If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make pizza, then consider investing in a convection oven! A convection oven cooks food by circulating heated air around it. The hot air helps cook the inside of the food without drying out the outside. Plus, with all that extra heat surrounding your pizzas, they will be done in half the time!
Are Convection Ovens Good For Pizza?
Convection ovens are versatile electric ovens that are great for cooking pizza. Many of today’s models such as Ninja, Breville, KitchenAid, etc feature a smart mode option that makes cooking pizza a cinch!
Don’t worry, even if you don’t have a smart convection oven, you can still cook pizza in it. It will, however, take a little more effort to ensure it doesn’t burn.
I’ll be sharing the exact steps to take to cook one as well as the best convection oven for cooking pizza and several of your other favorite foods.
*This page contains affiliate links to products I recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
Can You Cook Pizza In A Convection Oven?
Yes, you can cook pizza in a convection oven, and it will take less time than a regular oven. That said, the cooking area is much smaller than a regular oven, meaning you will only be able to cook one 12 inch pizza at one time, depending on the model you have.
If you’ve never cooked a pizza in a convection oven, you’re in the right place. I’m going to share the exact steps you need to cook a frozen pizza in your convection oven.
Cooking Pizza In A Convection Oven
Whether you’re cooking pizza for the big game or just craving some homemade pizza, then you’re in luck. Convection ovens make it extremely easy to cook pizza without owning a pizza oven or using your regular oven.
That said, it cooks fast, so you’ll want to make sure to watch it so the crust doesn’t burn.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Convection oven (I have the Instant Omni Plus)
- Frozen pizza (cheese topping only)
- Buying pre-made pizza dough
- Your favorite toppings
- The right oven settings
Frozen Vs. Homemade
There are two types of pizza dough you can choose from—store-bought dough or making your dough from scratch.
Most people use store-bought dough because it makes it easy and convenient for anyone wanting to cook homemade pizza dough. However, if you prefer making your dough, then you can do that as well, and here’s a great recipe.
Some people prefer making their own pizza dough because they can flavor the dough with garlic powder, oregano, or any other spices they like.
Can I Bake A Frozen Pizza In A Convection Oven?
Convection ovens can cook a frozen pizza. Pre-made pie crusts (such as Boboli) make it easy to cook pizza at home. You can make a 12-inch pizza to feed the family or a small personal-sized pizza for one person.
Frozen Pizzas Can Be Purchased As:
Pizza is a favorite dish in many homes, and you can buy frozen pizzas in just about any grocery store. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which type to purchase?
Frozen Pizza With Toppings: This pizza already has toppings such as cheese, pepperoni, etc., and all you have to do is heat it and eat it.
Cheese Only Frozen Pizza: Many brands such as; Totino’s, Amy’s, Newmans, etc., offer frozen dough with just cheese. Making it easy for you to add your fresh ingredients to make it taste homemade.
Pre-Made Pizza Dough: Don’t want to prepare a frozen pizza? Consider buying store-bought pizza dough. This dough has been kneaded, mixed, and ready to bake. Look for it in the refrigerated or frozen foods section.
When we make homemade pizza, we start with a store-bought pizza crust from Walmart. It’s a budget-friendly pizza, and it fits perfectly in the convection oven.
How Do You Cook Pizza In A Convection Oven?
Most manufacturers will include complete instructions on which settings, temperature, and everything else you need to cook pizza in your appliance. That said, sometimes it’s best to see and hear from someone who has done it.
Here are the exact steps use whenever we cook pizza in our Instant Omini Plus convection oven toaster.
Add Your Favorite Toppings
Before cooking the pizza, you’ll want to top it with your favorite toppings. For example, you can top it with mushrooms, peppers, olives, etc. The choice is unlimited.
We love putting the following on our homemade pizza:
- Brocoli
- Mushrooms
- Red peppers
- Onions
- Extra cheese
If you don’t want an all-vegetarian pizza, you can put pepperoni or any of your favorite meat toppings on it.
The secret to creating a great homemade pizza consists of topping it off with extra cheese. This allows the cheese to bubble and brown, making every bite amazing!
Step 1: Setting
Some convection ovens have an automatic feature that allows you to set it for the type of food you’re cooking. For example, when I hit “bake” on my oven, I the following options:
- Potato
- Fish
- Chicken
- Bread
- Pizza
- Cake
If yours has the pizza option, select that option. However, if your convection toaster oven doesn’t have that feature, you’ll use the temperature that is on the pizza box.
Step 2: Place The Pizza
Once the temperature is set, and the oven has preheated, it’s time to place the pizza directly on the rack or pizza stone.
