Table of Contents
- Can you cook pizza in the oven without a tray?
- What is an oven tray?
- 16 Alternates of oven tray to cook pizza
- Can you cook a frozen pizza in the oven without a pan?
- Related Question
- Final Thoughts
Can you cook pizza in the oven without a tray?
Have you ever wanted to make a pizza, but realized that you were out of pizza trays? Here’s good news: You can absolutely cook pizza in the oven without a tray. Instead of giving up on your dream of homemade pizza, try cooking it in the oven without a tray. It may take a little experimentation to get the crust just right, but it can be done!
What is an oven tray?
An oven tray, sometimes called a baking sheet, is a flat piece of metal or ceramic that is used to cook food in the oven. It is typically rectangular or square in shape and has a raised edge around the perimeter to prevent food from sliding off. Oven trays can be made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, and a variety of plastics.
Oven trays were first used in the late 1800s during the Industrial Revolution to improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs. They were made from copper but could release poisonous chemicals into food that had been cooked in them.
Oven trays made from aluminum began to replace oven trays made from copper around 1910 because they didn’t contaminate food with poisonous substances. By 1926, most oven trays were made from aluminum.
16 Alternates of oven tray to cook pizza
Saucepans
Saucepans are the best substitute oven trays to cook pizza. These work especially well because they are also flat and rectangular in shape, so they will hold your pizza dough just right.
Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil makes an excellent substitute for an oven tray when cooking things like pizzas, meats, or other dishes that need a little browning while being cooked in the oven. It’s also very convenient because you can just toss it in the garbage when you’re done.
Pie Irons
If you are camping or even if your house is full of pre-teens, pizza made on a pie iron makes for an excellent meal. Simply place the dough between two pieces of aluminum foil and place it on the pie iron. Close it up, put it on the grill of your car (if you’re camping) or on top of a hot oven (if your house is filled with pre-teens), and wait until cooked to perfection!
Pans
If you need to cook two pizzas at once or if you want to be able to move your pizza around while it’s cooking, a pan is a great substitute for an oven tray. Just be sure to use a baking pan that is specifically designed for the oven – using the wrong type of pan can damage your oven.
Parchment paper
Parchment paper is a great way to cook your pizza without using an oven tray. It’s non-stick, so you don’t have to worry about your pizza dough sticking to it, and it’s also heat-resistant, so your crust won’t get too crispy.
Wax Paper
If you don’t have any parchment paper, wax paper is another excellent substitute for an oven tray when making pizzas. It’s not as easy to work with as parchment paper, but the two can usually be used interchangeably.
Rolling pin (or a wine bottle)
If you don’t want to cook your pizza on an aluminum foil sheet, then try rolling out the dough and placing it in the oven directly. Or if you’re feeling extra creative, use a wine bottle! The bottom of most wine bottles is smooth enough to roll out your dough and can be placed directly in the oven or on a pan.
Tin Foil
If you don’t have any of these items, tin foil makes an okay substitute for an oven tray. It’s not as effective as some of the other substitutes, but it will work in a pinch.
Pizza stone (round)
To cook pizza on a pizza stone, you need to preheat the oven and the pizza stone at the same time. The pizza stone should be placed on a rack in the middle of the oven. Once the oven and pizza stone are preheated, place the dough on top of the hot pizza stone and bake for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.
Serving platter
Pizza cooked on a serving platter is also square-shaped, like oven trays. If your pizza dough was small enough to fit on the platter, you could place it directly on top of the platter and cook it just as if it were on an oven tray.
Heat-resistant chopping board
A chopping board can also be used as a substitute for an oven tray when cooking pizzas. It needs to be heat-resistant though, so be sure to check the material before using it.
Hard cardboards
Yes, you read that right. If you don’t have any of these items and you’re really in a pinch, you can use hard cardboard as a substitute for an oven tray. Just make sure that the cardboards are heat-resistant first.
Cake tin
Cake tins are also great substitutes for oven trays. As long as it’s heat-resistant, then go ahead and use your cake tin to cook pizza!
Tiles
If you have any tiles lying around, you can also use them as substitutes for oven trays when cooking pizzas. Just make sure that the tiles are heat-resistant first.
Glass window (or oven) screen
Believe it or not, an old window or oven screen can also be used as a substitute for an oven tray when cooking
Cast Iron skillet
This one is quite popular for cooking pizza. Preheat your oven to about 475 degrees Fahrenheit (246 degrees Celsius) and place the skillet in the oven. Once the oven and skillet are preheated, place the dough on top of the hot skillet and bake for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.
Can you cook a frozen pizza in the oven without a pan?
Cooking a frozen pizza seems like a daunting task especially when you don’t have a pan, but it’s actually quite simple.
So yes, you can cook a frozen pizza in the oven without a pan.
Just choose a nice alternative from the list shown above and you are good to go. As far as thawing the frozen pizza is concerned, here are some tips:
1. Leave the frozen pizza on the counter for about 20 minutes. This should be enough time for the pizza to start thawing.
2. If you’re in a hurry, you can place the frozen pizza in the microwave for about 2 minutes.
3. Another option is to place the frozen pizza in a cold oven and then preheat the oven to about 375 degrees Fahrenheit (191 degrees Celsius). Once the oven is preheated, place the pizza in the oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
4. Finally, you could also place the frozen pizza on a baking sheet and bake it at a high temperature (425 degrees Fahrenheit or 218 degrees Celsius) for about 20-30 minutes.
So there you have it! You can now cook pizza in the oven without a tray! Just make sure that you choose an alternative that’s also heat-resistant. Do this and you’re guaranteed to have some delicious homemade pizzas in no time!
Related Question
What is the cheapest alternate cooking tray to cook pizza?
The cheapest alternate cooking tray to cook pizza is by using a pan or inner pot. You can buy this from the supermarket or even hardware stores.
Can I cook pizza in a glass tray in the oven?
Yes, you can cook pizza in a glass tray in the oven. However, be sure to place the glass tray on a baking sheet before cooking, as the high heat may cause the glass to shatter.
How much time does it take to cook pizza in an oven?
It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes for you to cook pizza in an oven.
How long should I cook pizza on the tray on the top of the bottom rack?
You can bake your pizza for anywhere between 5-10 minutes on the top rack and ensure that it is cooked properly before taking it out of the oven. Note that cooking time may vary depending on oven temperature and thickness of the crust.
What is the best way to cook pizza without a tray?
The best way to cook pizza without a tray is by using a pizza stone. The preheat time may be a little longer, but it’s worth it in the end!
Final Thoughts
In summary, you can easily cook pizza in the oven without a tray. And here’s the good news: using the alternative won’t compromise the taste of your favorite pizza. So, just make sure that you follow the instructions carefully and you’re good to go!
Happing cooking!
