Stovetop Greek Pan Pizza: Easy Steps

Making Greek pan pizza on the stove is a fun and easy way to enjoy a pizza with a thick and chewy crust without needing an oven. You can use a cast-iron skillet or a round cake pan to cook your pizza, and the stovetop method is perfect for making just one or two personal pizzas. Start by prepping your dough and toppings ahead of time. Stretch the dough to a 10-inch round so it's thin enough to cook through, then cook the crust on high heat before flipping and reducing the heat to medium. Cover the pan to ensure the cheese melts, and you're good to go!

Prepare the dough

To prepare the dough for a Greek-style stovetop pizza, you'll need a few basic ingredients and a bit of patience. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

• Bread flour
• Water
• Yeast
• Salt
• Olive oil

Step 1: Mix and Proof:

Combine the flour, salt, yeast, water, and olive oil in a large bowl. Mix with your hands or a wooden spoon until no dry flour remains. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 8 hours and up to 24. The dough should rise dramatically and fill the bowl.

Step 2: Ball the Dough:

After the proofing period, sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and dump it onto a floured work surface. Divide the dough into two equal balls. Form and roll each ball on the counter, using the sides of your hands to create a taut ball with a smooth, elastic top. Use your fingers to pinch and smooth out the bottom of each dough ball.

Step 3: Proof Dough in a Pan:

Coat the bottom of a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or a 10-inch round cake pan with olive oil. Place one ball of dough in the pan and turn it to coat evenly with oil. Using a flat palm, press the dough around the pan, flattening it slightly and spreading the oil to the edges. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the dough sit at room temperature for about 2 hours.

Step 4: Touch Up the Dough:

After 2 hours, the dough should have mostly stretched to fit the pan. Use your fingertips to poke the dough, working it into the corners and popping any large air bubbles. Lift the edges of the dough to let any hidden air bubbles escape.

Now you're ready to add your sauce, cheese, and toppings of choice! For a Greek-style pizza, consider using an oregano-heavy sauce and lots of cheese, including mozzarella and feta. Don't forget to brush the crust with a garlic butter mixture for extra flavour!

Choose your toppings

Now, for the fun part: choosing your toppings!

The great thing about Greek pizza is that it's incredibly versatile. You can add whatever toppings you like, but if you want to keep things traditional, there are a few key ingredients that are commonly used.

Firstly, feta cheese is a must-have. Crumble some feta over your pizza to add a creamy, tangy element that is signature to Greek cuisine. You can also add some mozzarella cheese to create a melty, bubbly base for your other toppings to sit on.

Next, let's talk about vegetables. Sliced green bell peppers, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and red onions are all great options. You can also add artichoke hearts (quartered) and spinach for some extra flavour and texture. If you want to add a little spice, throw in some pepperoncini peppers, too.

Don't forget the herbs! Dried oregano is a classic choice for Greek pizza and will add a wonderful aroma and flavour to your creation. You can also sprinkle on some garlic powder for an extra kick.

If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can even add some Greek sausage or shredded chicken tenderloins to your pizza.

Remember, the key to a great Greek pizza is balancing those fresh, Mediterranean flavours. So feel free to experiment and get creative with your toppings!

Cook the crust

To cook the crust of a Greek-style pizza on the stove, you'll need to prepare your pizza dough and toppings ahead of time. Then, follow these steps:

Cooking the Crust:

First, roll out your pizza dough to a 10-inch round, making sure it's thin enough to cook through. You can do this by dividing your dough in half and lightly flouring your counter, then pressing or rolling one piece of dough into a round shape.

Next, heat a 10- to 12-inch skillet (cast iron, stainless steel, or non-stick) over medium-high heat and add a teaspoon or two of vegetable or olive oil. You want just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Heat the oil until it shimmers.

Now, it's time to cook the crust. Transfer your rolled-out pizza dough to the pan and cook until large bubbles form on top and the underside turns golden—this should take about 1 minute. You can either deflate the bubbles with the edge of your spatula or leave them to turn into crispy bits once you flip the pizza.

After 1 minute, use a flat spatula to flip the pizza dough.

Adding Toppings and Melting Cheese:

Once you've flipped the crust, it's time to add your toppings. Start with a few spoonfuls of sauce, then add a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese, such as mozzarella, and any other toppings of your choice.

To ensure the cheese melts and the toppings cook through, cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes should be enough to melt the cheese and prevent the bottom of the pizza from burning. Keep an eye on it, though, and adjust the heat as needed.

Your pizza is ready when the cheese has melted to your liking. Transfer it to a cutting board and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Tips for a Crispier Pizza:

If you prefer a crispier, more deeply golden top to your pizza, you can place it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.

Additionally, stretching the dough to a 10-inch round and using a 12-inch skillet will result in a thinner crust that cooks more evenly.

For an extra crispy crust, use a combination of olive oil and vegetable shortening to grease the pan instead of using oil alone.

Add toppings and cover

Once you've cooked the first side of your pizza crust and flipped it, it's time to add your toppings.

For a Greek-style pizza, you'll want to add toppings that are typical of Greek cuisine. This might include kalamata olives, oregano, olive oil, feta cheese, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted red peppers. You can also add some meat, like Italian sausage or shredded chicken tenderloins.

If you're making a more traditional pizza, you might add toppings like mozzarella, basil, diced onions, diced peppers, or cooked sausage.

Once you've added your toppings, cover the pan to ensure the cheese melts and the toppings are warmed through. You can also place the pizza under the broiler for a minute or two toward the end of cooking if you want a more traditional oven-baked pizza with crispy bits.

Bake and serve

Once you have brushed the dough with olive oil and pricked it with a fork, it's time to add your toppings. Start with the mozzarella cheese, followed by the remaining toppings. You can adjust the topping quantities to your liking, but be careful not to overcrowd the pizza.

Make the melted garlic butter by combining the melted butter with the garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Brush the pizza dough borders with the melted garlic butter.

Bake the pizza in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until it is bubbly and the edges are golden brown. If you want a crispier pizza, you can also finish it off on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Once the pizza is baked to your liking, slice and serve! For the best results, eat the pizza within 15 minutes of baking.

Frequently asked questions