Indoor pizza ovens are an ideal solution to make great homemade pizzas without any fuss. Sometimes going out for pizza can be costly and, whilst pizzas are always worth the money, it’s a more cost effective option to make your own at home or to eat frozen shop-bought pizza.
Not everyone has the room or money for an outdoor brick oven, however, so this is when indoor pizza ovens have their advantages. Indoor pizza ovens are deliberately designed to heat up quickly and to a high temperature to cook the pizza thoroughly in a fast time.
They also do not take up much space either on a counter or in storage, and are easy to clean and maintain due to their non-stick surfaces. Pizzas are easy and quick to make from scratch and allow for creativity with flavors - whether you are a pineapple-on-pizza fan or not.
We have found the best indoor pizza ovens to help you find the ideal oven for homemade pizza. There is also a handy buyers’ guide and FAQ section for any unanswered questions.
In a rush?
Our top pick is the Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven, an oven that features a rotating tray to thoroughly cook food evenly without burning.
The top and bottom heating elements can be controlled separately - making this ideal for cooking pizza as the dough can cook on a higher temperature to the topping to prevent burning. This indoor oven can also save up to 60% of energy compared to a regular oven.
Best Indoor Pizza Ovens
OUR TOP PICK
This rotating oven is ideal for cooking 7 to 12 inch homemade pizzas. The rotating function works to evenly cook food, along with the top and bottom heating elements that can be controlled separately.
Sometimes one of the biggest problems with cooking homemade pizzas is that either the topping or the dough can be over or under cooked, so this function allows complete control to cook both accordingly.
If you have a frozen pizza that needs heating, this rotating oven does not take up much heating time, and can therefore cook frozen pizza faster than conventional ovens.
It is also good for other frozen foods such as chicken wings, chicken or fish fillets, nuggets, grilled sandwiches, as well as baked food such as cookies. The baking tray is non-stick for a convenient cleanup.
Pros:
- Rotating oven evenly cooks food
- Separate heating elements to evenly cook food
- Can cook 7 to 12 inch pizzas
- Versatile for other foods
- Can cook frozen food quickly
Cons:
- Although versatile, it is not suitable for hamburgers or fries
EDITORS CHOICE
The Wisco pizza oven is as convenient as it is durable. It is made of a heavy duty stainless steel and features an LED monitor. This monitor tracks the progress of the pizza, from setting the temperature to the time.
This is handy, considering there is no window to see how the pizza is cooking. The design itself is simple and silver, which can blend in with other kitchen appliances such as a conventional oven.
It features a flip-up handle to help store the oven in a cabinet. The thermostat can be adjusted between 150 and 500 degrees fahrenheit, which is ideal for pizza that requires hot temperatures.
As for maintenance, the tray is removable for cleaning and is resistant to rust. This oven can also be used for baking, heating up sandwiches, and other foods that need heating. Preheating only takes around 5 minutes.
Pros:
- Ideal for 12 inch pizzas, frozen or fresh
- LED monitor shows the progress of the food
- Adjustable thermostat
- Removable tray for cleaning
- Convenient handle for storage
Cons:
- No glass window to watch the pizza
BEST VALUE
A popular cooking brand, this Betty Crocker pizza maker is an ideal budget pizza oven. It works almost in the same way as a waffle maker, with its clam-shaped lid that simply opens and closes with the lift of a handle.
Though this lid style may look slightly unreliable, the baking plate and inner lid are both non-stick to prevent cheese from sticking and burning to it. This makes cleaning a lot less of a hassle.
Whilst it isn’t an authentic pizza oven, this product is ideal for heating fresh or frozen pizzas thoroughly. It can also heat up quesadillas, omelets, or sandwiches, making it fairly versatile.
This diameter is 12 inches, so the maximum pizza size it can make is 12 inches. There are two lights to indicate when the power is on and when the oven is ready to bake or heat food.
This pizza oven does not take up much space, just be mindful of the circular shape. This design is compact and can be stored away conveniently.
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- Non-stick pan for easy clean
- Versatile to cook others foods
- Can cook a 12” pizza
- Nice design and color
Cons:
- No temperature control function
RUNNER UP
Another “clam” style appliance, the Courant pizza maker can cook 12 inch pizzas effortlessly. The temperature can be controlled between 355 and 410 degrees fahrenheit which is ideal for cooking pizzas quickly and thoroughly.
