Buzz
Frozen pizza can be a tasty, budget-friendly, and quick meal option when you're pressed for time. To bake frozen pizza at home, start by preheating your oven to the temperature indicated on the package instructions. Once the oven is hot, transfer the pizza onto a baking tray, pizza stone, or directly onto the oven rack for a crispier crust. For a faster alternative, you can also cook smaller pizzas in the microwave. Bake the pizza for the recommended time and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Steps
Preparing the Pizza
Thaw the pizza for 1-2 hours. Before baking, remove the pizza from the freezer and let it sit on the kitchen counter to thaw at room temperature. If you bake it while still frozen, the outer layer of ice will melt and turn into steam, making the crust and toppings soggy and chewy.
- Remember to place the pizza in the oven immediately after thawing.
- The easiest way to ensure the pizza is fully thawed is to leave it outside the freezer when you bring it home from the store (unless you don't plan to eat it right away).
Remove the thawed pizza from its packaging. Unseal the box and separate the cardboard pieces. Slide your hand beneath the pizza and lift it out, ensuring the toppings face upward. Discard the plastic wrap and the cardboard base.
- You might need scissors to open the plastic bag wrapping the pizza.
- If you accidentally flip the box while removing the pizza, the toppings may fall off and become unevenly distributed.
Brush olive oil onto the crust for enhanced flavor and crispiness. Dip a brush into extra virgin olive oil and apply it around the edges of the crust. As the pizza heats in the oven or microwave, the olive oil will seep into the crust, creating a softer and crispier texture.
- The olive oil will also help brown the cheese near the edges.
Tip: Sprinkle a bit of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or parmesan cheese to make the pizza more flavorful.
Baking the Pizza in the Oven
Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the pizza box. Most frozen pizza boxes recommend baking at 200–220°C. To ensure even cooking, set the oven to “bake” or “convection” mode. While waiting for the oven to heat, you can prepare the pizza.
- Another option is to set the oven to its highest temperature to mimic professional pizza ovens. However, be cautious, as this increases the risk of burning the pizza.
- Avoid using the broil setting. Single-direction heat can overcook the top while leaving the bottom undercooked.
Place the pizza on a non-stick baking tray. Position the pizza evenly in the center of the tray. If necessary, rearrange any toppings that have shifted or clumped to ensure they are spread uniformly across the pizza.
- If you have a pizza stone, you can place it in the oven while preheating. The pizza stone absorbs more moisture, resulting in a lighter and fluffier crust.
Alternative: Bake the pizza directly on the oven rack in the middle of the oven to allow heat to circulate around the pizza, creating a crispier crust.
Transfer the pizza to the middle oven rack. Place the pizza on the middle rack to ensure it is not too close to the heating elements at the top or bottom of the oven. Close the oven door to prevent heat from escaping.
- If using a baking tray, position it horizontally for easier removal after baking.
- If baking directly on the oven rack, carefully lower the pizza to avoid burns.
Bake the pizza for the recommended time. Typically, frozen pizzas take 15-25 minutes to bake, depending on their size and topping quantity. Set a timer to avoid overcooking.
- The pizza is ready when the cheese turns golden and starts bubbling consistently.
- If the oven is set to its highest temperature, baking may only take 5-8 minutes.
Use heat-resistant gloves to remove the pizza from the oven. Once the baking time is up, open the oven door, carefully grab the edges of the baking tray with the gloves, and place the tray on a heat-resistant flat surface.
- Use a pizza peel or a similar tool to transfer pizzas baked directly on the oven rack onto a tray or remove the entire rack.
Wait 3-5 minutes for the pizza to cool before slicing. Allow the pizza to reach a safe temperature before eating. This step also gives the melted cheese time to firm up slightly, making it easier to cut and less messy.
- Avoid touching the pizza or the baking tray immediately after removing it from the oven – both will be extremely hot.
- If you cut the pizza too soon, the cheese and toppings are likely to slide off each slice.
Slice the pizza into pieces using a pizza cutter. Position the blade in the center of the pizza, move it back and forth a few centimeters at a time, then rotate the pizza 90 degrees and make another cut across the first slice. Continue rotating and cutting the pizza into as many slices as desired.
- A medium-sized frozen pizza can typically be cut into 6-8 slices.
- If you don’t have a pizza cutter, you can use a sharp kitchen knife. Press the palm of your hand on the spine of the knife to “chop” through the crust for a clean cut.
Reheating Frozen Pizza in the Microwave
Place the pizza on a microwave-safe plate. Choose a plate large enough to hold the pizza but small enough to fit inside the microwave. Center the pizza on the plate, open the microwave door, and place the plate inside.
- Never use metal plates or foil in the microwave. Doing so can cause sparks, fires, or permanent damage to the microwave.
Tip: Many microwaveable pizzas come with a heat-reflective tray designed to crisp the crust. If your pizza includes this tray, be sure to use it.
Microwave the pizza on high for the recommended time. Typically, microwaveable pizzas require 3-4 minutes to heat, but larger or thicker varieties may need 4-5 minutes. Check the packaging for specific instructions.
- Keep a close eye on the pizza to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
- Cooking times may vary for pizzas with garlic bread, flatbread, or other specialty crusts.
Let the pizza cool for 2-3 minutes before eating. Carefully remove it from the microwave as it will be very hot. If desired, slice it into smaller pieces for easier sharing after it cools slightly. Enjoy your meal!!
Tips
- Microwaving is sometimes recommended for reheating frozen pizza, even high-quality ones, as it’s the most efficient way to heat the pizza evenly and consistently.
- Frozen pizza is a great meal option at any time of day – it can quickly turn into lunch, dinner, or a post-school snack!
- Experiment with different brands to find the one you like best and that suits your reheating method.
What You’ll Need
- Baking tray
- Pizza cutter
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Pizza stone (optional)
- Basting brush (optional)
- Microwave-safe plate (optional)
