Can You Cook Pizza In A Toaster Oven?

Most people live under the impression that a toaster oven is not big enough for a pizza! Well, they could not be more wrong. A toaster oven can be used more than just for toast. You can use it to cook anything you would usually cook in an oven: cookies, chicken, roasted vegetables – and even pizza.

Pizza can be cooked in a toaster oven like any other normal oven. It is a safe alternative for individuals who lack access to an actual kitchen or want to make a quick pizza. Pizza is typically cooked in the toaster oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

I love pizza as much as the next person, but I do not have much time for deep-dish pizzas. Luckily, my toaster oven is always there to save the day! All I need is my favorite toppings and some pizzas, and I cook it for 10 minutes in the toaster! My pizza is ready to eat.

How To Make Pizza In A Toaster Oven?

When I make pizza in a toaster oven, I go with the ingredients checklist first. Then I bake the pizza. 

Ingredients Checklist For Dough Preparation

The ingredients I usually use for its preparation are:

• 2 1/4 C. warm water (about 115 degrees)
• 1 tsp. active dry yeast (not instant)
• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 2 3/4 C. bread flour (regular, not self-rising) or all-purpose flour
• 3/4 C. whole wheat flour, plus more for kneading dough on a pizza peel and baking sheet
• 3 Tbsp. cornmeal
• 1 tsp. salt (add as necessary to the dough)

Steps I Follow For Dough Preparation

The steps I generally follow for the dough preparation are:

Step 1

Firstly, I mix the warm water and yeast in a small bowl together. I let it stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Then, I mix the flour, cornmeal, and salt in a large mixing bowl until well mixed. One thing is that I make sure the honey is dissolved in warm water. 

Step 2

In the second step, I mix in the yeast mixture to make a smooth batter the consistency of pancake batter. I beat the batter for about 2 minutes with a spoon or electric mixer.

After that, I seal the bowl in plastic wrap. I let it sit at room temperature until the dough rises by about half and is light and spongy, between 2 to 4 hours. It will swell up to almost twice its size.

Step 3

If you intend to bake your pizzas later in the day, you can refrigerate the dough now. I usually save some like this for my busy days. I just cover the bowl with plastic wrap loosely, then put it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before using it.

Steps I Follow To Make The Pizza

The steps I generally follow to make the pizza in a toaster oven are:

Step 1

When I want to bake a pizza, I transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. The peak of the dough should be about 1 inch above the loaf pan rim.

Then I sprinkle the work surface generously with whole wheat flour. I do this because it keeps my dough from sticking. Using 1 hand for stirring and 1 hand for kneading, I form the dough into a flattened ball. I usually cover the work surface with whole wheat flour.

Step 2

Thoroughly I knead the dough for 10 minutes. I add more flour as needed. This prevents the batter from trying to stick to the hands and counter. Thus, I shape the dough into a smooth round, seam side down, and use extra flour. I rub one or two tablespoons of olive oil over the dough’s surface at this point, then set it on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.

Next, I scatter half of the grated cheese on top and add the toppings of my choice. I do this usually by spacing them at least 1/2 inch apart and distributing them evenly over the surface of the dough. Following that, I sprinkle on a generous amount of kosher salt (at least 1/2 teaspoon) and more crushed pepper if you like.

Step 3

After that, I put the pizza in the toaster oven and set it on to bake. This important step is discussed in the next section thoroughly.

https://youtu.be/RCfMbA3rEmY

How To Set The Toaster Oven For Making Pizza? 

An important step in preparing the pizza is to set the toaster oven for making pizza.

To get started, I find a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper and make it large enough that you can fold it in half. Then I place this near the bottom inside of the toaster oven. 

After that, I transfer 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the foil and fold it in half until sealed. Following that, I turn the temperature to 400°F and wait for it to heat up for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, I take the pizza dough out of your fridge and let it sit on the counter for about 20 minutes (or until ready to put in the oven).

After a few minutes, I transfer it to a wooden board and spread it out into a circle shape. When ready to put it in the toaster oven, I set my dough on top of the folded aluminum foil or parchment paper and take off the foil or parchment paper. 

After placing the pizza in the toaster oven, I bake it for 3 to 4 minutes. You can also bake the pizza until the bottom is bubbling and the cheese is melted.

I also check if the crust is golden brown, and the toppings are hot before removing it from the oven. When all of this has been done, I take it out of the oven when the timer goes off, cut it, and serve!

Tips And Tricks For A Frozen Pizza In Toaster Oven

I love to bake frozen pizza in my toaster oven! It’s a great alternative to heating up the oven, and it cooks the pizza really well. Here are some tips and tricks that I would recommend when using a toaster oven for baking frozen pizzas:

• Use Ingredients In Proper Amount

A tip to consider when baking a frozen pizza in your toaster oven is the proper amount of ingredients. I usually avoid too much cheese, olives, tomatoes, and other toppings that can make our pie explode in the oven when we are trying to make a perfectly baked pizza. 

• Use Right Frozen Crust 

The most challenging part of baking a pizza is usually the crust. So I use a thinner crust that can stay put on the pizza and does not melt by the heat of the toaster oven. 

• Prepare the toppings correctly

The toppings should not be too thick and can be cut thinly if necessary to allow them to fit in the bottom of your pizza without making it too heavy. I always try to limit the amount of these toppings so they will not melt into the crust and make it soggy or mushy while baking frozen pizza.

• Proper Placement In The Toaster

Place the frozen pizza in the toaster oven and bake it according to the directions on its package. However, I keep track of how long it takes for the pizza to cook so that I can adjust my cooking time down in future attempts at baking frozen pizzas in your toaster oven.