You can also choose to put it on a pan or cookie sheet; however, it will be harder to get the crust crispy, as the bottom of the crust won’t get as much heat. It could also make the pizza soggy, so you’ll want to keep that in mind.
I always place mine directly on the rack. The downside is you have to watch it continuously. Otherwise, the crust will burn.
Step 3: Put The Pizza in the Oven
Once you’ve determined how to cook the pizza, put it in the oven. Ensure the rack is in the baking slot of the oven.
Center the pizza in the middle of the oven. This will ensure it gets cooked evenly.
Step 4: Crisp the Crust
Once the pizza is fully cooked, you may notice that the crust isn’t quite a golden brown, especially if it’s thick. If you prefer a crisp crust, let it cook for another minute or two, this will allow it to brown.
Don’t leave it in there too long. Otherwise, it will dry out or burn.
Step 5: Remove the Pizza
When you notice the cheese has bubbled, browned, and the crust is crisp enough for your liking, it’s time to take it out of the oven.
Be sure you use oven mitts as it will be scorching, and you don’t want to burn yourself. Place it on a cooling rack and let it cool for about five minutes before cutting it into slices.
What Temperature To Cook Pizza In A Convection Oven
Cook frozen pizza at the temperature it states on the back of the package, which will vary between 325-425°F/162-218°C. That said, the temperature you cook pizza at will vary depending on the model, age, and how you like your pizza cooked.
How Long Do You Cook Pizza In A Convection Oven?
A convection oven will usually cook the pizza faster than a regular oven. For example, it takes a 12-inch pizza about 10-13 minutes in a convection oven at 325°F. However, if you prefer a crispy golden-brown crust, it will take about 14-15 minutes.
If you increase the temperature to 450°F, it will take less time. Cooking it at a higher temperature also increases the chance of it burning. Therefore, I recommend cooking it at the box’s temperature or setting the automatic “pizza” setting on the oven.
Regardless, how long it takes, you should let the pizza cook until the cheese has browned, bubbled and the crust is done to your preference.
Do I Let the Pizza Rest?
Yes, the resting period allows the cheese and toppings to set. This keeps them in place when slicing. As a result, you won’t have to worry about the cheese and toppings spilling or falling off the pizza when you slice it.
It also helps keep the crust crispy. If you slice it while it’s too hot, the oils in the cheese will soak into the cut edges of the crust, making them soggy.
In addition, waiting for 2-5 minutes prevents mouth burn. Letting it cool before trying to eat it makes it safer, and you can enjoy it properly.
Best Convection Ovens for Cooking Pizza
So now you’re wondering what’s the best convection oven to cook pizza? Well, the truth is that most convection ovens will work just fine.
However, if you’re looking for a smart countertop convection oven, then you’ll love the Breville Smart Oven Pro.
- The Breville Smart Oven Pro with Element iQ System is a high performance countertop oven; Reduce your cooking time by up to 30% using the convection setting and choose from 10 cooking functions as an interior oven light guides you to perfection
- Element iQ System: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer power to where and when it's needed to create the ideal cooking environment for perfect results every time; Fast 1800 Watt preheat gets your meals on the table more quickly
- Convection Powered: The Smart Oven Pro's convection setting reduces cooking time by up to 30%; An inbuilt fan circulates the hot air within the oven which speeds the cooking process by stripping away the cold air that surrounds your food
- 10 Cooking Functions: versatile countertop oven with 10 cooking functions to guide you to perfection: Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, Warm and Slow cook
- Smart Oven with Slow Cook Function: Take your time to tenderize and develop complex flavors using the slow cook function, designed for long cook times at low temperatures; Slow Cook for up to 10 hours before the setting automatically turns to keep warm
It’s a high-performance countertop that reduces cooking time by up to 30%. The oven has ten cooking functions, which are:
- Toast
- Bagel
- Pizza
- Reheat
- Bake
- Roast
- Warm
- Slow Cook
- Broil
- Cookies
The powerful 1800 watt oven prepares your meals more quickly, without heating your kitchen like a regular oven. In addition, it has an interior light that automatically comes on at the end of the cooking cycle, so you can see if the pizza is done without opening the door.
Final Word
Cooking pizza in a convection oven is not difficult, but it will require a little bit of effort on your part to ensure the crust doesn’t burn or dry out.
You can only cook one pizza at a time, so if you have a big family, you may want to use your regular oven.
You’ll get a great-tasting pizza with perfectly melted cheese and browned thin or thick crust when cooked properly.
Hopefully, these tips will give you the confidence to use your convection oven for cooking your next pizza!
Related Articles