Can you Freeze Leftover Pizza?- How Long does it Last?

As an avid pizza lover, I have experienced having leftovers far too many times already. Luckily, pizza freezes well, and you can store it in the freezer which is very simple and convenient.

There can be times when you order an extra-large pizza for the family and you might have overestimated the appetite of everyone which leaves you with leftover pizzas.

If you plan on eating the leftover pizza in the next few days, you can store them in the fridge for up to four days to retain its flavors and textures.

A better alternative is to freeze the pizzas so they can last longer and you can have a slice ready even after a month of storing it in the freezer.

Whether you have made large batches of pizzas for you to eat within the month or you have leftover pizzas, freezing is the best way to store them for a longer period of time.

So exactly how do you freeze the leftover or fresh pizza? How long does it last in the freezer or the fridge? We will answer all these questions so read on!

How To Store Leftover Pizza

You can store leftover pizzas in two ways: you can either store the leftover pizza in the fridge or store them in the freezer for longer.

1. In The Fridge

There are a few tricks that you can do when storing pizza in the fridge but this simple method gives you more space to work on and protect the pizza from cross-contamination as well.

First, place a paper towel at the bottom of a clean plastic container. Place one slice in the container and then put another piece of paper towel on top of the pizza slice.

Tip: To be even safer, wrap each slice of pizza with plastic wrap/aluminium foil before placing it in the plastic container. Also, if the pizza is greasy then use aluminium foil layers or parchment paper between the layers of pizza slices.

Continue to alternate the pizza slices and the paper towels until the plastic container is full. Close the plastic container and then place it in the fridge for up to four days.

The paper towels make it easier for you to get a slice of pizza without the other slices sticking to the slice that you are getting.

Make sure that you use an airtight container or cover the top of the container with plastic wrap to make sure that the pizza slices retain their rigidity and quality.

2. In The Freezer

Your leftover pizza can be frozen so it can last longer. Start by separating each slice and then wrapping them individually with plastic wrap.

Roll the plastic wrap twice over each pizza slice to make sure that it is ‘sealed’. Place the pizza slices in a zip-lock bag and then close the bag before putting it in the freezer.

Add another protective layer with aluminum foil after wrapping the pizza slices with the plastic wrap to prevent freezer burns.

This process is more time-consuming than wrapping the whole leftover pizza altogether. However, wrapping each slice will save more space in the freezer.

Whenever you want a pizza slice, you can take one from the freezer, thaw it, and then reheat it for consumption. Your pizza slices will last up to 2 months in the freezer.

How Long To Freeze Leftover Pizza?

Leftover pizza can last for up to 2 months in the freezer. It is the best way to store your leftover pizza if you hate throwing pizza away into the trash.

The leftover pizza in your freezer can last more than 2 months too, but the taste will not be as delicious. That is why I recommend eating it within 2 months.

Throwing away a perfectly good slice of pizza is really disappointing, especially if there are ways to store it for later consumption such as storing it in the fridge or freezing the leftover pizza.

How Long Does Pizza Stay Good In The Fridge?

Pizza stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days according to the USDA. That is if you have properly stored the pizza in the fridge right away.

It is worth taking note that pizza should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After 2 hours, it can start to collect bacteria and will not be safe to eat even if you store it.

So if you store your pizza in the fridge, make sure to consume it within 3 to 4 days. Do not push it to 5 days even if you see other people on the internet saying it is safe to eat after 5 days.

Is Pizza Good After 5 Days In The Fridge?

No, pizza is not good nor is it safe to eat after 5 days in the fridge despite other people saying otherwise.

After the 4th day in the fridge, pizza can start to collect bacteria and eventually spoil. Eating pizza after that can cause food poisoning.

Even without indications (smell, molds, slime on pepperoni toppings, etc.) that the pizza is not spoiled, the pizza can still have bacteria in it that are really risky and unsafe to eat.

How Long Does Pizza Stay Good In The Freezer?

Pizza can stay good in the freezer for 1 to 2 months. It is best to consume the pizza in the freezer within the first month to ensure that it still has its delicious flavors and texture.

