It is generally not recommended to refreeze a previously frozen pizza that has been thawed in the refrigerator for several hours. When you freeze and thaw food repeatedly, you risk compromising its quality and safety.
Here's why:
Food Safety: Each time you thaw and refreeze food, you allow it to spend time in the "danger zone" (between 40°F and 140°F or 4°C and 60°C), where bacteria can grow rapidly. This can lead to foodborne illnesses if the pizza is not cooked to the appropriate internal temperature to kill any bacteria that might have multiplied.
Texture and Quality: Repeated freezing and thawing can cause the pizza to lose its texture, flavor, and overall quality. It may become mushy, dry, or develop an off-flavor.
If your pizza has become a bit soft and difficult to detach from the cardboard tray, here are some alternative suggestions to salvage it:
Oven Reheating: Preheat your oven and place the pizza directly on the oven rack or on a preheated baking sheet. This will help to crisp up the crust and improve its texture.
Microwave and Toaster Oven: You can use a microwave to reheat the pizza quickly, but the crust may not become as crispy. A toaster oven can also be used to reheat the pizza and may provide better results than a microwave.
Pizza Stone or Air Fryer: If you have a pizza stone or an air fryer, they can be excellent options to reheat pizza, giving it a texture closer to freshly baked.
Remember to heat the pizza until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure any potential bacteria are killed off.
In the future, try to thaw only the amount of frozen pizza you plan to eat, and avoid refreezing any leftovers to maintain the best quality and safety.