Broiling Pizza: Pan-Perfected

Broiling pizza in a pan is a great way to achieve a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese in just a few minutes. By using a cast-iron skillet or a baking sheet, you can create a delicious, restaurant-quality pizza with a chewy inside and artfully charred edges. The key to success is preheating your pan to a high temperature before placing your pizza on it and then broiling it for a short time, typically around 1 minute and 35 seconds to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your crust and toppings. This method is perfect for those who want to enjoy a personal-sized pizza with a unique dimension of flavour and texture.

Preheat the pan

Preheating your pan is a crucial step in the pizza-making process. It ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and efficiently, creating a crispy crust and bubbly cheese. Here are the steps you should follow:

Firstly, place your cast-iron skillet on the stove over the highest possible heat. Leave it to heat up for at least 10 to 20 minutes. This step is essential, as it ensures that your pan is hot enough to create the desired char on your pizza crust.

While your pan is heating up, turn on your oven's broiler to its highest setting. Allow it to preheat for at least 10 minutes, ensuring that your kitchen and oven reach high temperatures. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your oven is hot enough to cook the pizza through and melt the cheese.

Once your pan and oven are preheated, carefully transfer the pan to the oven and place it upside down on the top rack. This positioning ensures that the heat is evenly distributed to the pizza, creating the perfect crust.

At this stage, your pan is ready for the pizza! You can now carefully slide your prepared pizza onto the underside of the hot pan. It is important to work quickly and carefully during this step to maintain the high temperature needed for cooking.

By preheating your pan effectively, you create the ideal conditions for cooking a delicious pizza with a crispy, golden crust. This method ensures that your pizza cooks evenly and efficiently, resulting in a restaurant-quality pie.

Prepare the dough

To prepare the dough for a pan pizza, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Flour (either all-purpose or bread flour)
• Salt (preferably kosher)
• Active dry yeast
• Water (warm or hot, about 100-110°F)
• Olive oil

You may also need sugar, depending on the recipe you follow.

Combine the flour, salt, and yeast in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. If you're using sugar, add it at this stage. Combine the water and a small amount of olive oil, then add this to the mixer on low speed and mix until a loose ball forms. Alternatively, you can do this by hand: combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, make a well in the centre, then add the water and oil and stir with a wooden spoon.

Knead the dough with the mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and slightly tacky, or by hand on a floured surface until smooth and slightly tacky. This should take around 5-7 minutes.

Next, you'll need to let the dough rise. Grease a bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside, flipping it over so that the top is also greased. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, which should take around 2 hours.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured board. Knead out any bubbles, then it's ready to be made into a pizza!

If you're using a smaller pan, you may need to cut the dough in half or into thirds before spreading it out, as the dough will rise. Any unused portions can be frozen for next time.

Add toppings

Now for the fun part: toppings! The options are endless, but here are some classic combinations to get you started:

Margherita Pizza

Invented in the 1800s, this pizza showcases the colours of the Italian flag: red from the tomato sauce, white from the mozzarella, and green from the basil. A true classic!

Supreme Pizza

This one usually includes pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, green bell pepper, black olives, and red onions. If you're feeling adventurous, add some sautéed mushrooms or hot peppers to the mix.

Hawaiian Pizza

If you think you don't like Hawaiian pizza, think again! This sweet and savoury combination of ham and pineapple is a classic for a reason. Don't forget the cheese!

Meat Lovers' Pizza

This one's for the meat lovers out there. Load up on pepperoni, bacon, cabanossi, beef mince, and ham. Don't forget the cheese and pizza sauce!

Veggie Delight Pizza

Not a meat lover? No problem! Try a veggie pizza with garlic butter prawns, capsicum, onion, chilli, and rocket. Or, if you're feeling creative, come up with your own combination of veggies.

Four Cheese Pizza

This one's for the cheese lovers! Combine mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and blue cheese for a delicious and decadent pie.

Remember, when adding toppings, it's important not to overload the pizza. Too many toppings can make it soggy and affect the cooking time. Keep it moderate, and you'll have a perfectly cooked, delicious pizza!

Broil the pizza

Now that your oven is preheated and your pizza is assembled, it's time to broil it to perfection.

Place the pizza on the top rack of the oven, directly under the broiler. Keep in mind that the pizza can only be as big as your pan, so you're more likely to make personal-size pizzas.

Keep a close eye on the pizza as it broils – this should only take a few minutes. The intense heat from the broiler will quickly cook the top of the pizza, while the hot oven floor cooks the bottom. Depending on the thickness of your crust and the toppings you're using, the cooking time may vary.

Once the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown, carefully remove the pizza from the oven using a pizza peel or oven mitts. It is recommended to check the pizza every 30 seconds or so to prevent burning.

Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Let it cool

Once you've broiled your pizza to perfection, it's time to let it cool. This step is crucial, as it will prevent you from burning your mouth on the hot cheese or crust. It's best to let the pizza cool for a few minutes, which will allow the cheese to set slightly and prevent the hot toppings from sliding off when you cut into the pizza. This brief waiting period will ensure that you can enjoy your pizza without any discomfort.

While waiting for your pizza to cool, you can prepare some side dishes or set the table. If you're serving the pizza as a main course, consider pairing it with a fresh salad or some garlic bread. For a more casual affair, enjoy your pizza with some crispy garlic breadsticks or a bowl of crunchy croutons on the side. You could also prepare some dips or sauces to enhance the flavour of your pizza. A simple combination of olive oil and balsamic vinegar can add a tangy twist to your meal.

If you're serving drinks with your pizza, now is the time to chill your beverages of choice. A cold beer or a refreshing glass of lemonade can be the perfect complement to a slice of hot, crispy pizza. If you're in the mood for something more indulgent, why not mix up a batch of creamy milkshakes or fruity cocktails? By the time your drinks are ready, your pizza should be cool enough to enjoy.

Once your pizza has cooled slightly, it's time to slice it into individual portions. Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the pizza into even slices, ensuring that each piece has a good balance of crust, cheese, and toppings. If you added any extra toppings, be careful to distribute them evenly as you slice the pizza to ensure that every slice is delicious.

Finally, serve your pizza and enjoy the fruits of your labour! A well-broiled pizza should have a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese, making for a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you're dining alone or with company, savour each bite and appreciate the unique flavours and textures of your homemade pizza.

Frequently asked questions