Baking Frozen Pizza: No Pan, No Problem!

There are several ways to bake a frozen pizza without a pan. If you have a toaster oven, stovetop, or grill, you can easily bake a frozen pizza. For a toaster oven, preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 215 degrees Celsius, coat a pizza pan with oil, and place the pizza on top. Bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is brown and the cheese is bubbling. For a stovetop, coat a pan with oil, place the pizza on the pan, and cook on medium to high heat for five minutes, then shift to medium to low heat until the cheese has melted. For a grill, preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 215 degrees Celsius, and grill the pizza for a total of 20 minutes, rotating it every five minutes.

How to Bake Frozen Pizza Without a Pan

Preheat the oven to 375-425 °F (191-218 °C) or 450 °F (232 °C)

Preheating your oven is an important step in the pizza-making process. It ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature to cook your pizza evenly, creating a delicious, crispy base and melted toppings. Most frozen pizzas will recommend an oven temperature of between 375–425 °F (191–218 °C). However, you can also turn your oven up to 450 °F (232 °C) to mimic the heat of a commercial pizza oven, which can reach up to 1000 °F.

If you're short on time, you can also cook your pizza at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time. For example, if you're cooking your pizza at 550 °F (288 °C), it should only take about 10 minutes. However, be aware that cooking your pizza at a higher temperature may result in a burnt pizza, so keep a close eye on it!

If you're using a toaster oven, preheat it to 400 °F (204 °C). This will ensure your pizza cooks evenly and that the crust is crispy.

Remember, every oven is different, so you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. Always refer to the instructions on the pizza box, and use your best judgment to decide when your pizza is ready. Happy cooking!

Use a toaster oven

Toaster ovens are a great alternative to conventional ovens when it comes to baking frozen pizza. They are compact, affordable, and easy to use. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect frozen pizza using a toaster oven:

• Preheat Your Toaster Oven: Start by preheating your toaster oven to the recommended temperature, which is typically around 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 215 degrees Celsius. It is important to ensure that your toaster oven has reached the desired temperature before proceeding.
• Prepare Your Ingredients: While your toaster oven is preheating, unpack your frozen pizza. Take a pizza pan and coat it with a thin layer of oil to prevent the pizza from sticking. You can use any type of oil you prefer. Then, carefully place the pizza on top of the prepared pan. Avoid placing the pizza directly on the toaster oven rack, as it may burn.
• Start Baking: Once your toaster oven is preheated, place the pizza pan inside and bake for about 15 minutes. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your toaster oven's settings and the type of pizza you are cooking. Keep an eye on your pizza, and look for signs of doneness, such as a browning crust and bubbling cheese.
• Enjoy Your Pizza: When your pizza is done to your liking, remove it from the toaster oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the delicious, crispy crust and melted cheese!
• Thick Crusts: If you are working with a thick crust pizza, consider poking a few holes in the bottom of the crust before baking. This will help release steam and prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
• Oil the Crust: Brushing the crust lightly with oil will not only help it brown and crisp up nicely but also add flavour to your pizza. You can use garlic-flavoured avocado or olive oil for an extra punch of flavour.
• Rack Placement: Experiment with different rack placements to find the sweet spot for your toaster oven. Placing the pizza on the bottom rack can help achieve a crispier crust by bringing it closer to the heating elements. However, keep an eye on the toppings to ensure they don't burn.
• Thin Crust Pizzas: For thin crust pizzas, try removing the pan towards the end of the cooking time and placing the pizza directly on the rack. This will help crisp up the crust without overcooking the toppings.

Use a stovetop

How to Bake a Frozen Pizza on a Stovetop

What You'll Need

• A stovetop
• A frozen pizza of your choice
• A large non-stick skillet or frying pan with a lid
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Your favourite pizza toppings

Step-by-Step Guide

Prepare Your Stovetop

• Remove any wrapping or packaging from your frozen pizza.
• Preheat your skillet or frying pan over medium heat on your stovetop.
• Lightly coat the pan with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Cook the Pizza Base

• Place the frozen pizza directly into the preheated skillet.
• Cover the pan with a lid to trap the heat and ensure even cooking.
• Cook the pizza base over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes or until the bottom becomes crispy and golden brown. Use a spatula to lift and check the underside periodically.

Add Your Toppings

• Remove the lid and carefully flip the pizza using a spatula.
• Add your favourite toppings. You can be as creative as you like!
• Sprinkle your desired toppings on the cooked side of the pizza and cover the pan again with the lid.
• Let it cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the toppings are heated through.

Serve and Enjoy

• Once your pizza is cooked to perfection, remove it from the heat and transfer it to a serving plate.
• Allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing it into wedges.
• Indulge in your homemade stovetop pizza!

Tips

• The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the crust and the toppings. Experiment with different heat settings and cooking times to find what works best for you.
• To prevent the bottom of the pizza from burning, use a quality non-stick skillet or frying pan and cook on medium-low heat.
• You can also place a heat-resistant trivet or a foil-wrapped heat diffuser under the skillet for more even heat distribution.

Use a grill

Using a grill is a great way to cook a frozen pizza without a pan. It can be a little tricky, but with some practice, you'll be able to master it. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat Your Grill

Start by preheating your grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 215 degrees Celsius. Keep the lid closed to retain the heat. While the grill is heating up, unpack your frozen pizza and get ready to place it on the grill once it's preheated.

Step 2: Start Grilling

Check the back of the frozen pizza packaging for recommended cooking times. For even cooking, rotate your pizza every 5 minutes. It should take no longer than 20 minutes in total.

Step 3: Enjoy Your Pizza

Once your pizza is done, take it off the grill and enjoy! It should be beautifully cooked throughout, with a crispy crust and melted cheese.

Tips for Success:

• You can use a pizza grill pan to make the process easier.
• Be careful not to burn the crust. Keep an eye on your pizza and rotate it frequently to ensure even cooking.
• If your grill has temperature settings, avoid setting it too high, as this can burn the crust before the toppings are cooked.
• Practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your first attempt doesn't turn out perfectly.

Par-bake the crust

Par-baking the crust of your frozen pizza is a great way to ensure a crispy base and avoid a soggy mess. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect par-baked crust:

• Preheat your oven: Set your oven to a high temperature, around 450°F (230°C). This temperature will help create a crispy crust.
• Prepare your pizza: Remove the pizza from its packaging and place it on a suitable surface. If you're using a frozen pizza, let it thaw slightly before proceeding.
• Shape the dough: If you're working with a ball of dough, use your hands to gently stretch and shape it into an oval or circular shape. You can also use a rolling pin to roll it out to your desired thickness.
• Place the dough on a baking surface: Use a pizza stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or non-stick aluminium foil.
• Par-bake the crust: Place the dough in the preheated oven and bake for a short time. For a thinner crust, bake for around 3-4 minutes. For a thicker crust, increase the baking time to 6-8 minutes. Keep an eye on the crust to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Remove from the oven: Once the crust has reached a light golden colour, take it out of the oven. It should be partially cooked but not fully done.
• Cool and store: Allow the par-baked crust to cool completely. At this point, you can wrap it well in plastic and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze it for future use.

Par-baking your pizza crust is a handy technique, especially when preparing pizzas for a crowd. It saves time and ensures a perfectly cooked crust every time. You can par-bake multiple crusts ahead of time and freeze them, then top and finish baking when you're ready to serve. This method is also useful if you have a "shitty household oven" that struggles to cook the crust properly.

Frequently asked questions