How To Cook Pizza Without A Pan: Easy Tricks
Making the perfect home-made pizza requires a bit of time and effort, and of course, the right set of tools. Without these tools, you might not get a satisfying outcome. One of the most common tools used in pizza making is a pizza pan. If you’re planning on making your own, yet have not brought a pizza pan yet, worry not! There are still other alternatives you can try. Below are some of the ways on how to cook pizza without a pan.
Pizza pans are definitely useful, but not necessary. You can still make a well-cooked and crispy-crusted pizza even without a pan. We have gathered alternatives tools you can utilize instead.
Pizza Stone
For traditional pizza making, most cooks use a pizza stone. It is a flat slab of stone or ceramic that's heat-resistant for perfectly-cooked dough. To use a pizza stone, preheat the stone together with the oven to 500F. Once heated, slide in your pizza using a pizza peel. Wait for the pizza to cook, making sure that the crust is golden-brown and the cheese is also slightly browned. Take your pizza and turn off the oven. Pizza stones do not need to be washed often. Just brush the stone when cooled down.
Baking Sheet
Most people who love cooking usually have a baking sheet at home. Surprisingly, a baking sheet is an effective tool on how to cook pizza without a pan. It’s relatively easy to use too! Just invert the baking sheet and place it in your oven. Just like using a pizza stone, you need to preheat the baking sheet together with the oven.
While waiting for your baking sheet and oven to heat up, prepare your parchment paper, place it on your countertop, and sprinkle a good amount of cornmeal. Roll out your dough and put it on the parchment paper. Prepare your pizza by adding whatever toppings and pizza sauce you prefer. When satisfied, slide the parchment paper to your inverted cookie sheet. Bake the pizza for about 15 minutes until the edges are browning. Remove the pizza from the oven and be ready to dig in!
Cast Iron Pan
A cast iron pan also works as a pizza stone. They have the same heating capacity, making them a perfect solution on how to cook pizza without a pan. Using a cast iron pan is easy. Invert it, as you would in a baking sheet, and the bottom works the same as a pizza stone. It also generates almost the same crispiness as a pizza stone.
Hot Grill
If you are having a barbeque party, why not toss in some pizza on the grill? Yes, a hot grill can also be a great alternative if you don’t have any pizza pans available. It is a fun and quick way to enjoy this best comfort food. Just make sure that your dough is sturdy enough to hold its shape. Also, this alternative works best with bite-size pizzas.
Baking Steel
You might not have come across this tool yet, but some traditional cooks use this as an alternative on how to cook pizza without a pan. These are heavy-duty steel that works in the same way as a pizza stone. They have a larger surface, though, so if you have guests coming, using this tool can minimize your cooking time by half.
Cake Pans
A thick-crust or stuffed pizza might require a deeper pan. If you don’t have a pizza pan, opt for a cake pan. They virtually have the same diameter, and the sides are also of the same height. Plus, they are effortless to use. Cook your pizza just how you would cook it in a pizza pan. Most cake pans are non-stick, so you won’t need to grease them before use. However, be careful when using strong flavors that linger in the pan. Make sure to clean your cake pan thoroughly to avoid any unwanted flavors in your cake. Know more about cooking pizza.
Conclusion
A thick-crust or stuffed pizza might require a deeper pan. If you don’t have a pizza pan, opt for a cake pan. They virtually have the same diameter, and the sides are also of the same height. Plus, they are effortless to use. Cook your pizza just how you would cook it in a pizza pan. Most cake pans are non-stick, so you won’t need to grease them before use. However, be careful when using strong flavors that linger in the pan. Make sure to clean your cake pan thoroughly to avoid any unwanted flavors in your cake.
