Americans waste 150,000 tonnes of food every day. That’s a lot and so very unfortunate. Freezing leftover meals for later isn’t just economical but also sustainable on so many grounds. But can all kinds of food be frozen?
Can you freeze Pizza Hut pizza? If yes, how? And for how long? Does it pose any risks to your health?
Let’s find out everything.
Table Of Content
Can You Freeze Pizza Hut Pizza?
Yes, you can freeze Pizza Hut pizza and store it for up to 3 months as long as you pack and store it correctly. Of course, when thawed and reheated, it wouldn’t exactly look or taste like freshly baked pizza. Nonetheless, it will still be edible and tasty.
The same is true for Papa John’s Pizza and Domino’s Pizza.
How To Freeze Pizza Hut Pizza?
Here is the step by step instructions on how to freeze Pizza Hut pizza:
- Wait for the pizza to cool down entirely.
- Separate the pizza slices using wax paper. Wax paper ensures the slices don’t stack together.
- Wrap separated slices with plastic wrap and put them in a resealable freezer bag. Bring the wrap around twice to secure the slices tightly.
- Freeze the pizza for around 3 months.
Before you freeze your pizza slices, suck as much air out of the freezer bag as possible, so they’re spared the freezer burn.
Plastic-Free Pizza Hut’s Pizza Freezing Technique
If you’re not a fan of using plastic packaging, you can flash freeze the pizza slices on a baking tray for a couple of hours before transferring the frozen slices into a freezer bag.
Why Should You Freeze Pizza Hut Pizza?
Food becomes a breeding ground for microbial activity when kept at temperatures above 40 degrees F. The food in question becomes inedible and poses risks to your health due to bacterial/fungal growth.
And that’s where the freezer shines. In a frozen state, the harmful microbes are deactivated although not destroyed. And that’s enough to prevent food spoilage.
Fridges, unlike freezers, cannot wholly stop the microbial activity. The best they can do is slow down the growth process and multiplication of microbes.
And that’s why food stored in the fridge needs to be consumed within a couple of days.
Can You Freeze Pizza Hut Pizza? Answer By Pizza Hut Employee
While scouring through the forums to find out people’s take on freezing pizza, I came across an intriguing response shared by someone who works at Pizza Hut.
Her comment goes something like this:
“I work for Pizza Hut, so I can definitely give you some advice.
The meat toppings and dough are kept frozen in the store. The veg toppings are refrigerated. I don’t think you should freeze something once it’s been cooked and then heat it up again once you’ve defrosted it. This could lead to food poisoning – especially after considering that the dough and meat that Pizza Hut uses have already been frozen and defrosted before you buy it. So essentially, you’d be refreezing – not just freezing.”
So… that’s about it. It definitely made me rethink my decisions. I occasionally still freeze and reheat takeout pizza. I haven’t run into any issues so far – but if you’re someone who wants to err on the side of caution, that’s some food for thought.
I have also included the response shared by a couple of other food enthusiasts. Disclaimer: Be prepared; it’s a mixed bag!
Can You Freeze Pizza Hut Pizza? Real Answers By Real People!
Note: All the answers listed below purely belong to the respective authors.
“I think you could, but it would taste awful!”
“The pizza tastes the same if kept in the fridge and reheated but wouldn’t the freezer be one step too far?”
“It should be fine. But it might impair the taste a bit though.”
“I do it all the time. But make sure it’s cold before you toss it in the freezer. I wrap individual slices in plastic wrap. I also do this with McDonalds pizza.”
“I tend to get margherita pizza and there’s always too much. So I freeze them and eat them the next day. It tastes lovely.”
“My mum does it. She thinks it tastes fine, but for me, it takes away the whole Pizza Hut appeal really.”
How Long Does Pizza Hut’s Pizza Last In The Freezer?
If stored correctly, Pizza Hut’s pizza can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. As a matter of fact, the pizza can last longer than that, but the taste might go downhill swiftly.
