Pizza is pretty much the perfect food. A delicious dough, melty cheese, yummy tomato sauce and a plethora of various toppings from which to choose. It is also one of the easiest meals to make and reheat in no time since it is can be a microwave meal. Using a convection microwave instead of a normal microwave will ensure that your pizza comes out crispier and better cooked.
If you’re using a convection microwave as opposed to a regular microwave, the process for cooking pizza in the microwave is going to be a little different. Here's some different pizza microwave recipes and how to properly reheat your delicious slices before putting them into a convection microwave.
How a Convection Microwave Works
A convection microwave is like a regular microwave in that it heats up food quickly. You can make a number of microwave meals in it in just a few minutes. However, unlike a regular microwave, it offers crisping and browning capabilities. It also cooks the inside of the food, while a regular microwave only cooks the outside of it.
The way regular microwaves work is that they release waves that bounce around until they make contact with food. This leads to water molecules becoming excited and generating heat, which cooks the food.
Convection, on the other hand, utilizes a fan that forces air movement and makes the interior of the microwave hot. This is how it has the ability to roast and bake food. If you tried that in a regular microwave, the food would not be thoroughly cooked, and it would be cooked too quickly.
Making Pizza in the Microwave, Convection-Style
When making or reheating pizza in a convection microwave, cooking times are going to vary depending on what you’re doing. You can use a convection microwave as you would a normal oven or microwave by hitting the oven setting or microwave setting. If you’re making homemade pizza, you’ll want to hit the oven setting, and if you’re reheating pizza, choose the microwave setting.
When baking pizza, follow the directions for a normal oven pizza recipe. Always preheat your convection microwave and put the pizza on the rack provided. Don’t use a cookie sheet or a pan to bake it. Usually, it should take about 15 to 20 minutes, or you can just check it until you see that it’s golden brown.
If you are reheating pizza in the convection microwave, follow the same steps as you would with a regular microwave. Simply heat up your pizza for at least 30 seconds or up to a few minutes. Just check to see when it’s fully warm. Note that the pizza may come out a little chewy this way, which is why people prefer to use a toaster oven to heat up pizza instead.
Pizza Recipes for the Convection Microwave
When you’re ready to make your own pizza in the microwave, you can follow some easy recipes and make it as nutritious and delicious as you please. There are so many options, from regular cheese pizza with mozzarella and a traditional tomato sauce and crust to a fancier version with goat cheese and arugula. If you want to add some additional protein, try a barbecue chicken pizza or add pepperoni or sausage to your pizza.
To cut down on the calories, buy a cauliflower crust, or to ensure the dough won’t hurt your stomach, go for a gluten-free crust. You can also ditch the regular cheese altogether and opt for nondairy options like cashew cheese and almond cheese.
If you’re feeling a little more daring, go for a play on pizza with pizza rolls or calzones. Stuff them with cheese, sauce, meats and veggies to round out your meal. Then, simply follow the convection microwave cooking instructions, and you’ll have a delicious Italian-style dinner right at home.
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Writer Bio
Kylie Ora Lobell is a lifestyle, food and beverage writer for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles.