Making your own frozen pizza is a great way to enjoy the convenience of a takeout meal, without the high cost or questionable ingredients. You can customize it as you like, and feel good about those ingredients that were just as fresh as those you would use for a quick and easy takeout pizza.
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How To Freeze Cooked Homemade Pizza Properly
Looking for the proper methods to freezing pizza? Keep reading or take a look at our related article on freezing Pizza Hut pizza.
Best Way To Freeze Leftover Pizza
To freeze your pizza you need to wrap it for best results. First, push as much air out of the plastic bag as possible to minimize freezer burn. Then place your pizza in the bag, squeeze out the air, twist the end and freeze. Make sure that it is sealed tightly by double checking all zippers and compartments. Covering the bag with foil is a good idea for extra protection.
Can You Freeze Half Baked Pizza?
Yes, you can freeze half baked homemade pizza. But don’t expect the results to be exactly the same as if you cooked it. The crust will be a bit firmer and thinner. The cheese will also cook into a thin layer rather than melting completely over the whole pizza.
Cooking Homemade Frozen Pizza
So you have your frozen pizza and need to cook it.
What Is The Best Way To Cook A Frozen Pizza?
Depending on your situation, you can cook it in the oven, microwave or toaster oven. To avoid a soggy pizza, be careful with the microwave. You may want to lightly toast it using the highest setting and then finish cooking it in the oven as instructed below. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place your frozen pizza directly on the middle rack of an unheated over for 8 to 10 minutes or until it’s hot and crisp enough for you. You may want to keep a close eye on it to make sure that it doesn’t go beyond the recommended time.
Should I Thaw It Before Cooking?
No. There is no need to thaw your frozen homemade pizza in the refrigerator. Either leave it in its original bag or a non-insulated container or wrap it with foil and then put it right into the oven or toaster oven.
What Temperature Do You Cook A Frozen Pizza At?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Leave your frozen pizza directly on the middle rack for 8 to 10 minutes or until hot and crisp. This will cook best because of the thick crust. Smaller pizzas will take less time to cook, so keep an eye on it and go from there .
How Long Do You Cook A Homemade Frozen Pizza?
Depending on the size of your homemade pizza, cook for 8-10 minutes in a preheated oven (350 degrees F.).
How To Tell If The Frozen Pizza Is Done Cooking
Look at the bottom of the crust. The crust should be very lightly browned, but not burned. The cheese should have melted and a uniform light golden brown color. If it’s not cooked according to these guidelines, put it back into your oven for 2 or 3 minutes and test again.
Protip – Making It Crispy In The Oven
You can get the best texture for a homemade frozen pizza by cooking it in the oven. Place your homemade pizza on the middle rack of an unheated oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and then cook it for 8 to 10 minutes. You can increase or decrease this time depending on the size of your pizza and how crispy you want it.
Frozen Pizza Cooking Troubleshooting
As with anything, there may be issues that arise during your frozen pizza experience. Luckily, most are easy to overcome.
How To Tell If My Frozen Pizza Is Undercooked
If your homemade frozen pizza has a soggy or wet crust and is not fully cooked, you may have undercooked it.
The best way to know is to check the bottom. The bottom of your homemade pizza should be very lightly browned and not burnt. If burnt, put it back in the oven for 2 or 3 more minutes and test again.
Why Is My Frozen Pizza Soggy or Watery?
There are a few reasons that homemade frozen pizza can fall prey to soggy and watery results.
First, the crust and toppings were not properly prepared. Make sure that toppings are drained as much as possible and follow the preparation instructions carefully. Also, use a crispy pizza crust recipe. Finally, make sure that you keep the pizza in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic when storing it for future use.
Second, your homemade frozen pizza was not cooked long enough. Make sure to cook it according to instructions above and keep a close watch on your food to avoid burning it.
Why Is My Frozen Pizza Always Raw In The Middle?
If your homemade frozen pizza comes out of the oven undercooked in the middle, it is usually because of one of two reasons. First, you may have overloaded your pizza with toppings – I like a 2 topping limit. If so you can remedy this by cutting down on the amount that you put on before baking. Also, make sure to use a crispy pizza crust recipe as this will add texture and help to prevent soggy dough.
You may have also cooked it too high of a temperature. This can cause the exterior of the pizza to be done before the middle. To avoid this, make sure to preheat your oven for at least 10 minutes and then cook the frozen pizza at lower temperatures.
Freezing Pizza Safety Guidelines
There are a number of health and safety aspects to keep in mind as well.
How Long Does Frozen Pizza Last In The Freezer?
A frozen pizza will last 4 to 6 months in the freezer. Make sure that you wrap it tightly so that it does not come in contact with any air around it. If frozen properly, your pizza should be safe to eat when thawed and warmed up.
How Can You Tell If Frozen Pizza Is Bad?
You can tell if your homemade frozen pizza is bad by its smell. If it smells sour, moldy or rancid, discard it. It also may have an off-color tint or look cracked.
Can Frozen Pizza Get Mold And Make You Sick?
Kind of. If a homemade frozen pizza is kept at room temperature too long, it can become moldy or deteriorate and possibly make you sick. So keep it in an airtight container in the freezer until you are ready to use it.
Can Frozen Pizza Get Freezer Burn?
Yes, it can. If the frozen pizza is left in an airtight container at freezing temperatures for extended periods of time, it can get freezer burn.
Can Frozen Pizza Be Thawed And Refrozen?
Absolutely not. Homemade homemade frozen pizza cannot be refrozen. Once you take a frozen pizza out of the freezer, it must be eaten within a few days.
Related – Can you freeze french bread pizza?
Conclusion
Now that you know how to freeze homemade pizza, feel free to experiment with different topping combinations. It’s a great option for pizza lovers and can be made with the kids.
Remember, homemade frozen pizza is a great way to reduce waste and save money if you make too much pizza dough or sauce. Not to mention, it’s convenient to have on hand for quick meals and snacks.