We all know that a hot, fresh calzone can’t compare to cold leftovers straight out of the fridge, and you shouldn’t have to settle for this. You also don’t have to order or make a calzone every time you feel like it, since you can reheat it easily and it will be like new.
What is the best way to reheat a calzone? The best way to reheat the calzone is, definitely the oven. However, you can also use the air fryer, toaster oven, or skillet for similar results. The microwave can be a bit of a problem, but more on that later.
The Best Ways to Reheat Calzone
Calzone is probably one of the most popular Italian dishes, and it’s basically a folded pizza, similar to stromboli, but simply folded instead of turned. As for the filling, it usually resembles typical pizza ingredients, but the options are endless.
The calzone can be made with salty bread dough, or with pizza dough, depending on your preference. It is normally baked in the oven and filled with different types of cheese (mozzarella, ricottaParmesan), ham, minced meat and/or vegetables.
Sometimes when making or ordering a calzone, you can get too excited and end up with a lot of leftover food. This is not a problem at all when it comes to a calzone, as you can perfectly reheat a calzone using any of our methods.
Make sure your calzone retains its freshness, aroma, and flavors when you store it by storing it in an airtight container if you store it in the fridge. To store it in the freezer, opt for aluminum wrap or aluminum foil.
If you store the calzone in the fridge, it should retain its freshness for about 3 days. On the other hand, the frozen calzone can be kept like this for up to 2 months, depending on the filling you have chosen.
Before you refrigerate or freeze the calzone, you want to make sure it gets cold. Once cooled, you can store it whole or in pieces, depending on your preference. Be aware, however, that the filling may melt from the calzone pieces if reheated this way.
On the other hand, one advantage of storing the calzone in pieces is that you can easily take it out and reheat only the amount you need. Also, the calzone pieces take less time to fully reheat than the whole calzone.
You should also avoid storing the calzone near other types of food, as it has a tendency to absorb other odors and flavors. This can also happen if you store the calzone with different fillings, especially if there are different types of meat.
Whether you’re expecting guests or don’t feel like making a fresh calzone from scratch, reheating leftover calzone, whether chilled or frozen, is always a great solution.
Thanks to any of the following reheating methods, you’ll have a fresh and delicious calzone on your table in no time. Read on to discover the best way to reheat a calzone, based on your preferences and kitchen appliances.
How to reheat a calzone in the oven
The oven is definitely the best option, especially if you want to reheat a whole calzone. With other methods, you run the risk of the calzone being partially frozen in the center, while in the oven it will reheat and crisp up perfectly.
Using the oven is the best way to ensure you get a nice calzone that will taste like it was made with fresh dough that day. And since the calzone is usually cooked in the oven first, it’s only natural that this method would be chosen over others.
If you prefer the dough to remain moist and soft, you can achieve this by covering the calzone with a piece of aluminum foil. You can remove the foil towards the end of the reheating process to keep the top layer crisp.
If this is too bothersome for you, simply brush the calzone with a little oil or melted butter and pop it in the oven. The extra moisture will keep it from drying out, but it will also create a crispy layer on top.
Here are the steps to reheat the calzone in the oven:
- The best temperature to reheat a calzone in the oven is 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so preheat the oven to this temperature.
- Place the calzone on a baking tray, or on an oiled tray.
- Brush the calzone with oil/melted butter, or cover with a piece of aluminum foil if you prefer a softer dough.
- Pop the calzone in the oven and let it reheat for about 20 minutes, depending on how crispy you want it. If you’re reheating a frozen calzone, it will take a little longer to cook through, about 30 minutes.
- Check the calzone with a fork, making sure the inside is well reheated as well.
- Remove the calzone from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving it whole or cutting it into pieces.
How to Reheat a Calzone in the Air Fryer
Many people can be quite skeptical when it comes to using an air fryer for reheating. However, reheating your calzone in an air fryer is easy, convenient, and locks in all the flavors while creating a nice golden crust.
