How to Freeze Homemade Pizza

Both parents and kids agree–homemade pizza night is awesome! But who has the time, with our jam-packed schedules, to make a pizza from scratch most nights? Luckily, freezing homemade pizza is a simple process of preparing your dough, pre-baking, assembling with toppings, and then storing away for later. It’s as simple as that! This will ensure that you and your family can enjoy a delicious homemade pizzas, even on the busy days.

Let’s dive into our guide for homemade frozen pizzas!

Prepare the Dough

To get started, let’s talk about the foundation of any good pizza…the dough. You can use your favorite dough recipe or use one of ours. Depending on the type of yeast for pizza dough you have in your pantry, you may want to try our sourdough pizza dough or whole grain Einkorn crust recipes. We highly recommend our quick pizza dough recipe, especially for those busy school nights. 

Whichever recipe you end up going with, if you want to freeze the pizza, it is a good idea to partially bake your crust so you can ensure it’s not under cooked on pizza night. Here’s how:

• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Take a fork and poke holes over the top surface of your crust to prevent excessive bubbling.
• Once you’re up to temp, pop it in the oven for three to five minutes at most. Four minutes will be perfect for most doughs. The idea is to only partially bake your crust, and it should look a little dry and puffed, but not hard or crispy.
• Par-baking also will help the dough hold its shape as you prepare it for storage and keep it from getting soggy when it thaws.

Assemble Your Pizza

Once your partially-baked pizza dough has cooled down enough to handle, you’re ready to put your pizza together. You can keep your recipe basic or get creative with one of the many pizza recipes we have available on our website. There are no wrong answers, but we would recommend that you use ingredients and toppings that can be wrapped easily and freeze well.

Prepping for Freezing

Now that you’ve assembled your pizza, let’s move on to the next step: freezing it properly. When you freeze homemade pizza, there are two main adversaries you want to outsmart: air and freezer burn. Ensuring your pizza is protected from these elements is key to preserving its freshness and flavor until you’re ready to enjoy it.

Your wrapping method is important in preventing each from happening. First, allow the pizza to cool at room temperature. This helps prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to freezer burn. We recommend placing the pizza in the freezer for thirty minutes to help it firm up for wrapping.

Next, lay plastic wrap on your prep station like it were a baking sheet and place the pizza on top of this first layer of wrap. Fold the plastic over the top making sure it’s airtight without squishing your pie.

Then, half-turn your pie and repeat the previous step, wrapping it with a second piece of plastic wrap to really make sure no air gets in. After that, wrap the pizza in aluminum foil the same way you did your plastic wraps.

You’re Ready to Freeze

At this point, you’re ready to pop it in the freezer and store for two to three months maximum. Make sure to lay the pizza flat and avoid stacking other frozen items on top of it.

Labeling Your Pizza for the Freezer

Before you place your masterpiece into the cold confines of the freezer, there’s one final step that can make a world of difference—labeling. Taking a moment to label your pizza ensures that you know exactly what you have on hand and helps prevent any mystery meals down the line. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. Grab a Permanent Marker: Choose a marker that can withstand the cold and won’t easily rub off the plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
2. Write Down the Essentials: Jot down the type of pizza (e.g., “Pepperoni and Mushroom”), the date it was made, and reheating instructions.
3. Place it Where You Can See: Make sure the labeled side is facing up when you place the pizza in the freezer. This makes it easier to identify what you have without needing to unwrap or disturb the package.

Labeling helps you keep track of what types of pizza you have and ensures you use them within their best quality period. Plus, it makes meal planning a breeze when you can quickly scan your freezer for options.

Cooking Your Homemade Frozen Pizza

You have the option to either cook your pizza from frozen or let it thaw first. I prefer to let my pizzas thaw then cook them in a super hot oven for that perfectly crispy crust and well-melted cheese. But, if you’re short on time or just too hungry to wait, cooking from frozen is absolutely doable and can still yield delicious results. Here’s how to make the most out of both methods:

Cooking From Frozen

No need to thaw homemade frozen pizza; you can enjoy your pizza with minimal wait time. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) — a slightly lower temperature than the thaw-and-bake method to ensure the pizza heats through evenly without burning the toppings. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of your crust and the amount of toppings. The pizza is done when the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. 

Thaw and Bake (Preferred Method)

If you plan ahead, thawing your pizza can make a world of difference. Transfer your pizza from the freezer to the refrigerator about 3-4 hours before you cook it, or overnight for convenience. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to a blistering 500°F (260°C). The intense heat replicates the environment of a traditional pizza oven, giving you a crispier crust and evenly melted toppings. Bake for 10-15 minutes, watching closely after the 10-minute mark to ensure it doesn’t overcook. 

Wondering if provolone is good on pizza? Don’t miss our recent post!