This article was updated on 27/07/2023 for clarity and to incorporate new insights.
Calzone is often HUGE.
It takes someone with a matching appetite to finish one in a single meal. More often than not, I end up wrapping at least half of my calzone up for later. So I decided to experiment and find out the best way to reheat calzone.
In a rush?
The best way to reheat calzone is in a skillet or the oven. Fry the calzone on medium heat for 2 minutes on each side. The crust will get nice and crispy, and the cheese will melt. Or place the calzone in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 7-10 minutes, covering it with foil if the crust starts to brown.
How I tested reheating calzone
I ordered in a couple of nice, big calzones for dinner. I knew I would only be able to eat a fraction of it, but it was worth it because I wanted leftovers for the next couple of days.
I tested four different reheating methods:
- A skillet: My favorite way.
- The oven: The second best way (and good for frozen calzone).
- A microwave: Only good for very stale calzone.
- An air fryer: Great if you have one.
After I warmed each leftover piece, I gave it the old taste-test. I was looking for freshness and texture in the crust, and melty-gooey cheese inside with tasty fillings.
Psst… you can also eat calzone cold. It tastes amazing as a midnight snack.
Reheating calzone in a skillet
Time: 3-6 minutes
Rating: 9/10
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, optionally spritzing it with a light layer of oil.
- Add the calzone and heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Using a spatula, flip the calzone and heat for another 2-3 minutes more.
This method makes the crust rather crispy. If you want a softer crust, sprinkle a little water around the calzone (onto the pan, NOT the calzone) and cover it with a lid for the last minute of cooking. This creates steam which helps moisturize the crust and melt the cheese.
Think the calzone needs a flavor boost? Fry some garlic in the pan before adding the calzone… thank me later.
Results: Winner, winner, calzone dinner! Reheating in the skillet was my favorite method. The crust was crispy with a nice texture, and the cheese melted beautifully. Using a skillet also happens to be my favorite way to reheat pizza.
Top tip
If your calzone has a thick crust or a very dense, heavy filling, you might find it takes too long to heat through in the skillet. In this case, the oven is a better option.
Reheating calzone in the oven (or toaster oven)
Time: 7-10 minutes
Rating: 8/10
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) with a sheet pan inside.
- Place the calzone on the preheated pan.
- Heat the calzone for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, so both sides crisp up. Frozen calzones will need an extra 10 minutes.
- If the crust starts to brown too much, loosely cover the calzone with foil.
Note: if you’re using a toaster oven, the calzone wont need as long.
The hot sheet pan mimics the hot skillet and helps give the crust some crunch. You can also place the calzone straight on a wire rack, but be aware of it falling through the gaps.
For a softer crust, use a cold sheet pan or wrap the calzone in foil.
Foil is best for a really stale calzone. Sprinkle some water over the crust before wrapping in foil. The water will turn to steam in the oven, reinvigorating the crust. To prevent sogginess, remember to open the foil for the last 2 or 3 minutes of cooking.
Results: The oven reheated calzone was tasty, but a little drier than when it was freshly made. Although this is nothing some sauce wouldn’t fix! The oven was also slow, and isn’t ideal if you’re only heating up once portion.
Reheating calzone in the microwave
Time: 1-2 minutes
Rating: 5/10
- Cover calzone with a damp paper towel and place on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on high power in 30-second intervals for 1-2 minutes.
- Let the calzone rest for 30 seconds before eating.
The damp paper towel creates steam in the microwave, which is great for softening stale calzone crusts but can leave them soggy. If you want to crisp the crust up, pop the calzone under a broiler or in a very hot oven for 1-2 minutes after the microwave. Totally optional but definitely helpful.
Always eat your microwaved calzone ASAP, because it will quickly harden as it cools (i.e. turn to cardboard).
Results: The microwave was my least favorite way to reheat a calzone. If it’s all you have it’s fine, but expect soggy, floppy pizza crust. It was also noticeably chewier in texture than the other methods I tried, but the cheese was super gooey! That was a nice silver lining.
Reheating calzone in an air fryer
Time: 4-5 minutes
Rating: 8/10
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
- Place the calzone in the fryer basket
- Heat for 4-5 minutes, or until heated through with melted cheese.
You need to watch air fryers when you’re using them to reheat food. Things can go very quickly from “coming along nicely” to “burnt to a crisp”. Also, be aware that the outside of the crust can feel very hot while the inside is still lukewarm. Always check the filling temperature before biting into the calzone.
As with the skillet method, adding a garlic butter spread on the crust before heating it will elevate the crispiness (and taste).
Results: If you have one at home – I say go for it. This as a quick method, and I couldn’t really fault the outcome. The calzone crust was crispy (and a tiny bit chewy), with a warm and tasty filling.
How to store calzone
You can keep calzone in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it cool to room temperature and then place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Line the container with paper towel to soak up any excess moisture from the crust.
It’s essential the calzone is cool before you store it. Otherwise, the condensation will leave you with a soggy calzone.
Don’t use the calzone box for storage! Cardboard lets air circulate, which speeds up the staling process and shortens the life of your calzone.
Can you freeze calzone?
Leftover calzone freezes really well. First, let the calzone come to room temperature. Then wrap individual serving-sized pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Squeeze the extra air out of the bag before putting it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Alternatively, flash freeze your leftover calzone by spreading the pieces out on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and placing it in the freezer. Once the calzone pieces are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. Flash freezing replaces the need for plastic wrap because the pre-frozen pieces won’t stick together.
Psst… calzone with watery vegetables in the filling won’t freeze as well because the vegetables will get very mushy.
How to reheat frozen calzone
It’s best to reheat frozen calzone directly from the freezer without thawing it first. Place the calzone in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, covering it loosely with foil for the first 10 minutes of heating.
How To Reheat Calzone [Tested Methods]
Ingredients
- 1 slice calzone
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add the calzone and heat for two minutes.
- Using a spatula, flip the calzone.
- Heat for two minutes more, then enjoy.
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