HenryMaking pizza at home is always fun and rewarding. Nothing beats the joy of pulling out a freshly baked pizza with its crispy crust and gooey cheese. However, if you’ve ever tried transferring your pizza to the oven without a pizza peel, you know it can get tricky.
A pizza peel is a flat, shovel-like tool that helps you slide the pizza in and out of the oven with ease. It’s a great tool, but not everyone has one at home. Maybe you just started making pizzas, or perhaps you don’t want to spend extra money on one right now.
Thankfully, you don’t need to stop your pizza-making adventure just because you don’t have a pizza peel. There are several everyday items that can work as a good substitute. In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 simple substitutes for a pizza peel and explain how to use each one. Let’s get started.
10 Best Substitute For Pizza Peel
1. Cutting Board
A sturdy, flat cutting board can be a perfect substitute for pizza peel. Wooden cutting boards, in particular, are similar in shape and size to a pizza peel, making them an ideal alternative. If you have a cutting board that’s large enough to hold your pizza, you can use it to transfer your dough to the oven.
To use a cutting board, sprinkle a bit of flour or cornmeal on the surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Then, gently slide the pizza dough onto the cutting board. When it’s time to place the pizza in the oven, give the cutting board a quick but careful jerk, sliding the pizza onto your hot stone or baking tray. Make sure your cutting board is completely flat and doesn’t have raised edges, as these might make it harder to slide the pizza off.
2. Cookie Sheet or Baking Tray
If you don’t have a pizza peel, a cookie sheet or flat baking tray can serve as a reliable substitute. Most homes already have these kitchen essentials, and their flat surface makes them an excellent alternative for transferring pizza to the oven.
To use a cookie sheet, flip it upside down so the rim is on the bottom. This gives you a flat surface to work with, similar to a pizza peel. As with the cutting board, sprinkle flour or cornmeal on the sheet to avoid sticking. Carefully place the dough on top and use the same jerking motion to slide the pizza into the oven. This method works best if the cookie sheet is flat and not too thick, as a thick one can make the process a bit tricky.
3. Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is a simple and effective substitute for a pizza peel, especially if you’re worried about dough sticking or if you’re making a particularly delicate pizza. The beauty of parchment paper is that it not only helps in transferring the pizza, but you can leave it on the paper while the pizza bakes.
To use parchment paper, roll out your dough directly onto the paper. Once your toppings are added, simply lift the paper by the edges and place the pizza (with the paper) onto your preheated pizza stone or tray. The parchment paper will allow the pizza to bake without sticking, and it’s easy to remove after baking. Just be mindful that parchment paper can burn at very high oven temperatures, so be sure to use it below 500°F (260°C).
Read also, 15 Best Corn Meal Substitute For Pizza
4. A Large Plate
If you have a large, flat plate, it can double as a pizza peel in a pinch. While plates are generally used for serving, they can be great for transferring pizzas, especially smaller ones.
To use a large plate, dust it with some flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking. Carefully place your dough on the plate and make sure it’s centered. When it’s time to transfer to the oven, use a quick jerking motion to slide the pizza off the plate and onto your hot surface. Be careful with this method, though, as the pizza can be a bit slippery, so go slowly to avoid any mishaps.
5. A Pizza Screen
A pizza screen is another handy alternative to a pizza peel. Although not everyone has one, if you do, it can be a useful tool. A pizza screen is a flat, round mesh that allows air to circulate under the pizza, helping it cook more evenly.
To use a pizza screen, you simply place the dough directly on the screen and then transfer the entire screen to the oven. You don’t need to slide the pizza off the screen, as it can bake directly on top of it. This makes it an easier option if you’re worried about handling the pizza dough. The only downside is that pizza screens work best with ovens that have high heat, as lower temperatures may not give you that crispy crust.
6. A Rimless Cookie Sheet
A rimless cookie sheet, often used for baking cookies, can work well as a pizza peel substitute. It’s flat and wide, making it ideal for sliding pizzas in and out of the oven.
To use a rimless cookie sheet, follow the same steps as you would with a regular cookie sheet. Flour or dust it with cornmeal, place your pizza on it, and use a quick motion to transfer the pizza to the oven. The lack of rims makes it easier to slide the pizza off, which is why it’s a good choice.
7. Cardboard
If you’re in a pinch and have nothing else on hand, a sturdy piece of cardboard can serve as a makeshift pizza peel. While it might not be the most glamorous option, cardboard can work if it’s flat and strong enough to hold the weight of the pizza.
To use cardboard, cut a piece that’s large enough to hold the pizza. Make sure the edges are straight and the surface is flat. Sprinkle some flour or cornmeal on the cardboard before placing the pizza on top. Then, gently slide the pizza off the cardboard and into the oven. Be careful with this method, though, as cardboard is flammable, so keep it far from the oven’s heat source.
8. A Stiff Piece of Fabric
This one may sound odd, but a stiff piece of fabric, such as a clean kitchen towel, can help you transfer pizza to the oven. The key here is to make sure the fabric is firm enough to support the pizza dough without sagging.
To use fabric, lay the stiff fabric flat on the counter and lightly flour it. Roll out your pizza dough on top and add the toppings. To transfer, hold the fabric by the corners and gently lift the pizza to the oven. Then, carefully slide the pizza off the fabric and onto your stone or tray. This method requires a bit more care, as you don’t want the dough to stick or fold, but it can work in a pinch.
Read also, 10 Delicious Substitute for Panela Cheese You’ll Want to Try
9. A Pizza Box Lid
If you’ve ordered pizza recently, you might still have the pizza box lying around. The lid of the pizza box can act as a temporary pizza peel, especially if it’s sturdy and flat.
To use a pizza box lid, cut off the top and dust it with flour or cornmeal. Lay the pizza dough on top, and when it’s time to transfer to the oven, give the box lid a quick jerk to slide the pizza onto your baking surface. Just like with cardboard, you’ll need to be careful, as the box lid can catch fire if it gets too close to the oven’s heat.
10. A Pizza Pan
A pizza pan is a flat, round pan specifically designed for baking pizzas. While it’s not exactly the same as a pizza peel, you can use it to place your pizza in the oven without much trouble.
To use a pizza pan, roll out your dough directly on the pan, add your toppings, and bake it right on the pan itself. If you prefer the crispiness of baking directly on a stone or tray, you can place the pizza on the pan and transfer it to the oven, then carefully slide the pizza off the pan onto the stone after a few minutes of baking.
Conclusion
As you can see, you don’t need to have a pizza peel to make delicious pizza at home. Many common kitchen items can serve as a great substitute, whether it’s a cutting board, a cookie sheet, or even a piece of cardboard. The key is to choose something that’s flat, sturdy, and easy to maneuver, so you can get your pizza into the oven without a hitch.
No matter what you use, just remember to lightly dust the surface with flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking. With a little creativity and some simple tools, you’ll be enjoying homemade pizza in no time, even without a peel.
Henry
Saint Innocent
Emmanuel
