Baking Pizza: No Pan, No Problem!

How to Bake a Pizza Without a Pizza Pan

Baking a pizza without a pizza pan is not only possible, but it can also deliver a delicious, crispy crust. Whether you're using a skillet, a baking sheet, or even a grill, there are several ways to achieve that perfect pizza without a pizza pan. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started.

Firstly, it's important to note that you don't need any special equipment to make a pizza without a pizza pan. A regular pan or skillet will do the trick, but if you want to ensure your pizza doesn't stick, a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet is a good option. You can also use a grill pan, a baking sheet, or even a simple cookie sheet.

Before placing your dough in the pan, it's a good idea to coat the pan generously with olive oil. This will not only prevent sticking but also add flavour and crispiness to your crust. You can also try using cornmeal or butter instead of olive oil.

When it comes to the dough, you can use store-bought dough or make your own from scratch. If you're making your own, a good tip is to use a little more liquid in the dough to help it stretch out thinner. This will give you a crispier crust. Also, try to get your dough neither too wet nor too dry for the best results.

Now, let's talk about cooking. Preheat your pan before placing your dough in it. This will help you achieve a crispy shell. Cook your dough on medium or medium-low heat so you have better control over the cooking process. Covering the pan with a lid will also help create a steam effect, similar to an oven, and ensure even cooking.

Once your crust is slightly browned, it's time to add your toppings. Go easy on the sauce, as too much can make your pizza soggy and cause a topping slide. Sprinkle your cheese over the sauce before adding other toppings to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. Be mindful of ingredients that release water as they cook, such as fresh tomatoes or mushrooms, as they can make your crust soggy.

Finally, don't overload your pizza with too many toppings. This will prevent your pizza from cooking evenly and may result in a doughy centre.

So, there you have it! You don't need a pizza pan to enjoy a delicious, crispy pizza. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can achieve pizza perfection using everyday kitchen equipment. Happy baking!

Use a skillet or frying pan

If you don't have a pizza pan, you can use a skillet or frying pan to make pizza. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Prepare the Dough and Toppings:

Before you start cooking, prepare your pizza dough and gather your desired toppings. You can make your own dough from scratch or use store-bought dough. If you're making your own dough, combine flour, salt, yeast, water, and oil in a large bowl and mix until well combined. Let the dough rest for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.

Once the dough is ready, divide it into two equal portions and form each portion into a ball. On a floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a circle that's slightly smaller than your skillet. You can also stretch the dough with your hands to get it to the desired size.

Prepare your desired toppings while the dough is resting. This can include cooking any meat toppings, slicing vegetables, or grating cheese.

Heat the Skillet:

Place your skillet on the stovetop and heat it over medium-high heat. Add a teaspoon or two of cooking oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan evenly. You can use any type of cooking oil, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.

Cook the Dough:

Once the skillet is hot, carefully place one of the dough circles into the pan. Cook the dough for about a minute, or until you see bubbles forming and the edges starting to turn golden. If you want to deflate the bubbles, you can poke them with a spatula.

Flip the Dough and Add Toppings:

After a minute, use a spatula to flip the dough over. Spread your desired amount of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a gap of about two inches around the edges for the crust. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and add your chosen toppings.

Cover and Cook:

Place a lid on the skillet and turn down the heat to medium. Cooking the pizza with the lid on will help trap the heat and ensure that the cheese melts and the toppings cook evenly. Cook the pizza for about 4-5 minutes with the lid on.

Check for Doneness:

After 4-5 minutes, remove the lid and check if the pizza is done. The cheese should be melted, and the bottom of the crust should be golden brown. If it needs more time, cover the skillet again and check every minute or so until it's ready.

Serve and Enjoy:

Once the pizza is cooked to your liking, use a spatula to remove it from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Repeat the process with the second dough circle to make another pizza.

Tips for Success:

• Use a cast-iron skillet if you have one, as it will give you a crispier crust.
• Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the dough to ensure even cooking.
• If you want to cook both pizzas at the same time, use two equal-sized skillets.
• Avoid adding too many toppings to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
• If you like crispy bubbles in your crust, leave the bubbles intact when they form during cooking.

Preheat the pan

Preheating your pan is a crucial step in the pizza-making process. It ensures that your pizza crust will be crispy and cooked evenly. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for preheating your pan to achieve the best results:

First, choose the right type of pan. While you can make pizza without a pizza pan, using a cast-iron skillet or a non-stick pan is recommended. Cast iron is sturdy, durable, and withstands high temperatures without warping. It also retains heat well and heats up quickly. If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, a regular pan can be used, but it's important to preheat it to avoid hot spots and uneven cooking.

Before placing your pan in the oven, make sure it is properly seasoned. For cast-iron pans, this means ensuring it has a layer of carbonized oil, which will make it easier to release the pizza once it's cooked. You can also use a sprinkle of cornmeal or semolina flour, which will help the pizza slide off the pan easily.

Now, let's talk about oven temperature. A hot oven is crucial for getting that perfect pizza crust. Set your oven temperature as high as it goes, ideally close to 500°F (260°C). Preheat your oven for at least 20 minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature. You can also place a small tray filled with water in the oven while it preheats to avoid any smoke.

