If you have some frozen pizza at home or if you just bought some from the store and want to eat it right away, how can you do it? Of course, the ideal way is to use an oven and pop the pizza in.
However, if you want to do it quicker or if you don’t have an oven in the first place, is it possible to use the microwave? What are the steps you should follow to do it? Is there anything you should keep in mind?
Luckily, we have made this guide to solve all your queries about microwaving frozen pizza. Keep reading to figure it out!
Can I Microwave Frozen Pizza?
The short answer is yes, you can. Indeed, it is possible to microwave frozen pizza. It is actually a quick and efficient way to do it even if it’s not the most ideal solution.
Why is not ideal? That is because microwaves are not usually built to brown and crisp up your pizza crust. In fact, they may end up making the crust soft, soggy and chewy and that is not really how you want your pizza to turn out.
This happens due to the fact that microwaves cook and warm food up using radiation instead of direct heat. By adding and trapping steam inside your food, the microwave softens the food up and makes it soggy.
So, is there a way around this? Yes, there is. You can use your microwave to heat up frozen pizza without it becoming too soggy and soft.
How to Microwave Frozen Pizza
The best way to microwave frozen pizza without it becoming soggy is to make sure that you add some kind of barrier between the pizza and the microwave plate. This will allow the steam to move around instead of staying trapped inside the pizza.
There are usually microwave browning or crisper pans that you can use. Place these inside the microwave and preheat the microwave with the pan inside it. After this is done, place the frozen pizza on this pan and allow the microwave to run. This will ensure that your pizza is cooked well and thoroughly with the crust becoming crisp as well.
Another trick that you can use is by alternating the pizza between the microwave and the stove. First, you should microwave the pizza for some time. Then, you can place it on a hot pan on the stove after adding some oil to it.
This will crisp up the crust and warm up the sauce and cheese. You can then place it back in the microwave and remove it. This, however, is a longer process. So, if you lack time, simply go with the first method.
How Long to Cook it
Store-bought pizza will usually have microwave or oven times on the package instructions. If not, the standard time depends on the size of the pizza. If your pizza is 8-9 inches, then you should microwave it for around 5 minutes.
If it is around 10 inches or more, do it for more than 6-7 minutes. A general rule you can keep in mind is to keep adding a couple of minutes with each inch.
If you want to microwave a single slice of frozen pizza, a couple of minutes should be enough.
The time will also vary depending on what kind of base your pizza has, as well as how thick the crust is.
If you are using leftovers, make sure that you thoroughly reheat your pizza to at least 165℉ to prevent any bacteria-related illnesses.
Is There Anything I Should Avoid?
There are a few things that you should avoid when it comes to microwaving frozen pizza. Let’s take a look at these.
- Do not use aluminum foil or metal while trying to microwave frozen pizza. This can be potentially hazardous to the microwave as well as to you.
- Do not place the pizza in the microwave if it still has plastic or packaging wrapped around it. Remove it before you do.
- Do not use a pizza stone in a microwave.
- Do not ignore the cooking instructions that might be written on the packaging of the pizza.
- If anything has a label that says that it is not fit for microwave use, do not use it. Make sure you read all the instructions carefully.
Well, there you have it! These were some ways in which you can easily microwave your frozen pizza without making it too soggy. Make sure you keep these in mind along with all the things you should avoid.
Enjoy the pizza!
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