You're undoubtedly asking about what you can cook in your outdoor pizza oven if you're a pizza fan. That question can be answered in a variety of ways! Cooking with a pizza oven has never been more adaptable, whether it's for an appetizer, a main course, or a dessert.

Here are some suggestions for how to make the most of this useful kitchen gadget. This post will show you what you can cook in a pizza oven as well as some cooking methods for a hearty supper that is simple to make in the oven!

Foods Can Be Cooked in Your Gas or Wood Fired Pizza Oven

PIZZA

Look no farther than your outdoor pizza oven if you want to create great wood-fired pizza at home. This device is made to precisely cook pizzas with that signature smoky flavor!

Because this method of cooking heats the clay pot(s) inside the oven, preheating them to 300°F for at least 1 hour before baking your pies is recommended. Monitor the temperature inside the oven with a kitchen or food thermometer; anything below 550°F is too low for ideal results.

To guarantee that your pizza glides off easily, we recommend adding cornmeal on a wooden peel. Use as little cornmeal as possible; too much will prevent the dough from cooking evenly.

FLATBREADS

Flatbreads, which are easier to make than pizzas if you're just getting started, are another wonderful alternative for cooking in a pizza oven.On this sort of bread, any of your favorite flavor combinations will work nicely; go basic with olive oil and sea salt, or go for something fancier with roasted garlic, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. This recipe can also be prepared on a griddle or directly on a rack in a standard oven. When it comes to "what can you cook in a pizza oven," I'm going to try this one.

SOUVLAKI & MEATBALLS & RIB

In Greece, marinated meat skewered on toothpicks with onions and peppers is served as an appetizer.

These delectable meatballs are a family favorite, made using stale bread to soak up the juices, bouillon cubes for additional flavor, and eggs to help them stick together.

Don't even think about using that grill. This is when that back burner comes in handy for more cooking space! Spice the ribs and simmer them low and slow for 4 hours or more before crisping them with barbecue sauce.

ROASTED VEGETABLES

Roasting your own vegetables is an important part of producing wood-fired pizza. Red onions, eggplant, and squash are all popular choices; we recommend slicing them about 1/2 inch thinly to prevent them from burning too soon when cooking.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line the bottom of a baking sheet with foil to roast veggies in a gas or electric oven. Coat the vegetables with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper before roasting them for 30 minutes, turning once to ensure equal cooking.

PAELLA

Rice is blended with aromatic spices like saffron, garlic, and chicken in this popular Spanish recipe (or seafood). While paella can be prepared both indoors and outside, this recipe takes longer than others because the rice must be cooked in numerous batches. To make the rice, briefly toast it in a skillet before adding chicken broth, chopped veggies, Spanish paprika, and saffron threads. What can you make in a pizza oven now? Paella, which is quite tasty. Cook for another 10 minutes before adding the raw shrimp or scallops; continue to cook for another 5 minutes before serving!

RISOTTO

Arborio rice is slowly cooked in stock with seasonings such as onions, garlic, and cheese to make Italian risotto. This recipe only takes 20 minutes to prepare but nearly an hour to cook, so get started as soon as possible if you want excellent results! Finely chop the onion and cook until transparent, then add the arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown over medium heat.

Add a cup of broth at a time, stirring continuously until each quantity is absorbed. When the rice is soft yet firm in the center, the risotto is ready.

PORTUGUESE STEW

This wonderful soup can be prepared in a variety of ways, but we recommend grilling it for around 15 minutes over indirect heat in your gas or electric oven to avoid discoloration. Before adding the chopped onions, garlic, chorizo sausage, and kielbasa cut into 1 inch pieces, line the bottom of the baking pan with aluminum foil. Cook for another 15 minutes, or until the meats are cooked through, by adding red wine and chicken broth to cover the contents. Serve immediately with crusty bread and chopped cilantro!

CHEESECAKE

When I think of what you can cook in a pizza oven, the first thing that comes to mind is cheesecake. The best is saved for last, because who doesn't enjoy dessert?

This dish can be prepared on the stovetop or in a 350°F oven; it is also feasible to bake cheesecake in a pizza oven, though it will take longer. Begin by crushing graham crackers, then mixing them with melted butter and 3 tablespoons of sugar before pressing into the bottom of a springform pan.