Once your oven is preheated, it's time to preheat your pan. Place your chosen pan inside the hot oven and let it heat up for a few minutes. Cast iron pans should be preheated for at least 20 minutes, while a regular pan may require less time. You want the pan to be hot enough that it instantly browns the pizza dough when it's added, creating a crispy shell.

When preheating your pan, it's important to use caution. Hot pans can be dangerous, so always use oven mitts or pot holders when handling them. Additionally, ensure your pan has a way to be easily moved in and out of the oven, such as dual handles.

By following these instructions and tips, you'll be well on your way to achieving a perfectly preheated pan for baking a delicious pizza without a pizza pan. Remember, preheating is essential for getting that crispy, pizzeria-style crust that we all love!

Oil the pan

If you don't have a pizza pan, you can use a non-stick skillet or a regular pan. Oiling the pan is essential to prevent the pizza from sticking to the pan and to ensure that you can move and flip the pizza with ease.

Use a pastry brush to brush olive oil onto the pan. If you don't have a pastry brush, you can use a paper towel or your hands to spread the oil. You can also use cooking oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or butter and samollena/flour.

If you're using a non-stick pan, you don't need to use a lot of oil. However, if you're using a regular pan, you'll need to use more oil to prevent sticking. Make sure the entire bottom surface of the pan is slick before adding the dough.

If you're using a cast-iron skillet, preheat the pan before adding the oil. This will help to create a crispy crust.

Once the pan is oiled, you can place the dough in the pan and begin cooking your pizza.

Cook the dough first

Cooking the pizza dough before adding toppings is not necessary in most cases. However, there are some instances where it is more suitable to cook the base first. Here are some tips and guidelines for cooking pizza dough first:

Tips for Cooking Pizza Dough First:

• If you want to achieve a crispy crust, preheat your pan to instantly brown the pizza dough as soon as it touches the surface. You can also grease the pan with oil, butter, or ghee to add extra crispness.
• Cooking the dough first is especially useful if you are making a cracker crust pizza, which is a super-thin base with a crispy texture. By pre-cooking the base, you can ensure it cooks through completely and becomes cracker-like.
• Another scenario where cooking the dough first is beneficial is when you want to freeze your pizza base for later use. This helps retain the structure of the round base, and you can simply thaw and top it when ready to bake.
• If you are using a pizza peel to transfer your pizza to the oven, pre-baking the dough for a minute or two can help prevent sticking.
• Cooking the dough first can also be useful if you plan to overload your pizza with toppings, as it ensures the middle of the dough cooks through.

Guidelines for Cooking Pizza Dough First:

• Place a large pan over medium/low heat. You can use a non-stick, cast-iron, or regular oiled pan.
• On a floured surface, roll out your pizza dough to the desired size and thickness.
• Place the pizza dough in the pan and cover it with a lid.
• Cook the dough for 3-4 minutes on the first side until it bubbles and rises, but be careful not to let it brown too much at this stage.
• Remove the lid and flip the crust over. Continue cooking the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
• Flip the crust back over and add your desired toppings, such as pizza sauce, cheese, and any pre-cooked meat or vegetables.
• Turn off the heat, place the lid back on, and allow the toppings to heat up and the cheese to melt for about 5 minutes.
• Enjoy your pizza straight from the pan!

Add toppings and cover

Once you've cooked one side of the pizza dough, it's time to add your toppings. Flip the dough over and spread your sauce over the dough, leaving a gap of about two inches around the edge. This gap will become the crust.

Next, sprinkle on your cheese and add your toppings. If you're cooking your pizza in a skillet, it's recommended that you cover the pan with a lid and turn the heat down to medium. This will trap the heat so that the cheese can melt and the toppings can cook.

If you're grilling your pizza, close the lid of the grill and cook for around three minutes. Check your pizza after three minutes and, if the cheese has melted and the edges are crispy, remove the pizza. If not, put the lid back on and check every 30 seconds or so.

If you're cooking your pizza on a stovetop, turn off the heat, place the lid back on, and allow the cheese to melt and the toppings to heat up. This should take about five minutes.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to pizza toppings. You can use fresh herbs, vegetables, or meat. If you're using meat, make sure it's fully cooked before you put it on your pizza. Vegetables like broccoli that take a long time to cook should be partially cooked before adding them to the pizza. This will ensure they aren't undercooked.

When adding your toppings, it's important to consider the order. The classic Neapolitan way is to start with the sauce, followed by the cheese, and then add other toppings and garnishes. This order is important as it allows moisture to evaporate in the oven, creating a crispy crust, melted cheese, and well-baked toppings. If you add the cheese on top of everything else, it will trap moisture when it melts, making your pizza soggy.

Start with thin slices of meat, such as salami and pepperoni, followed by larger pieces of meat, and finish with vegetables with the highest water content. This will allow more moisture to evaporate in the oven, preventing a soggy pizza.

Some classic Italian pizza topping combinations include:

• Pizza Margherita (mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and pecorino)
• Pizza Marinara (garlic, olive oil, and oregano)
• Pizza Diavola (mozzarella, spicy salami, sliced chilli peppers, and black olives)

Frequently asked questions