The best thing about using the air fryer to reheat the calzone is that you don’t have to worry about the insides getting cold, even if you want to reheat the mashed potato calzone.
An air fryer works on the principle of hot air circulation, cooking food thoroughly without drying it out.
If you want to make sure your calzone won’t dry out when you reheat it, drizzle a little oil or melted butter on top. This will help create that golden crust we all love, but it will also lock in moisture and make the dough soft on the inside.
Since it doesn’t dry out the food, the air fryer is also a great option for reheating sliced calzone. Plus, what makes it super convenient is the fact that you don’t need to preheat.
Here are the steps to reheat a calzone in an air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the calzone/calzone slices in your air fryer and let it cook for about 5 minutes (or until crisp enough).
- If you want to reheat the frozen calzone, set the timer for 30 minutes and check with a fork to see if the inside is cooked through.
- When the calzone is well reheated, remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
How to Reheat a Calzone in the Toaster Oven
A toaster oven is a great option if you don’t feel like using the regular oven, and you don’t have a large batch of calzone to reheat. Since it is typically much smaller than a regular oven, a toaster oven is a great option for reheating calzone half or calzone slices.
If you want to prepare a small piece of calzone, there is no need to use your big oven for this small task. This is where small appliances like the toaster oven come in handy. As for the results, you can expect your calzone to be just as crispy and delicious.
Also, a toaster oven is a great appliance to use in the summer when you can’t handle the heat of your big oven. It’s convenient, easy to use, and a great alternative to the oven for reheating.
Here are the steps to reheat a calzone in a toaster oven:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake the calzone for about 5 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crunch.
- Remove the calzone from the toaster oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
How to reheat a calzone in the skillet
If you are reheating the calzone in a skillet, keep in mind that this is not an option for frozen calzone, as you could partially reheat it but the center would still likely be frozen. Could be used for a whole calzone, but is a much better option for calzone slices.
A big advantage of reheating your calzone in a skillet is that you can easily check the reheating process, turn the calzone over and check the progress. It is fast, easy and comfortable.
To prevent the calzone from losing all its moisture, you should add a little water to the pan and cover it with a lid. This will allow the calzone to cook well, and the steam will keep the dough soft and moist.
Here are the steps to reheat the calzone in a skillet:
- Put the skillet over medium-high heat and allow it to heat up a bit.
- Add the calzone slices to the skillet.
- Pour a little water on the far side of the calzone if you want to prevent it from drying out.
- Turn the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid for a minute or two.
- Remove the lid, flip the calzone over, and repeat the process.
- After a minute or two, remove the lid and check the sides as well as the inside of the calzone with a fork.
- If necessary, turn the heat back up and fry the calzone a bit more to get a crispy crust (but make sure it doesn’t burn).
How to reheat a calzone in the microwave
Reheating the calzone in the microwave may not be the smartest option, as the batter will likely become mushy and mushy, ruining the crust. If you want a crispy, golden crust, it’s best to go for any of the methods we’ve mentioned above.
However, if you’re used to reheating dough in the microwave and don’t mind it being soft, it may be an option (but we don’t recommend it for a frozen calzone).
Here are the steps to reheat the calzone in the microwave:
- Place the calzone on a microwave-safe tray or plate.
- Set the timer for one to two minutes on the highest setting.
- After a minute or two, remove the calzone from the microwave and allow it to cool before serving.
Can the calzone be reheated?
Yes, you can reheat the calzone, whether it’s been refrigerated or frozen; whole or sliced.
Reheating the calzone in the oven is the best option, especially if it is a whole calzone and if it has been frozen. The downside to using an oven is that it requires preheating and can be a pain in the summer, but it gives the best results.
The air fryer and toaster oven are great ways to reheat your calzone, both whole and sliced. However, if you have a large batch of calzone, you will probably need to use the oven, depending on the size of these appliances.
Use the pan only for refrigerated calzone slices, never for frozen calzone, as you’ll likely end up with the frozen calzone insides.
Finally, the microwave should be your last option, as it often leaves the dough soft and soggy.