How to Make Frozen Pizza Crispy

Frozen pizza isn’t the best pizza in the world, but it’s pretty darn good – especially if you can make the crust nice and crispy. But in order to achieve this texture, you have to apply a few different techniques. 

To make frozen pizza crispy, let the frozen pizza thaw for a maximum of 15 minutes. Then, brush the crust with some butter, seasonings, and cheese. Bake the pizza at the highest temp in your oven (500F/550F) on a preheated pizza stone. 

Hi, there! My name is Michelle, and yes, I am a self-taught baker with over ten years of baking experience. But sometimes, I just don’t want to make food items from scratch (who wants to knead pizza dough, anyways?). I prefer my pizza crust crispy, so I’ve discovered how to make frozen pizza crispy. 

Let’s crisp up those frozen, store-bought pizzas!

How to Make Frozen Pizza Crispy – 5 Tricks for the Crispiest Crust Yet!

Frozen pizza can be perfectly crispy and delicious, but it’s not going to happen by following the directions on the box.

To ensure your frozen pizza is crispy and scrumptious, employ these tactics:

1. Bake at a Higher Temperature

There is a lot of debate over what temperature to bake pizza. But in my humble opinion, the higher, the better

That said, the best and quickest way to get your hands on ultra-crispy crust is to crank up your oven’s temperature as high as it can go. Some ovens may cap at 500F, but others can go all the way up to 550F.

Note: Because you’re using a much higher temperature than called for, you’ll need to reduce the cooking time. Most pizzas will cook in about 11 to 12 minutes at 500F and even sooner at 550F. Keep an eye on your pizza and check regularly for doneness.

2. Use a Pizza Stone

My second piece of advice? Use a pizza stone!

A pizza stone is a surefire way to ensure your frozen pizza is nice and crispy by the end of the baking time.

Just ensure you preheat your pizza stone for at least an hour before sliding your pizza on top.

If you don’t want to run out and buy a pizza stone (hint: you should), at least use a suitable substitute like a baking sheet or cast iron skillet.

3. Let it Thaw a Bit

Yes, I am well aware that your frozen pizza box says to pop the pizza directly from the freezer into the oven – and you can if you want to. 

However, placing an entirely frozen, rock-hard pizza into the oven isn’t going to lead to too much crisping, even if you’re following my top two recommended hacks.

Instead, let your frozen pizza thaw out a little bit before placing it on top of your pizza stone.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500F/550F.
  • Step 2: Place the pizza stone (or adequate substitution) inside while it preheats (approx. 15 minutes).
  • Step 3: Wait an additional 30 minutes, then remove the frozen pizza from the freezer and place it on your kitchen counter.
  • Step 4: Finish the one-hour preheating period by waiting another 15 minutes.
  • Step 5: Place your partially thawed frozen pizza onto the pizza stone and bake!

By following these steps, you can preheat your pizza stone adequately and have a partially thawed frozen pizza ready to get nice and crispy. (Yes, I know this is a touch more time-consuming, but it’s worth every minute).

If you’re not planning to reheat a pizza stone or a suitable swap, remove the frozen pizza immediately after turning on your oven. That will give your pizza about 15 minutes to thaw out a bit.

4. Add Some Butter and Cheese

Now, this is something I do whether I care about crisping up the crust or not. After all, frozen pizzas aren’t exactly known for their outstanding crust flavors. Most are bland, pale, and sub-par, and they will likely end up in the garbage.

But they don’t have to.

Before you put your frozen pizza in the oven, use a basting brush to slather the crust with butter. Then, sprinkle your favorite seasonings and spices on top. I like to add garlic, a bit of salt, and parmesan cheese. Sometimes I’ll add red pepper flakes if I want some heat.

While the butter won’t do a tremendous job in the crisping department, it will certainly help – as will the cheese. Honestly, you don’t have a reason not to jazz up the crust, so just do it (Nike).

5. Opt for a Higher Rack

Finally, my last piece of advice is to opt for a higher rack, especially if you’re using a pizza stone.

I’m not saying you need to put the pizza on the highest rack possible. Instead, opt for about five inches away from the top heating element.

By doing this, you’ll ensure that the top and bottom of the pizza get cooked correctly.

FAQs

Are you ready for the crispiest frozen pizza of your life? Of course, you are – with these easy tips in tow. Oh, but if you want to keep learning about this topic, you don’t have to leave just yet. I’ve added a few frequently asked questions with some interesting information!

How do you make frozen pizza taste like takeout?

Adding more toppings is one of the best ways to make frozen pizza taste like takeout. You don’t want to overwhelm the pizza, though, or it won’t bake correctly. One great way is to add herbs and spices after it’s baked. For instance, you can add basil, parmesan cheese, etc.

What’s the best way to cook a frozen pizza?

The best way to cook a frozen pizza is to preheat the oven to 550 F and use a preheated pizza stone. Let it bake for about ten minutes or so. Allow the pizza to thaw for 15 minutes before being in the oven. Put a bit of butter on the crust along with your favorite spices/seasonings.

Is it better to thaw frozen pizza before cooking?

You shouldn’t thaw frozen pizza entirely before baking it. My recommendation is to thaw it for a maximum of 15 minutes. That way, it will bake faster and end up with a crispier crust and won’t negatively affect the flavor or texture.

Crispy Crust, Here We Come!

The next time you get a frozen pizza, don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be soggy and mediocre. All you need to do is let it thaw for 15 minutes, brush the crust with butter, seasonings, and cheese, and bake at 550 F on a preheated pizza stone. Easy!

Do you have any other tips to make frozen pizza crispy?

About Michelle
I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. It's been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.

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