It works in the same way as the previous Betty Crocker pizza maker, in that it functions similarly to a waffle maker. There is a 30 minute cooking timer that automatically shuts off when the cooking is complete for safety.
The baking plates have a non-stick coating and can also cook cookies, omelets, nachos, and quesadillas. Additionally, this is a healthier version than frying frozen food such as chicken nuggets, as it does not require additional oil.
It can be stored upright and held by a heat resistant handle, though there is no lock to close the lid properly. This pizza maker features two lights to indicate when the power is on and when the oven is ready to cook food.
Pros:
- Convenient design
- Automatic shut off for safety
- Non-stick baking plates
- Light indicators
- Temperature can be adjusted
Cons:
- No lock to close the lid properly
RUNNER UP
Although this isn’t technically just a pizza oven due to its extreme versatility, the COSORI countertop oven is certainly suitable for pizza cooking. This appliance does everything, including roasting, baking, warming, toasting, and dehydrating.
It even has a rotisserie. Above all, and for the sake of this review, the oven can cook a 12 inch pizza on a removable wire rack. Visually, it looks like a microwave, and the functions work in the same way as a conventional oven or an air fryer.
An LED display tracks the progress of the food, and control knobs allow for the time and temperature to be adjusted accordingly. This is a powerful oven that works faster than a conventional oven, which is why it is more ideal for cooking pizza.
Pizza requires hot temperatures that are evenly distributed throughout the oven, and this countertop oven certainly does that - and with little preheating time, too. At only 1500 Watts of power outage, it also uses up much less energy than a conventional oven.
This goes without saying, but the versatility of this oven allows for multiple foods to be cooked as well as pizzas. The shape is also rectangular, which means that non-circular pizzas can fit in here.
Pros:
- Extremely versatile
- More powerful than a conventional oven
- LED display and adjustable knobs
- Saves energy compared to a conventional oven
Cons:
- Outside can get very hot when in use
Best Indoor Pizza Oven Buying Guide
How indoor pizza ovens work
Indoor pizza ovens work by using convection heat to evenly distribute high temperatures across the pizza without over or undercooking areas.
This is a fault in conventional and ordinary ovens, as not only is the preheating time usually lengthy, but they often don’t target the heat in the right place for a frozen or fresh pizza.
With a smaller amount of space in the oven, indoor pizza ovens allow for the heat to go exactly where it’s meant to go. This means that the pizza cooking time is faster and more efficient.
Indoor pizza ovens vs ordinary ovens vs brick pizza ovens
Indoor pizza ovens are a cost effective and energy efficient way to cook pizza. If you have a conventional oven that cooks frozen pizza fine, you may find that the preheating time matches the cooking time, and the results are often just satisfactory.
Sometimes you want the right amount of crispy crunch of the crust without a tough base. Sometimes the cheese is simply not stringy enough. This is where indoor pizza ovens thrive, because they are designed specifically for pizza cooking.
Ovens that have separate heating components are ideal for this, because you can control the temperature on the top and the bottom according to how the pizza is cooking.
Outdoor brick pizza ovens do stand out on the market for the taste they offer homemade pizzas. This is something that indoor pizza ovens lack: whilst they can cook homemade pizzas, they won’t offer the glorious flavoring that brick ovens give effortlessly.
Brick ovens can also hold larger pizzas than 12” pizzas. However, not everyone has the funds, room, or dedication for a brick pizza oven. This is quite an investment - unless you make pizza frequently.
The beauty of indoor pizza ovens is that they take up less space and are so much faster at cooking food, which is a bonus if you want to cook a frozen pizza for a quick dinner.
Indoor pizza ovens are ideal for a household that enjoys pizza, but if you consider yourself a pizza connoisseur, then it may be a slightly disappointing appliance.
If you want an authentic homemade pizza experience, a brick pizza oven is a better option. If you just want a cost effective and fun appliance that cooks pizza suitably, then an indoor pizza oven is fine.
Another comparison that is often made with indoor pizza ovens is that they are similar to air fryers. Air fryers and small ovens offer a wider versatility than indoor pizza ovens, which is what makes them much more appealing.
