Frozen Pizza: To Pan Or Not?

Whether you need a pan for frozen pizza depends on the type of oven you have and your personal preference. Some people prefer to use a pan to avoid the mess of cheese melting onto the oven rack, while others find that using a pan makes the bottom of the pizza less crispy. If you do choose to cook your frozen pizza without a pan, be sure to place it on the middle or lowest rack of the oven to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess. Additionally, preheating your oven to a high temperature, such as 450°F, and poking holes in the bottom of the crust can help ensure a crisp and well-cooked pizza.

Do you need a pan for frozen pizza?

Frozen pizza on a grill

Grilling frozen pizza is a great way to cook your pizza without heating up your kitchen. It's fast and easy to do, and produces a pizza with a charred, super-crisp crust and bubbly, caramelized cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect grilled frozen pizza:

Step 1: Prepare Your Grill

The first step is to preheat your grill to high heat for at least 15 minutes. If you're using a charcoal grill, build a mound of charcoal to cover the bottom of the grill and ignite it according to the manufacturer's instructions. For a gas grill, set it to medium direct heat (all burners on medium-low) or medium indirect heat (only outside burners on medium).

Step 2: Prepare Your Pizza

While your grill is heating up, get your frozen pizza ready. Completely unwrap the pizza and remove all packaging materials, including any cardboard. It's important that you don't let the pizza thaw, as this can affect the cooking process.

Step 3: Grill Your Pizza

Once your grill is preheated, it's time to cook your pizza. Place the frozen pizza directly on the grill grates and close the lid. Reduce the grill's heat to medium or medium-low if your grill runs hot. For charcoal grills, you may need to spread the briquettes to the outer circumference of the grill or divide them in half on each side, leaving the centre free of briquettes.

Step 4: Rotate and Cook

Depending on the size of your pizza, you may need to cook it for 10 to 20 minutes. For a standard 10-inch pizza, 10 to 12 minutes should be sufficient. For larger pizzas, you may need to lower the heat and cook it for a bit longer. Halfway through the cooking time, remember to rotate the pizza 180 degrees to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

To check if your pizza is done, use a food thermometer to probe the centre of the pizza. Place the thermometer in the centre of the cheese and/or dough to verify that the pizza has reached an internal temperature of 160°F. Additionally, you can look for visual cues, such as melted cheese and a dark, charred crust.

Step 6: Remove and Serve

Once your pizza has reached the desired temperature and doneness, it's time to remove it from the grill. Use a large metal spatula and a pair of tongs to slide the pizza onto a cutting board or baking sheet. Be very cautious, as the pizza will be extremely hot. Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve. Enjoy your perfectly grilled frozen pizza!

Frozen pizza in a toaster oven

Many frozen pizza boxes explicitly state not to use a toaster oven, but this is likely because the manufacturer has spent a lot of time and money testing their pizza in a conventional oven. They want to ensure that the pizza cooks correctly if you follow their instructions, so they tell you not to use anything else. However, it is possible to cook a frozen pizza in a toaster oven.

To cook a frozen pizza in a toaster oven, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 215 degrees Celsius. While the toaster oven is heating up, take your pizza out of the box and place it on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Coat the pan with oil to prevent sticking, and place the pizza directly on top. You can also add oil and seasonings to the crust for extra flavour.

Once the toaster oven is preheated, place the pizza pan inside and bake for around 15 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbling. If you are reheating a frozen pizza in a toaster oven, set the oven to medium power and warm for one or two cycles.

Frozen pizza on a stovetop

You can cook frozen pizza on a stovetop. It's a convenient method that can yield delicious results with a crispy crust. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparing Your Materials:

Unwrap your frozen pizza and place it on a pan that has been coated with oil to prevent sticking. You can use any type of pan, but an aged and flavoured iron skillet is ideal. Make sure the entire surface of the pan is coated with oil to avoid burning the pizza.

Cooking the Pizza:

Place the pan with the pizza on the stovetop, setting the heat to medium-high for the first five minutes. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the cheese has melted and the sides of the crust start to brown. Cover the pizza with a lid while it cooks to ensure the cheese gets enough heat.

