Can you cook anything in an outdoor pizza oven?

An outdoor pizza oven is often thought of as a specialised piece of cooking equipment, primarily used for crafting the perfect Neapolitan-style pizza. However, its potential goes far beyond pizza, offering a versatile and exciting way to cook a variety of dishes. Whether you’re hosting a garden party, enjoying a quiet evening with family, or exploring new culinary techniques, an outdoor pizza oven can transform your cooking repertoire. Here, we explore the many ways you can use your outdoor pizza oven and provide some tips for getting the most out of this remarkable tool.

Understanding Your Outdoor Pizza Oven

Before diving into the variety of dishes you can cook, it’s helpful to understand how an outdoor pizza oven works. These ovens, often dome-shaped and constructed from materials like brick, clay, or stainless steel, are designed to retain and radiate heat. The intense temperatures, which can reach up to 500°C (932°F), enable rapid cooking, which is key for making pizzas with a perfectly crisp crust and bubbling cheese.

The high heat is achieved by burning wood, gas, or even charcoal, depending on the model. Wood-fired ovens are particularly popular due to their ability to infuse dishes with a smoky flavour, but gas ovens offer convenience and consistent temperature control. The design of the oven, with its arched ceiling and insulated walls, ensures even heat distribution, making it ideal for a wide range of cooking methods.

Beyond Pizza: The Versatility of an Outdoor Pizza Oven

While pizza is the star attraction, an outdoor pizza oven can be used to cook almost anything. From breads and roasts to vegetables and desserts, the possibilities are endless. Let’s explore some of the culinary delights you can create.

1. Baking Bread

The high, consistent heat of an outdoor pizza oven is perfect for baking bread. Whether you’re making a classic sourdough loaf, ciabatta, focaccia, or even naan, the oven’s intense heat gives bread a wonderful crust while keeping the inside light and fluffy. Many bakers prefer the pizza oven for its ability to replicate the qualities of a traditional wood-fired bakery.

To bake bread, allow the oven to cool slightly after reaching its peak temperature. The residual heat is ideal for slower, more controlled cooking, and you can bake multiple loaves in a single session.

2. Roasting Meats

One of the most satisfying ways to use your outdoor pizza oven is for roasting meats. From whole chickens and legs of lamb to beef joints and pork ribs, the intense heat sears the outside, locking in juices and creating a beautifully caramelised crust. Adding wood or aromatic herbs like rosemary or thyme to the fire enhances the flavour.

To roast meat, use a cast-iron skillet or roasting pan, and rotate the dish periodically for even cooking. For larger cuts, you can reduce the heat slightly to ensure the meat cooks through without burning.

3. Cooking Seafood

Seafood lovers can make the most of an outdoor pizza oven by preparing dishes like grilled fish, prawns, or scallops. The quick cooking time ensures that seafood stays tender and moist, while the smoky flavour adds a gourmet touch. Whole fish stuffed with lemon, garlic, and herbs, cooked on a cedar plank, is particularly impressive and delicious.

4. Vegetables and Sides

Vegetables take on a whole new dimension when cooked in a pizza oven. The high heat caramelises their natural sugars, creating deep, complex flavours. Try roasting root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, or grill aubergines, courgettes, and peppers for a Mediterranean-style dish.

You can also prepare sides like baked potatoes, gratins, or even mac and cheese. The crispy topping and gooey interior of a macaroni cheese cooked in a pizza oven are sure to impress.

5. Casseroles and Stews

For those colder evenings, an outdoor pizza oven can be used to cook hearty casseroles and stews. The residual heat after a pizza-making session is perfect for slow-cooking dishes like beef bourguignon, coq au vin, or a vegetable tagine. Use a heat-resistant Dutch oven or clay pot for best results.

6. Desserts

Yes, you can even make desserts in an outdoor pizza oven! Classics like fruit crumbles, cobblers, and bread puddings are all excellent choices. For a more indulgent treat, try baking brownies or cookies in a cast-iron skillet, or prepare a tarte Tatin for a show-stopping finale to your meal.

7. Flatbreads and Wraps

Flatbreads are a natural fit for a pizza oven. Quick to cook and endlessly versatile, they can be topped with herbs, spices, or cheese for a simple snack or used as wraps for grilled meats and vegetables. Try making garlic naan, pita bread, or even tortillas.

8. Breakfast Dishes

Why not start the day with your pizza oven? Breakfast dishes like frittatas, shakshuka, or baked eggs can all be cooked in an outdoor oven. The radiant heat ensures they cook evenly and quickly, making it easy to feed a crowd.

Tips for Cooking in an Outdoor Pizza Oven

To get the best results, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Know Your Oven: Every outdoor pizza oven is different, so take time to learn how yours retains and distributes heat. Practice with different dishes to understand its nuances.

2. Preheat Properly: Always allow your oven to reach the desired temperature before cooking. Use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature accurately.

3. Use the Right Equipment: Invest in high-quality, heat-resistant cookware like cast-iron pans, ceramic baking dishes, and pizza peels. A long-handled peel is essential for manoeuvring food safely.

4. Experiment with Wood: If you have a wood-fired oven, try different types of wood for unique flavours. Oak, cherry, and applewood are popular choices.

5. Keep an Eye on Food: Due to the high heat, food can cook very quickly. Stay attentive to avoid burning or overcooking.

6. Clean Regularly: Maintain your pizza oven by removing ash and debris after each use. A clean oven ensures better heat circulation and prevents unwanted flavours.

Embracing the Pizza Oven Lifestyle

Cooking with an outdoor pizza oven is not just about the food – it’s an experience. The act of building and tending a fire, working with natural heat, and sharing delicious meals outdoors brings a sense of connection and joy. It’s a way to slow down, savour the process, and create memories with family and friends.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, an outdoor pizza oven can elevate your culinary adventures. Its versatility allows you to experiment with new dishes, techniques, and flavours, all while enjoying the charm of outdoor cooking. So, next time you light up your pizza oven, think beyond pizza and embrace the endless possibilities it offers.