One of the critical components – if not the most common component – of pizza is the dough. But what contributes to perfect pizza dough?
Pizza dough consumes time to prepare; hence most people choose to make huge quantities and freeze it.
Others prefer purchasing it already frozen from the store. It’s easy to work with frozen pizza dough, but most people struggle to know how to defrost pizza dough in microwave.
To defrost the pizza dough gently coat the microwavable plate plus the pizza dough with oil. Lay it on the plate and use a microwave-safe plastic wrap to wrap it. Microwave for one minute on defrost mode, then turn and thaw the other side for one minute. Place it at the counter at normal temperature for the yeast to rise.
How to Defrost Pizza Dough in the Microwave: Step-by-Step Process
If you’re thinking of a quicker way to defrost food, the microwave hits your mind instantly. It might not work well for every dish, but it’s a sure way of thawing pizza in minutes.
However, ensure you don’t cook your dough in the microwave but only defrost it. Here are the steps to follow while defrosting pizza in the microwave:
Materials:
- Frozen pizza dough
- Olive oil
Tools:
- Microwave-safe plastic wrapper
Instructions
Step 1: Place the dough in the microwave
Rub your pizza dough with oil, put it in a microwave-safe plastic, and then place it in the microwave. Ensure you lay it well on the microwave plate.
Step 2: Tune the microwave settings
Use the defrost setting on your apparatus for better defrosting. Follow by setting the timer to two minutes and pressing the start button.
Step 3: Checking in between the process
Though you set the timer at two minutes, always keep checking the dough while in the microwave. Keep watching for time and remove the dough after every one minute. Flip it and return it to the microwave.
Step 4: Continue the process
Gently empty the dough from the plastic wrapper when the two minutes are over. Press the dough using your finger to feel any hard particles. If none, you’re done with defrosting, but if available, return it to the microwave for 30 more seconds.
Step 5: Ensuring the dough is properly defrosted
Remove the dough again and slowly unwrap it. Search for any hard particles using your finger. If present, continue heating the dough. If absent, continue using the dough comfortably.
Can you microwave frozen pizza dough?
You can microwave frozen pizza dough and it’s the best option, especially if your time is limited and you want a quick fix. However, this approach might make your pizza dough to be partially cooked.
Though microwaving is the fastest way to thaw frozen pizza, it might not be the best option if you intend to have a crispy crust.
Duration for cooking frozen pizza depends on your microwave’s wattage and the size of your pizza:
- 8-9 inches: four to six minutes
- 10-11 inches: five to seven minutes
- 11-12 inches: seven to ten minutes
- French bread pizza: seven to eight minutes
- Mini pizzas: five to seven minutes
Start by setting it on high at 25 seconds to defrost the frozen pizza before microwaving the pizza to make them cheesy and crispy. Microwaving one slice of frozen pizza only takes one or two minutes.
Will Pizza Dough Rise After Being Frozen?
Most people wonder whether the pizza dough will rise after being frozen. But the fact is that it will rise but not as much. So, keeping yeast dough in the fridge can halt any rising process. Pizza experts prefer allowing it to rise naturally.
After rising slightly, put the dough in a bag and insert it into the freezer. Once it has fully risen, cut it into small balls. The size matters since it might take longer to thaw if you freeze bigger sizes.
Dividing the dough before freezing will enable you to bake many pizzas when the time comes. You can still leave it in the freezer, even if it may appear different when you’re getting it out.
How Do You Use Defrost Pizza Dough
Defrost pizza dough works like other types of pizza dough.
Once the dough is fully defrosted, including the interior, allow it to proof at room temperature for roughly one to two hours. The time will be sufficient for the yeast to react and provide enough gas to the dough, contributing to making the pizza crust light and fluffy. Immediately after the dough proofs, you can design it or make pizza crust from it anyhow you wish.
You can use this method if you have already designed your pizza dough into balls before freezing them. If not so, shape your pizza dough to resemble a firm ball after they have defrosted and allow it to proof for one to two hours.
Tips to Remember While Defrosting Pizza Dough
If you’re using the microwave to defrost pizza dough, there are some guidelines you should observe for safety reasons. Following these rules will guarantee better results.
- It’s advisable to rub some oil in the dough and the plastic wrapper to prevent them from sticking to each other and make unpacking easy.
- Always oil the microwave plate to prevent the plastic wrap from sticking to it.
- If using cold water to defrost, it is essential to remove the air completely from the storage bag before closing it and submerging it in a container of cold water.
- If you intend to defrost pizza dough overnight using the refrigerator, put it in an airtight container and close it. You’ll be certain that no bacteria will form in your dough.
- After the dough has defrosted, allow it to stay in the microwave for five minutes. It will enable the yeast to expand and create a soft pizza dough.
- If you’re using a plastic wrapper to cover your dough, ensure it is microwavable. It will prevent the risk of sparking inside your microwave and ruining your dough.
