Use A Glass Of Water To Microwave Leftover Pizza And Preserve The Crust's Texture

The question of whether or not to reheat leftover pizza in the microwave is controversial. Cold pizza lovers and toaster oven die hards alike may argue that when you stick your leftover slices in the microwave, you wind up with mushy toppings and an unappetizing, chewy crust. But if you don't want to throw your extra pizza out, and can't stand the thought of eating your slices cold, there is a way to nuke them that will leave your crispy crust intact: adding a glass of water into the mix.

Why does microwaving a glass of water with your pizza help preserve the crust's texture? When you nuke the pizza on its own, the high temperatures melt the sugar molecules in the dough, which causes them to harden as they cool down. Plus, these devices are meant to heat water as quickly as possible, with all their attention focused on your slice. That means the moisture will rapidly evaporate in your crust. Including a glass of water in the microwave basically creates a decoy for some of the heat. The waves will be less intense toward your slice and distribute around your device more evenly, meaning you can preserve the crispiness of your crust.

So, if you want to use a glass of water to keep your crust's crispy texture alive, here's how to do it. You'll want to center your slice in the microwave on a plate. Then simply fill a microwave-safe mug halfway with water, place it on the edge of the rotating turntable, and nuke your pizza for 30 to 45 seconds — or until it's hot and the cheese is nice and melty again. Since power levels vary by microwave, you may have to use a little trial and error to get the exact timing right. But by keeping the zapping time to under a minute, you can prevent the mug of water from heating to a full-on boil and steaming your crust. If you want to ensure your slices are heated low and slow, you can also try adjusting your microwave's power to under 50%, but keep in mind the total nuking time may extend in this case.

Of course, you can also try reheating your leftovers in the oven, which should only take up to 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Other options include the air fryer, which is nice and quick at about five minutes, or the stove, where a teaspoon of water can help keep your slice's integrity intact. But when time is really of the essence, try a glass of water in the microwave.