Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Making: 10 Dos & Don’ts to Follow

If you love pizza and you have got a cast iron skillet pizza lying around, you are just steps away from making a cheesy, crispy golden bottomed pizza right at home. But before you toss the dough into that pan, there are a few things you should know.

Things You Should Always Do

1. Preheat the skillet

This is completely non-negotiable. Preheating your cast iron skillet gives you that golden, crispy crust every pizza lover dreams of. Cast iron can take a few minutes to heat up, but once hot, it holds that heat like a champ. Preheat it on the stove for at least 5 to 7 minutes on medium heat or pop it in a 220°C oven for 10 minutes. This matters because the crust starts cooking the moment it hits the pan, just like in a wood-fired oven.

2. Use olive oil generously

Before you place your dough in the pan, coat the skillet with olive oil, not just for flavour but to prevent sticking and to help the bottom of the crust crisp beautifully. Before you start baking, brush your crust edges with garlic butter or olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning or chilli flakes. It adds amazing flavour to each bite, even the last one.

3. Use high-quality cheese

Not all the cheese melts the same. Mozzarella is a classic choice, but try mixing it with provolone for that stretchy, gooey texture. Als,o don’t forget the Parmesan sprinkle post-bake. It’s the final flourish.

4. Cook at high heat

Your cast iron skillet truly loves heat. It thrives on it. So don’t be shy and bake your pizza at 220°C or even higher. The average temperature for a traditional wood-fired pizza oven is around 371° to 481°C, which is why they cook pizzas in just 90 seconds.  No doubt your home oven doesn’t go that high but using a cast iron brings you closer to that authentic experience.

5. Use fresh ingredients

Yes, pre-shredded cheese and canned mushrooms are really convenient. But fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and thinly sliced mushrooms bring a level of flavour frozen stuff just can’t. 

According to a recent study 53% of consumers prefer fresh ingredients in the pizza, even if it costs a little bit more. Cast iron is not just for deep dishes, it’s also great for Detroit style or pan pizza, which is crusty outside and soft inside. You can also make thin-crust pizzas at home if you press the dough thinner.

Common Cast Iron Pizza Mistakes to Avoid

a). Don’t use cold dough

Using cold dough straight from the fridge is a rookie mistake that you should avoid. It’s tight and hard to stretch and it won’t cook evenly. So you need to let your dough rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before you start shaping. 

Cover your dough with a slightly damp cloth while it rests to avoid drying it out. Try cooking just the dough for one to two minutes on the skillet, flipping it once before adding sauce and toppings. It gives you a blistered bottom and a chewy inside restaurant style.

b). Don’t overload with toppings

We get it if you truly love toppings but too much cheese sauce or veggies can make your pizza soggy. Cast iron pizzas cook really quickly and excessive moisture doesn’t evaporate fast enough. Always stick to three to four toppings maximum. Let’s stop. You should keep it simple and let that crust shine.

c). Don’t skip resting after cooking

Fresh out of the oven that pizza needs a minute. The cheese needs to set the crust firm up. If you just end up cutting it too early and you’re topping side off like a cheese landslide. Wait, you will thank yourself.

d). Don’t use metal utensils

Are you tempted to cut your pizza in that pan? Don’t do that because metal tools can scratch skillet and damaged seasoning. You can use wooden or silicone utensils. And always remove your pizza from the skillet before you slice it.

e). Don’t forget to clean and season your skillet

After your pizza party is over cleaning the skillet properly is a very important part. No soap, just warm water and a gentle scrub with a soft brush. Just dry it completely and also consider rubbing a little oil into the surface to keep it rust free and ready for your next pizza adventure.

Hungry for Pizza?

Making cast iron skillet pizza is not hard, it just takes a few smart moves. Just remember the crispy crust gooey cheese and perfect these are all within reach with the right method. 

You are not just making a pizza you are actually making memories. And your skillet is your best friend in the kitchen.

If you are hungry to try the skillet pizza the right way and not in the mood to cook, so checkout allHungry and order from your favorite pizza places neary with just a click of a button.

Conclusion

In short pizza doesn’t need any fancy oven or a pizza stone. All you need is a little knowledge of a hot cast iron skillet and a big appetite. Follow all these dos and don’ts here and you will be making better pizza than your local take away in no time. Now just go ahead and fire up that skillet.