- Always turn your pizza dough at intervals to guarantee flawless thawing; otherwise, your dough will have solid lumps, which is a turnoff.
- Wrapping your dough tightly ensures it heats thoroughly while thawing.
- If you’re defrosting your pizza dough in the oven, choose the bread setting for the best outcome.
How Long Does It Take To Defrost Pizza Dough?
It takes roughly two minutes on defrost setting to defrost pizza dough with the microwave. However, if you’re using a different setting, you may need one minute to thaw your dough.
Using a cold water bath to thaw will take 15 minutes and approximately eight hours if you’re using the fridge.
Alternatively, you can defrost your dough in the microwave oven without using the defrost setting. Here you need to set your microwave at a high temperature and microwave it for one minute, and keep turning after every 25 seconds.
If you’ve decided to defrost your dough using a cold water bath, submerge it in a container of cold water for roughly one hour. Use fresh water at 15-minute intervals.
Frozen pizza takes the longest to thaw if you’re using the refrigerator. It’s better to leave your dough in a sealed container for eight hours or throughout the night.
Does Freezing Affect Pizza Dough?
If you use the right procedure, freezing will have very little effect on your dough’s texture and taste. The slight effect freezing cause on your dough is due to ice crystals formed by liquid from the dough. And that’s why fresh pizza dough is usually preferable to the frozen dough.
But because frozen dough saves much time and prevents you from messing your kitchen, it’s the perfect option.
To avoid noticeable alterations in your dough’s taste and texture, ensure you wrap it firmly before placing it in the freezer.
Therefore, if you leave some parts of the dough open if it interacts with cold air, it causes freezer burn, forming dark spots on the dough. Again, wrapping your dough loosely might make it absorb smells from other foods in the freezer.
Faqs on How to Defrost Pizza Dough in the Microwave
How do You Defrost Frozen Pizza Dough Quickly?
The microwave is the quickest way to defrost pizza dough. Though there’s the probability that the outside may cook a little, it will defrost within a minute.
How Do You Defrost Frozen Dough in the Microwave?
Place your dough on a microwave-safe plate and use moderate heat to microwave your dough for roughly 30 minutes. After your pizza is defrosted, let it remain in the microwave undisturbed for five minutes.
Can You Defrost Pizza Dough in Hot Water?
Using hot water will enable your pizza dough to defrost faster. Start by filling a large container with hot water. Your dough should already be in a plastic bag, so insert it in a water container, ensuring it’s totally immersed. The water will start getting cold; hence you should continue changing the water until the dough defrosts.
Can You Microwave Pizza Dough?
Use a plastic wrap to cover the dough and lay it on a plate, waiting for microwaving. Set the heat on high for around 25 to 30 seconds, depending on your dough’s size. Your dough will thaw properly without cooking.
Can You Microwave Pizza Dough To Make It Rise?
Put the dough and a glass of water in the microwave. Once inside the microwave, the glass of water will heat, creating a warm, damp atmosphere that will enable the dough to rise quickly. Don’t switch on the microwave. Allow the dough to rise for roughly 30 to 45 minutes.
Can you microwave Dough?
To microwave dough, put it in the microwave, close the entry and allow the dough to rise to the maximum. Whereas some experts recommend setting the power low to quicken the rising process, it’s not advisable.
Why is My Frozen Pizza Dough Not Rising?
Temperature and humidity are the two main features that impact fermentation. Your freezer’s temperature is usually at zero degrees Fahrenheit, which is pretty cold, and you’re basically stopping your dough from rising each time you place it there.
Does Frozen Pizza Dough Need To Rise?
Pizza dough requires approximately 30 minutes to three hours to rise in the open air. The best way to enable your dough to rise properly is by placing it next to a window or covering it with a kitchen towel and place on the counter.
Can You Proof Dough in a Microwave?
Yes, boil a cup of water using a microwave-safe cup. Place the cup in the back corner of the microwave, then insert the dough into the microwave and close the door. Let the door rise until it doubles.
What Happens If You Microwave Bread Dough?
If you microwave your bread dough, you won’t spoil your microwave, but you’ll ruin your bread. Microwaving your bread for about 10 seconds will release enough moisture to make it tough, stale, and gummy. The best way to revive stale bread is to put it in the microwave for some minutes.
How Do I Cook Frozen Pizza Dough?
Take some oil or cooking oil spray and gently brush it on your dough. Cover the bowl using a clean cloth or waxed paper. Put the bowl somewhere warm, like inside the oven with the lights on or the upper part of a radiator.
Conclusion
The microwave has proven to be efficient and effective in simplifying our lives. It heats food quicker, cook some foods faster, and defrosts meat and different frozen foods faster.
If it’s late at night and your kids are demanding pizza for dinner, you shouldn’t worry a dime. If you have some frozen dough, follow the steps above on how to defrost pizza dough, and within no time, you’ll be serving your kids pizza. But, ensure you set the correct time and keep checking to avoid cooking the pizza dough while defrosting.
