If You're Not Using Your Pizza Oven For Frozen Pizzas, You're Missing Out

Keep a close eye on your frozen pie

You shouldn't anticipate achieving the same results with a frozen pizza as you would with a fresh one by following the same cooking steps. One advantage of a pizza oven is its capability to reach much higher temperatures than the gas or electric ovens typically found in kitchens. This allows homemade pizzas to cook in a fraction of the time it takes for frozen varieties, while also enhancing their texture. However, when preparing a frozen pizza, it's advisable to set the oven temperature a bit lower, ideally between 350 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the crust thickness (lower for thinner crusts and higher for thicker ones). You might wonder about the benefit of using a pizza oven in this case; even though the impact is less pronounced, your pizza will still benefit from improved heat distribution. Using a pizza screen, like the one from New Star Foodservice, can further assist in this process and help prevent the crust from burning on the bottom.

As for baking time, your frozen pizza will likely take as long as the package instructions suggest. While those delicious, hand-tossed, and carefully crafted homemade pizzas can be ready in no time, remember that your frozen pizza is, well, frozen. Until you determine the ideal time and temperature for cooking frozen pizzas in your oven, check for doneness about five minutes before the recommended time, and then continue to check every couple of minutes until the edges are a lovely golden brown and the center is fully cooked.