If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that nothing quite beats a pizza. Whatever you’re craving, a slice of pizza always seems to hit the spot.
It’s tasty, versatile, and cooks in just a matter of minutes – what’s not to love?
If you’ve found yourself craving pizza but you only have a frozen one to hand, don’t worry.
It can still be ready to eat in just a few minutes with the help of your microwave, and you won’t even need to thaw it before you start cooking!
If you’re in a rush to whip up the perfect pizza, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about microwaving frozen pizza.
Can You Microwave Frozen Pizza?
Yes, you can microwave frozen pizza – for some, it’s even the preferred method! However, the microwave often isn’t the most effective way to cook frozen pizza.
If you’re not careful, you may end up creating rock-hard crusts or super-soggy bottoms.
To microwave frozen pizza effectively, you’ll need to pay close attention to the instructions on your packaging and take it slowly.
How To Cook Frozen Pizza In The Microwave
If you need to cook your pizza quickly, the microwave is probably the best option. Microwaves are quick and convenient, and your frozen pizza can be ready in just a few minutes.
However, when you cook your pizza in the microwave, you’ll probably notice some differences in terms of taste and texture.
Before you start cooking your frozen pizza, remember, there’s no need to defrost it beforehand. Your microwave can do all the work for you!
- Take your pizza out of the freezer and remove all the excess packaging.
- Place your pizza on a microwaveable plate or dish.
- Close your microwave door and set the timer. How long you cook your pizza for will usually depend on the size and thickness of your pizza.
- Set your timer (most pizzas take between 4-6 minutes), and leave it to cook.
- After 4 minutes, cook your pizza in 30-second bursts and remove it frequently to ensure you get the best results.
Remember: How long it takes to cook your pizza will depend on the size and thickness. Larger pizzas (12-14 inches) can take up to 11 minutes. Mini pizzas may take between 4-7 minutes. Always follow the instructions on your packaging for the most accurate information.
Microwaving Frozen Pizza: Ultimate Tips
To prevent cooking an inedible pizza, follow these tips and tricks for the best results:
- Place an item that is microwavable between the pizza and the plate, such as a rack. This will allow moisture to escape from the pizza and help you avoid a soggy base.
- If your frozen pizza always comes out dry, try placing a mug of water inside the microwave to stop it from drying out when cooking.
- Follow the recommended cooking times on your packaging for the results.
- Don’t thaw your pizza! You don’t need to thaw a frozen pizza if you’re cooking it in the microwave.
How Long Should You Cook Pizza For? Recommended Cooking Times
In most cases, your frozen pizza will come with accurate cooking times specified on the packaging. We’d always recommend following these to the letter.
However, if you’re struggling to find the most accurate cooking instructions, you can follow these guidelines instead:
- One Pizza Slice: 1-2 minutes
- Mini Pizza: 3-5 minutes
- 8-9 Inch Pizza: 4-6 minutes
- 10-11 Inch Pizza: 5-7 minutes
- 11-12 Inch Pizza: 7-11 minutes
What Microwave Setting Should You Use To Cook Your Pizza?
Ideally, you should cook your frozen pizza on the highest microwave setting. Just remember to check on your pizza frequently when you’re cooking it in the microwave to avoid it becoming crispy or soggy.
Remember: microwaves are NOT designed to brown up the crust of your pizza. So, your crust probably isn’t going to come out the same as it would if you cooked it in your oven.
However, there are a few things you can do to help your crust crisp up nicely in the microwave.
Getting The Best Crust In The Microwave
Although you can microwave a frozen pizza, the crust can sometimes come out a little… disappointing. Here are a few things you can do to get those oven-like results on your microwave-frozen pizza:
- A browning dish: If you have a microwaveable browning dish, you can use this to cook your pizza, and it will help you get the right crust.
- Microwave crisper pans: Believe it or not, there is actually such a thing as a ‘microwave crisper pan’, which is specifically designed to help crisp up your crust in the microwave! If you’re planning on regularly cooking frozen pizza in the microwave, we’d highly recommend investing in one to get the best results.
Other Ways To Cook Frozen Pizza
There are plenty of ways to cook a frozen pizza, so if you’re not keen on using your microwave, don’t worry.
The oven and the air fryer are the most popular ways to cook a frozen pizza, but in our opinion, nothing quite beats the oven.
Ovens just seem to cook the crust to perfection, avoid soggy bases, and melt all of your toppings together perfectly.
If you don’t have access to an oven, we’d recommend trying your frozen pizza in the air fryer.
Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook frozen pizza, and you can expect your pizza to cook in around 6-8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the size of your pizza.
Simply place your pizza in the air fryer and cook it until it’s hot throughout and the toppings have melted.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t have an oven or an air fryer, or you simply want to cook your frozen pizza in the quickest time possible, just use your microwave!
Microwaving frozen pizza is incredibly simple, but just be aware that the taste and texture may differ from oven-baked pizza.
