There is no single way to enjoy a good pizza. Some like it freshly baked, while some like it cold. With the advent of microwaves in kitchens all around the world, microwavable frozen pizzas are also a very popular way to eat this delicacy.
Well, some will tell you that microwave pizzas such as Totino’s pizza are not worth it but think about it, can you always be bothered to knead pizza dough and make a fresh pizza with fresh ingredients? Getting it delivered is always an option but microwaveables are a viable option too.
In this article, we shall find out whether Totino’s party pizza can be microwaved or not. This question arises because of the pizza crust, which can either get too mushy or too crisp if microwaved for a longer period than necessary.
So can we cook Totino’s pizza in the microwave? Let us find out.
Can You Microwave Totino’s Pizza?
Yes, you can put Totino’s Pizzas in the microwave.
Totino’s Pizza is a well-known brand name that deals in multiple types of pizza products, such as pizza rolls, snack bites, party pizzas, pizza stuffers, etc.
Strictly speaking, if one were to follow Totino’s pizza microwave instructions from the manufacturer itself then the pizza rolls, snack bites, and pizza stuffers are perfectly fine for being microwaved and eaten. But for the party pizzas and party pizza multipacks, Totino’s does not recommend a microwave but rather an oven or a toaster oven.
However, this does not mean that you cannot cook Totino’s pizza inside the microwave, you just have to know the correct time and temperature settings as well as the proper instructions to microwave Totino’s party pizzas.
Many consumers complain of a soggy crust after they microwave the pizza and this is why the whole question of if these party pizzas can be microwaved, arises.
The thing is yes you can definitely cook Totino’s party pizzas in a microwave oven however it may hamper the quality a bit and by quality, strictly the crust is meant. That said, the resultant pizza will not be inedible and tasteless but rather a pizza with proper toppings and a bit chewier than the usual crust.
But why does this happen? For that, we have to understand how food is cooked or heated inside a microwave oven. The primary pre-condition to cooking food inside a microwave is that the food in question has water inside it, no matter how little.
The water molecules inside the food absorb the radiation from the oven and start to vibrate as they heat up while transferring the heat to the surrounding food.
So when you cook Totino’s pizza inside the microwave, the timing is really important, as in how long and at what temperature you are setting it for. If the water inside the pizza dough turns into steam it will become mushy and chewy and if you microwave the pizza for a longer duration, the steam will evaporate and the crust will become extra crispy, practically like a cookie.
How long does it take to microwave Totino’s pizza?
Totino’s pizza microwave time differs for each of its products. Pizza rolls and snack bites are considerably smaller than the party pizzas and thus have less dough and toppings or fillings and need less time to be cooked.
Since there is no official instruction from the manufacturer about the timing required for microwaving Totino’s party pizzas, the time will vary depending on certain conditions. However, an average of 4 minutes is enough to cook it thoroughly. The microwaving has to be done in two increments of 2 minutes each.
The kinds of toppings however may affect the cooking time. For instance, cheese pizzas take less time to cook than pepperoni and supreme pizza.
You might want to defrost the pizzas before microwaving them if it is frozen, that is. Letting it thaw for 10 minutes on the kitchen counter or just microwaving it to a defrost setting will do.
For the pizza stuffers, the total microwave time is 2 mins and 30 seconds for a single piece while for two, the time is 3 minutes. Microwave it on high for 1 min ( for one stuffer ) and 1 min 30 seconds ( for two stuffers ) then flip it over and use the rest of the instructed time to cook the other side. After the microwave stops, let the stuffers sit inside the microwave for two minutes before you bring it out.
The Pizza rolls can be microwaved six at a time and you only need 1 min and 15 seconds to do it. For microwaving 12 pizza rolls at a time, 2 mins time is enough.
How to Microwave Totino’s Pizza?
It is very easy to cook Totino’s pizza in the microwave oven. The key factor is following some simple steps which have been laid out for you.
Prep the Pizza
Prepping instructions for pizza include thawing it properly before putting it in the microwave and making sure to take off the plastic wrap.
Take the plastic wrap off of the pizza before you let it thaw, otherwise, if you do it later then the toppings will stick to the wrap and come off in places.
Taking the plastic wrap is necessary and you should never microwave a Totino’s pizza with its plastic wrap on. If you do, the entire thing will be inedible as the plastic will melt all over your pizza and not mention the mess inside the oven it will make.
For thawing the pizza, if you have time then let it sit outside the refrigerator for 10 minutes before microwaving it and if you are short of time then simply put it inside the microwave on a defrost setting for 50 seconds to 1 minute before you cook it.
Microwave the pizza
Needless to mention, the pizza should be put on a microwave-safe utensil before you stick it inside the oven.
If you want a crispy crust, put the pizza directly on the middle oven rack. For a less crispy crust, put it on a tray covered with parchment paper or a baking sheet.
You have to cook the pizza until the cheese in the center is melted and the outer rim has become golden brown.
Now the cooking time will depend on what type of pizza is being cooked. A cheese pizza for example will take about 4 minutes on the cooking rack and 5-6 minutes on the baking tray. A supreme pizza however will take longer to cook and it will easily be 6 minutes before it is ready when put on a cooking rack and almost 8 minutes to cook on the baking tray. You can also simply use a ceramic or glass plate instead of a baking tray.
- The microwave has to be operated in 2 increments.
- If you set the timer for 4 mins then pause the oven at 2 mins and take the pizza out. Get a pizza cutter and slice the party pizza into four equal square slices.
- Now, rotate the slices so that the corners that were facing the outer side of the plate now face the inside. After you have done this, put the pizza back into the oven for the remainder of the time. This will ensure even distribution of heating and all the corners will be cooked properly.
The important thing is to keep an eye on the cooking pizza and if the cheese starts to melt before the mentioned time and you can see golden outer rims, then you can turn it off even if the mentioned time has not elapsed.
Alternatively, just pick up one topping which takes longer to cook such as onion or a bell pepper with a fork and give it a taste to see if the pizza is cooked.
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4 Tips on Microwaving Totino’s Pizza
The prime concern with Totino’s pizzas seems to be that microwaving it makes the crust soggy. But there are ways to avoid that.
- Use the dual method of stove and microwave. While the pizza is thawing, heat up a cast iron pan on the stove and cover it with oil or butter. This will ensure that the pizza does not stick to the pan. Now put the pizza on the heated pan and let it sit for 5 to 6 minutes without the flame. This will caramelize and stiffen the crust. You can then microwave the pizza to get a perfect crust.
- Using a crisper pan will also help in getting an ideal crust. If your microwave has a setting for crispy then it should come with a crisper pan as well. Preheat the pan for 2 to 3 minutes and then spray it with some oil or butter after which you can use it as usual inside the microwave.
- Do not store microwaved Totino’s pizza inside the freezer without covering it with foil or plastic wrap.
- If you want to reheat an already cooked party pizza the time duration should be no longer than 2 minutes for a thawed and defrosted pizza.
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Final Thoughts
If you are in a hurry and are craving some pizza but cannot be bothered to order takeout, then Totino’s pizza is the perfect thing for you. Just make sure to keep the cooking instructions in mind and enjoy your pizza!