Serving:

Once the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown, remove the pizza from the stove and serve.

Tips:

• When reheating pizza on the stovetop, keep the heat low and cover the pan with a lid for 4-5 minutes to distribute the heat evenly without burning the pizza.
• To achieve the best results, it's important to preheat the pan before adding the pizza, and to cook the pizza on medium heat to prevent the toppings and cheese from burning before the crust is cooked.
• The cooking time will depend on the stove and the thickness of the crust. Thin-crust pizzas will take about 5 minutes, while thick-crust pizzas will take 10 to 15 minutes.

Removing a frozen pizza from the oven

• Preparation: Before placing your pizza in the oven, it is advisable to have a plan for taking it out. Some people prefer to use a pizza stone or a baking tray with no sides, which can make removal easier. You can also keep the pizza box or a cutting board nearby to slide the pizza onto after baking.
• Oven Mitts or Gloves: Always use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves when removing anything from the oven, including pizza. This will protect your hands from burns and give you a better grip on the pizza.
• Spatula or Pizza Peel: Using a spatula or a specialised pizza peel (a large spatula-like tool used in restaurants) can be very helpful for sliding the pizza out of the oven. Place the spatula under the pizza, and gently slide it out onto a waiting surface.
• Fork or Tongs: If you don't have a spatula or pizza peel, you can use a fork or tongs to carefully drag the pizza out of the oven. Be careful not to pierce the toppings or crust too deeply, as this may affect the structural integrity of the pizza.
• Pizza Cutter: Surprisingly, a pizza cutter can also be used to remove your pizza from the oven. Slide the cutter under the pizza, and use it to guide the pizza out of the oven and onto your chosen surface.
• Cardboard or Cookie Sheet: Some people suggest sliding the pizza back onto the cardboard it came on or onto a cookie sheet. This method can be a bit tricky, but it eliminates the need for additional dishes and cleanup.
• Technique: When removing the pizza, be confident and quick in your movements. The outer crust of a pizza usually doesn't get too hot, so you may be able to carefully touch the edges and slide the pizza onto a tray or cutting board.
• Oven Rack: If all else fails, you can carefully pull the oven rack out and let the pizza cool before attempting to remove it. Be very cautious, as the rack will be hot, and jiggle the pizza gently to loosen it if it's stuck.

Remember, always exercise caution when handling hot items, and ensure your hands and arms are protected. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully remove a frozen pizza from your oven and enjoy your delicious, crispy treat!

Customising a frozen pizza

Choose Your Dough

Using store-bought dough or making your own from scratch are both great options. If making your own, consider a whole wheat pizza dough recipe. Let the dough rise, then roll it out to fit your pizza pan or desired size. For a 15" pizza or a cookie sheet-size pizza, you will need about 10" x 15" of dough. You can also make smaller, individual-sized pizzas, which are great for snacks or kids' meals.

Par-Bake the Crust

Par-baking the crust is an important step to ensure your pizza doesn't become soggy when you bake it from frozen. Brush the dough with a small amount of oil and bake it halfway through. It should look dry on top but not browned. For a thinner crust, you can prick the dough all over with a fork before baking.

Cool and Top

Once your crust is par-baked, set it aside to cool to room temperature. When it's cool, add your desired toppings. Choose one or two sauces, and a couple of types of cheese. You'll need 4 to 6 ounces of cheese per 12-inch pizza. Add your favourite vegetables, meats, or other toppings—just be careful not to overload the pizza, as this can affect how well the crust bakes.

Wrap and Freeze

Once your pizza is topped, wrap it first in plastic wrap, pressing down gently to remove air bubbles. Then, add a layer of aluminium foil. This double wrapping will protect your pizza from freezer burn and keep it fresh for longer. Label your pizza with the toppings and date, and include baking instructions. Freeze the pizzas for up to three months.

Bake and Enjoy

When you're ready to enjoy your pizza, preheat the oven to a high temperature, around 500°F if possible. Place your pizza on a baking sheet or stone and bake until the crust is browned and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This should take around 8 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven and the thickness of your crust.

Frequently asked questions