Pizza is a well-loved and popular dish around the world. It originated in Italy but has now become a staple food in many countries.
While it is traditionally cooked in an oven, not everyone has access to one at home. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy delicious homemade pizza without an oven.
In this blog post, we will show you how to cook pizza without oven by using different methods.
Why Do People Cook Pizza With An Oven?
Before going to discover the reasons why people choose to cook pizza in an oven, it’s important to know what an oven is.
An oven is a culinary tool that may be used to bake, dry, or heat food. It can achieve temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius) by utilizing hot air to cook the food within.
It is commonly used for cooking dishes like pizza, bread, cookies, and many others. However, not everyone has an oven in their kitchen.
Traditionally, pizza is cooked in a brick or stone oven.
This method ensures that the pizza cooks evenly and quickly, resulting in a crispy crust and melted cheese. The high temperature of the oven also gives the pizza that characteristic smoky flavor.
However, with advancements in technology, many modern ovens now have features specifically designed for cooking pizza, such as convection settings and pizza stones.
How To Cook Pizza Without Oven?
As we have mentioned, cooking pizza in an oven is one of the most traditional ways. However, in case you don’t have an oven, fear not! There are several methods you can use to cook pizza without one.
These methods may require some creativity and experimentation, but with the right ingredients and techniques, you can still have a delicious homemade pizza. Let’s explore these options in detail below.
How To Cook Pizza On a Stovetop?
Besides cooking pizza in an oven, using a stovetop is regarded as the most common one. This method involves using a pan or skillet to create a crispy crust and melt the cheese evenly.
It is a great alternative for those without an oven, as it allows you to still enjoy homemade pizza with minimal equipment.
What Pan You Need To Make Stovetop Pizza
To make stovetop pizza, you will need a pan or skillet with a lid. A cast-iron skillet would be the best option, as it distributes heat evenly and can withstand high temperatures.
However, if you don’t have one, any heavy-bottomed pan or non-stick skillet should work.
Steps To Make Stovetop Pizza
– Step 1: Preheat your skillet or pan on medium heat for a few minutes.
– Step 2: Roll out your pizza dough into a round shape that will fit the size of your pan.
– Step 3: Place the dough in the hot skillet and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to bubble and the bottom is slightly browned.
– Step 4: Flip the crust over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the other side is also slightly browned.
– Step 5: Remove the crust from the pan and add your desired toppings to the cooked side.
– Step 6: Place the pizza back in the pan, cover with a lid, and let it cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
– Step 7: Remove from the pan, let it cool for a few minutes, and enjoy your stovetop pizza.
Best Toppings Ideas For Stovetop Pizza
You can use any of your favorite pizza toppings for stovetop pizza. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Classic Margherita: tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves
2. Meat Lovers: tomato sauce, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham
3. Veggie Supreme: tomato sauce, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives
4. Hawaiian: tomato sauce, ham, pineapple, mozzarella cheese
How To Cook Pizza On a Grill?
With the same question of how to cook pizza without oven, using a grill to cook pizza is an ideal answer.
As the name suggests, it involves using a grill to cook the pizza instead of an oven. This method gives the pizza a smoky flavor and a crispy crust, similar to a brick oven.
Equipment You Need To Make Grilled Pizza
To make grilled pizza, you will need a grill with a lid and some heat-resistant tools such as tongs or spatulas.
You can use either a gas or charcoal grill, but the process may vary slightly depending on the type of grill.
Additionally, you will also need a pizza stone or a baking sheet to place the pizza on.
Steps To Make Grilled Pizza
– Step 1: Preheat your grill on high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.
– Step 2: Roll out your pizza dough and place it on a pizza stone or baking sheet.
– Step 3: Oil the top of the dough and put it, greased side down, onto the preheated grill.
– Step 4: Let it cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom is slightly charred and crispy.
– Step 5: Remove the dough from the grill and add your desired toppings to the grilled side.
– Step 6: Place the pizza back on the grill, close the lid, and let it cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted.
– Step 7: Remove from the grill, let it cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your mouth, and enjoy your grilled pizza.
