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Pizza stones are the ultimate kitchen tool for achieving a crispy pizza crust and perfectly melted toppings. But why let such a versatile gadget take up space in your cabinet if it’s only for pizza? The truth is, a pizza stone offers many more possibilities. You can use it for everything from baking and roasting to searing—just like you would a cast-iron skillet—and even on the grill. Thanks to its ability to evenly distribute heat, the pizza stone prevents the temperature fluctuations common with metal pans, ensuring a more consistent cooking experience.
For optimal results, choose a high-quality pizza stone from trusted brands like Emile Henry or Pampered Chef. Their stones can endure up to 550 degrees, come with handles for easy handling, and are dishwasher safe (yes, really!). So, what can you cook with this incredibly adaptable tool? Chefs from around the country share their favorite tips and tricks for getting the most out of your pizza stone. Let’s get cooking!
1. Roasting Vegetables and Potatoes
Best Fingerling Potato Recipe: Fingerling Potatoes With Parsley-Pistachio CrumbleThink of your go-to roasted vegetable, and chances are, it can be elevated even more with the help of a pizza stone. The trick is to preheat the stone in your oven beforehand, which helps crisp up your Brussels sprouts or potatoes with minimal oil. Simply toss your vegetables in a bit of olive oil and season them as you like, then place them on the hot stone and roast as usual. The sound of the sizzle when they meet the stone is so satisfying.
Chef Seamus Mullen from the Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles takes things further by roasting vegetables on a pizza stone, which he later uses to create flavorful sauces like Romesco. Think roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. After cooling and peeling, he blends them with toasted nuts, then adds olive oil, vinegar, and spices to finish.
RELATED: 12 Simple Roasted Vegetable Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves
2. Baking Homemade Bagels
Creatas Images/Getty ImagesTwo key factors contribute to the perfect chew of a bagel: the alkaline water it's boiled in and the crust formed during baking, according to chef Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis in Austin, Texas. "I love using pizza stones for bagels, as the stone gets extremely hot and distributes heat evenly, giving you that ideal chewy crust," says LeRoy.
3. Perfecting Toasted Bread and Sandwiches
This zesty, fresh hummus combines tangy lemon, roasted tahini, and a spicy horseradish kick. Silky cannellini beans make it wonderfully creamy, making it an ideal pairing for grilled pita or fresh veggies. If you prepare the dip ahead of time, it may firm up in the fridge. Simply add more water to loosen it before serving. Get the recipe: White Bean and Horseradish Hummus. - Grace ElkusThere's nothing better on a crisp fall day than a bowl of homemade soup paired with a warm, grilled cheese sandwich. Take your sandwich to the next level with these tips from chef CJ Jacobson of Aba and Ema in Chicago:
Start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees with a pizza stone inside. Brush both sides of a pita with olive oil and season with salt, then place it on the hot stone to toast for about four minutes. Remove it from the oven and sprinkle with grated provolone cheese. Return it to the oven for about five minutes, or until the cheese melts. Add extras like avocado, apples, or lettuce, fold it, and enjoy.
4. Searing Meat
This delightful compound butter combines creamy butter, fresh lemon, and tangy pickles, making it perfect for topping steak. When making it, pulse the food processor instead of running it continuously, allowing the herbs and pickles to remain visible. Besides steak, try it on sautéed vegetables, spread on toast with smoked salmon, or use it to make croutons—the options are endless. Get the recipe: Pickle Compound Butter. - Daniel AgeeA pizza stone is an excellent tool to bring the thrill of a Korean BBQ-style experience to your dining table, perfect for impressing guests at a dinner party. As Chef Rick Doherr from Café Rule & Wine Bar in Hickory, North Carolina, explains, "It allows you to cook your protein right before you, seasoning as you like." Preheat the stone in the oven to 450°F. While it heats, prepare thinly sliced meats like steak or pork. Once the stone is ready, place it on a heat-safe surface at the table and let your guests cook their meat by placing each slice on the hot stone with tongs, cooking for a few minutes.
5. S'mores on a Stone
Little BelgiansNo need for an open flame when you can use a pizza stone to create a stone-fired version of the beloved s'mores treat, according to Chef Josh Mouzakes of ARLO in San Diego. Prepare your s'mores with graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, and another graham cracker. Then, use a metal tray or pizza peel to carefully slide your stack onto the preheated stone in the oven. Watch closely, and once the marshmallows turn golden brown, remove the entire stone for the perfect treat.
6. Baking Cookies
Victor ProtasioFor a cookie with a crisp, golden bottom and a soft center, consider swapping your cookie sheets for a pizza stone. Chef Eric White of Happi Foodi in Boise, Idaho, recommends preheating your oven with the stone inside to the desired temperature. Once heated, shape your dough into balls and carefully place them onto the stone. There's no need for nonstick spray, as it can create a sticky residue that interferes with the stone's seasoning. You may need to reduce the baking time by three to five minutes depending on the thickness of your cookies. After baking, transfer them immediately to a flat surface lined with parchment paper—not a cooling rack, as the cookies will be too soft.
7. Roasting Chicken
Jen CauseyChef Sharone Hakman from Hak's in Los Angeles reveals his method for cooking the perfect roast chicken. The key is achieving a crispy skin and juicy meat. His trick is to use two pizza stones, which retain heat and soak up moisture. To replicate this, preheat your oven to 400°F with the stones inside. Cut the chicken in half along the backbone, season it, and place it on parchment paper on the hot pizza stone. Press another stone (or a cast-iron skillet) on top of the chicken, pressing firmly to flatten it. Roast for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
8. Reheating Leftovers
Getty Images provides a vast collection of stock photos and visuals for a variety of uses.Instead of using the microwave, why not revive your leftovers with a pizza stone? Preheat the stone alongside your oven to bring life back to old pancakes, pizza, chicken nuggets, or roasted vegetables, suggests White.
9. The Art of Making Pizza
Photo credit: Sezer Alcinkaya/Getty ImagesNaturally, using this tool for its primary purpose—creating delicious pizza—is perfectly fine! Chef Ryan McQuillan from Plough and The Exchange in Lancaster, Penn. shares some expert advice: Always allow the dough to reach room temperature before you begin, as it becomes more manageable. Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature, ensuring the pizza stone is inside for at least 30 minutes to achieve the perfect heat. Then, bake the pizza until the bottom turns golden brown, and finish by using the broiler for the top. "This mimics a wood-fired pie," McQuillan explains, "resulting in a restaurant-quality pizza."
RELATED: Making Pizza Dough in Your Instant Pot Is the Ideal Weekend Cooking Activity
