Whether you want to satisfy your cravings for something delicious, prepare easy and quick food for your friends, or surprise your girlfriend for a movie night, pizza is always there to make things perfect.
It is one of the easiest, most delicious snacks in the world, and you can practically put whatever you want on some pizza dough, and the result will be amazing.
However, some people don’t even have time to make the pizza themselves, so they head to the store and buy a frozen one which can also be quite delicious.
But the question of an easy cooking method for frozen pizza arises immediately. For example, can you microwave frozen pizza? You certainly can, but you have to know how to do that properly, as well as what the pros and cons are.
Microwaving Frozen Pizza: Pros and Cons
There are a few ways to reheat a frozen pizza. Aside from the fact that you can keep pizza warm in the oven, it’s also the best place to reheat it from frozen. However, if you are in search of a quick and convenient way, a microwave can be a decent option.
Pros:
• Quick and convenient: Microwaving is one of the fastest cooking methods, and it’s extremely convenient when you want to have a quick meal. Frozen pizzas are no exception as most of them can be done in the micro in less than 10 minutes.
• No preheating required: Unlike baking in an oven, microwaving doesn’t require preheating, which further saves time and energy.
• Energy-efficient: Microwaving generally uses less energy compared to conventional ovens, especially when reheating small portions like a single frozen pizza. This can result in lower utility bills.
• Less mess and cleanup: Microwaving involves using fewer dishes and utensils compared to baking in an oven, so if you hate cleaning, microwaving is your best bet.
• Suitable for small spaces: Microwaves are often more compact and can fit into smaller kitchens or living spaces where having a full-sized oven might not be practical.
Cons:
• Texture and taste: Microwaving a frozen pizza may not produce the same texture and taste as other cooking methods like baking. The crust may end up chewy rather than crispy, and the overall taste might be less enjoyable.
• Uneven Cooking: This is a common problem with most foods in the microwave, including frozen pizza. Some parts of the pizza can overcook, while others remain undercooked or even frozen. This can especially be an issue with thicker pizzas.
• Soggy Crust: In the microwave, the food is not directly heated, but the waves create an environment in which steam influences the food leading to a higher level of moisture.
Because of that, the pizza crust can become extra soggy, which is not something that we want.
• Limited pizza size: Depending on the size of your microwave, you might be limited in the size of the frozen pizza you can microwave. Unfortunately, larger pizzas may not fit or reheat properly in smaller microwaves.
• Melting Toppings and Cheese: Although you can melt cheese in the microwave, as well as some other toppings, some of them may not hold up well under microwave heat, leading to potential spills and a less visually appealing pizza.
• Lack of browning: Microwaving does not provide the browning effect that an oven can give to a pizza, which can impact the overall presentation and taste.
How To Microwave Frozen Pizza?
Although the microwave is not an ideal cooking option, you can do many things by using it, including defrosting chicken in the microwave, melting cheese, as well as microwaving frozen pizza. However, you need to know how to do that properly.
Let me show you a few simple steps you need to follow in order to microwave your frozen pizza in the microwave the right way.
STEP 1: First, pull your frozen pizza out of the freezer and remove it from the packaging. The packaging is not suitable for the microwaving process.
STEP 2: Use a microwave-safe plate and carefully put the frozen pizza on it.
STEP 3: Put it in, close the microwave door, and set the timer. Below, you will see the exact cooking times for all pizza types depending on their size and thickness.
STEP 4: Most types, except mini pizzas and pizza slices, will take at least 4 minutes to microwave. After that time, microwave it in 30-second intervals and remove it frequently to ensure that it is properly microwaved.
STEP 5: Once you remove it from the microwave, slice it with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. If it sticks to the cutter, dip the cutter in some warm water.
STEP 6: Let the pizza cool down for about 2-3 minutes and enjoy.
Best Toppings and Combinations For Frozen Pizza In The Microwave
There are so many combinations when it comes to making pizza and not all types and ingredients microwave the same way, i.e., some do better than others.
First, it is always better to choose a thinner crust if you are planning to microwave your frozen pizza. Namely, there is a higher risk that pizza with a thick crust will become soggy.
Aside from that, it is best to avoid pizzas with too much meat and heavy toppings. Rather stick to 1-2 meat toppings for more even cooking.
When it comes to vegetables, fresh vegetables tend to easily release moisture, so it is best to go with just a few veggies or choose pre-cooked ones.
Finally, do not microwave pizza that is heavily topped with cheese as it can become greasy or overly melted.
Some popular combinations for microwaving include Margherita (mozzarella, tomato, basil), BBQ chicken, as well as pepperoni and mushrooms.
What Are The Cooking Times In The Microwave?
Different types of pizza come in different shapes and sizes. Therefore, they require different cooking times in the microwave. So, below are the 6 different microwave-cooking times for 6 different types of pizza.
• 12-inch pizza: 7-11 minutes
• 10-inch pizza: 5-7 minutes
• 8-inch pizza: 4-6 minutes
• French Bread Pizza: 7-8 minutes
• Mini Pizza Pack: 3-5 minutes
• Pizza Slice: 1-2 minutes
I also have to emphasize that, if the pizza is really small or you are dealing with mini pizza, it is best to microwave it for 2 minutes initially and, after that, microwave it in 30-second intervals, checking it regularly to avoid overcooking.
How To Make The Crust Crispy?
Pizza is one of the most eaten foods in the world and one of the main reasons for this is its delicious and crispy crust. However, that same crust doesn’t always stay crispy from after microwaving.
As I already said, microwaving can make it soggy. Fortunately, there are a few effective ways to prevent that and I am here to reveal them to you.
Use Dual Cooking Method
For this method, you will need a regular microwave, a large pan, and a stovetop. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. You first need to preheat a large pan with oil on medium heat over a stovetop.
2. While it is preheating, put your frozen pizza in the microwave and microwave it for a few minutes.
3. After that time frame, transfer it from the microwave onto the hot pan to heat the crust for a few minutes.
4. Return it to the microwave for a few additional minutes.
5. Finally, repeat the pan cooking for an extra few minutes so that your pizza has a crispy crust, melted cheese, and perfectly hot sauce.
Few Additional Ways
• Instead of a regular microwave, you can also use a microwave crisper pan. It is a worthy investment if you regularly reheat your pizza from frozen.
• One really simple trick is to put a mug of water in the microwave while the pizza is reheating, as it will absorb the moisture and help the crust to stay nice and crispy.
• Put a microwave-safe rack between the plate and pizza, so that the moisture can escape. This way, the bottom of the crust won’t become soggy.
• A microwave browning plate or dish is a specially designed part of new microwaves that helps pizzas and similar types of food stay crispy.
Extra Tips For Microwaving Frozen Pizza
• Always reheat pizza in the high-heat setting of the microwave.
• Use microwave-safe plates that are made from ceramic, glass, porcelain, or some plastics.
• Do not microwave paper plates or ones made from metal and styrofoam.
• Ensure that there is enough space around the pizza so that the heat can circulate properly.
• Avoid using a pizza stone in the microwave because it won’t give you good results.