Ideal Toppings For Grilled Pizza
Similar to stovetop pizza, you can use any toppings you like on grilled pizza. Here are some ideas to try out:
1. BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, red onions, cilantro
2. Four Cheese: mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, gouda
3. Pesto and Chicken: pesto sauce, grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil
4. Grilled Veggies: tomato sauce, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers
How To Make Pizza In a Skillet?
Making pizza in a skillet is another option for those without an oven. It’s similar to stovetop pizza, but the crust will have deeper edges and may be thicker.
Equipment You Need To Make Skillet Pizza
To make pizza in a skillet, you will need a large cast-iron skillet with a lid, as well as some parchment paper.
Steps To Make Skillet Pizza
– Step 1: The first and foremost step is preheating your skillet on medium heat for a few minutes. You can add about 4.92 ml (equal to a teaspoon) of cooking oil to the skillet to avoid sticking.
– Step 2: During the time of preheating your skillet, you can prepare your pizza dough and roll it out into a large, round shape that will fit the size of your skillet.
– Step 3: Once the skillet is hot enough, place a rolled-out pizza dough on parchment paper into the pan.
– Step 4: Let it cook for about 1 to 2 minutes until the bottom is slightly golden and starts bubbling. Use a spatula to check the bottom.
– Step 5: Flip the crust over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until it is slightly browned. Then you spread your pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings on the cooked side of your crust. The order of toppings on the skillet pizza is the same as that of stovetop pizza.
– Step 6: Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
– Step 7: Carefully remove the pizza from the skillet, let it cool for a few minutes, and enjoy your skillet pizza.
Creative Toppings For Skillet Pizza
You can get creative with toppings when making skillet pizza. Here are some ideas to try out:
1. Breakfast Pizza: scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, shredded cheese
2. Buffalo Chicken: buffalo sauce, grilled chicken, blue cheese, ranch dressing
3. Taco Pizza: refried beans, ground beef or turkey, shredded cheese, salsa, lettuce, sour cream
4. Dessert Pizza: Nutella spread, sliced strawberries, and bananas, sprinkled with powdered sugar.
How To Make Pizza In a Microwave?
As we all know, a microwave is a kitchen appliance that uses electromagnetic radiation to cook or heat food quickly.
It is commonly used for reheating leftovers, but it can also be used to cook certain foods, including pizza.
As with other cooking methods, the first thing we need to do is to gather all the necessities:
1. Pizza (as normal or frozen, depending on your preference)
2. Microwave-safe plate
3. Aluminum foil
Steps To Make Pizza In The Microwave
– Step 1: Start by placing a sheet of aluminum foil on the microwave-safe plate.
– Step 2: Place the pizza on top of the foil and cover it with another sheet of foil to prevent any splatters.
– Step 3: Cook the pizza on high power for about 2 to 3 minutes. Check periodically and continue cooking until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
– Step 4: Once done, carefully remove the pizza from the microwave and let it cool for a minute before enjoying it.
Tips For Cooking Pizza In The Microwave
We’ve explored all the steps to cooking pizza in the microwave, but here are some additional tips to make sure it turns out delicious:
1. Adding a few drops of water to the crust before microwaving can help prevent it from getting too hard.
2. If you want a crispier crust, remove the foil for the last minute of cooking.
3. Letting the pizza sit in the microwave with the door closed for a few minutes after it’s done can help distribute heat and prevent any hot spots.
Besides cooking normal pizza with the microwave, people can also use it to cook frozen pizza. The cooking process is quite similar, but there are some tips to ensure a better result:
1. It is recommended to defrost the frozen pizza first before cooking it in the microwave. This will prevent any sogginess.
2. If you don’t have time to defrost, increase the cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes.
3. For a crispy crust, place a paper towel under the pizza while cooking to absorb any excess moisture.
4. Adding a cup of water in the microwave with the pizza will help create steam and prevent dryness.
Conclusion
Overall, we have already gone through several methods as the answers to the question of how to cook pizza without an oven. Each method has its unique benefits and results in a delicious pizza.
Whether you choose to make stovetop or grilled pizza or opt for using the skillet or microwave, you now have the knowledge and skills to make a tasty homemade pizza without an oven.
Get creative with your toppings and enjoy your homemade pizza any time!