Do you want to eat pizza at midnight? No matter if it is midnight! But it is the time when all the restaurants and shops become closed. What to do? Freeze your pizza dough, which will remain fresh for 2-3 weeks. Then you can defrost it and transfer the dough to hot pizza anytime.
Before baking pizza, you have to defrost the pizza dough. Look at some methods below.
The shortlist is for people in a hurry! (But I suggest you read the full article)
These are the ways you can use to defrost pizza dough:
- Use Refrigerator
- Warm water bath
- Cold water bath
- Use Oven
- Use kitchen counter
- Use microwave
How to Defrost Pizza Dough
Use Refrigerator
For defrosting pizza dough, use the refrigerator and leave the pizza dough in the refrigerator overnight or at least 10-12 hours. Then thaw the dough out, make your favorite pizza, and enjoy it with your friends and family.
But it takes a comparatively long time to defrost pizza dough. For quick defrosting, read the below methods.
Warm Water Bath
You can also use the warm water bath technique for defrosting your pizza. Take out the dough from the freezer, and like the cold water bath method, soak it in a bowl with a freezer bag. Then leave the dough to dry and then make your pizza with the dough. But this time, use warm water; it will take only 8- 10 minutes to defrost.
Warning :
Don’t forget to keep your pizza dough dry for some time after a warm or cold bath method. Otherwise, the dough won’t rise properly.
You may also like: How to Make Homemade Pizza
Cold Water Bath
The cold water bath is another pizza dough defrosting method. Take out the pizza dough from the freeze but don’t remove it from the freezer bag and soak it in a bowl of cold water for 1-2 hours. Then leave it out of the bowl and keep it in another dry bowl for 1 hour. Now, your pizza dough is ready to be a delicious hot pizza!
Defrost the Dough in the Oven
Electric Oven: For an electric oven, place the dough in a pan after oil spreading and spread some oil on the dough to prevent sticking. Now, put it in the oven at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 10- 15 minutes. After that, take out the dough, place it in a large bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap. Keep it at room temperature and let it expand.
Your dough is ready to transfer to a hot tasty pizza with cheese or any filling you want!
Gas Oven: For a gas oven, lower the setting and put the pan in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If it is not completely defrosted, keep it on the flame for another 20- 30 minutes. Now, give it time to rise to room temperature. Now, your dough is ready to become a pizza.
Leave Pizza Dough on the Counter
Leaving pizza dough on the counter can be another way of defrosting your pizza dough. Remove the pizza dough from the freezer and take it out from the freezer bag. Then keep it in a large bowl and tightly cover it with plastic wrap. Now, it will defrost as well as expand together.
We all know a microwave is essential for baking pizza, right? But you can also use a microwave or electric oven to defrost your pizza.
How to Defrost Pizza Dough in Microwave
Yes, you can defrost your pizza dough in the microwave. First, spread the oil on the plate and coat the oil on the dough. Then heat it for 25 seconds, covered with plastic wrap. Then take it outside, flip it again and place it in the microwave for another 25 seconds.
Warning :
Make sure your dough does not stick to the plate.
Now, set the microwave to defrost and keep the pizza dough inside for 3-5 minutes. After that, keep it on the counter and allow it to rise.
Your pizza dough is ready to be baked now!
Note: Use this method if you are really in a hurry. Otherwise, use the cold bath method to defrost your pizza.
How Long It Takes to Defrost Pizza Dough
It usually takes-
- 10-12 hours to defrost pizza dough in the refrigerator.
- 10 minutes to defrost pizza dough in hot water bath method
- 2- 3 hours to defrost pizza dough at room temperature
- 3-5 hours in cold water bath method and
- 1-2 hours to defrost the pizza dough in the oven
You may also like: How to Store Pizza Dough
How to Use Frozen Pizza Dough
Look at a Glance-
Thawing Instructions
- Keep the pizza dough overnight for 10-12 hours in the refrigerator
- Keep it on the counter for 3-5 hours to defrost
- Use microwave for quick defrosting
- Use a hot or cold water bath for thawing pizza dough.
Baking Instructions
- Take a dish and grease it with oil.
- Shape your dough according to the size of the dish
- Add cheese, meat, sausage, tomato, or your favorite items for filling
- Rest it for 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Now, bake your pizza in the microwave and enjoy!
Bonus : Take the double dough and a bigger baked dish if you are going to bake party size large pizza
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wrap pizza dough in plastic wrap?
Yes, you can wrap pizza dough in plastic for freezing and expansion after defrosting.
What’s the secret to keeping a pizza dough good?
The storage process should be perfect for keeping a pizza dough good and using the proper defrosting technique for the best taste.
Can pizza dough be made without yeast?
Yes, no yeast pizza recipe is possible. But it won’t be soft like the pizza made with yeast, and the taste may be slightly different.
What should I do if my pizza dough is too sticky?
If your pizza dough is too sticky, add some flour and remix it to make it a normal dough.
Check out this quick extra-ordinary pizza recipe:
Final Takeaways
How to Defrost Pizza Dough
- Use Refrigerator
- Warm water bath
- Cold water bath
- Use Oven
- Use kitchen counter
- Use microwave
- How to Defrost Pizza Dough in the Microwave
- How Long It Takes to Defrost Pizza Dough
- Can You Freeze Pizza Dough
- What are the techniques for Using Frozen Pizza
- Thawing Instructions
- Baking Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Lorena Davalos joined our team during the Lockdown of worldwide pandemic. She is a nutrition expert and has a degree in this subject. Lorena surely knows her onion! She was looking for a platform where she could blend her expertise with commonly asked questions.