How Long Does Pizza Hut’s Pizza Last In The Fridge?
Pizza Hut’s pizzas last in the fridge for around 3-4 days if properly stored. Unfortunately, after that, the microbial activity will resume and spoil the pizza, giving way to food poisoning.
For best results, place the pizza in an airtight container once it’s cooled down and refrigerate without further ado! If you store it hot, the condensation process will make the pizza soggy.
How To Thaw Pizza Hut’s Pizza?
You need to bide your time and be patient when thawing pizza. The best way to thaw Pizza Hut’s pizza, or any other pizza for that matter, is to let it sit in the fridge overnight, still wrapped. Thawing the pizza in the freezer bag prevents moisture from escaping, so the pizza won’t dry out.
As long as it’s not a very hot day, you can also thaw pizza on the countertop at room temperature. It will take about an hour or two.
Placing the pizza in a waterproof bag and submerging it in warm water will speed up the process if you’re in a hurry.
If you thaw pizza in the microwave, the crust might become rubbery. So, I wouldn’t recommend that.
How Do You Reheat Frozen Pizza Hut’s Pizza?
You can reheat Pizza Hut’s pizza in a skillet, airfryer, oven, or microwave.
Speaking from my experience, the best way to reheat pizza is in the skillet. First, heat the skillet to medium-low heat and cook the pizza for 1 minute 30 seconds. Once the crust is crispy, sprinkle a few drops of water in the pan and cover the skillet. This will help melt the cheese.
So, the hot skillet makes the bottom crispy, and the steam melts the cheese and softens the dough. Just perfect.
Make sure you don’t flip the pizza. That’s not how it works. The cheese will stick to the pan. You’ll end up with tomato-y crust and burnt cheese.
I always reheat my frozen pizza in a skillet. Microwaving makes it rubbery and compromises the taste.
You can also reheat the pizza in an airfryer or an oven.
Using an oven would be convenient if you need to reheat pizza in bulk.
Here are step-by-step instructions to reheat pizza in an oven:
- Place a sheet pan inside the oven on the middle rack.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Leaving some space between the pieces, place the slices on the hot sheet.
- Heat for 5 to 6 minutes. It should be warm and crispy by now.
Using a hot sheet pan will mimic a hot skillet and crisp up the crust. If you’re not a fan, use a cold sheet pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we end this blog, look at some of the most frequently asked questions on freezing a pizza!
Can You Freeze And Reheat Delivery Pizza?
Yes, definitely. You can freeze and reheat delivery pizza. First, separate the pizza slices with wax or parchment paper and wrap them using saran wrap. It’s optional, but you can wrap the slices in aluminum foil again before tossing them in a freezer bag.
Can You Freeze Pizza Dough?
Yes, you can freeze pizza dough. In fact, Pizza Hut freezes their pizza dough, too, as well as meat toppings.
Can You Freeze Domino’s Pizza?
Yes, you can freeze Domino’s pizza the same way you’d freeze Pizza Hut’s pizza – wrapping them neatly in saran wrap and tossing them in a freezer bag.
In fact, you can use this method for pizza from any other chain or restaurant.
Is It Better To Freeze Pizza Cooked Or Uncooked?
It is better to partially bake the pizza and then freeze it. Part-baking will ensure the crust holds its shape. The toppings can be cooked fresh when you take the pizza out of the freezer.
Final Words: Can You Freeze Pizza Hut Pizza?
Yes, you can safely freeze Pizza Hut’s pizza. The pizza will last for at least 3 months if you store it correctly. Once the pizza has cooled down completely, separate the slices using wax paper and wrap them with plastic wrap. Next, toss them in a resealable freezer bag and store them.
To thaw frozen pizza, let it sit overnight on the fridge or the countertop if it’s not too hot.
Reheating the pizza in a skillet is my go-to technique as it makes the crust crispy and melts the cheese. You can also reheat frozen pizza in an oven or an airfryer, but I’d recommend against reheating it in the microwave – the crust will become rubbery.
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