When you’re scanning the pizza aisle at the grocery store, you probably have a couple main options: frozen pizzas (of which there are likely to be many varieties), as well as a few fresh, “take-and-bake” pizzas.
Is either option inherently better than the other? Not necessarily, though there are some differences for you to consider when making your purchase decision. Here’s what you should know about how frozen pizza is different from take-and-bake options.
Temperature and cooking
Obviously, the biggest difference between these two categories of pizza is the temperature at which they start. One is obviously frozen, while the other may have dough that’s been sitting at room temperature for several hours, or has maybe been refrigerated instead of frozen. This means frozen pizzas need to defrost while they cook.
This means you can generally expect it to take a little longer to cook a frozen pizza than a fresh take-and-bake option, because the first portion of the pizza’s cooking time involves it actually defrosting before it can then start to add crispiness and color to the crust and toppings. As long as you plan ahead, this shouldn’t be an issue, but it’s something you’re going to want to at least consider.
Texture
The frozen nature of frozen pizzas means you’re going to end up with a different texture than you might experience with a fresh take-and-bake pizza. The crust is not likely to rise as much, and bubbles also won’t be as large. This means you’re more likely to get a denser, crunchier pizza than you might get with a fresh pizza.
Is the pizza better or worse this way? Well, it really just depends on your own personal preference. If you want more rise and a softer texture, then take-and-bake is probably for you. But if you like a bit of crunch, and the convenience of being able to take the pizza right out of the freezer to pop it into the oven, then you can’t beat frozen.
Availability and versatility
One of the best things about frozen vs. fresh pizzas is that you can keep them in your freezer and have them ready to go at a moment’s notice. If you’re in need of an easy meal, just grab a frozen pizza out of your freezer and get cooking.
You don’t have quite this level of availability or versatility with take-and-bake pizzas, as they will have some more stringent guidelines for usage time. Depending on the pizza type, size and packaging, you may or may not be able to freeze it, which would put long-term storage out of the question. You don’t have to worry about this being an issue with frozen pizzas.
These are just a few examples of some of the differences that exist between frozen pizzas and take-and-bake, fresh pizzas. Ultimately your decision comes down to your personal preferences and what you like to get out of your pizzas at home. Contact Giovanni’s Frozen Pizza for more information about our gourmet frozen pizzas, which are made with only the freshest ingredients.