How to Fix Undercooked Pizza Dough？

To fix undercooked pizza dough, it's important to know when your pizza is not fully cooked and understand the factors that lead to this problem. Each aspect of undercooking needs a different approach to making pizza delicious and crisp.

How to Tell if the Pizza is Undercooked?

Undercooked pizza can be frustrating, but it’s easy to identify.

If your pizza dough is pale and doughy rather than golden and crispy, it’s a clear sign. Other clues include the texture. When you take a bite, the inside of the dough might feel raw or too soft.

Another obvious sign is the soft, soggy, or doughy texture in the middle of the pizza, especially on the bottom crust if you find that your pizza has a soft texture, you better not try it.

Furthermore, you should pay attention to the pizza toppings. Toppings should be hot and cooked through. Cold or raw toppings indicate undercooking.

If the cheese you put is not fully melted or bubbly, it's likely the pizza is undercooked.

What Causes Undercooked Pizza?

Several factors can lead to undercooked pizza dough.

One common cause is insufficient oven temperature. For pizza, the oven should be very hot, ideally at 425-450°F (230°C) or higher. What is related is that not leaving the pizza in the oven long enough can also result in an undercooked crust.

Thick dough can also contribute to undercooking, and if the dough is too cold when placed in the oven, it can affect the baking process.

Additionally, adding too many toppings, like tomato pizza sauce or mozzarella cheese, on the top of the pizza can weigh down the dough and prevent it from cooking correctly. Wet toppings combined with a high-hydration dough can further increase moisture content, making it even more challenging to achieve a fully cooked crust.

How to Fix the Undercooked Pizza Immediately?

To resolve undercooked pizza dough issues, two effective methods include increasing the oven temperature and extending the baking time.

Increasing Oven Temperature

Using a higher oven temperature can help cook the pizza dough faster and more evenly. Turning up the heat to the highest setting your oven allows can promote better cooking. High heat settings typically range between 475°F (245°C) to 500°F (260°C). This method helps ensure the dough is baked thoroughly and results in a crispier crust.

Another trick is to use a preheated pizza stone or steel. Place the stone or steel in the oven for at least an hour before you plan to cook your pizza. This retains heat better and transfers it directly to the dough, making it cook faster. If possible, position the stone or steel near the bottom of the oven to focus the heat on the base.

Additional Baking Time

If your pizza dough is undercooked, extending the baking time can remedy the problem. Start by checking the bottom of the pizza. If it lacks a golden brown color, it likely needs more time in the oven. Lower the oven rack to the lowest notch to allow more direct heat to the base.

Here are the basic steps:

Reduce the oven temperature by about 70°F (20°C) and lower the oven rack by one level. First, cook the pizza for an additional 3 minutes, then check it again.

Cook the pizza in 3-5 minute increments, checking regularly to avoid overbaking. When the crust appears crispy and golden brown, it should be ready.

If the bottom is cooked but the top needs more heat, turn on your oven's broiler for a minute or two to finish cooking the top.

If the top is cooking faster than the bottom, you can cover the top with aluminum foil to prevent burning while the base continues to bake. This ensures a balanced final result.

For a delivered pizza that's slightly undercooked, you can microwave it for about a minute to help finish the cooking process.

Skillet Warming Technique

The skillet warming technique works great for finishing pizza if the dough is undercooked but the toppings are already perfectly cooked. First, get a cast-iron skillet and preheat it on medium heat.

Second, place the undercooked slices or the whole pizza into the skillet. This ensures even heat distribution to cook the bottom crust.

Third, cover the skillet with a lid or foil. This traps heat inside, helping to cook the dough without burning the toppings.

Keep it on the heat for about 4-6 minutes, checking frequently. This method focuses heat on the bottom of the pizza, ensuring a properly cooked crust.

How to Prevent Making Soggy Pizza?

For a perfectly cooked pizza, make sure you preheat your oven properly and pay attention to dough thickness and evenness. These tips will help you avoid undercooked pizza in the future.

