Grilling pizza can turn a basic meal into a fun outdoor event. With a few simple methods and key tips, you can get a crispy crust, melty cheese, and tasty toppings right from your grill. Whether you love pizza or just want to try something different, grilling pizza can be a fun and satisfying activity. Here’s a full guide on how to grill the perfect pizza covering everything from getting ready to grilling methods.
Why Grill Pizza?
Grilling pizza isn’t just a fun way to cook instead of baking. The intense direct heat from a grill can create a pizza crust with a special crispy texture and smoky taste that’s hard to match in a regular oven. Also, grilling pizza gives you a chance to enjoy the outdoors and get the most out of your grill when it’s warm outside.
Getting Your Grill Ready
1. Clean and Heat Up the Grill
Begin by making sure your grill is clean. Any bits of food or grease left behind can change the flavor of your pizza. Take a grill brush and scrub the grates then heat up the grill. If you have a gas grill, turn it to high. For a charcoal grill, get the charcoal burning until you see a layer of white ash on the coals then spread them out .
2. Create Two Zones
Set up two heat areas on your grill: one for direct heat and another for indirect heat. You’ll cook the pizza crust in the direct heat area, while the indirect heat area will melt the cheese and finish the cooking process. If you’re using a gas grill, turn on the burners on one side. For a charcoal grill, pile the coals on one side.
Getting the Pizza Dough Ready
1. Pick or Make Your Dough
You have the option to use store-bought pizza dough or create your own. When using store-bought dough, allow it to reach room temperature before you stretch it. Homemade dough needs time to rest and rise so make sure you plan ahead if you decide to make it from scratch.
2. Stretch the Dough
On a surface with a light dusting of flour, stretch the dough into the shape you want. If you like a thin crust, use a rolling pin to roll it out. For a thicker crust, stretch it with your hands. Make sure the dough has an even shape and isn’t too thick so it cooks on the grill.
3. Pre-Grill the Dough
Get the grill hot to medium-high. Put the stretched dough on parchment paper or a pizza peel with a bit of oil. Move the dough to the grill and cook each side for 2-3 minutes. Look for a light gold color and some grill marks. This step helps set the dough and stops it from getting soggy when you put on the toppings.
Adding Toppings
1. Pick Your Toppings
You can pick from tons of toppings, from the usual pepperoni and mushrooms to more unique ones like goat cheese and figs. Get your toppings ready ahead of time so you can work fast once you’ve pre-grilled the dough.
2. Put the Pizza Together
Once you’ve pre-grilled the dough, take it off the grill and set it on a flat surface. Spread the sauce across the surface, but leave a small edge for the crust. Add cheese and other toppings. Don’t go overboard with toppings though. Too many can stop the crust from cooking right.
Grilling the Pizza
1. Put the Pizza Back on the Grill
Move the pizza you’ve put together back onto the grill. Cook it in the area with indirect heat. Shut the grill’s lid to create an environment similar to an oven. This helps the cheese melt and cooks the toppings while keeping the crust crispy. Let the pizza cook for about 5-10 minutes, but keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
2. Turn the Pizza
You might need to turn the pizza halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks . This is particularly necessary if your grill doesn’t heat up uniformly.
3. See If It’s Done
The pizza reaches completion when the cheese bubbles and melts, and the crust turns golden brown. Lift the pizza with a spatula to examine the bottom. It should have a crispy texture and appear charred.
Serving and Enjoying
1. Take the Pizza off the Grill
When your pizza cooks to your satisfaction, remove it from the grill with care using a pizza peel or a big spatula. Move it to a cutting board and allow it to cool for a few minutes before you cut it.
2. Cut and Serve
Cut the pizza into slices with a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Serve it right away while it’s hot. You can enhance the flavor by adding fresh herbs or a splash of olive oil if you want.
Fixing Common Problems
1. Soggy Crust
A soggy crust might result from too many toppings or not pre-grilling the dough for long enough. Make sure to pre-grill the dough well and don’t put too much on top of it.
2. Burnt Crust
A blackened crust happens when the grill gets too hot or when you leave the pizza on direct heat for too long. Keep an eye on the temperature and cook the pizza in the indirect heat area.
3. Pizza That’s Not Cooked Evenly
When a pizza doesn’t cook , it’s often because the grill’s heat isn’t uniform. Turn the pizza now and then and look for hot spots on your grill. Using a pizza stone or a cast-iron pan can help to spread the heat more .
Tips to Succeed
- Use a Pizza Stone: A pizza stone helps spread heat and stops the crust from burning. Heat up the stone on the grill before you put the pizza on it.
- Oil the Dough: Putting a thin layer of oil on the dough before it goes on the grill keeps it from sticking and makes the crust crunchier.
- Try Different Heat Settings: You might need to change how hot your grill is and how long you cook, depending on your grill and dough recipe. Don’t be scared to try new things to find what works best.
- Keep the Grill Covered: Shutting the lid traps heat and cooks the pizza more . open the lid when you need to check on the pizza.
- Get Ready to Clean Up: Plan how you’ll tidy up after grilling. You may need to scrub the grill grates well, and you might have pizza leftovers to clean.
To Wrap Up
Grilling pizza is easy and can give you great results. If you set up your grill right cook the dough first, and control the heat, you can make tasty pizzas with a crunchy crust and gooey cheese. These tips and tricks will help you become a pro at grilling pizza. Have fun cooking outdoors and eating the yummy pizzas you make!