Table of Contents
- How to keep frozen pizza crust from getting hard?
- Why people don’t like a hard pizza crust?
- 16 ways to keep frozen pizza crust from getting hard
- Rub olive oil onto it
- Poke small holes
- Use cornmeal
- Try high hydration flour
- Use corn starch
- Try putting it in the fridge
- Let the pizza sit for 5 minutes
- Place a pan on the bottom rack
- Never start with a cold oven
- Put the frozen pizza on a pan
- Put foil over the top
- Check on it early
- Let it rest
- Enjoy it while it’s hot
- Avoid microwaving
- Put it on a cookie sheet
- Related Questions
- Can I that frozen pizza before baking?
- Can I use any kind of frozen pizza?
- Can I reheat leftover pizza?
- Can I make this in a pan?
- How to freeze pizza at home?
- How long do frozen pizzas last?
- Can I cook a frozen pizza without thawing?
- Can I place a frozen pizza on the upper rack?
- What is the temperature difference between a preheated oven and a cold oven?
- Final Thoughts
How to keep frozen pizza crust from getting hard?
We’ve all been there. You’re starving, and there’s nothing in the house except for a frozen pizza. You pop it in the oven, but by the time it’s ready, the crust is hard as a rock. So what can you do to keep your pizza crust from getting hard?
First off, stop worrying. It’s not your fault. Most frozen pizzas come with a thick crust that is meant to be eaten that way. If you’re looking for a thinner crust, you’re better off buying a pizza from a local pizzeria.
You can do quite a few things to keep frozen pizza crust from getting hard. For example, you can rub olive oil onto it, poke small holes in it, and use cornmeal. In this blog, you will get to know 16 ways to keep frozen pizza crust from getting hard.
Why people don’t like a hard pizza crust?
Many people like their pizza crust to be crispy and crunchy, but not too much. If we take a look at the most popular types of pizzas we can conclude that thin and thick crust pizzas are the best-sellers.
Cue in the frozen pizza category: as per sales reports, it’s also divided into two types: thin and thick crust. So, by default, a frozen pizza with a hard crust isn’t as appealing to the masses as one with a softer crust.
But that’s not to say that you can’t find people who enjoy a hard pizza crust. There are some folks out there who like their food a little bit on the tougher side.
16 ways to keep frozen pizza crust from getting hard
After looking into the reasons behind people’s preferences, it’s easier to understand why some folks would rather eat a hard pizza crust than one that is soft. As for those who prefer their pizza with a softer crust, here are 12 ways on how to keep your frozen pizza crust from getting hard:
Rub olive oil onto it
Start with rubbing the crust from olive oil before baking.
You can get more flavor by brushing olive oil onto your frozen pizza crust. Olive oil will make it easier for your crust to become crispy and crunchy, while also preventing it from getting too dry. Just be generous with the amount of olive oil that you use: a little bit won’t cut it.
Olive oil is good for more than just your health.
Poke small holes
Just before baking, poke small holes on the bottom of the frozen pizza with a fork. This allows the moisture to escape and prevents your crust from becoming too hard on the bottom.
Use cornmeal
Using cornmeal on the bottom of your frozen pizza will help stop it from getting hard as well. When you mix water and oil, they don’t mix very well together, so using a bit of cornmeal on the bottom of your pizza can help to prevent the crust from getting soggy.
Try high hydration flour
If you already use the tip of applying olive oil onto your frozen pizza crust but still find it hard to bite into (the main thing that people complain about), an alternative is to use high hydration flour. By doing this, you’ll get a doughier and more soft crust when compared to regular flour.
Use corn starch
Using corn starch is another way to add a layer of protection against a hard pizza crust. Just like cornmeal, it will help absorb the moisture and keep your crust from getting too dry or hard.
Try putting it in the fridge
If you’re not a fan of using either cornmeal or corn starch, another way to keep your frozen pizza crust from getting hard is to put it in the fridge before cooking. This will add an extra layer of moisture to the crust and help it stay soft when it’s baked.
Let the pizza sit for 5 minutes
If you’re not in a hurry, let your frozen pizza sit for about 5-7 minutes before cooking it.
Place a pan on the bottom rack
If you’re using an oven to cook your frozen pizza, try placing a baking sheet or another pan on the bottom rack. This will help to create heat circulation and will stop your pizza crust from becoming too hard.
Never start with a cold oven
This is the most common mistake that people make. When you put a frozen pizza in a cold oven, the crust will start to harden from the cold temperature and will be harder by the time it’s cooked.
Preheat your oven: Make sure your oven is preheated before putting in your pizza.
Put the frozen pizza on a pan
Putting the frozen pizza on a pan will keep it from direct contact with the bottom of the oven. A metal tray will also do. Other than that, you can also use a pizza stone if you have one.
Put foil over the top
If your pizza is starting to get too brown on top but the crust isn’t done yet, you can put some foil over the top to prevent it from getting too dark.
Check on it early
If you’re someone who likes their crust a little on the softer side, make sure you check on it early. By doing this you’ll be able to catch it before it gets too hard.
Let it rest
This is probably the most important step if your frozen pizza is about ready and the crust is already getting pretty hard. Let your pizza sit for 5-10 minutes.
Enjoy it while it’s hot
Don’t let your pizza cool down, as this will make the crust harder. Grab a slice of cheese pizza and enjoy!
Avoid microwaving
Avoid microwaving over and over. Microwaving a frozen pizza will cause the crust to harden.
Put it on a cookie sheet
If you’re looking for a different method other than a pan, you can also put your frozen pizza on a cookie sheet and bake it that way. Cookie sheets tend to have more surface area so the crust will cook evenly.
Related Questions
Can I that frozen pizza before baking?
You can bake your frozen pizza before, but it’s recommended that you let it thaw out for about 20 minutes. Doing this will result in the cheese and toppings melting better.
Can I use any kind of frozen pizza?
Yes, there are no restrictions on which type of crust you can use… thin, thick, deep dish, stuffed crust… all will work with this method. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the back of the box.
Can I reheat leftover pizza?
Yes, you can reheat leftover pizza by microwaving it for 30 seconds and then baking it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-10 minutes.
Can I make this in a pan?
Yes, you can use a pan to cook your pizza instead of the oven. The steps will pretty much remain the same; just follow everything that is mentioned in the article and then cook on low-medium heat for about 5 minutes.
How to freeze pizza at home?
You should check the instructions on your pizza box first before freezing. After that, you should wrap it in cling film first. Then stick it in a freezer bag and seal it properly. Make sure to take out all of the air so there’s no extra space.
How long do frozen pizzas last?
Check the “best by” date on the box to get an estimate. Usually, frozen pizzas can last for up to 3 months in a standard household freezer. Once you’ve taken it out, it’s best to eat it within 2-3 days.
Can I cook a frozen pizza without thawing?
No, cooking a frozen pizza without thawing is not advised. The crust will end up becoming hard and will not cook evenly.
Can I place a frozen pizza on the upper rack?
No, it’s not advised to place a frozen pizza on the upper rack. The best place for it is on the lower rack so that the bottom of the pizza can cook evenly.
What is the temperature difference between a preheated oven and a cold oven?
The temperature difference between a preheated oven and a cold oven is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit so the crust won’t burn while the inside is still cooking.
Final Thoughts
In summary, there are many ways to keep frozen pizza crust from getting hard. Follow whichever way you like and make sure to enjoy the deliciousness of a cheesy pizza!
Happy eating!
