzones to enjoy later.

But, to heat a calzone, is it necessary you follow some specific hygiene rules? Yes, of course, and if there is meat involved then 100%.

Reheating a calzone is not rocket science, but there are some things you can do to make sure the leftovers come out toasty, warm, and delicious. The best way of doing it is by using the oven just s you did to cook it initially. Many bread-based foods turn out the best when warmed in the oven as it keeps them fresh and tasty. Is it simple to reheat nachos, chips, tortillas, and other breaded foods in the oven? Can you find the best way to reheat a calzone without a lot of hassle? The answer is yes.

Aside from the oven, the skillet works just fine. But, you need to be extremely vigilant during the reheating process. The one thing we wouldn’t suggest is a microwave. It completely ruins the calzone, leaving you with a soggy pastry. So whether you have them chilled in the fridge or frozen in the freezer, the best way to reheat a calzone is important. Here are some options for how to reheat a calzone.

How to Reheat a Calzone – Best Picks

For your convenience on reheating these “mini pizzas,” we have sorted out the top 2 ways that every “Calzone Connoisseur” suggests.

  • Oven
  • Skillet

But, with so many reheating elements available, the reason why we suggest an oven and skillet is that it holds its integrity. The calzone remains flaky and crisp on the outside and flavourful and gooey on the inside.

Finding the best way to reheat a calzone requires consideration of what options are available to you and what the end results might yield. Opting for something like a microwave oven will heat this mini pizza extremely fast on the inside, leaving you with a soggy pastry. This is nothing but a nightmare.

So, we are going to share the top ways to reheat a calzone here. From knowing how to reheat a calzone in the oven to figuring out the process of how to reheat a calzone in an air fryer or skillet.

1. Reheating Calzone Using An Oven

How to Reheat a Calzone

If you want to reheat your calzone to have the same taste, like the first time you ate it piping hot, use an oven. This works well for frozen calzones or even those you stacked away the night before in the fridge. Understanding how to reheat a calzone in the oven is fairly straightforward and doesn’t take any advanced skill or know-how.

But how do you reheat it?

Steps to follow:

  1. The first thing you need to do is preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. If you have a frozen calzone, defrost it first. If you are pulling one  out of the fridge, you can directly line it on the baking sheet
  3. Once on the baking sheet, take a brush and apply a thin layer of oil on the calzones to ensure it has a flaky and crusty exterior. 
  4. Put the baking sheet inside the oven for 20 minutes for one chilled and add another 10 minutes if you are heating one still partly frozen. 
  5. If you want to test if it’s done, score one through the middle and see whether the insides are heated or not
  6. Once done, take the baking sheet out and enjoy your reheated calzones straight out of the oven

So, as you can see, figuring out the process of how to reheat a calzone in the oven is fairly simple and has long been held as the best way to preserve the texture, taste, and flavor of your calzone.

Why Should You Use an Oven to Reheat Calzone?

Using an oven for reheating comes with its own set of pros and cons. But, for the most part, it is the most favorable option. So, why should you use an oven to reheat a calzone?

  • It heats the calzone throughout; from the exterior crust to the filling inside, all uniformly
  • It allows you to directly reheat the calzone straight out of a freezer, ensuring to reduce your hassle by half
  • It keeps the filling gooey in the center and the crust golden and crispy

Then, what are the downsides since we know how to reheat a calzone in the oven?

Reheating in an oven might be the best way to reheat a calzone but it is time-consuming. In comparison to a microwave and toaster oven, it does take a little longer than usual. You need to preheat the oven; you also need to wait up to 30 minutes for the calzone to reheat from the center. There is also the risk of overcooking simply by losing track of time during the long waiting period. It is a possibility that has to be considered when choosing the best way to reheat a calzone.

Similar Post: How to Reheat Fajitas

2. Reheating Calzone On the Skillet

Reheat Calzone On Skillet

If you have some guests over suddenly and you don’t have a lot of time to spare, the skillet is a better and faster option that can work. It might not be the single  best way to reheat a calzone, but it is definitely better than a microwave.. But, heating on a skillet requires vigilance on your part. You need to keep an eye out to prevent the calzone from burning or cooking too fast.

Steps to follow:

  1. Much like an oven, you need to heat a non-stick skillet on low to medium heat to get the best results. 
  2. Put the calzone on the skillet and allow it to reheat for 1-2 minutes, depending on the size.
  3. Always keep an eye out on the progress and flip it when the first of it has turned golden brown and crispy.
  4. Increase or decrease the heat depending on how fast it is reheating and watch it closely to make sure it doesn’t burn.
  5. Once both sides are browned nicely, lower the heat and sprinkle some water over and around the calzone and cover it with a lid for 1-2 minutes. This will allow the insides to heat up as well
  6. Once done, remove it from the skillet and enjoy it with any side or sauce you wish.

