How to Freeze Homemade Pizza
Think homemade pizza is only for those leisurely weekend projects? Think again. This guide turns your freezer into the ultimate pizza stash, ensuring you're never more than a preheat away from artisanal bliss. Perfect for slaying those 'nothing in the fridge' nights with something that didn't come in a cardboard box. Follow these steps and freeze your way to pizza nirvana. Because, let's face it, the only thing better than pizza today is pizza straight from your freezer tomorrow. Who said convenience can't taste homemade?
Servings: 3 to 4
Ingredients
- Your favorite pizza dough
- Toppings of choice ensure they freeze well
- Optional: pizza sauce cheese, and other preferred toppings
Supplies
- Baking sheet
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Permanent marker
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Follow your chosen dough recipe. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Par-bake the Dough: Use a fork to poke holes across the surface of your rolled-out dough to prevent bubbling. Bake in the preheated oven for 3-5 minutes, until slightly puffed but not browned or crispy.
- Cool the Dough: Allow the par-baked dough to cool to room temperature.
- Assemble Your Pizza: Add sauce, cheese, and toppings to the cooled dough. Remember to use ingredients that freeze well.
- Prep for Freezing: Let the assembled pizza cool at room temperature to avoid moisture buildup.
- Freeze: Place the pizza in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up. Then, wrap the pizza first in plastic wrap, ensuring it's airtight, followed by a layer of aluminum foil.
- Label: With a permanent marker, write the pizza type, date, and any specific reheating instructions on the aluminum foil.
- Store: Place the pizza flat in the freezer, avoiding stacking items on top. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Cooking Your Frozen Pizzas
- Reheat from frozen: If you want to cook the pizza from frozen, preheat your oven to 400°F and bake for 15 to 25 minutes. The timing will vary depending on how thick your pizza crust is and how many toppings you loaded on the pizzas.
- Thaw and reheat: This is my preferred option for cooking a frozen pizza and will make a crispier crust. First thaw the pizza in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. Preheat your oven to 500°F and bake for 10-15 minutes.
