Is Cold Pizza Bad For You? [Solved]

Whether you’re a college student who just had a late-night study session or you’re just someone who loves to eat pizza, chances are you’ve eaten cold pizza before. But is it bad for you?

In this article, we’ll discuss the health risks and benefits of eating cold pizza and provide tips on how to keep cold pizza the right way. We’ll also tell you when it’s best not to eat cold pizza.

So whether you’re a fan of cold or room-temperature pizza, read on to learn more.

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Is Cold Pizza Bad For You?

If stored properly, cold pizza has no negative consequences when eating it. Many people believe that cold pizza is actually better than reheated pizza in flavor. When pizza is reheated, the crust can become hard and dry. However, when you eat cold pizza, the crust is still soft.

How to Properly Store Cold Pizza

The best way to store cold pizza is by placing it in the fridge. You can store it in a container or just leave it on the plate if you want.

The reason you store it in the fridge is that it will prevent the pizza from growing bacteria. When foods reach the danger zone which is between 40°F and 140°F, bacteria will start to grow.

You only have two hours in the danger zone before bacteria starts to grow. After four hours, the food is considered spoiled and should be thrown out.

Bacteria thrive in hotter environments so leaving your pizza at room temperature is dangerous, but if you can stick it in the fridge you’ll prolong the amount of time you have to eat it.

If you plan on eating cold pizza within two days, then storing it in the fridge is fine. However, if you want to save your pizza for a longer period of time, then you should freeze it.

Although you can leave your pizza on the plate and just stick it in the fridge, ideally you’d want to put it in an air-tight container where the pizza has no exposure.

The less exposure the oxygen your pizza has, the longer it will end up staying in good condition to eat.

The best way to store leftover pizza is in the fridge, as long as you consume it within two days. It is dangerous to leave food at room temperature. If keeping for longer, store in the freezer.

How to Know if Cold Pizza Is Bad

There are a few ways you can know when your pizza is turning bad on you.

First, you can check the pizza’s appearance. The longer the pizza sits out, the more pale-looking it is and it might even start to grow mold.

If there is mold growing on it, then it’s time to throw it out. Mold can grow on food within 24 to 48 hours so if you see any sign of mold, don’t risk eating the pizza.

Another way to tell if your cold pizza has gone bad is by smell.

Go ahead and take a small whiff of your pizza if you’re curious about its status. If it smells sour or rancid, then it’s time to say goodbye to your pizza.

Dairy has a terrible smell when it is growing old so you should have a pretty good idea if the cheese on your pizza has turned bad.

Before consuming cold pizza, check its appearance and odor. If there's discoloration, mold or off-smells, its best not to consume. — Before consuming cold pizza, check its appearance and odor. If there’s discoloration, mold or off-smells, its best not to consume.

The third and final way to tell if your cold pizza is bad is by taste.

If you’re brave enough to give it a try, take a small bite of the pizza. If the flavor is off or there is an unpleasant aftertaste, then it’s best to not finish the slice.

You don’t want to risk ingesting bacteria and getting food poisoning just because you wanted an old slice of pizza.

Why Do People Eat Cold Pizza?

When you cool down pizza you change the entire chemical structure of the dish.

The fats will solidify instead of being liquid and the cheese will also firm up, forcing the tomato sauce to stay in place while eating.

The entire experience becomes saturated with the pizza flavors instead of spilling out onto your plate or getting wiped away by a napkin.

This concentration of flavors is why people love cold pizza.

It should be said that cold pizza is just plain easier to eat. You don’t have to wash a plate, waste a napkin, or throw it in the microwave. You can simply take it straight out of the fridge and start eating a piece.

College students who don’t want to waste time can easily grab a cold slice without wasting time before class.

Adults who have had a long night and want something easy to eat to feel better in the morning can grab a slice without going through much effort.

People love cold pizza because as it cools down, the flavors are more concentrated. It is also convenient to eat cold pizza.

Are There Health Benefits to Eating Cold Pizza?

There are no health benefits from eating cold pizza that you wouldn’t get from eating it hot.

In fact, as the pizza cools, most of the elements that make a pizza start to firm and stay put. This might cause the pizza to become worse for you since you don’t have the option to wipe the grease off with a napkin or pick off any unhealthy toppings.

Conclusion About Eating Cold Pizza

You can eat cold pizza without worry as long as you are keeping it properly stored and it’s not past the four-day mark. The main concern you should have is with dairy products on your pizza.

Cheese can go bad quickly so make sure to smell and check for mold before taking a bite. If you’re looking for an easy meal or want to enjoy the flavors of your favorite pizza, then don’t be afraid to eat some properly kept cold pizza.

You can eat cold pizza, and it can be good, as long as it is stored properly.

Frequently Asked Questions on Is Cold Pizza Bad For You?

Why is cold pizza so good?

Cold pizza is good because the flavors are concentrated and it’s easy to eat. The fats and cheese firm up so it locks in the flavors. This is different from hot pizza where many of the elements are absorbed by your hands or napkins.

How long is cold pizza good for?

You can keep pizza in the fridge for up to four days. After that, the pizza will start hardening and may even grow mold if left for too long. You can also freeze your pizza which will make it last much longer. Frozen pizza is good for up to six months.