Why Should You Reheat Calzone on a Skillet?

Much like ovens, even skillets come with their own set of pros and cons. It is hands down not as efficient as an oven, but it does get the job done, especially when you need the calzones reheated faster.

The only upside to using a skillet is the time, which makes it the best way to reheat calzones in larger quantities. This method will reheat a calzone in under five minutes, which is perfect when you are on the go.

But, like the pro, it comes with a downside too. The moment you divert your eyes and leave it on for too long, they can stick to the pan and burn. Also, you can’t reheat a frozen calzone directly on a skillet. You need to thaw it first. But even despite this, you can figure out how to reheat half a calzone or several at once, depending on what your needs are.

Is Airfryer a Viable Option to Reheat A Calzone?

Now that we have discussed the two most convenient and the best ways to reheat calzone , we need to talk about some accessory options. Airfryer is one of them.

To answer your question, yes, you can reheat a calzone in an airfryer. And, it is one of the healthiest and quickest ways to do so. All you have to do is switch on the airfryer and set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once done, put the calzones inside the container and heat them for 3-4 minutes. It is a bit more complicated and many people today still do not have an air fryer readily available. But if you do and you want to use it, this is how to reheat a calzone in an airfryer.

How to Reheat a Frozen Calzone?

How to Reheat a Frozen Calzone

Reheating a frozen calzone can be easy or tough, depending on the equipment you are using. In an oven, you can put the frozen calzone directly inside on a baking tray.

But, if you are using a skillet or an airfryer, you should thaw them first.

If you have some frozen leftover calzone that you want to eat tomorrow, leave them in the fridge from the freezer to thaw overnight. This keeps the calzone fresh and doesn’t risk the growth of bacteria.

How Long is a Leftover Calzone Good for?

If you have baked calzones left over in your fridge, they will last for about three days and in the freezer, they will stay good for at least three months. Keeping food fresh in the fridge freezer, or on the shelf is a big part of reducing food waste and getting the most out of your meals.

It is always best that you make fresh batches, but calzones can last you for 3 months, which is more than enough for an extra batch or two calzones.

With frozen calzones, you need to thaw them first, especially if you are using a skillet or airfryer for reheating them. A toaster oven is not a good option for reheating frozen calzones, so skip that out completely.Are you interested in how to save and reheat other bread-based foods?

There are many similar topics related to saving and reheating foods, from using leftover tortillas to the best way to reheat a calzone. Be sure to check out our other articles to learn more about making the most of all your leftovers!

Why is Microwave Not a Favourable Option for Reheating Calzones?

We have mentioned time and time before in the article that if you want to reheat a calzone, the last thing we’d suggest is using a microwave. And, there are justifications to it as well.

All that a microwave does is turn the calzone into a piece of mush with cheese inside. That is not something you want at all, and this is far from the best way to reheat a calzone

The best part of a calzone is the crispy outside with the soft and melting inside. Reheating in a microwave leaves the outside completely soggy, with the insides reheated way too fast.

If you don’t want your efforts going to complete waste, we would suggest that you skip using the microwave altogether.

How to Store Cooked Calzone?

If you make calzones, you will likely make more than you can eat. That is a given, hence the purpose behind this article. But, as much as knowing about the reheating process is essential, knowing the process of storing them is equally important.

Baked or not, you must store your leftover calzones inside an airtight container. This is extremely important. In case you are using a fridge, finish them up before 2-3 days. But, if you are freezing them, they do last for around 3 months, so plan your things accordingly.

In case you don’t have an airtight container, the next best alternative is a freezer bag or aluminum foil. The important thing here really is to keep the air away as it will cause the food to go stale and hard and will also speed up the growth of bacteria. Part of the process of finding and using the best way to reheat a calzone is making sure it is fresh and safe to eat when it comes time to reheat the calzone.

Conclusion

To reheat a calzone, you need to prep the steps. Store it the right way and use the right equipment for reheating. The process of reheating in itself isn’t that tough, so all you need to do is know the steps. And, we have shared every last detail with you and have shown you the best ways to reheat a calzone. From knowing how to reheat a calzone in the oven to figuring out the process of how to reheat a calzone in an air fryer or skillet.

Happy eating! Hope it helps.

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