If you are a pizza lover, but not enough of a pizza lover to get a brick oven, then an indoor pizza oven will suffice. If you enjoy other home cooked fast foods such as fries, chicken wings, and baked goods, then an air fryer or smaller countertop oven may be more effective.
Space and storage
The real highlight of indoor pizza ovens is their size. These are countertop appliances that usually don’t take up much space and can be stored away effectively, particularly if it is a design that has a handle.
The majority of indoor pizza ovens have a surface diameter of at least 12 inches to fit a 12 inch pizza, so they don’t take up as much space as a conventional oven. Some, however, are similar in size to a microwave oven and therefore cannot be easily stored in a cabinet.
For products of this size, you may have to rearrange your countertop layout to make room for a more permanent appliance.
In terms of where to put an indoor pizza oven, you need to be cautious of the temperature of the appliances. These things can get hot quickly, so it is best to avoid putting them underneath cabinets or near other equipment or food that may be affected by the heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are indoor pizza ovens worth it?
This honestly depends on your intentions and how much you like pizza. If you like the occasional frozen or small homemade pizza, and if you enjoy a quick cooking time, then an indoor pizza oven is a suitable appliance.
They don’t take up much space on the countertop or in storage, they are energy efficient, and can be versatile to cook other foods. If you like to make large homemade pizzas and appreciate the authentic taste and texture, then a brick oven is probably more suitable for you.
Where indoor pizza ovens have convenience, brick pizza ovens offer more of a tasty experience that cannot be matched elsewhere.
The short answer to this question is: where indoor pizza ovens benefit from time and convenience, they lack in the quality of pizza. They cook frozen pizzas just fine, but if you want a more authentic experience, other options are available.
Do indoor pizza ovens work the same as regular ovens?
Yes, and no. Both work in the same way as they are controlled by different temperatures to cook food. However, pizza ovens have a different way of targeting the heat to a pizza, due to the size. Conventional ovens take longer to preheat, and therefore longer to cook a pizza due to the size of the oven.
Indoor pizza ovens focus this heat directly through the pizza to evenly and thoroughly cook the pizza dough and toppings. Indoor pizza ovens often reach higher temperatures to cook pizza properly, as pizza requires a short cooking time with a high temperature.
Where else can I cook a pizza?
The most popular ways of cooking pizza include a conventional oven or in an outdoors brick pizza oven. A conventional oven will cook a frozen or fresh pizza similarly to an indoor pizza oven.
A brick pizza oven offers a more authentic and smokey taste, as well as a crispier texture. If you are an avid homemade pizza-maker, a brick oven may be a worthy investment.
How long does it take to cook a pizza in an indoor pizza oven?
This comes down to the strength of the indoor pizza oven. However, generally speaking, indoor pizza ovens can thoroughly cook a pizza within 10 minutes. They take even less time to preheat accordingly.
This is much quicker than a conventional oven due to the extreme heat that is evenly distributed throughout the pizza.
What else can you cook in an indoor pizza oven?
Indoor pizza ovens can be versatile kitchen appliances. Other foods that can be cooked or heated include:
- Omelets
- Quesadillas
- Grilled sandwiches
- Frozen nuggets/fillets
- Cookies and other baked goods
- Toast
Some countertop ovens, that can cook pizza like an indoor pizza oven, can also often feature a rotisserie function to cook a whole roast chicken.
Are indoor pizza ovens popular?
Yes, and no. Indoor pizza ovens are most ideal for people who want a quick cooking time for a meal - such as parents who need a last minute meal, or students who want a convenient cooking appliance for pizza. This does not mean, however, that they are popular.
Air fryers and countertop ovens work in the same way as indoor pizza ovens, just with a lot more functions and versatility. It may be worth questioning exactly what you want to cook and how much you are willing to spend, because an air fryer or countertop oven may be a more worthy investment.
It has been explained before in this article, but for the sake of answering the question, the more popular method of cooking pizza at home is a brick pizza oven. These offer a larger space for homemade pizzas with an authentic taste that cannot be replicated in other ovens.
Feel free to reach out with any suggestions! Until then - we hope you enjoy the site.
- Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Recipe | How To Make The Perfect Neapolitan Pizza - January 21, 2021
- The 8 Best Pizza Stone Alternatives - January 21, 2021
- What Is A Pizza Cutting Board? - January 19, 2021