Here is another reason to love a Dutch oven, you can make homemade pizza in a Dutch oven. If you don’t already have a Dutch oven, we are to make a strong case for bringing a Dutch oven into your life and your kitchen.
Key Takeaways:
- Dutch ovens are versatile multi-purpose kitchen tools that can be used for baking bread, braising meat, making soups/stews, roasting chicken, and making homemade pizza. They trap heat and moisture well for these cooking methods.
- To make pizza in a Dutch oven, preheat the oven, par-bake the dough for a few minutes, then add toppings and bake further until done. Parchment paper makes it easy to transfer the dough in and out.
- Campfire pizza in a Dutch oven is a fun camping activity. Use the same method over an open fire, monitoring temperature with an infrared thermometer. About 30 coals are needed for a 10-inch oven. Bring pre-made dough to avoid rising dough outside.
Table of Contents
What is a Dutch Oven?
A Dutch oven is a heavy wide bottom pot with a lid. You can use it on the stovetop or in the oven. Dutch ovens come in different sizes and styles, but the key is that it has a thick bottom to hold the heat.
Dutch ovens are a multi-use kitchen item, and if you are serious about cooking, then you probably already have one in your kitchen, but if you don’t, you should go get one right now. They can be pricey, but they are durable and last a very long time.
We have seen them from time to time in thrift or second-hand stores, and they can pop up for sale on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, so if you are on a budget, check out those options.
What Can You Do With a Dutch Oven?
The question should be, what can’t you do with a Dutch oven? They work like any other cooking pots, so you can make soup and stews. But you can also braise meat. Braising means cooking meat until tender for a long time.
The heaviness of a Dutch oven keeps the heat at a constant high temperature, so braising is one of the best ways to use your Dutch oven. Because they have a fitted lid, they keep the heat and the moisture in without it evaporating too soon.
Another use for the Dutch oven is homemade bread. The tight lid keeps the moisture as it bakes, so you get a crusty white loaf of bread. If you are into sourdough bread, then a Dutch oven is a great way to make amazing no-knead sourdough bread.
Uses for a Dutch Oven
- Soups and stews
- Braising meat
- Searing steaks
- Roasting chicken
- Bread
- Deep-frying anything and everything
- Pizza
- Dutch oven deep dish pizza
- And much more
How to Make Pizza in a Dutch Oven
We had been using our Dutch oven for many different things then it dawned on us that you can make homemade pizza in a Dutch oven. So we gave it a go, and it is a great way to make pizza, especially if you like a thicker crust like Sicilian style pizza, Detroit-style pizza, or a Chicago deep-dish pizza or even dutch oven upside down pizza.
You can use your favorite homemade pizza dough and sauce. However, a thicker sauce like tomato paste or another type of thick, cooked sauce is best.
The Dutch oven traps moisture, which is not what you want in a pizza, so keep the moisture to a minimum by using a thicker sauce and toppings that won’t add too much extra moisture. And choose low-moisture mozzarella rather than fresh mozzarella.
The key to baking with a Dutch oven is to preheat the Dutch oven before you put anything in it. Preheat to around 450ºF for ten minutes. While the Dutch oven is in the oven, roll out your dough for the size of your Dutch oven.
We like to use parchment paper because it makes it easier to get the dough in and out of the oven, but you could just spray the bottom with nonstick spray, too.
Roll out your dough and transfer it to the Dutch oven for a quick par-bake of two or three minutes. Then take the Dutch oven out and add your sauce, cheese, and toppings and place it back in the oven for another 10-12 minutes.
Take it out and let it cool, then slice and enjoy.
Pro Tips For Making Pizza in a Dutch Oven
- Use a metal skewer to keep the lid slightly lifted to let steam out.
- Don’t skip the par-bake; it will give a better crust.
- Cut the parchment paper to size with a little on each side to lift in and out.
- Invest in good oven mitts. Dutch ovens are heavy, and when they are hot thick oven mitts will keep your hands safe.
How to Make Dutch Oven Campfire Pizza
If you love to go camping, then a Dutch oven for camp cooking might be a good investment. Impress your friends and campers with a homemade pizza in a Dutch oven right over the campfire.
You can’t use your enameled Dutch oven on a campfire, but they make Dutch ovens for camping that have little legs, and you can put coals under them. You can even use a cooking tripod or a propane stove which is the perfect solution for camp cooking during a fire ban.
Follow the same instructions minus the parchment paper to make Dutch oven campfire pizza. Spray the bottom of the Dutch oven and preheat the oven by placing it in the coals before adding the dough.
Then lay your dough out and place coals under to get a par-bake. Use tongs to lift an edge of the dough after a few minutes to check if it is ready for sauce and toppings. When the dough is par-baked, add your sauce, cheese, and toppings.
Cover and continue adding hot coals underneath, and let cook. If you have an infrared thermometer to keep a temperature check, that is your best way to gauge when it’s done. But you can always eyeball it and use common sense.
How many coals are needed for a Dutch oven pizza?
According to our research, the number of coals needed for a simple dutch oven pizza can vary depending on the size of your dutch oven. Generally speaking, 30 coals are needed for a 10″ dutch oven, while 33 coals are needed for a 12″ dutch oven, and so on.
Once the coals or briquettes are ready and your thermometer is showing 450°F, your coals can be placed both under the oven and on the lid to achieve the desired temperature for cooking the pizza.
It’s important to note that the number of coals needed for a dutch oven pizza can also vary based on the cooking method and recipe being used. The cooking method of a particular recipe will more specifically determine the placement of the coal briquettes.
Therefore, it’s important to consult the recipe being used to determine the exact number of coals needed for a dutch oven pizza. Good luck!
Pro Tips for Making Dutch Oven Campfire Pizza
- Bring a pre-made homemade dough ball instead of trying to get a dough to rise outside.
- Use metal skewers to keep the lid lifted to let out steam.
- Get heat-resistant gloves for outdoor cooking.
- Use an instant-read digital infrared thermometer.
- A collapsible chimney fire starter is our favorite way to get coals going and ready for cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Dutch oven should I get for pizza?
Most recipes can be made in a 5-8 quart Dutch oven. A 10 inch oven is good for personal pizzas. Larger sizes up to 12 inches can feed more people.
How do I season a new Dutch oven?
Apply a thin layer of oil and bake empty Dutch oven at 300º F for 1 hour to burn off manufacturing residues and bond the oil. Re-oil after each use to maintain the non-stick surface.
Can I use any type of dough for Dutch oven pizza?
Thicker, less moist doughs work best to prevent sogginess. Avoid very thin, fresh doughs. Pre-made pizza dough is convenient.
How do I know when the Dutch oven pizza is done?
Check the bottom – it should be lightly browned. Use a spatula to lift a portion and check that the cheese is melted and bubbling. An instant-read thermometer should read 210-225° F in the center.
Can I move a hot Dutch oven safely?
Invest in heavy-duty oven mitts or oven gloves and use caution as Dutch ovens get very hot. Lifting the lid may require a folded kitchen towel to grab the handle. Allow to cool slightly before moving if possible.
How do I clean a well-seasoned Dutch oven?
For light cleaning, wipe with paper towels. For heavier messes, boil water with a splash of vinegar or use non-abrasive cleaners. Dry completely to maintain the seasoning. Avoid soaking or using soap.
Have you tried making pizza in a Dutch oven?
