How to Cook Frozen Pizza the Right Way

We want to start this blog off with a disclaimer: We know that everyone does things a little differently and some of you won’t follow all of these steps when you cook frozen pizza even if it does produce a more satisfying product. That is fine, we are all friends here.

If your frozen pizza comes out perfect without setting a timer or you choose to cook your pizza on a cookie sheet more power to you. Now, for those of you who want to know how to cook frozen pizza (specifically your Dogtown frozen pizza) the right way to ensure that it is as delicious as possible, keep reading.

Note: These are not official cooking instructions and should not be used in place of the official cooking directions on the Dogtown Pizza Frozen Pizza label.  Click here for more information on cooking instructions.

1. Freeze your pizza

Look, this may seem obvious, but keep your pizza in the freezer until you are ready to cook it. If you try to thaw it or leave it out on the counter, you’re just going to mess up the pizza and possibly get sick.

We know how excited you are and that you may just want to stare longingly at your frozen pizza while the oven preheats, but it is in your best interest not to do that. Speaking of preheating your oven, let’s move on to the next step.

2. Preheat your oven

You can’t cook pizza in a cold oven so you need to preheat it. Preheat your oven to the right temperature and make sure that your oven hits that temperature before throwing your pizza in so that you don’t end up with undercooked pizza. Our pizzas love a preheated 425°F oven.

3. Remove it from the packaging

Do you want your frozen pizza to taste like plastic? Not removing your Dogtown Frozen Pizza from the packaging is a great way to have your frozen pizza taste like plastic.

4. Throw on some extra toppings

Right before you put your frozen pizza in the oven you can add on some extras like leftover chicken, vegetables, extra pepperoni– really anything that tickles your fancy. You can also just enjoy your pizza in all its natural glory with no add-ons.

5. Toss the cardboard and put your pizza in the oven

Place your pizza on a pizza stone or directly on the middle rack. The purpose of cooking your pizza on the middle rack is to ensure that it cooks evenly and that your crust comes out nice and crispy. Put it too close to the top and it’ll burn – we know some of you out there like burned pizza but you are a rare breed.

Put the pizza too close to the bottom and you will probably have cold spots throughout your slices and no one likes that!

6. Remember to set a timer

If you want your pizza to be perfectly cooked, set a timer. Yes, you can try to look at the clock and remember, but do you really want to risk disaster and disappointment if you forget to pull your pizza out at the right time? No, no you do not.

7. Wait for the recommended length of time

It is very tempting to pull the pizza out a little bit early when that ooey-gooey cheese is calling your name, but try to control that impulse.  Wait for the designated time and check on the pizza every now and then to make sure it’s actually cooking. Dogtown pizzas cook anywhere from 10-17 minutes – cooking times will vary for different ovens.

8. Remember to protect your hands

Don’t try to be a tough guy. Use oven mitts, pot holders, or even folded up clean kitchen towels to protect your hands when you go to pull the pizza out of the oven. You know what people with burned hands can’t do? Enjoy their pizza.

9. Slice up your pizza

Before you slice your pizza, let it rest 2 minutes. If you’re a true frozen pizza connoisseur then you’ve likely got a pizza cutter. If you don’t have a pizza cutter, shame on you – just kidding, a knife and large cutting board will work just fine. Slice it up to share (the square party cut is ideal for St. Louis-style pizza).

Note: We know a few of you are what we like to call “pizza folders.” If you are in this camp, wait for your pizza to cool down, then you can fold it in half, eat it like some sort of giant pizza taco, and be your true self.

Do you have any tips for when you cook your frozen pizza? Let us know in the comments below.