How to Make Outdoor Pizza: A Step-by-Step Guide

Nothing beats the taste of a freshly-made pizza baked in your own outdoor pizza oven. With the right tools, ingredients, and techniques, you can create a delicious and authentic pizza right in your backyard. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of making homemade pizza using our basic pizza dough recipe, how to use it to make pizza in an outdoor pizza oven, and a list of traditional and unusual pizza toppings to customize your pizza.

Recipe: Basic Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the warm water and olive oil.
3. Stir the ingredients together until a rough dough forms.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning to coat.
6. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles.
8. Divide the dough into desired portions and shape them into balls.
9. Cover the dough balls and let them rest for about 15-20 minutes before stretching and shaping.

Using the Dough in an Outdoor Pizza Oven

Now that you have your pizza dough ready, it’s time to fire up your outdoor pizza oven.

1. Start by lighting your outdoor pizza oven. Use hardwood logs or lump charcoal for the best results.
2. Let the oven heat up for about 30-45 minutes until it reaches a temperature of 500-600°F.
3. While the oven is heating up, prepare your pizza toppings of choice.
4. Dust the surface of your pizza peel with cornmeal or flour to prevent sticking.
5. Take a pizza dough ball and stretch it out on the peel, leaving a slightly thicker rim around the edge.
6. Add your desired toppings on top of the pizza, leaving a small space between each topping.
7. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the oven, using a quick back-and-forth motion to release it from the peel.
8. Bake the pizza for 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Use a pizza peel to remove the pizza from the oven, and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Traditional and Unusual Pizza Toppings

Now that you know how to make homemade pizza in your outdoor pizza oven, it’s time to get creative with your toppings. Here are some classic and unusual pizza toppings to try:

Traditional Pizza Toppings

• Tomato sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni
• Italian sausage
• Mushrooms
• Onion
• Bell peppers
• Olives
• Fresh basil

Unusual Pizza Toppings

• BBQ sauce
• Pineapple
• Bacon
• Gorgonzola cheese
• Roasted garlic
• Fig and prosciutto
• Brussels sprouts
• Pesto sauce
• Shrimp and pesto

Experiment with different combinations of toppings until you find your favorite flavor profiles. With these tips and our basic pizza dough recipe, you’ll be well on your way to creating your very own perfect outdoor pizza.