When Making Your Own Frozen Pizza, Par-Baking The Crust Is Key
There's something undeniably satisfying about pulling a homemade frozen pizza out of the freezer, knowing that a delicious meal is just minutes away. But achieving that perfect balance of crispy crust and melty toppings requires a little extra effort during the preparation stage. If you want to elevate your homemade frozen pizzas to the next level, it's imperative to par-bake the pizza crust before assembling and freezing — a simple step that makes all the difference.
Partially baking your homemade pizza dough before adding toppings and freezing ensures that the crust cooks through, resulting in a crisp and sturdy base that won't turn soggy during reheating. To par-bake your pizza crust, preheat the oven to the temperature specified in your pizza recipe. Then place the rolled-out dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone and bake it for about half the recommended cooking time, or until the crust is set and just beginning to lightly brown. Once the crusts have cooled completely, you can load up with toppings, then wrap and freeze the pizzas for up to one month.
With par-baked crusts, you can focus on the toppings
By giving the dough a head start in the oven, you'll ensure a perfectly cooked crust and also help prevent overdone toppings when you come to cook the pizza from frozen. Just be sure to pre-cook any toppings that require it.
But the benefits of par-baking don't stop there. Par-baked pizza crusts can also be frozen without toppings, allowing you to customize your frozen pizzas later on with fresh toppings. Simply par-bake the crust as usual, then allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and storing it in the freezer. When you're ready to eat the pizza, simply top the frozen crust with your favorite ingredients and bake it off in the oven.
With a par-baked crust on hand, homemade frozen pizzas become a breeze to prepare, offering the convenience of store-bought options with the satisfaction of homemade flavor. Whether you're craving a classic margherita, pepperoni, or experimenting with gourmet pizza toppings like caramelized onions and prosciutto, a par-baked crust ensures every bite is a delicious masterpiece.
So, the next time you're whipping up homemade pizzas for freezing, don't skip the par-baking step. With just a little extra effort upfront, you can enjoy perfectly crisp crusts and mouthwatering toppings every time. And if you want to ensure it cooks perfectly straight from the freezer, maybe skip the pizza stone when cooking your frozen pizza for the best results.