A wood-fired pizza is just so magical. There really is something about it. The smoky taste, crispy crust and bubbling cheese combine to make it seem like a slice straight from Italy. It may sound complex, but doing this at home is simple if you follow the proper steps. You don’t need to have the skills of a pro chef — just some planning and quality ingredients will help you replicate a pizzeria pie back home.

So we will give some simple recipes and informal suggestions on making the perfect wood-fired pizza at home.

 

The Basics: What You Need

Before we start cooking, there are some fundamentals to prepare:

• Wood fired Pizza oven or outdoor pizza oven (a grill with a pizza stone also works).
• Pizza stone or steel for even cooking.
• Dry hardwood, say oak or maple, for that smoky taste.
• Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought).
• Fresh toppings such as cheese, vegetables and herbs.
• Now here are a few recipes.

 

Classic Margherita Pizza

The Margherita is evidence that simple is delicious.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough
• ½ cup tomato sauce (I prefer San Marzano tomatoes)
• 1 ball of fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil
• Salt

Steps:

• Spread the dough out into a thin circle.
• Spread tomato sauce evenly.
• Tear mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and distribute on top.
• Toss in a few basil leaves and some olive oil.

I use a dough slip to slide mine into my hot wood-fired oven. You can also cook it in your regular oven with the door shut. Bake for 2–3 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.

 

Pepperoni Lover’s Pizza

This one is for the spice lovers and flavour seekers.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Sliced pepperoni
• Dried oregano

Steps:

• Spread dough with sauce.
• Top with a generous amount of mozzarella.
• Lay pepperoni slices evenly over the pizza.
• Sprinkle oregano on top.
• Bake in a wood-fired oven until the crust is crisp and the pepperoni curls.

 

Veggie Delight Pizza

A lighter one too, that’s chock full of fresh flavours.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough
• Olive oil (in place of tomato sauce)
• Mozzarella cheese
• Sliced bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Red onion
• Spinach
• Fresh basil

Steps:

• Oil the surface of the dough.
• Add mozzarella as the base.
• Layered with veggies and spinach.
• Cook in the wood-burning oven until the vegetables are blackened and the cheese is melted.
• Serve with a sprig of fresh basil.

 

BBQ Chicken Pizza

A fun fusion of smoky chicken and tangy sauce.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• Cooked shredded chicken
• Mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
• Red onion slices
• Fresh cilantro

Steps:

• Place the sauce on the dough.
• Add shredded chicken and cheese.
• Top with red onion slices.
• Bake until golden brown.
• Sprinkle fresh cilantro before serving.
• More tips for making the best wood-fired pizza.

 

Keep it hot: Wood-fired ovens should be in the 700–900°F range for a crust.

1. Don’t pile on toppings: Hate breaking it to you, but that makes the pizza soggy. Keep it light.
2. Invest in a pizza peel: This makes moving pizzas on and off the stone easier.
3. Rotate halfway: Rotate the pizza halfway through baking to ensure an even crust.

 

Final Thoughts

You can make wood-fired pizzas at home; it’s easier than you may think. With some fresh ingredients, a hot oven, and a little creativity, you can have pizza that tastes like it came straight from the wood-fired ovens of Italy. From the classic Margherita to sweet and savoury BBQ chicken pie, there’s a recipe perfect for everyone in your family.

So grab your favourite toppings, stoke up the oven and prepare to create pizza nights at their finest from the comfort of your garden!