Oven Preheating

Preheating your pizza oven is crucial for cooking pizza. Make sure your oven is at the right temperature before you begin. Warm up your oven for at least 30 minutes at the highest setting. This way, the oven and the pizza stone or steel become evenly hot.

Consider using a pizza stone or pizza steel. They retain heat well and help cook the pizza evenly from the bottom. You should preheat these tools for about 45 to 60 minutes. This step makes the pizza crust crispy and prevents undercooking.

Dough Preparation and Handling

Proper dough preparation and handling are crucial to avoid ending up with undercooked pizza. You'll need to focus on kneading your dough correctly and managing its temperature throughout the process.

Proper Kneading Practices

Kneading dough properly helps to develop gluten, which gives your pizza the right texture. Start by combining your ingredients and mixing them until they form a rough dough. Then, move the dough to a floured surface and begin kneading.

Use the heel of your hand to push the dough away from you. Fold it back over itself and give it a quarter turn. Repeat this process for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If it feels sticky, sprinkle a bit of flour; if too dry, add a touch of water.

Proper kneading ensures the dough traps air, making it rise well and bake evenly. This step is essential to prevent a raw, doughy crust in the center of your pizza. Don’t rush this part; patience and effort will result in a perfectly cooked base.

Pay attention to the thickness of your homemade pizza dough. Thin and even dough cooks more uniformly.

When stretching the dough, aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Thicker doughs can lead to uneven cooking, leaving the inside undercooked.

Temperature Control

Temperature plays a key role in dough preparation, from the ingredients to the baking process. Make sure your water is lukewarm, around 100-110°F. This will activate the yeast without killing it. If the water is too hot or cold, the dough won’t rise properly.

After kneading, let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth to maintain moisture. If your kitchen is cold, you can preheat your oven to the lowest setting, turn it off, and then place the dough inside.

Lastly, use room-temperature dough. Cold dough takes longer to cook, which may result in an undercooked center. Let your dough sit out for about 30 minutes to an hour before you begin working with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rescue my undercooked pizza dough by cooking it in the air fryer?

Yes, you can use an air fryer to rescue undercooked pizza. Set the air fryer to a high temperature, usually around 375°F. Cook the pizza for 3-5 minutes until the dough is thoroughly cooked. Make sure the toppings don't burn.

What is the best way to fix undercooked pizza dough using a microwave?

Using a microwave isn't ideal for fixing pizza dough, as it may result in a rubbery texture. If you must, place the pizza on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until the dough feels cooked through.

Why is my pizza dough still doughy in the middle after baking?

Doughy pizza can happen if the oven isn't hot enough or the pizza was too thick. Preheat your oven with a pizza stone or steel for at least 45 minutes. Make sure the temperature is high and the dough isn't too thick, and avoid overloading with toppings.

Is it safe to eat pizza dough that is slightly undercooked?

Eating slightly undercooked pizza dough isn't recommended. Raw dough can contain bacteria like E. coli or salmonella, which may cause food poisoning, although seldom are people poisoned in this way. Ensure your pizza dough is fully cooked to avoid any health risks.

How do you remediate undercooked pizza if you’ve already taken it out of the oven?

If you've already taken the pizza out, put it back in the oven at 350°F. Move the oven rack to the lowest position. Bake in 3-minute increments until the dough is fully cooked. This should help finish cooking the crust without burning the toppings.

What should I do if I've accidentally consumed pizza with undercooked dough?

If you've eaten undercooked pizza, watch for any symptoms of food poisoning, such as stomach aches, diarrhea, or fever. Stay hydrated and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe. It's always better to ensure your pizza is properly cooked to avoid such risks.

Why does a lot of moisture appear when baking pizza?

Fresh mozzarella, vegetables, watery sauce, and some meats create barriers and emit significant amounts of water during cooking. Often, high heat can evaporate the moisture.