Can You Freeze Pizza?

Hosting a pizza party can be tiring and stressful. But, when looking at the bright side, you have a massive amount of leftovers worth weeks of meals.

At this point, you might be wondering: can you freeze pizza for later? What about freezing unbaked pizza?

A short answer, yes. You can freeze pizza, just like many other baked goods. You can even freeze the dough.

If you have the same questions, stay here. In this article, we talk about everything you need to know to freeze pizza and the dough, so it can last for months. Read on!

Freezing Leftover Pizza

Having to deal with a massive amount of leftovers can be stressful for some people. This is especially true if one doesn’t want to eat the same dish for days in a row.

When it comes to pizzas, the solution is super simple: freeze them!

Yes. To tackle this ‘blessing in disguise,’ all you need to do is pack and stash it in the freezer.

Here is our easy guide to freeze baked and leftover pizza and keep their optimum flavors.

• 1. Bake pizza as usual.
• 2. Cut it into individual slices using a pizza cutter.
• 3. Let it cool down completely (skip this step for freezing leftovers).
• 4. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Make sure it is covered tightly and thoroughly.
• 5. Bag the wrapped pizza slices in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag.
• 6. Remove as much air as possible if using a freezer bag and seal it tightly.
• 7. Write the freezing date and other details, such as the toppings (if you freeze multiple flavors).
• 8. Freeze for later meals.

Freezing Unbaked Pizza

If you are a true pizza lover, having a freezer stocked with make-ahead frozen pizzas always comes in handy.

You can put all the hard work upfront, pack, freeze, and bake anytime you wish. It is as simple as that. And hey, it saves money!

The key steps to freeze this savory pie are to par-bake the crust and proper wrapping.

Follow our instructions below on freezing unbaked pizzas for later meals.

• 1. Prepare the dough as usual.
• 2. Roll it out on a pizza pan. Or, use a baking sheet if you’re making more than one.
• 3. Preheat the oven to 450 °F.
• 4. Par-bake the crust for 3 to 5 minutes until it looks dry and puffy.
• 5. Allow it to cool completely.
• 6. Add your favorite toppings, sauces, cheeses, and veggies—anything to your liking. That said, the pizza will be ready to bake as you pull it from the freezer.
• 7. Flash-freeze the pizza(s) for several hours until frozen solid.
• 8. Once frozen, wrap each individual pizza in plastic wrap. For extra protection, re-wrap it in a layer of aluminum foil.
• 9. Pack several pieces in a resealable bag, remove excess air and seal tightly.
• 10. Don’t forget to write the toppings and freezing date.
• 11. Freeze for future baking.

Freezing Raw Pizza Dough

Just like bread dough, pizza dough also freezes pretty well. That being said, you can prepare a big batch of dough in advance for later baking.

Here is how to freeze raw pizza dough for a no-fuss weeknight dinner.

• 1. Make the dough as usual and let it rise.
• 2. Shape it into individual balls and then roll them into a round. If you don’t have enough freezer space, freeze it as dough balls.
• 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• 4. Lay the flattened dough and dust it with flour.
• 5. Flash freeze until each crust freezes.
• 6. Once frozen, wrap in plastic wrap and pack in a freezer bag.
• 7. Expel excess air from the package and seal tightly.
• 8. Write the freezing date and freeze for future baking.

Thawing, Reheating, and Baking Frozen Pizza

In general, you can safely thaw frozen baked pizza by placing it in a refrigerator and letting it soften up completely. For a large amount, consider putting the pies several hours before serving, or better yet, overnight.

After it thaws, reheat in a preheated oven for 5 to 15 minutes. This way, your previously-frozen pizza will taste nearly delicious as a freshly-baked one.

If the cravings suddenly hit, and you want to eat the savory pie now, of course, you can always rely on the microwave. But, it might not be as tasty. Well, it is your choice.

For frozen uncooked pizza, you can bake it straight away without prior thawing. Preheat the oven to 450 to 550 °F (might be different depending on the ovens), take the pizza, unwrap, and bake for 10 to 20 minutes or until the crust looks dark and the cheese melts.

For frozen pizza dough, thaw it in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 1 to 2 hours. Assemble the toppings and bake as usual.

How Long Can You Freeze Pizza?

Freezing baked, leftover pizza significantly improves the shelf life up to 1 to 2 months. Of course, you can keep it a little longer than that. 

Just a caution, it may not be as tasty because the delicious flavors and texture diminish slightly over time.

After thawing in the microwave, eat the pie immediately. If you defrost it in the refrigerator, you can refrigerate unused portions for an additional 3 to 4 days in a sealed container.

You can expect to keep unbaked pizzas for up to 1 to 3 months in the freezer, provided that they are prepared accordingly, and your freezer is cold enough. To maintain safety, make sure to set your freezer to 0 °F (−18 °C) or lower.

Frozen pizza dough keeps well up to 1 to 2 months without losing its quality. Thaw it and let it warm up before assembling the toppings.

FAQs

Summary

Freezing is an easy and straightforward way to extend shelf life, including pizza. You can freeze pizza with varieties of toppings, baked and unbaked. You can also freeze the dough and assemble the toppings later shortly before baking.

Having a freezer full of pizza is truly a lifesaver. You can get dinner ready in a flash, even on your busy weeknights. Try our tips and never again waste tasty leftovers!

See more:

• What to serve with pizza
• How to reheat pizza in oven

*image by bobrvictoria/depositphotos