Ella Walter
Grilled pizza is a great option for a summer barbecue, combining the convenience of communal eating with the delicious taste of smoky, crispy, and freshly grilled pizza. While grilling pizza requires some effort, the results are well worth it. This article will discuss the process of grilling pizza on a pizza pan, including the necessary equipment, preparation, and cooking process. By following these steps, you can create a delicious grilled pizza that will impress your guests and make your barbecue a memorable one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of grill | Gas grill, wood-fired barbecue |
| Type of pizza pan | Air-bake 15.75-inch non-stick coated pizza pan with holes |
| Type of dough | Store-bought or homemade |
| Dough preparation | Dusted with flour, placed in a glass bowl, covered, and allowed to rise and warm up for 1 hour |
| Pizza pan preparation | Sprayed with cooking spray, dusted with cornmeal |
| Assembly | Sauce, cheese, and toppings added to the dough |
| Cooking time | Approximately 15 minutes, may vary depending on grill temperature and wind conditions |
| Cooking technique | Place the pan with the shaped crust directly on the grill, rotate once, and cook until the underside of the crust is golden brown |
| Serving | Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares or pie shapes to keep the cheese intact |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the pizza pan
Preheating your pizza pan is not always necessary and depends on the type of pan you are using. Pizza stones, steel pans, and cast iron pans are thick and require preheating because their purpose is to retain heat and spread it to the dough. However, thin pans made of aluminum or other thin metals do not need to be preheated because they will heat up quickly once placed in the oven or grill with the pizza.
If you are using a pizza stone, it is recommended to preheat it for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before placing your pizza on it. This is because pizza stones are extremely thick and heat up slowly. Preheating ensures that your pizza doesn't go on a cold stone, which could affect the cooking time and the final product.
If you are using a cast iron skillet, you can preheat it on the stove before placing it in the oven or grill. This method allows you to build your pizza directly in the pan, which can be convenient. However, it is important to keep a close eye on your pizza as it cooks, as the high heat of the grill can quickly burn your pizza.
When grilling your pizza, it is essential to consider the grill's temperature and how it behaves. If your grill doesn't reach the desired temperature, you can preheat it for a longer period to compensate. Gas grills, for example, may struggle to reach very high temperatures, so preheating can be beneficial in this case. Additionally, the wind can impact the grill's temperature, so it's crucial to regulate the temperature accordingly.
Preheating a pizza pan is not always necessary, and you can place the pan and pizza into the grill simultaneously. This method allows the top of the pizza to cook first, resulting in a nice browning. However, it may be challenging to achieve the desired level of doneness on the bottom of the pizza using this method.
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Use a cast iron skillet
Using a cast iron skillet is a great way to grill pizza and achieve a thick crust with crispy, golden brown edges and a chewy centre. Here is a step-by-step guide to making pizza using a cast iron skillet:
Preheat the skillet
Firstly, preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go, ideally 500°F. Place your cast iron skillet inside the oven and let it preheat for at least 20 minutes. The hotter the pan, the crispier the pizza!
Prepare the dough
While the pan is preheating, prepare your pizza dough. You can use store-bought dough, frozen dough, or make your own from scratch. If using frozen or refrigerated dough, let it come to room temperature first. Form the dough into a circle, about the size of your skillet. If using a 10-inch skillet, you may need to cut the dough in half to make two pizzas.
Oil the skillet
Remove the skillet from the oven and carefully place the dough inside. Drizzle olive oil into the skillet and spread it evenly across the bottom and sides. This will help the crust become crispy and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Layer the toppings
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, ensuring it reaches the edges to create crispy edges. Then, add your desired amount of tomato sauce on top of the cheese to prevent the crust from getting soggy. You can use store-bought or homemade sauce. Finally, add any additional toppings you like, such as cooked meats, chopped vegetables, or herbs and spices.
Bake the pizza
Place the skillet back in the oven and bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. The baking time will vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your crust, but it typically takes around 10 minutes.
Serve the pizza
Remove the skillet from the oven and carefully slide the pizza onto a cutting board. Top with fresh basil, if desired, then slice and serve. Enjoy the crispy, chewy goodness of your cast iron skillet pizza!
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Dough preparation
Making pizza dough from scratch is the best option for grilling pizza. Store-bought dough tends to be too thick to cook through properly on a grill. However, if you are short on time, you can buy prepared pizza dough from the frozen foods section of your local supermarket or a pizzeria.
