Here’s How to Microwave Totino’s Pizza!
Whenever I need a day off from the kitchen, I go to the store and grab Totino’s frozen pizza. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare in the oven, but is there any way to speed up the baking process? Can you microwave Totino’s pizza?
You can microwave Totino’s pizza. Still, since the packaging doesn’t include microwaving instructions, there are several things you should pay attention to before baking.
Baking Totino’s frozen pizza in the microwave can be a bit tricky and might not turn out the way you expected, but that is no reason not to try it. To help you avoid disappointments and prepare this meal successfully, I have written down detailed instructions in the text below.
How to Cook Totino’s Pizza in the Microwave?
In spite of the fact that Totino’s frozen pizza is best baked in the oven, you can also prepare it in the microwave by making some adjustments. Before cooking, take the pizza out of the package and wait until it defrosts completely.
While the pizza is defrosting, choose a pan or a tray you will use for baking. It could be either a microwave-safe plate or a crisper pan.
As frozen pizza is pretty damp after defrosting, consider heating it on the stovetop for a few minutes before microwaving it to remove that moisture. All you need is a suitable skillet and a tiny portion of oil. To make a crispy crust, try heating it on a pizza stone.
Preheat the microwave for one or two minutes, place the heated pizza in a microwave-safe dish, and microwave it for 3 or 4 minutes. After you get it out of the microwave, leave it for 2 minutes to cool down before serving.
If you don’t have time for all these steps, speed up the process by setting your microwave to defrosting mode and leaving the pizza in it for 2-3 minutes. Remove it from the microwave to dry a bit, set the microwave on high, and return the pizza for another 4 to 5 minutes.
What to be Careful About When Microwaving Totino’s Pizza?
Though microwaving pizza should be a simple ordeal, when it comes to Totino’s frozen pizza, this product is meant to be baked in the oven. So, since cooking it in the microwave might not be ideal, here is what you need to know.
Texture
Aside from its savory taste, the reason why pizza is one of the favorite meals all around the globe is its texture. A crispy crust combined with soft cheese, aromatic sauce, and pieces of meat is what you expect from this meal. Yet, that is not entirely possible to achieve in the microwave.
The microwave will heat the entire pizza evenly, preventing it from forming a crust as it would in the oven, which will make the pizza soggy. That doesn’t mean it will be inedible after microwaving, but you might need a knife and a fork to consume it.
Another thing to be aware of regarding texture is the available flavors. Totino’s pizza comes in several flavors, and not all are good for microwaving. While variations that include toppings like sausage, pepperoni, and other types of meat might turn out well, flavors such as Pepperoni and Bacon, Cheese, and Triple Cheese have a higher content of fat.
When this grease starts to melt in the microwave, the dough will soak it up, which means the crust will come out even softer. Though the pizza would still be edible, it would have a lesser taste than what you are used to.
Right Choice Dishes
The choice of dishes can make or break any meal. When microwaving frozen pizza, you should have a suitable skillet or pizza stone for defrosting and drying and a microwave-safe pan for baking.
The skillet you use to heat the pizza should be large enough to fit at least one slice. If you prefer to heat the whole pizza, using a pizza stone is the better solution. This will remove extra moisture and make pizza dough more solid.
When it comes to microwaving, you can either use a medium lasagna pan made of glass or ceramic, a microwave plate, or a crisper pan, which is usually made from nonstick aluminum. The last option is the best because a crisper pan heats up the bottom of the pizza, preventing it from becoming soggy and floppy.
Defrosting
Whether you are cooking Totino’s pizza in the oven or the microwave, defrosting is the first and one of the most important steps in the process. If you rush into it and throw the pizza in the microwave while it is still frozen, you might end up with an underbaked, mushy, and inedible meal.
To defrost pizza, place it on a paper towel that will soak up the water or let it sit at room temperature. Another solution is to put it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. If the pizza doesn’t defrost after that, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds.
Overcooking
One of the common mistakes when it comes to baking frozen pizza in the microwave is overcooking. It can happen for numerous reasons.
For instance, if you heat pizza in the skillet or on the pizza stone for too long and leave it in the microwave for more than 3-4 minutes, you will end up with a crumbly or inedible meal. To prevent that, before putting pizza in the microwave, check if it started baking while in the skillet, and adjust the time accordingly.
You can also overcook pizza if you return it to the microwave because it is still floppy after microwaving and leave it longer than necessary. Bear in mind that any frozen pizza will be soggy after microwaving. So, as long as the ingredients are cooked, there is no need to return the pizza to the microwave.
Serving
Microwaved Totino’s pizza might have a bland flavor, so add some toppings that complement its texture. Since it is usually softer than oven-baked pizza, toppings like ketchup or sour cream might make it mushier.
Instead, try adding some greenery, such as baby spinach or arugula. Chopped green or black olives and grated cheese like parmesan, cheddar, and pecorino might also transform Totino’s pizza into a gourmet meal.
How Else Can You Cook Totino’s Pizza?
Though microwaving Totino’s pizza might be the fastest way to cook it, as mentioned earlier, this meal is meant to be baked in the oven. Aside from that, you can also bake it in the oven, toaster oven, and an air-fryer. Learn how in the following lines!
In the Oven
To cook Totino’s pizza in the oven, start by removing it from the package and defrosting it. Preheat the oven to 450 F, place the pizza directly on the middle oven rack, and bake it for up to 13 minutes. That way, you will get a crispier crust.
If you prefer a softer crust, use the baking sheet and leave the pizza in the oven for 15-16 minutes. Use the kitchen thermometer to check whether the meal is done. The internal temperature should be 160 F.
It is the best option for cooking Totino’s pizza because the oven is slowly heating the dough. It heats only the outer parts of the meal, which helps it form a crust. This way, Tottino’s pizza gets your desired texture.
In the Toaster Oven
If you want to cook pizza in the toaster oven, start by preheating it to 450 F. Defrost the pizza and place it on the tray or a pan suitable for high temperatures, and bake the pizza for 17-18 minutes. If, after that, it still seems raw, bake until the cheese in the middle melts.
Though you can place Totino’s pizza directly on the oven rack, that is not recommendable when it comes to the toaster rack.
In the Air-Fryer
Air-fryer is another good solution for cooking Totino’s frozen pizza. After defrosting the pizza, spray some oil in the air-fryer tray or basket, and set the temperature to 400 F. Air-fryer doesn’t need preheating, so simply place the pizza in it and bake for 6-8 minutes.
Cooking Totino’s pizza this way will save you some time and a savory, crispy meal similar to the one from the oven.
Microwave Totino’s Pizza
Equipment
- 1 Pizza Tray (make sure it fits into your microwave)
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 packet Totino's Party Pizza (I used the Triple Cheese one)
- ½ tsp Vegetable Oil
Instructions
- Before cooking, take the pizza out of the package and wait until it defrosts completely.
- Put your skillet over medium heat and put the oil into the skillet. Let the oil heat up and put the pizza on the skillet. Heat it for 5-7 minutes.
- If you like your pizza extra cheesy, you can sprinkle your pizza with some cheese before putting it into the microwave.
- Preheat the microwave for one or two minutes, place the heated pizza in a microwave-safe dish, and microwave it for 3 or 4 minutes. After you get it out of the microwave, leave it for 2 minutes to cool down before serving.
- If you're in a rush, speed up the process by setting your microwave to defrosting mode and leaving the pizza in it for 2-3 minutes. Then remove it from the microwave to dry a bit, set the microwave on high, and return the pizza for another 4 to 5 minutes.
- And, voila — your pizza is done! Sprinkle some sauce over your pizza, I especially like pesto, and enjoy!
