How to Cook a Pizza Without an Oven (Baking Tips & Recipe)

By Robert Parsons March 7th, 2023

You know what? 

It’s amazing how many interesting ways there are to cook a pizza without an oven! Sure, traditional pizzas are baked in a hot oven, giving them their signature crispy crust and bubbly toppings. 

But did you know that you can still make an amazing pizza without one? Whether you don’t have access to an oven or just want to try something new, I’m here to show you how it’s done! 

With a few simple utensils, ingredients, and some creativity, you can whip up delicious pizzas using just a stovetop or even your microwave. From skillet-cooked pizzas to creative microwavable pies, there are so many unique options for making mouthwatering pizzas without an oven. 

So if you’re looking for a delicious alternative to traditional pizza-making methods, let me guide you through the process.

Use a Pan to Make Your Pizza On a Stove

First, I’m going to show you how I made a delicious pizza right on my stove using a pan, so you can do the same. First, I grabbed a 12-inch non-stick pan or if I don’t have one, a cast-iron skillet will do the job. Then I lightly greased the pan with some olive oil and turned up the heat on my stove to medium/low.

On a floured surface, I rolled out my pizza dough into an even thickness and transferred the dough into my preheated pan. Covering it with its lid, I allowed it to cook for 3-4 minutes until the crust puffed up and bubbles started forming. Once done, I flipped over the crust and cooked it on the other side for another 2-3 more minutes so that it got browned slightly.

Next, it was time for topping! 

I placed back the crust in its original position and spread it on some pizza sauce followed by cheese and any of my favorite cooked toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Lastly, I covered it again with its lid, allowing all the ingredients to melt together and for the crust to crisp up for roughly 5 minutes before turning off the heat. 

And there you have it – a scrumptious stovetop pizza hot straight from my trusty old pan!

How About Some Pizza Grilling?

Next, I will show you how to make the perfect pizza on your grill. This is an easy, fast, and incredibly delicious way to enjoy your meal. 

First of all, you’ll need a pizza pan specifically made for grilling that has holes in it to make sure the bottom of the crust cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the grill grates. So get your pan ready before you begin preheating your grill. 

If you are using propane gas for fuel, heat it until it reaches 600°F. If you’re using charcoal, just keep lighting coals on the edge of the grill. Your job is to let them slowly spread out over time until they are covering most of the cooking area. 

Now take your pizza dough and spread it out across the pan. Or, if you’re adventurous enough, place it directly onto the grates if you don’t have a pan! Make sure to coat the sides with olive oil so it won’t stick too much when flipping over later. Grill this side without closing the lid for 3 minutes. 

Then, you will need to flip it over and add sauce, cheese, and toppings on top of the cooked side. Now close the lid and let cook for another 3 minutes or until done then check by opening up the lid and looking at it closely. 

Now serve hot with some fresh basil sprinkled on top!

Using a Microwave For Baking Your Pizzas

Baking pizzas in the microwave is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious dinner.

With just a few minutes of preparation and cooking time, you can have a hot, homemade pizza ready for your family or friends. Whether you love creating an artisan-style pizza with fresh ingredients (like I do) or heating a store-bought pie, follow the steps below, and you should be fine.

Step 1: Preparing Your Pizza 

Begin by prepping your pizza crust according to the instructions on the package (if using store-bought). If you make your dough, make sure to roll it out on a floured surface and place it inside an oven-safe pan. Next, choose any sauce, cheese, and toppings that you want. But remember that too many toppings could prevent the pizza from cooking evenly in your microwave. Once everything is prepped and ready to go, place it all in the center of the pan. 

Step 2: Placing Your Pizza in

Now it’s time to cook! Place your pizza inside the microwave and press start. Remember to check the wattage of your microwave, since you may need to adjust the time while it cooks. Most pizzas will cook between 3–5 minutes at high power—you should check it every 60 seconds or so until it’s done to make sure nothing burns. 

Step 3: Finishing Touches 

Once your pizza is finished cooking, carefully remove it from the oven with oven mitts or tongs. Remember, anything that touches raw meat should never be placed directly into the microwave. Finally, season and garnish with herbs like oregano or basil for an added flavor boost before serving. Oh, and don’t forget to Instagram your freshly-baked pizzas!

The Toaster Oven Method

As a pizza addict, I am always on the look for methods to make the perfect pieces at home. While some people choose a traditional oven, I have discovered an even better way: using a toaster oven. 

With its minimal size and more direct heat, baking pizzas in a toaster oven yields deliciously crispy results every time. The best part? It only takes 15 minutes or less! With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy homemade pizza with a perfectly crisp crust right in your own home.

To make sure you get perfect results each time. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Next, prepare your dough and toppings ahead of time so everything is ready to go when the oven is preheated. Next, wait till the optimal temperature is reached. 

Now, you should place the pizza on a baking sheet and slide it into the oven. If you’re using a metal baking sheet or pan, make sure it’s greased with butter or oil first so your pizza won’t stick to it. Bake for 8-10 minutes until your pizza is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. 

The bake time can vary depending on your pizza crust’s thickness, as well as how many toppings you have on there. Want an extra crispy crust? You can turn up the heat slightly to 425°F but keep an eye on it while it’s cooking to prevent burning. Your heavenly creation is ready to come out of the oven? Great! Let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing and devouring.

Consider Setting Up Your Own Pizza Oven