Make Pizza Without A Pan

If you don't have a pizza pan, don't panic! There are several alternatives you can use to achieve a similar, if not better, result. One popular option is to use an inverted baking sheet, which can replicate a pizza stone by conducting heat well and producing a crispy crust. For those with access to a grill, this can be an excellent way to cook pizzas, as grills can reach temperatures much higher than most ovens, resulting in crispy, charred-crust pizzas in just a few minutes. Another option is to use a cast-iron skillet, which can be placed upside down in the oven and used as a pizza stone, or used on a stovetop for cooking pizza. For those with a bit more space, a pizza steel is a larger, sturdier, and more durable alternative to a pizza stone, though it may be more expensive.

Use an inverted baking sheet

If you don't have a pizza pan, you can use an inverted baking sheet. This is a great alternative to a pizza stone because it's something that everyone has and it works well. Take a rimmed baking sheet and turn it upside down on the lowest shelf of your oven before you preheat the oven. Then, when it's time to bake, you can easily slide the pizza onto the hot baking sheet. The inverted baking sheet will be hot enough to get the pizza crisp and makes taking the pizza in and out of the oven easier than if the baking sheet was right-side up.

When using an inverted baking sheet, it's important to use parchment paper to prevent the pizza from sticking to the pan. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and slide the pizza with the paper underneath onto the inverted baking sheet in the oven. This method creates a barrier between the pan and the dough, ensuring that the pizza doesn't stick and making it easier to remove from the pan once it's done cooking.

It's also important to preheat the oven and the inverted baking sheet before baking your pizza. This helps the crust start to bake and set before it becomes overwhelmed by the weight of the toppings. Preheat your oven for at least 45 minutes to give it enough time to reach the desired temperature. You can also place the inverted baking sheet in the oven while it preheats to ensure that the pan and oven reach the right temperature simultaneously, allowing your pizza to bake evenly.

In addition to using an inverted baking sheet, you can also use other alternatives if you don't have a pizza pan. For example, a cast-iron skillet or a pizza steel can be used to achieve a crispy pizza crust. A pizza steel is a heavy-duty piece of steel made for baking in hot ovens and offers a larger surface area than a pizza stone. A cake tin with a thick bottom, preferably made of iron or steel, can also be used as an alternative to a pizza pan.

Use a cast iron skillet

If you don't have a pizza pan, you can use a cast iron skillet to make a pizza with a crispy, crunchy crust. The key to getting a crispy crust is to preheat the skillet in a hot oven before adding your dough. Here's how to do it:

First, preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). Place your cast iron skillet inside the oven to preheat along with it. It's important that the skillet gets nice and hot so that your pizza crust will cook quickly and become crispy. Aim to preheat the skillet for at least 20 minutes.

While the oven and skillet are preheating, prepare your dough. You can make your own dough from scratch, buy store-bought dough, or get some from your local pizzeria. Roll or stretch the dough into a circle that's slightly larger than your skillet. For a 12-inch skillet, roll the dough into a 14-inch circle.

Once the skillet is hot, remove it from the oven and place it on a heat-resistant surface, such as an oven pad or mitt. Be very careful during this step, as the skillet will be extremely hot. Coat the skillet with oil—you can use a wad of paper towels or napkins to do this safely.

Now it's time to transfer the dough to the skillet. You can use your hands or partially roll the dough onto a rolling pin and then unroll it into the skillet. Make sure the dough and rolling pin are well-floured to prevent sticking. Adjust the dough to fit the edges of the skillet—you don't need to form a crust as it will rise on its own.

Add your desired toppings. Start with a layer of sauce, spreading it evenly over the dough, leaving a little room around the edges for the crust to form. Then, sprinkle on your cheese. Mozzarella, parmesan, and buffalo mozzarella are great options. You can also add other toppings like roasted vegetables or meat.

Bake the pizza in the oven for 12 to 16 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned, and the crust is golden. Remove the skillet from the oven and carefully slide the pizza onto a cutting board. Top with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, or your favorite herbs and seasonings.

Using a cast iron skillet is a great way to get a crispy, restaurant-quality pizza crust without a pizza pan. Just remember to preheat the skillet, use oil generously, and be careful when handling the hot skillet. Enjoy your homemade pizza!

