How to Cook Pizza In A Microwave: Fresh or Frozen, With Or Without Convection
If you’re wondering if fresh, homemade pizza can be cooked in a microwave, the answer is yes. The quality of the crust won’t be the same as a pizza oven, or even a regular home oven, but it can still be quite tasty.
To make fresh pizza in a microwave, I recommend using a quick no-yeast pizza dough recipe that can be prepared in just a few minutes. No-yeast dough is ideal for microwave pizza due to its quicker preparation time and better texture suitability in the microwave’s moisture-rich cooking environment.
On the other hand, a convection microwave is much better for cooking pizza than a regular microwave because it combines microwave energy with a convection fan to circulate hot air around the food, providing more even cooking and a browning, which is ideal for getting a crispy crust and fully-cooked toppings. This means you can even bake a traditional pizza dough in a convection microwave with decent results.
Keep reading for more information on cooking different forms of pizza in various kinds of microwaves.
How To Cook Homemade Pizza In A Microwave
Assuming you’re using a regular microwave, start by following the instructions for making a simple microwave-friendly no-yeast pizza dough in this recipe.
First things first, it’s important to have reasonable expectations before deciding whether you want to microwave a pizza or bake it in the oven. Microwave pizza can be made quickly, but the crust will be much soggier than one made in a traditional oven. This has to do with the way that a microwave works by vibrating water molecules.
A regular microwave also isn’t capable of browning the crust or caramelizing the cheese like you would expect with an oven-baked pizza. So if these qualities are a deal breaker for you, check out traditional pizza dough recipe instead.
Step By Step Instructions
To make pizza in a microwave, follow these basic steps:
- Prepare your pizza dough, preferably following a quick no-yeast recipe with added milk or yogurt for extra flavor to make up for the lack of yeast fermentation.
- Roll the dough out with a rolling pin or the side of a clean bottle. Poke holes in it with a fork to prevent it from expanding like a tortillla.
- Microwave the flattened dough for about 40 seconds in your microwave on the normal power setting.
- Top the cooked crust with sauce, cheese, and whatever else you want.
- The pizza is cooked when the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
- Let it cool for a couple of minutes then cut, serve, and enjoy!
For a full set of ingredients and preparation instructions, check out our easy microwave pizza recipe here.
How to microwave pizza without A soggy Crust
Unfortunately, a microwave doesn’t work the same way as a regular oven. Microwaves work by vibrating water molecules, which inherently makes anything it cooks soggy. This is why many microwave foods come with “crisping” trays to offset this effect, but it can only work so well.
The best way to avoid a soggy microwave pizza crust is to preheat a frying pan to medium heat, then cook your pizza on it for about 20-30 seconds. This should be enough time to slightly crisp up the underside of the crust without burning the toppings. This method works great for any microwave pizza, especially the microwave pizza recipe described above.
How to Cook Frozen Pizza in a Microwave
Yes, you can cook frozen pizza in a microwave as well, but it’s not the ideal method. Here’s how to do it best: first, place the pizza on a microwave-safe plate. If your microwave has a pizza setting, use that. Otherwise, microwave on high for the recommended time on the pizza’s packaging. Be sure to check halfway to avoid overcooking.
Now, the shortcomings: Microwaves heat unevenly, often leaving you with a crust that’s either too soft or overly chewy. The topping will not brown nicely as they would in an traditional oven, and you won’t get that crispy texture that an oven gives. So, it’s a quick fix, but not a substitute for oven-baking.
Remember, you can also use the frying pan method to crisp up your crust if it comes out too soggy (which it will).
A Convection Microwave Works Best
Convection microwaves have the upper hand over regular microwaves when it comes to cooking foods like pizza. They combine traditional microwave energy with a convection fan, blowing hot air around the pizza for a more evenly cooked and crispier crust.
Here’s how to do it in a convection microwave:
- Preheat the convection microwave to the temperature specified by the pizza’s instructions.
- Place the pizza on the microwave’s convection rack or a microwave-safe dish
- Cook for the recommended time, checking periodically.
The downside? Even with a convection microwave, you might not get the perfect oven-like crispiness and evenly cooked toppings. It’s much better than a regular microwave, but still not nearly the same as a traditional oven.
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Related Questions:
Is Microwave Pizza Bad?
In general, microwave pizza is not an ideal way to cook pizza because a microwave is not capable of browning the crust or caramelizing the cheese. For a crispier crust, try using a microwave crisper or placing the microwaved pizza on a hot pan for about 30 seconds.
Which Mode Is Best For Pizza In Microwave?
The best mode for making pizza in the microwave is convection, if your microwave supports it. Otherwise, set your microwave on high and use a crisping rack if you have one.
How Long Do You Microwave Pizza?
In general, reheating pizza in the microwave should take between 15-30 seconds. If the pizza is room temperature, start with 15 seconds. If the pizza is cold due to being refrigerated, start with 30 seconds. Make sure to avoid microwaving your pizza for too long or the crust and toppings will lose their texture and taste.