Remember that most wood-fired ovens reach temperatures of 500°F to 700°F, so line the edges of the pan with aluminum foil before adding cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla essence, and eggs. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cheesecake is set; cool thoroughly before serving.

QUICHE

If you have your crust pre-cooked before adding anything else, this baked egg custard is simple to create in a pizza oven. Quiche is the answer for those who can't cook but want to eat nice meals using a pizza oven in the list of things you can cook in a pizza oven.

What Can’t You Cook In A Pizza Oven?

You've probably heard that a pizza oven can cook just about anything. No, not at all! Here's a list of things you shouldn't do with a pizza oven:

Bread Pudding - Unless you have a very long cooking time, undercooking this dessert will result in doughy, unappealing bread pudding.

Bake – anything that requires you to cover the meal with aluminum foil or similar cover will result in a smoky flavor, so if you want to avoid this, use an oven-safe dish.

Rice — it's really against the law in most places to use your deck oven as a rice cooker. Why? Because it's dangerous to cook this fragile grain on your stove with the heat of a brick oven nearby, since it could ignite a fire and burn off any seasonings you've added.

It's time to get creative now that you know what to cook, what you can cook in an outdoor pizza oven, and what you should avoid while using an outdoor pizza oven. Every weekend, try something new and wow your friends and family with your culinary creativity.

Temperature For Wood Fired Pizza Oven Cooking

When cooking various items in your pizza oven, it is critical to change the temperature as needed. Baking and roasting require a lower temperature and a longer cooking time than pizza, which requires a very high temperature to generate a crispy base.

For a general idea, see our temperature chart for wood-fired pizza ovens...

Tips For Cooking With A Pizza Oven

When cooking with a pizza oven, the last thing you want to do is overcook your dinner, which can be tough if you're not used to using this particular device. When it comes to knowing what can be cooked in a pizza oven, you must grasp these tips.

Here are some pointers for using an outdoor pizza oven to prepare a hearty meal:

1. Keep in mind that these appliances can reach temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit or more! When it's turned on, make sure humans and pets are kept well away from it.

2. Never put frozen pizzas in a wood-fired oven without first allowing them to thaw. Because of the intense heat, the juices may boil, causing an overflow and, finally, a fire.

3. Before sliding your pizza into the oven, place it on a floured pizza peel to avoid sticking! Other forms of food, such as baked goods or casseroles, can be unwrapped and placed straight into the stone using the same process.

4. Wrap aluminum foil around any products you're baking that need to drip; this decreases the risk of grease fires by catching oil in a hot pan before it can start a fire along the external wall of your oven.

5. Make sure your pizza dough is rolled out to an even size with nice borders all around to guarantee even cooking. It should be allowed to rest for a few minutes before being placed in the oven to allow for more rising.

6. Instead of using white flour, use wholegrain flour when making crusty bread or pastries. Whole wheat bread has a higher gluten level, which gives it that crunchy crust that we all love!

7. Before cleaning your oven with water, make sure it's turned off and cool. This extends the life of your appliance by preventing rust on both the inside and exterior surfaces. You can protect surfaces even more by wiping them down with dry wipes!

8. Keep paper towels on available while using these appliances; they work well as fire extinguishers in the event of an unintentional grease fire. Don't spray anything onto a blazing fire since it can make matters worse!

9. When at all feasible, use oven-specific cooking equipment. These are frequently heat resistant and won't leave black stains on your appliance's walls.

10. To get the most out of your pizza oven, preheat it empty for at least 20 minutes with all burners lit. Before you put anything inside, this will guarantee that the interior is uniformly heated.

11. When roasting vegetables like peppers and eggplant, keep the cover open. This will allow them to cook faster while avoiding overcooking from direct heat contact. If you don't want to use the full box for one type of vegetable, divide it into smaller batches and cook each batch separately. Add another layer of veggies on top of those already in the oven halfway    through cooking, for example, while stirring the ones on the bottom            around.Then, shortly before serving, spin once more!

12. The simplest method for cooking bread is to cut it into cubes and bake them for 10-15 minutes. This method allows you to prepare numerous pieces of bread at the same time without fear of overcooking or undercooking them.

13. For those watching their carbs, pita bread is a great option! Preheat the oven to 350°F, then lay the pitas on the rack, switch off the burners beneath them, and let them sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.