Use a pizza pan

If you have a pizza pan, you're already well on your way to a delicious homemade pizza. Pizza pans are typically made from aluminum and stainless steel and are perforated, meaning they have a bunch of holes. These holes are important as they allow airflow, which accomplishes two things: less moisture is trapped, and the heat hits the crust directly.

To use a pizza pan, place your raw pizza on the pan and then put the whole thing in the oven. The pizza will bake faster and get crispier than on a regular baking sheet.

To ensure your pizza doesn't stick to the pan, be sure to season the pan with oil or cooking spray, and dust it with flour or cornmeal. You can also use parchment paper, but be sure to smear some oil on it and spritz it with cooking spray before placing your pizza dough on it.

If you're making a thin-crust pizza with lots of toppings, it's a good idea to pre-bake the crust before adding your toppings. This will help the crust to set and prevent it from becoming overwhelmed by the weight of the toppings.

Use a cake tin

If you don't have a pizza pan, you can use a cake tin to bake your pizza. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, adjust the amount of dough to the size of your cake tin to avoid ending up with a thick crust. If you're using a non-stick cake tin, be cautious of the temperature as it may be too high for the coating. Monitor the temperature to ensure it doesn't exceed the recommended range for your coating.

Additionally, the deep, golden colour of pizza crust is often achieved by using a dark-coloured pan. If your cake tin is light-coloured, you may not get the same rich, golden crust. However, it will still work, and you can always try pre-baking the dough and then adding the toppings to achieve the desired colour and doneness.

When using a cake tin, it's important to remove the pizza from the tin before cutting to avoid damaging the coating. You can also try using an inverted cake tin, placing it on a baking sheet, and preheating it to a high temperature if you don't want crispy edges on your pizza.

Keep in mind that cake tins may not retain heat as well as pizza pans, so your pizza might not turn out as crispy. However, with some adjustments and monitoring, you can still bake a delicious pizza using a cake tin.

Use a grill

Using a grill to make pizza is a great option, especially if you want to keep the heat outside on a hot summer day. Grills, especially charcoal, but also gas, can reach temperatures well above what most stoves can. This means that they can make crispy, charred-crust pizzas in mere minutes, which is perfect if you're feeding a crowd. The smoke from the grill will also give your pizza a great flavour that you simply can't get from a regular oven.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making pizza on a grill:

Prepare the grill and toppings:

• Get your grill ready for direct cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F).
• Brush the grill grates clean.
• Prepare your toppings so they're ready to go on the pizza. This includes tomato sauce, cheese, and any other toppings you desire.

Shape the pizza dough:

• Flatten the pizza dough with your hands on a slightly floured surface.
• Use your fingers to stretch the dough out, or hold up the edges and let the dough hang and stretch.
• Let the dough sit for 5 minutes, then push out the edges again until you have a nice round shape, about 12 inches in diameter.
• Do not make a raised rim, as this will interfere with the grilling process.

Grill one side of the pizza dough:

• Once the grill is hot, dip a folded paper towel in olive oil and use tongs to wipe the grill grates.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured rimless cookie sheet or pizza peel.
• Let the dough slide off the cookie sheet onto the hot grill grates.
• Close the lid of the grill and cook for 2 minutes.

Check for air bubbles and grill the other side:

• After 2 minutes, open the grill and check if the dough is browning evenly.
• If it's browning on one side more than the other, use a spatula or tongs to rotate the dough 90 degrees and cook for another minute.
• If it's not browning at all, cover the grill and continue cooking in one-minute intervals until the bottom has started to brown.
• The top of the dough will start to bubble up with air pockets.

Flip the dough and add toppings:

• Once the dough is lightly browned on one side, use a cookie sheet or pizza peel to remove it from the grill.
• Flip the dough over so that the grilled side is facing up.
• Brush the grilled surface with a little extra virgin olive oil, then add your sauce, toppings, and cheese.
• Remember to go light on the toppings to avoid a heavy and soggy pizza.

Slide the topped pizza back onto the grill:

• If using a gas grill, reduce the heat.
• If using a charcoal grill, close the vents on the cover almost all the way.
• Close the lid and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bottom is charred and the cheese is bubbly.
• Use a spatula to pull the pizza off the grate and onto a cutting board or flat surface.
• Let the pizza rest for a couple of minutes before cutting and serving.

So, if you don't have a pizza pan, don't worry! You can still make delicious pizza using a grill. Just follow the steps above, and you'll be enjoying a perfectly cooked, crispy, and flavourful pizza in no time.

Frequently asked questions