To make the dough, you will need the following ingredients:
- Flour
- Water
- Yeast
- Olive oil
- Salt
The exact quantities of each ingredient and the preparation method for making the dough can be found in various pizza dough recipes online. Once you have prepared the dough, let it rise for about 2 hours.
After the dough has risen, shape it by flattening it with your hands on a slightly floured surface. Stretch the dough out with your fingers or hold up the edges and let the dough hang and stretch while working around the edges. You can also pat, push, and press the dough out on an oiled pizza pan to achieve a thin, cracker-like crust. This type of crust cooks quickly and is thinner than a typical pizza crust.
Once you have stretched the dough, let it sit for 5 minutes and then push out the edges again with your fingers until you have a nice round shape, about 12 inches in diameter. Avoid making a raised rim, as it will interfere with the grilling process.
If you are preparing the dough ahead of time, you can make several pizza dough rounds and stack them with parchment paper in between. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to two hours before grilling.
Additionally, if you have extra dough, you can shape it into a loaf, let it proof for an additional 30 minutes, and bake it in the oven at 375°F until it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
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Grilling the pizza
Grilling pizza is a great way to add a smoky flavour to your pie. It's also a fun way to get everyone involved in making their own pizzas. Here's a step-by-step guide to grilling pizza:
Prepare the Dough
Start by preparing your dough. You can make your own dough from scratch, which typically involves mixing flour, water, yeast, and salt, and then letting it rise for a couple of hours. Alternatively, you can buy ready-made dough from a grocery store to save time. If you're using store-bought dough, let it rest at room temperature for about an hour before using it. This will make it easier to handle and shape.
Shape the Dough
Drizzle olive oil onto your pizza pan or a cookie sheet and spread it evenly. Then, take your dough and stretch it out, thinning it gradually and evenly as you rotate it in your hands. You want to aim for a thin, cracker-like crust, thinner than a typical pizza crust. This will ensure it cooks properly on the grill.
Heat the Grill
Preheat your grill to a medium or high heat setting. The ideal temperature for cooking pizza is around 450°F to 550°F. If your grill doesn't reach these temperatures, don't worry; you can still cook pizza on it, but you may need to preheat for longer or adjust your cooking time.
Prepare the Pizza Pan
Spray your pizza pan with a non-stick cooking spray. Pizza pans with small holes work best for grilling pizza. You can also dust the pan with cornmeal to prevent the pizza from sticking.
Assemble the Pizza
Spread your sauce over the crust, leaving a margin around the edges. Then, add your favourite toppings. Be careful not to overload the pizza with too many toppings, as this can make the dough soggy and unable to support the weight. Limit your toppings to around 5 choices per pizza.
Grill the Pizza
Place the pan with the shaped crust directly on the grill. Keep an eye on it, as grilling times can vary. It typically takes around 12 to 18 minutes to cook, depending on your grill's heat and whether you're using a prebaked crust. If using a pizza stone, carefully transfer the pizza from a floured pizza peel or cutting board onto the hot stone.
Final Steps
Once the bottom of the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, it's time to remove the pizza from the grill. Use tongs to carefully pull the pizza off the grill and onto a cutting board. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before cutting and serving to prevent the cheese from melting off. Enjoy your grilled pizza!
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Serving the pizza
Once your pizza is cooked to perfection, use tongs to carefully pull it off the grill and onto a cutting board. Allow your pizza to cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help keep the cheese intact on each slice. Then, cut your pizza into squares or pie shapes, and you're ready to serve!
If you're cooking for a larger group, you can always make a double batch of dough and prepare a variety of toppings. This way, your guests can create their own unique pizzas. You can also shape any leftover dough into a loaf and let it proof for an additional 30 minutes before baking it in the oven.
For a truly impressive presentation, consider investing in a pizza peel—the long-handled wooden board used by pizzerias to shuffle pies onto the grill. Not only is it functional, but it will also add a touch of authenticity to your pizza-grilling endeavours.
And don't forget to enjoy your creation! Pair your grilled pizza with a glass of rosé, or serve it alongside a crackling campfire to delight your guests and create lasting memories.
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Frequently asked questions
Pizza pans with small holes work best for grilling pizza. The Air-bake 15.75-inch non-stick coated pizza pan is a popular choice.
Before grilling, spray your pizza pan with cooking spray or oil, then dust the pan with cornmeal to prevent the pizza from sticking.
The grill should be piping hot, or at a temperature of around 475°F. If you are using a gas grill, heat it for about 10 minutes on medium heat.
