How to Cook Pizza on a Pellet Grill (The Complete Guide)

how to cook pizza on a pellet grill

Is there anyone on the planet who doesn’t love pizza? The poor souls who are gluten-free or dairy-free have a tougher time, but even they’ll give anything pizza-shaped a try. If you’re addicted to the incredible results your pellet grill offers, then you’ve likely considered if cooking a pizza on it is possible. Well, we have good news – it is! You can get that authentic wood-fired flavor that we usually have to rely on restaurants to offer. Here’s everything you need to know about how to cook pizza on a pellet grill plus a simple but delicious recipe to help you get started!

 

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about the equipment you’ll need. We recommend using a Z Grills 10502B pellet grill and cherry wood pellets. The Z Grills 10502B pellet grill is an excellent option for cooking pizza because it has a temperature range of 180°F to 450°F, making it easy to control the heat. Cherry wood pellets are a great choice because they impart a sweet and mild flavor that complements the pizza’s toppings.

Now that you have your equipment and pellets, let’s get started on the recipe.

Table of Contents

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    Does My Pizza Need to be Homemade?

    You can get some delicious results with your homemade pizzas on a pellet grill, but you don’t need to make them homemade. You can make them from scratch, use pizza bases, use fresh store-bought pizza, or even frozen pizza – it’s entirely up to you!

    Do I Need to Use a Pizza Stone on my Pellet Grill?

    No, you definitely don’t need to use a pizza stone, so if you’ve got your pizzas ready and are doing a quick search for whether you can put them on your grill, you can move ahead.

    However, if you want to cook fresh pizzas often or have a grill with wide grates, it would be a good idea to invest in a pizza stone. You can use a baking sheet in a pinch, but a pizza stone distributes the heat evenly and makes for a better crust.

    What Temperature Do You Cook Pizza on a Pellet Grill?

    When cooking pizza on a pellet grill, it’s important to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. We recommend preheating your pellet grill to a temperature of 450°F. This temperature range will allow your pizza to cook evenly and achieve a crispy crust while ensuring that the toppings are cooked to perfection.

    How Long to Cook Pizza on a Pellet Grill?

    As for the cooking time, it can vary depending on the thickness of the crust and the toppings you’re using. Generally, a pizza on a pellet grill takes around 8-9 minutes to cook. However, it’s important to check the pizza at the 4-minute mark to ensure even cooking. After 8 minutes, start checking for doneness using a meat thermometer. Once the pizza reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it’s ready to be removed from the grill.

    Remember, cooking pizza on a pellet grill takes a bit longer than cooking it in a traditional oven. So, be patient and keep an eye on the pizza to ensure it doesn’t burn. With the right temperature and cooking time, you’ll be able to create a delicious and smoky pizza that will impress your family and friends.

    How to Cook Pizza on a Pellet Grill

    Without a Pizza Stone

    Before you get started, have a look at your grill grates and consider if your pizza is likely to collapse through the grates. While a droopy and overly crispy edge to your pizza isn’t the end of the world, it is a bit disappointing, so if your grates are wide and you don’t have a pizza stone, use a large baking sheet if you have one.

    Once you know how you’re going to cook the pizza, set your pellet grill to the highest temperature setting – we need it hot for pizza! Wait for 15 minutes before you add the pizza, as you need the grates to be hot so your pizza doesn’t sag.

    Allow the pizza to cook for around 12 minutes, but keep an eye on it to ensure the crust doesn’t burn. If you’re cooking from frozen, follow the temperature and timing on the packaging.

    With a Pizza Stone

    Heat the pellet grill as directed above, and allow the pizza stone to sit on the grill for half an hour, and then add the pizza. Allow the pizza to cook for about 8 minutes, or follow the directions on the packaging for a pizza.

    Step 1: Start by Making the Dough

    To make homemade pizza, the first step is to make the dough. In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Wait for 10 minutes until the yeast is activated and the mixture becomes foamy. Then, add flour, oil, and salt to the yeast mixture and beat until smooth. Doing so by hand is fine.

    making the tough

    Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

    Once the dough is mixed, move it to a bowl rubbed with oil to rise. This can take up to 3 hours. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and place it in a warm, draft-free area. The dough should double in size.

    Step 3: Stretch the Dough

    After the dough has risen, it’s time to stretch it. Using your fingers, press the dough and let gravity do the work for you. Use plenty of flour to prevent sticking. Practice makes perfect, so don’t worry if it takes a few tries to get it right. Stretch the dough until it’s the desired size and thickness for your pizza.

