The standard-size round pizza contains eight slices. While sliced pizza is readily available at most pizzerias, there’s nothing better than ordering fresh, hot pizza freshly taken out of the oven. Ordering by pie means you’re more likely to have leftovers. Therefore, it is important to know the shelf life of pizza, how it is properly refrigerated, and how it is stored to maintain its quality and freshness.
How Long Does Pizza Last in the Fridge?
According to the USDA, leftover pizzas can last up to four days in the refrigerator if stored correctly. “Keep in mind that the duration may vary depending on certain factors, such as ingredients and storage location in the refrigerator,” says Melanie Marcus, a registered dietitian. Whether you’re ordering a vegetable pie or a meat lover’s specialty, Marcus says, all ingredients are prone to spoilage after four days of refrigeration and should be eaten before that. However, some pizza toppings may be consumed faster than four days. “Inherently moist ingredients like pineapple can become moist, promoting faster bacterial growth,” she explains.
How Long Can Pizza Sit Before It Goes Bad?
If you leave the pizza out overnight, eat it the next morning and survive, then you feel lucky. According to USDA guidelines, Marcus said, “Any food that sits at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.” “Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature. Placing pizza in cardboard boxes can create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. So, be sure to refrigerate the pizza as soon as it cools.
Can You Eat Pizza After a Week in the Fridge?
It is not recommended to eat pizza after the fourth day in the refrigerator. The chances of spoilage are higher at this point, but as Rob Guimond, chef and owner of PDA Pizza, explains, the pizza is of poor quality. “It’s still edible, but you’re in the danger zone,” Gimond said. “I won’t eat it.”
If you want to take your chance after the fourth day, Elizabeth Shaw (MS, RDN), author of The Air Fryer for Dummies Indicate that you should look out for these signs. “The smell and appearance of mold are two of the top indicators that pizza may not be safe to eat,” she said. “If it has ingredients, it may be harder to spot mold, so just make sure you’ve passed the three- to four-day deadline and double-check before biting!”
How Should I Store Pizza in the Fridge?
To maintain the quality of the pizza, food scientist Dr. Bryan Le. The stacking method is recommended. “Stack pizza slices in single layers on aluminum foil or parchment paper and put the layers together,” he explains. This prevents the cheese from sticking to the bottom of each stacked slice while also keeping the bottom of each pizza slice dry. “Wrap the whole pile in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator,” he said.
How Long Does Pizza Dough or Pizza Sauce Last in the Fridge?
If you plan to make your own pizza, use the dough within two days. “For our dough, gluten peaks within 48 hours,” says Gimond. “Tasted best after three days. After four days, only experts can use it. After five days, it will not be usable because it will fall apart. Pizza sauce stored in the refrigerator should be used within 7 days for the best quality.
What Is the Best Way to Reheat Leftover Pizza?
Many people agree that leftover pizza is delicious even when it’s cold, but if you want to get it back to piping hot, here are some professional ways to do it:
- Air fryer. Shaw recommends setting the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, placing pizza slices directly in the air fryer and heating them for three to five minutes for best results.
- Oven. Marcus recommends sliding the slices onto a piece of aluminum foil and baking at 350⁰F for about 10 minutes until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Traditional Oven. If you’re heating more than one slice of pizza, use a foil-lined pan and follow the same instructions as a traditional oven.
- Low and Slow. If you have time, Le recommends slowly heating the pizza at 275⁰F for 25 to 30 minutes. “Placing the pizza on a preheated pan will help evaporate excess moisture from the pizza crust,” he says.
- Saucepan. If you’re reheating a single slice, Marcus recommends using the skillet method, splashed with water. “Cover for a few minutes and let the steam heat the pizza throughout,” she says.
