Keeping a few frozen pizzas in your freezer is a great way to be prepared for a quick dinner whenever it’s necessary, but one of the complaints many people have about frozen pizza is that it sometimes curls when you’re baking it.
A curled pizza doesn’t affect the taste of the pizza, but it can affect the texture and even make it taste like you have fewer toppings.
To keep frozen pizza from curling avoid thick based pizzas, avoid putting your oven heat up too high, use a good quality pan and allow your pizza to thaw slightly.
This article will explore the top 7 ways to keep frozen pizza from curling when you bake it.
Why Pizza Bases Curl and Easy Solutions
Here are the top 7 causes of pizza bases curling and easy solutions.
1. The Pizza Might Be Too Thick
When your pizza is super-thick, it can make your toppings curl. The reason is that the top of the pizza cooks faster than the bottom does, and the toppings can start to curl since you have to keep it in the oven long enough to cook all the way through.
Choose a thin based pizza with a maximum of 2-3 toppings. Choose a simple pepperoni or margarita to keep your pizza flat.
2. The Oven Temperature is Too High
When the oven temperature is too high, the toppings start to cook a little too quickly, and the result is the curling of some of the toppings.
Lower the temperature of your oven for frozen pizzas by about 5 degrees to reduce the chance of the pizza curling when you cook it.
3. Using the Wrong Pan
The material your pan is made of can make a difference in your cooking time and hence, whether or not your toppings will curl.
Preheating a pizza stone in your oven is a great way to cook your pizza evenly. It will get heat from the base at the top which can help to cook the dough and topping at the same rate.
This will help to avoid your pizza curling as it will avoid the bottom or the top cooking faster than the other.
If you don’t have a pizza stone use a good quality metal pan that heats up evenly.
4. Your Pizza Might Be “Too” Frozen
The temperature and cooking time have to be just right to stop toppings from curling, and therefore you might want to consider letting the pizza thaw out for just a little while.
Allow a frozen pizza to sit out on the bench for 5-10 minutes to allow it to defrost slightly. This will help it to cook more evenly and avoid it curling as it cooks.
5. Check the Toppings
With frozen pizzas, sometimes the toppings are inconsistent on the top of the pizza. This unevenness might not seem like a big deal, but it can actually affect the way the toppings cook and cause the pizza to curl.
Areas that do not have as much cheese or other toppings can cook quicker and curl up.
To avoid this, spread the toppings out evenly throughout the top of the pizza so that they are consistent.
6. The Dough Might Be Too Dry
This can happen when you make homemade pizza and then freeze it, but it is occasionally a problem with store-bought frozen pizza as well.
There isn’t much you can do about the store-bought pizza, but there are a few things you can do with your homemade pizza dough, including making sure your flour-water ratio is always correct.
This is one of the main reasons that pizza dough gets too dry.
For more on how to avoid pizza dough drying out, check out my article here: How to Keep Pizza Dough from Drying Out | 8 Easy Ways
7. The Pizza is Bad or Spoiled
Finally, your frozen pizza simply might be spoiled or may have gone bad in some way. Make sure you check the expiration date before you place it in the oven.
This is something not everyone does, but when it comes to the taste and texture of the toppings, it’s an important step. Old and dry pizza can start to curl on the edges. Make sure your pizza is within its expiry date for the best results.
The Best Way to Bake a Frozen Pizza
Just like other frozen foods, a frozen pizza needs to be baked according to the directions. Each brand may be a little different, which is why you need to read the directions thoroughly before you get started.
Here are the easy steps you should take when you want your frozen pizza to turn out just right:
- Keep the pizza in the freezer until you are ready to cook it
- Always preheat the oven before placing the pizza in it
- Remove the plastic wrap and the cardboard from the pizza
- Cover a tray with baking paper to avoid the pizza dough sticking
- Throw a few extra toppings on there if you like
- Set a timer and do not go past the suggested amount of time
- Use mitts or gloves to remove the pizza from the oven
- Wait 2-3 minutes, then cut the pizza
How Do You Get the Bottom of a Frozen Pizza Crispy?
The best way to get a frozen pizza crust nice and crispy is to follow a few basic rules. Before you put the pizza in the oven, pour about two tablespoons of olive oil into a bowl and take a pastry brush, then apply the oil to the pizza crust with that brush.
Apply the oil to all of the parts of the pizza dough that are showing, but apply some to the bottom of the crust as well. In fact, everywhere the oil touches is where the crust will be nice and crisp.
Forgo the pizza pan and simply put the pizza directly on the middle rack, adjusting it so that it is in the center of the rack, this gives you a nice crispy crunch every time. Many frozen pizzas have this in their instructions, but if they don’t, it’s a good idea to do it anyway.
Why are You Not Supposed to Thaw Frozen Pizza Before Cooking It?
Some people like to thaw their pizza before cooking it, but simply put, it just isn’t necessary.
As long as you preheat the oven for the proper amount of time and follow the cooking instructions, the pizza will taste great.
Should I Thaw a Frozen Pizza Before Baking It?
It’s better not to, but to keep toppings from curling, you can thaw it for a short period of time before cooking it. Avoid letting it thaw out more than 5-10 minutes because it could affect your cooking time.
Conclusion
Curling ingredients is a common problem when cooking frozen pizza. To reduce the chance of this happening make sure the pizza isn’t expired, the toppings are nice and even, the dough isn’t too dry, and the temperature is just right. Happy cooking.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.