Some pizzas can stay good in terms of quality and flavor at the 2-month mark but personally, I eat the pizza I stored in the freezer within the first month.

At that point, the pizza will still keep its crunchy texture and rich flavors. After 2 months, the taste starts to decline with the toppings and sauce becoming bland.

Can I Keep The Pizza In The Freezer For More Than 1-2 Months?

Yes, as long as the pizza is stored in the freezer at a constant 0 degrees Fahrenheit temperature, the pizza will be safe to eat indefinitely.

It is advised to consume the pizza within the first 2 months so that you can still have that tasty pizza that you want.

After two months, the pizza is still safe to eat but it will not have the same great flavor and texture so it is best to consume it within the 2-month timeframe.

Should Frozen Pizza Be Thawed Before Baking?

Frozen pizza does not need to be thawed before putting them in the oven. So yes, you can put frozen pizza directly on the oven rack and let it cook.

With that said, there is also nothing wrong with thawing the frozen pizza before placing it in the oven and cooking it.

Some argue that the pizza will even develop a better flavor if you allow it to defrost for 1 to 2 hours before removing it from the packaging and then cooking it in the oven.

Personally, I do not thaw the frozen pizza before baking it. The main reason is that the packaging of most frozen pizza say that you can place it directly in the oven without thawing.

I also prefer this method of putting the frozen pizza directly in the oven to avoid contamination, which can happen if the pizza stays outside for long while it is thawing.

The bottom line is you do NOT need to thaw frozen pizza before baking it. You can directly place the frozen pizza in the oven and let it bake.

How To Reheat Frozen Pizza

There are many debates as to which method is the best when it comes to reheating pizzas. Some say it is to microwave it while others prefer baking it in the pizza oven again.

I prefer going with the latter because sometimes the leftover pizza stored in the freezer can become rubbery when it is reheated in the microwave.

So unlike the ‘Frozen Pizza’ that you bought online, it is essential to always thaw the leftover pizza slices that you have stored in the freezer before reheating them.

To do this, transfer the pizza slices that you want to reheat from the freezer to the fridge and let them defrost for 3 to 4 hours.

Do not remove the plastic wrap from the pizza while you are thawing it in the fridge. You can remove the aluminum foil but make sure to keep the plastic wrap.

Once the pizza slices are thawed, remove them from the fridge and then remove the plastic wrap. Reheat them with your preferred method or choose from the following:

1. Reheating Frozen Pizza In The Microwave

This is perhaps the most convenient method of reheating your leftover pizzas in the freezer. After thawing the pizza slices, place them on a plate and then put them in the microwave.

Put a glass of water beside the plate in the microwave and then reheat the pizza. Set the microwave to high and let the pizza reheat for 30 seconds.

This method is the fastest way to reheat your pizza slices while also ensuring that the pizza slices stay crispy but not too dry.

2. Reheating Frozen Pizza In The Oven

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and then place the thawed pizza slices on a sheet of aluminum foil – do not wrap.

You can also use a sheet pan and preheat it in the oven if you do not have aluminum foil.

Once the oven is preheated, place the pizza slices in the oven and then let it reheat for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the whole pizza slice is warmed to the middle.

3. Reheating Frozen Pizza On A Skillet

Another convenient way of reheating your pizza slices is to do it on a cast-iron skillet. Heat up the skillet on the stove over medium heat.

Place the pizza slices that you are going to reheat on the skillet and allow the crust to crisp up for about a minute.

Put a few drops of water on the sides of the skillet and then cover it. This will create the steam that is needed to cook the toppings of the pizza.

This reheating method takes about 4 to 5 minutes to finish and is a great way to reheat pizza if you just want a few slices to eat.

4. REHEATING FROZEN PIZZA IN AIR FRYER

If you have an air fryer then you know how easy it can get to reheat frozen pizza in the air fryer.

It is convient and at the same time, the pizza base comes out crisper than fresh pizza and the cheese melts to perfection.

Just make sure not to leave the pizza at a very high temperature in the air fryer. I recommend going for 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4 minutes for a medium crust.

You can heat it for longer than 5 minutes but make sure to check the pizza at the 3-4 minute mark.

