Cooking pizza on a Blackstone griddle with premade crust is a great way to make restaurant-quality pizza at home. The intense heat from the Blackstone allows the crust to crisp up perfectly without drying out. With a few simple steps, you can have delicious, wood-fired style pizza off your Blackstone in no time.
What equipment do you need to cook pizza on a Blackstone?
To make pizza on your Blackstone griddle, you will need:
- A Blackstone griddle or flat top grill
- Premade pizza crusts
- Pizza sauce
- Toppings of your choice – cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, etc.
- Pizza peel or spatula for transferring the pizzas
- Tongs for flipping the crust
The intense heat from the Blackstone can cook pizza crust perfectly without drying it out. A pizza peel allows you to easily slide the pizza on and off the griddle. Having premade crusts makes the process fast and easy.
How do you prepare the Blackstone for cooking pizza?
Proper preparation of the cooking surface is key for pizza success. Follow these steps:
- Preheat your Blackstone to high heat, around 450-500°F.
- Use a grill brush to scrub the surface clean.
- Lightly oil the cooking surface – a high heat oil like avocado oil works best.
- Let the oiled griddle heat up for a few minutes.
You want an extremely hot and slick cooking surface to crisp the crust while melting the cheeses quickly. Avoid over-oiling which can make dough soggy.
How do you cook the pizza crust on the Blackstone?
Cooking the crust involves a few simple steps:
- Stretch or roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface to desired size.
- Brush the top lightly with oil or cooking spray.
- Carefully transfer the crust onto the hot griddle using a pizza peel.
- After about 1 minute, use tongs to flip the crust.
- Cook another 1-2 minutes until lightly charred on both sides.
You want to cook the crust for only 2-3 minutes total to achieve a nice char while keeping the interior soft and chewy. Flipping halfway through ensures even cooking.
How do you top and finish cooking the pizza?
Once the crust is pre-cooked, it’s time to add sauces and toppings:
- Use a large spoon or ladle to spread pizza sauce evenly over crust.
- Add cheese so it evenly covers sauce layer.
- Top with any other desired toppings like pepperoni, veggies, etc.
- Cook another 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and toppings are hot.
- Use the pizza peel to transfer the pizza off the griddle.
- Let pizza rest 1-2 minutes before slicing to let cheese set.
The quick, direct heat from the Blackstone will melt the cheese rapidly without drying out the toppings. Letting the pizza rest before cutting allows time for cheese to set up.
What temperature should you cook the pizza at?
For best results, you’ll want your Blackstone temperature around 450-500°F to cook the pizzas. This high heat ensures:
- The crust browns and crisps quickly.
- Any moist toppings cook through.
- Cheese melts smoothly without burning.
Lower heat around 400°F can work but will increase cook times. Higher heat above 500°F can burn the exterior before the inside cooks through.
How long does it take to cook pizza on a Blackstone griddle?
At ideal cooking temperatures, pizza cooks very quickly on a Blackstone:
- 2-3 minutes to pre-cook crust on both sides
- 2-3 minutes after adding toppings to melt cheese and finish cooking
So you can have a fully cooked pizza in about 5-6 minutes total. The exact time will vary based on dough thickness and toppings. Just watch carefully to get the results you want.
How do you keep the pizza crust from getting soggy?
To avoid a soggy pizza crust when cooking on a Blackstone griddle:
- Use a thin crust dough and don’t overload with toppings.
- Ensure the griddle is fully preheated before cooking.
- Don’t over-oil the cooking surface.
- Cook at a high temperature around 500°F.
- Avoid pressing down on the crust while cooking.
The intense direct heat will crisp up the crust very quickly. A thin, unleavened crust with moderate toppings works best.
What are some common mistakes when cooking pizza on a griddle?
Some common mistakes to avoid include:
- Having the temperature too low so the crust takes too long to crisp.
- Adding too many juicy toppings that make the crust soggy.
- Not preheating fully so the crust sticks.
- Over-flouring the crust making it dry.
- Not oiling the griddle enough causing sticking.
- Pressing down on the crust while cooking.
Be patient and let the Blackstone fully preheat. Use moderate, quick-cooking toppings. And don’t press down on the crust which causes it to absorb moisture and oil.
What are some tips for getting the best results?
Follow these tips for delicious wood-fired style pizza off your Blackstone:
- Use premade thin crust dough for ease and consistency.
- Roll crust evenly to prevent scorching.
- Preheat griddle for 10+ minutes before cooking.
- Work in batches and don’t overload the griddle.
- Use tongs for easy crust flipping.
- Top after pre-cooking crust for 2 minutes max.
- Sprinkle cornmeal on the peel for easy transfer.
With some practice, you’ll be able to churn out amazing pizzas in just minutes. Enjoy your tasty Blackstone pies!
What are some fun pizza topping ideas?
The great thing about making your own pizza is you can customize it any way you like. Try out these fun topping ideas:
- Breakfast pizza – scramble eggs as the sauce, add bacon, sausage, peppers, cheese.
- BBQ chicken – barbecue sauce base, chicken, red onion, cheddar, cilantro.
- Hawaiian – ham, pineapple, mozzarella.
- Margherita – tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil.
- Supreme – pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions.
- Thai chicken – peanut sauce, chicken, carrots, onion, cilantro.
Get creative with sauces, meats, veggies and cheeses. The quick direct heating of the Blackstone griddle will cook anything you love on pizza!
What are good pizza sauces to use?
While traditional tomato/marinara sauce is always a winner, consider using these quick Blackstone-ready sauces too:
- Pesto – basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil.
- BBQ sauce
- Alfredo
- Hummus
- Tzatziki
- Ranch dressing
- Tapenade
- Pizzaoli
The smooth consistency of pesto or hummus allows it to spread easily. BBQ sauce, ranch, and other creamy sauces pair well with meats and veggies. Get inspired and make each pizza unique!
Conclusion
Cooking pizza on a Blackstone griddle is fast, fun, and delicious. With an intense preheated cooking surface, you can achieve crispy artisan crust and melted cheese in just minutes. Use these tips for preparing both the griddle and the pizzas for best results. Feel free to get creative with your own signature sauces and topping combinations. Your friends and family will be amazed at the wood-fired style pizzas you can churn out of your Blackstone in your own backyard.