Yes, pizza can be baked in a convection oven, and it can actually be a great option for achieving a crispy and evenly cooked crust. A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air around the food, which helps to promote even cooking and browning. Here are some tips for baking pizza in a convection oven:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your convection oven to the recommended temperature for pizza baking. Convection ovens typically cook faster than conventional ovens, so you may need to adjust the temperature or cooking time accordingly.
Use a Pizza Stone or Baking Steel: For the best results, consider using a pizza stone or baking steel. Preheat the stone or steel along with the oven. This will help create a crispy bottom crust by absorbing and evenly distributing heat.
Prepare the Pizza: Assemble your pizza with your desired toppings on a pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or cornmeal. The parchment paper or cornmeal will make it easier to transfer the pizza to the hot pizza stone or baking steel.
Transfer the Pizza to the Oven: If using a pizza stone or baking steel, carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated surface. If you're using a baking sheet, place the sheet directly on the oven rack or use a baking tray designed for convection cooking.
Monitor the Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the pizza while it's baking. Convection ovens can cook food faster, so your pizza may be done sooner than expected. Check for the desired level of crust browning and cheese melt.
Rotate the Pizza: If you notice uneven cooking due to the oven's fan circulation, you can rotate the pizza halfway through the baking process to ensure even browning.
Consider Lowering the Temperature: If you find that the crust is browning too quickly on the outside but not fully cooking inside, you can try lowering the oven temperature slightly and extending the cooking time.
Broil for Crispiness: For an extra crispy finish, you can switch your convection oven to the broil setting for the last minute or two of cooking. This will help achieve a nicely browned and bubbly cheese topping.
By following these tips, you should be able to bake a delicious pizza with a crispy crust and evenly cooked toppings using your convection oven. Just remember to adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed based on your oven's performance.