I don’t much have knowledge in the cooking department so forgive me if I ask a basic question. As a very busy student, I’m planning to prepare a lot of pizzas this weekend for easy meals within weeks or months. I wonder if this pizza project is even feasible. Can I freeze pizza without compromising at least its taste or texture?
Of course, you can freeze pizza whether it is baked or half-baked. We’ve all been there and we do this all the time. For best quality, pizza may keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. The technique is to add toppings over the half-baked dough before freezing so you’ll only have to oven-bake before consuming. Any leftover cooked pizza must be refrigerated to slow down its spoilage or frozen for long term.
Can You Freeze Pizza?
Yes you can freeze pizza. Given the perishable properties of most pizza toppings and sensitivity of the dough to air, freezer storage may extend the shelf life of pizza while keeping it fresh and edible at its highest quality.
Proper wrapping may keep the dough from drying out. It will not go stale during the freezing process as long as its moisture content is suspended within.
A slice of cooked pizza may be thawed in the microwave until just warm enough. Do not completely reheat a frozen pizza in the microwave because the dough base may get gummy.
You may thaw it in the fridge for a day. After thawing, toss it in a hot cast iron pan if you prefer a slightly burnt cheese.
For a crispier crust and softer cheese, toast the thawed pizza in an oven toaster and set it at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes.
For pizzas that are partially baked before frozen, preheat the frozen pizza with the wrap on to retain moisture. As soon as warm enough, discard the wrapper and bake the pizza in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
How to Freeze Pizza
Who would think that pizza might just taste a little better when frozen and thawed? If you happen to have any extra pizza, then please freeze them.
- If you intend to freeze homemade pizzas, partially bake the dough for only 3-5 minutes before adding the toppings
- You may freeze the whole round of pizzas or slice them into serving sizes for easy thawing and retrieval
- Lay them individually on a baking sheet and freeze initially until solid
- Once frozen, take them out from the freezer and wrap each one with foil or high-grade plastic wrap
- Double wrap or wrap them tightly enough to prevent air or moisture from leaking in or out
- Stack the wrapped pizza slices in a freezer bags or a tight-sealing containers for added protection against the formation of ice crystals
- Label the containers with the date frozen and the ingredients
- Seal and freeze
Pro tip: If you have some frozen flour tortillas, you can also try to use them as a thin crust pizza base.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Pizza?
Pizza is a classic dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra pizza? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover pizza:
1. Make a quesadilla – This is a great way to use up any extra pizza you have on hand. Just add some cubed pizza to a tortilla with some shredded cheese, and you’ll have a delicious and easy meal in no time.
2. Make a calzone – This is another great way to use up any extra pizza you have on hand. Just add some cubed pizza to a dough pocket with some shredded cheese and other desired fillings, and bake until golden brown.
3. Use it as a topping for a salad – This is a great way to add some extra flavor and texture to your salad. Just add some cubed pizza on top of your favorite greens, and you’ll have a delicious and easy meal in no time.
4. Make a soup – If you’re looking for a hearty and flavorful soup, look no further than your leftover pizza. Just add some cubed pizza to a pot of chicken stock with some vegetables, and you’ll have a delicious and easy meal in no time.
5. Make breakfast pizza – This is a great way to use up any extra pizza you have on hand. Just add some scrambled eggs, bacon, and shredded cheese to your favorite pizza dough, and bake until golden brown.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover pizza. Next time you find yourself with extra pizza, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Pizza Recipes
Bake a gluten-free pizza for your vegan diet with this Quinoa Potato Crust Pizza recipe. The dough base is a delectable, starchy mix of quinoa flour – a great alternative for protein – and potato.
This New York-Style Pizza underwent a meticulous but quick and easy dough preparation. The dough in this recipe was frozen and lubricated with olive oil; it’s pretty tacky and the result is a perfect, paper-thin pizza crust.
Any homemade pizza can be competitive as the famous New York pizza. In this Quick Family Pizza recipe, the elastic dough base is heated in the pan as the sauce is poured on.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze pizza. Freezing your pizza will allow you to enjoy it even when fresh ones are nowhere to be found. Even if it takes a while before you decide to eat it, your frozen pizza will still be crispy and delicious. So go ahead and place those leftovers in the freezer instead of throwing them away! Here is how to freeze pizza: remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool down, wrap it well in aluminum foil or other freezer-friendly material, store it properly, and freeze for no more than 3 months.
Share your tips on how to freeze pizza with me by leaving a comment below.
