No-Oven Pizza: Easy Pan-Fried Recipe
How to make a crispy homemade pizza without an oven
Quick recipe • Tips • Variations
Making homemade pizza without an oven is possible—and delicious. This recipe guides you step by step to achieve a crispy crust, a perfectly melted topping, all in under 20 minutes . Perfect for students, impromptu gatherings, or days when you don't have an oven.
Before you begin — Time, difficulty and equipment
Tip: Use a thick pan (24–26 cm) and a suitable lid for even cooking and perfectly melted cheese.
Essential utensils
- Non-stick frying pan 24–26 cm (or thick frying pan for a crispy bottom)
- Salad bowl for the dough
- Thin spatula (ideally silicone) for handling the dough
- Lid suitable for the pan
- Pizza cutter (optional) and kitchen scale
- kitchen scale
To learn more about choosing a frying pan, check out our blog post: How to Choose the Perfect Pan | Chef's Utensil
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Dough too thick
Roll out the dough to ~0.5 cm to bake quickly and evenly.
2. Pan not hot enough
Preheat for 2–3 minutes: a cold pan makes the batter moist.
3. Overfilling
150g maximum of topping per pizza to avoid a soggy effect.
4. Do not cover the pan
Covering allows the cheese to melt without burning the bottom.
5. Unsuitable flour
If you are using only wholemeal or gluten-free flours, adjust the water accordingly. Mixing white and wholemeal flours provides structure and flavor.
Detailed recipe — Homemade pizza without an oven
Ingredients (for 2 pizzas)
- 250g of white flour
- 50g of wholemeal flour (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 160 ml of lukewarm water
- 1 tsp baking powder or 1/2 packet of baker's yeast
- Toppings of your choice: tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, peppers, olives, herbs
Steps (overview)
| Stage | Duration | Trick |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare the dough | 5–7 min | Knead until smooth. Let rest for 10 minutes if using baker's yeast. |
| Spread out the dough | 2–3 min | Form two discs ~20 cm, lightly flour. |
| Cook side 1 | 3–4 min | Pan nice and hot, medium heat. |
| Cooked on side 2 with topping | 5–6 min | Cover to melt the cheese. |
1. Prepare the dough
- Combine the flours and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil and warm water gradually.
- Knead for 5–7 minutes until you obtain a smooth dough.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes if you are using baker's yeast (0 min if using baking powder).
2. Spread the dough
Lightly flour your work surface and form two discs of approximately 20 cm. Tip: if the dough shrinks, let it rest for 2 more minutes.
3. Pan-frying
- Preheat the pan for 2–3 minutes over medium heat.
- Place the dough in the pan and bake for 3–4 minutes (the bottom should be golden brown).
- Flip the dough over, add a thin layer of sauce, the mozzarella and the chosen toppings.
- Cover and cook for 5–6 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bottom is crispy.
4. Finishing
Sprinkle with fresh herbs (basil, oregano) and serve immediately. For extra crispiness, lightly sprinkle with fine semolina before baking.
Airfryer option
If you have an air fryer, cook the pizza for 8–10 minutes at 180–200°C. Use a small, suitable dish or perforated baking paper to prevent the dough from sticking.
You can find our Airfryer here
Chef's tips
- Medium heat: avoid too high a heat which burns the bottom before the cheese melts.
- Covering the pan creates a miniature oven and allows the cheese to melt evenly.
- 10 minutes of rest improves the texture, even for a short rise.
- A blend of white and wholemeal flour for flavor and good texture.
Topping ideas & variations
- Classic Margherita
- Ham and mushrooms
- Vegetarian (pre-sautéed peppers, onions, and courgettes)
- 3 cheeses (mozzarella, goat cheese, parmesan)
- Sweet (Nutella + banana, or apple-cinnamon)
Useful links:
-
Pan-frying techniques – Chef Simon
https://chefsimon.com -
Complete Guide to Pizza Dough – 750g
https://www.750g.com -
Understanding oven-free cooking – Marmiton
https://www.marmiton.org -
Cooking tips and temperatures – Academy of Taste
https://www.academiedugout.fr
Blog articles to discover:
- Sticky pan: causes and solutions you should know | Chef's utensil
- Use and clean each pan to make it last | Chef's utensil
- How to make homemade pizza dough in 5 steps - Chef's utensil
Conclusion
Making homemade pizza without an oven is not only possible, but surprisingly simple. With a well-rested dough, a good quality pan, and a few cooking adjustments, you can get a soft, golden pizza in under 20 minutes. Whether you're cooking in a small kitchen, camping, in a van, or simply without an oven, this method guarantees amazing results. Now that you've mastered the technique, all that's left is to experiment with different toppings… and enjoy!
FAQ — 20 questions to never make a mistake
1. Can this pizza be made without yeast?
Yes. Use baking powder (bicarbonate or baking soda): the dough will not rise in the same way, but it will remain crispy.
2. How long should the dough be cooked?
3–4 minutes on one side, then 5–6 minutes on the garnish side (medium heat, covered pan).
3. Can I use only wholemeal flour?
Yes, but the dough will be denser. For a better balance, mix white and wholemeal flour (250g / 50g).
4. Can the dough be prepared in advance?
Yes. The dough can be kept in the refrigerator for 24 hours if you used baker's yeast. Take it out 20 minutes before baking.
5. Should the pan be oiled?
Optional if the pan is non-stick. Otherwise, a light coating of oil applied with a brush is sufficient.
6. Can you cook 2 pizzas at the same time?
Only if you have two pans. Otherwise, cooking one at a time guarantees a better result.
7. How to prevent the dough from sticking?
Lightly flour the dough and, if necessary, the cooking surface.
8. Can cooked pizza be frozen?
Yes. The crispiness diminishes slightly when reheated, but the taste remains good.
9. Is it possible to make a vegan pizza?
Yes. Replace the mozzarella with a melting vegan cheese or slices of grilled vegetables.
10. Which cheeses melt best?
Mozzarella, cheddar, gouda. Mix together for extra flavor and a stretchy texture.
11. Can I use raw ham?
Yes, add it after cooking to preserve its texture.
12. How to make the pastry crispier?
Add a spoonful of fine semolina to the flour or sprinkle it on the bottom of the disc before baking.
13. Can a stainless steel pan be used?
Yes, but lightly oil it to prevent sticking.
14. Can you make a sweet pizza in a pan?
Yes! Nutella-banana, apple-cinnamon compote… reduce the cooking time if the filling is delicate.
15. How do you reheat a pizza in a pan?
2–3 minutes over medium heat, with the lid closed.
16. Can fresh yeast be used?
Yes, dilute it in lukewarm water and let the paste rest for 20–30 minutes if possible.
17. Can herbs be added to the dough?
Yes: oregano, basil or thyme add flavor. Add them during kneading.
18. How to prevent cheese from burning?
Cover the pan and cook over medium heat to balance the heat.
19. Can we make an individual pizza?
Yes, divide the dough according to the desired size. Slightly reduce the cooking time for small pizzas.
20. Which vegetables can be used without making the pastry soggy?
Pre-cook or quickly sauté the moist vegetables (mushrooms, peppers, courgettes) before adding them.
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