What Is The Best Way To Freeze Leftover Pizza?

Whether your pizza is pre-cooked or cooked, it will last for 2 months or more in the freezer. The best way to freeze pizza is to wrap each slice with plastic wrap and put them in an airtight container.

In order to save space, the best option is to wrap each slice of pizza with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

I know, the process can be tedious but trust me, it will save up more space and will ensure that each slice of pizza is safe in the freezer for a long time.

Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to freeze your leftover pizza:

Separate each pizza slice from each other on a plate.
Wrap each slice of pizza with clingfilm or plastic wrap.
Bring the plastic wrap around twice to prevent air from getting in the pizza slice.

Do not press down on the pizza.

Wrap aluminum foil over the plastic wrap to prevent moisture from getting in.
Place the wrapped pizza slices in an airtight, freezer-safe container or a freezer bag.
Place the pizza slices in the freezer and store them for up to 2 months.

Note: If you freeze pizza in aluminum foil, you will have a better chance of keeping the moisture content of the pizza slices.

Can You Freeze Fresh Cooked Pizza?

You can freeze freshly cooked pizza, and just like pizza from pizza places like Pizza Hut and Domino’s, freshly cooked pizza can last for up to 2 months in the freezer.

The same process of storing leftover pizza goes with freshly cooked pizza. That is where you wrap each slice of pizza with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to avoid freezer burns.

You should, however, allow the pizza slices to cool down before putting them in the freezer. If the pizza is too hot, it can damage the freezer.

So make sure to allow the pizza slices to cool down for at least an hour (no more than 2 hours) before wrapping them with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Place them in a freezer bag or an airtight container and then put the pizza slices in the freezer.

So, can you cook pizza and then freeze it?

Yes, of course.

Whether the pizza is homemade or bought from pizzerias, you can freeze them for later consumption.

Storing each pizza slice in the freezer can be a hassle but it will help with saving space. If your freezer is large enough, though, you can freeze the whole pizza for less hassle.

How Do You Freeze A Whole Pizza?

You can freeze a whole pizza by wrapping it with plastic wrap and covering it with aluminum foil. Place the pizza in a pan and then place it in the freezer.

This is a good way to store your pizza but it certainly is NOT the best.

It is better if you store the pizza by separating and wrapping the slices individually to save space.

Large freezers can accommodate a whole pizza. As long as you wrap the whole pizza properly, it should also be safe in the freezer for up to 2 months as well.

Make sure that the wrap is sealed all around to make sure that no moisture or air gets into the pizza and damages it while it is in the freezer.

Is It Better To Freeze Pizza Cooked Or Uncooked?

It is better to freeze cooked pizza if the crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings are already assembled.

If you have an uncooked dough, the best way to freeze it is to par-bake it first before you store it in the freezer.

Par-baking ensures that you will have a crispy crust when you cook the pizza for later.

So bake the crust partially before putting the toppings on it and then freeze it.

If you haven’t assembled the ingredients yet, it is best to store the uncooked pizza dough by itself in an airtight container.

Can You Refreeze A Pizza That Has Been Thawed?

Yes, you can refreeze a pizza that has been thawed but it will not have the same quality compared to a pizza that has been frozen and thawed only once.

When you freeze pizza or any food for that matter, the cells in them will move around and change. The same goes when you thaw it.

At first, this can hardly affect the quality of pizza but repeating this process can change the pizza’s structure and quality significantly.

It can make the pizza rubbery or chewy instead of it is crispy. So it is best to freeze, thaw, and refreeze the pizza only once.

Final Thoughts

As long as you do it the proper way, you can freeze your leftover pizza and have it ready in the freezer for up to 2 months so you can reheat it whenever you want a slice.

Whether your pizza is homemade, frozen, or bought from pizza places like Domino’s and Pizza Hut, you can freeze them so they can stay good for a long time.

Just make sure to protect the pizza slices from contamination by wrapping them in plastic wrap and protect them also from freezer burns using aluminum foil.

Your pizza will stay frozen and safe for the next two months but make sure to consume it before then so the pizza will still have the same delicious taste and crispy texture.

Which one works better for you? Let me know in the comments below!

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