    Step 4: Build Your Pie

    Now it’s time to build your pizza. Add your freshly grated mozzarella cheese first, followed by the rest of the ingredients. You can choose any toppings you like, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers.

    build your pie for your pizza

    Step 5: Preheat Your Grill

    Preheat your Z Grills pellet grill to 450°F. This will ensure that your pizza cooks evenly and gets that crispy crust that everyone loves.

    raising the temperature of pellet grill to 450F

    Step 6: Cook Your Pizza

    Once your grill is preheated, it’s time to cook your pizza. After both your stone have reached about 485°F, add your pie to the grate. Cook the pizza for about 4 minutes and then check for even cooking. At around 8 minutes, start checking for doneness using a meat thermometer. Once the pizza is cooked to your liking, remove it from the grill.

    place the pizza on the grill grate

    Step 7: Add Your Finishing Touches

    Once finished, return the pizza to the board and add your Pecorino Romano. This will add a delicious, salty flavor to your pizza. Slice the pizza into 8 pieces and enjoy! You can take the pizza to-go for a delicious meal on the go. You can take the pizza to-go for about 8 pieces.

    remove the pizza from your grills

    Tips for Cooking Pizza on a Pellet Grill

    Now that you know how to make a delicious pellet grill pizza, let’s talk about some tips and tricks to ensure your pizza is perfect every time.

    1. Make sure your pellet grill is clean before cooking. Any leftover debris can affect the flavor of your pizza.
    2. Using a pizza stone. A pizza stone will help distribute the heat evenly and prevent the pizza from sticking to the grill grates.
    3. Be patient. Cooking pizza on a pellet grill takes a bit longer than cooking it in a traditional oven. But trust us, the wait is worth it!

    Can you cook a frozen pizza on a pellet grill? 

    The answer is yes! Simply follow the cooking instructions on the frozen pizza packaging, but instead of cooking it in the oven, place it directly on the pellet grill grates. The result will be a deliciously smoky and crispy pizza.

    Ready to Make Your Own Pizza?

    Cooking pizza on a pellet grill is a unique and delicious way to enjoy this classic dish. With the right equipment, pellets, and recipe, you can make a perfect pellet grill pizza every time. So, fire up your pellet grill, grab some dough and toppings, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and smoky pizza!

    5 from 1 vote

    Pellet Grill Pizza Recipe

    To cook a delicious pizza on a Z Grills pellet grill, preheat the grill to a high temperature, use a pizza stone or pan, and monitor the cooking process closely. With the following simple steps, you can enjoy a crispy crust and tasty toppings on your homemade pizza.
    For vegetarian or even vegan pizzas, avoid the strong pellets as they have a tendency to overpower your toppings, so stick to things like oak and cherry for a milder flavor.
    Servings 4
    Prep Time 3 hours 10 minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes
    Total Time 3 hours 18 minutes

    Equipment

    • Z Grills 10502B Wood Pellet Grill
    • Z Grills Cherry Wood Pellets

    Ingredients

    For the dough

    • cup  warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
    • 0.25 oz package active dry yeast
    • 1 teaspoon  white sugar
    • 2 ½  cups bread flour
    • tablespoons  olive oil
    • teaspoon  salt
    • 1 tablespoon dash of Honey

    For the White Pizza

    • 2 cups fresh grated mozzarella cheese
    • fresh mozzarella sliced
    • ricotta cheese
    • fresh Basil
    • Pecorino Romano to finish

    Instructions

    • Start by making the dough. Place warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) in a bowl; add yeast and sugar. Wait for 10 minutes. This will activate the yeast. Once foamy, proceed to the next step.
    • Add flour, oil, and salt to the yeast mixture; beat until smooth. Doing so by hand is fine.
    • Move the dough to a bowl rubbed with oil to rise. This can take up to 3 hours.
    • Stretch the dough. Using your fingers, press the dough. Let gravity do the work for you. Use plenty of flour to prevent sticking. Practice makes perfect.
    • Build your pie. Add your freshly grated mozzarella cheese first, followed by the rest of the ingredients.
    • Preheat your Z Grills pellet grill to 450F.
    • After your stone has reached about 485F, add your pie to the grate.
    • Check for even cooking at the 4-minute mark. At around 8 minutes, start checking for doneness using a meat thermometer.
    • Once finished, return the pizza to the board and add your Pecorino Romano.
    • Slice and enjoy! You can take the pizza to-go for about 8 pieces.

    Video

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: BBQ, Vegetable

    About The Author

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    Z Grills

    Z Grills is a grill manufacturer with over 30 years of experience within the industry. With over 650,000 pellet grills sold and 85 million cooks made, trust us.

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    1. 5 stars
      I have not tried pizza yet but cannot wait

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