How to Use a Gozney Pizza Oven (With Must-Try Recipes)

Posted on November 7, 2024

With a Gozney pizza oven, you can skip the restaurant and make delicious, wood-fired pizza at home. Picture a pizza with a crispy crust, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked toppings—all made in your own outdoor space.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up and use your Gozney pizza oven, make your first pizza, and try some must-try Gozney pizza oven recipes.

How to Make a Pizza in a Gozney Oven

Here’s where the magic happens. With your Gozney oven hot and ready, you’re only a few steps away from a delicious homemade pizza:

1. Gather Quality Ingredients

• Dough: Use fresh pizza dough. To relax the gluten, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before stretching.
• Sauce: A simple tomato sauce made from crushed San Marzano tomatoes works best.
• Cheese and Toppings: Fresh mozzarella and flavorful toppings—like basil, prosciutto, or roasted vegetables—make all the difference.

2. Shape the Dough

• On a floured surface, gently press the dough into a round shape with your fingers.
• Lift and rotate the dough, letting gravity help stretch it out. Aim for about a 10–12 inch diameter with a slightly thicker edge for the crust.
• Avoid pressing too hard or pulling too much—this keeps the dough airy and helps it cook evenly.

3. Preheat Your Gozney Oven

• Heat your Gozney pizza oven to 750°F (for a Neapolitan-style pizza with a crispy bottom and soft center). Or, for a New York-style pizza with a chewy crust, heat to 600°F; for a thick Detroit-style pizza, go with 500°F.
• Allow the oven to fully preheat. Gozney ovens can reach high temps in under 30 minutes, making it easy to get started without waiting around.

4. Prepare and Transfer the Pizza

• Lightly flour your Gozney turning peel to prevent sticking, then carefully lay the dough on it.
• Add your toppings: spread a thin layer of sauce, sprinkle cheese, and add any other ingredients. Remember not to overload!

Pro Tip: Give the peel a little shake to make sure the pizza slides easily before transferring it to the oven.

5. Cook and Rotate

• Slide the pizza into the oven and let it cook for about 1 minute.
• Rotate the pizza every 20–30 seconds with the peel to cook it evenly on all sides. Gozney’s high heat gives the crust a perfect char and melts the cheese quickly.
• After 90 seconds to 2 minutes, your pizza should have a golden, bubbly crust and perfectly melted toppings.

6. Serve and Enjoy

• Use the peel to remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for a few seconds before slicing.
• Drizzle with a little olive oil, or add fresh basil for an extra touch.

And don’t stop at pizza! Gozney ovens can handle steaks, roasted veggies, fish, and even desserts. This is your go-to tool for everything from weeknight meals to big gatherings.

Best Recipes to Try in Your Gozney Pizza Oven

Ready to cook more restaurant-quality meals? Here are two pizza recipes to try in your Gozney pizza oven:

Tavern-Style Pizza

Also known as "Bar Pizza," tavern-style pizza is a thin, crispy pizza perfect for pairing with a cold beer. The Gozney Dome or Roccbox oven cooks this thin crust perfectly and brings out classic flavors with a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients:

For the sauce:

• 28 oz canned tomatoes
• 1 large garlic clove, crushed
• 1 ½ teaspoons oregano
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

For the toppings:

• Fresh mozzarella
• Fresh basil
• Parmesan cheese

For the dough:

• 7 oz dough balls
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon compressed yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ¼ cups cold water

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough: Add yeast to the water and mix briefly. Then, mix the flour for 5-7 minutes (by hand or with a mixer). Scrape down the sides as needed.
2. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to high and slowly add 30 ml of water, mixing for another 5-7 minutes.
3. Add salt and sugar and mix until incorporated.
4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Remove from the fridge, divide into dough balls, and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.
6. Assemble the Pizza: Roll out the dough into a thin, round shape. Spread the tomato sauce, then top with fresh mozzarella, basil, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
7. Bake the Pizza: Turn your Gozney oven to 750°F on a low flame until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
8. Slice and enjoy!

Apple Cobbler

The Gozney Roccbox’s even heat distribution and wood-fired capability make it perfect for baking an apple cobbler with a warm, slightly smoky flavor. Using a cast-iron skillet in the Roccbox adds a deliciously crisp crust to the cobbler topping, elevating this cozy dessert to the next level.

Ingredients:

For the filling:

• 6 large apples (Granny Smith and Golden Delicious), peeled and chopped
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup soft brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Zest of half a lemon
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup water

For the cobbler topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup soft brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup boiling water

To finish:

• Icing sugar for sprinkling
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, toss together apples, granulated and brown sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, zest, ginger, and flour until evenly coated.
2. Preheat and Heat Skillet: Preheat the Gozney Roccbox to 375-400°F (190-200°C) and heat a cast-iron skillet in the oven.
3. Cook the Apples: Transfer the apple mixture to the skillet and spread it evenly. Place in the Gozney Roccbox to soften and develop a golden color.
4. Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. Add melted butter, milk, and vanilla, mixing until a loose batter forms.
5. Assemble the Cobbler: Pour the batter over the apples in the skillet, giving the skillet a light shake to distribute the topping.
6. Bake the Cobbler: Return the skillet to the Gozney Roccbox and bake for 25-35 minutes until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbling.
7. Serve Warm: Let the cobbler cool slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

For even more inspiration, check out Gozney’s full recipe library. You’ll find everything from savory dishes to creative desserts, perfect for exploring all your Gozney pizza oven can do!

Top Gozney Pizza Oven Models to Consider

If you’re thinking about bringing a Gozney into your home, here are some models available at Bray & Scarff:

Gozney Roccbox Pizza Oven

• Compact and portable, perfect for small spaces.
• Heats up to 950°F in minutes.
• Dual-fuel options for gas and wood.
• (Model: GRPOLUS1632)

Gozney Dome S1 Pizza Oven

• Great for more than pizza: bake, roast, and steam too.
• Spacious design to accommodate larger meals.
• Comes with a built-in thermometer for precise cooking.
• (Model: GSPBNUS1623)

Gozney Dome Dual-Fuel Pizza Oven

• Multi-fuel capabilities with both wood and gas options
• High-temperature range for versatile cooking
• Durable, premium construction for lasting outdoor use
• (Model: GSPDMUS1624)

Want to elevate your outdoor cooking space? Learn more: How to Build a Luxury Outdoor Kitchen

Transform Pizza Night with a Gozney Oven

Bray & Scarff is your #1 appliance store destination in Maryland & Virginia. Visit us online or stop by one of our appliance store locations to explore these gifts and more. We also offer freestanding grills, LP gas BBQs, built-in grills, and more outdoor cooking appliances from top brands like Wolf, Traeger, and more.

Don’t miss out—turn every meal into an experience and make your backyard the ultimate cooking destination!

Related readings from our blog:

• Wolf Grills & Outdoor Kitchens
• Traeger Ironwood Grills vs Pro Series Grills
• Monogram x Lexus: Redefining Luxury Outdoor Cooking

FAQs: Gozney Pizza Ovens

1. How many pizzas can you fit in the Gozney Dome?
The Gozney Dome can comfortably cook one large pizza up to 16 inches in diameter at a time.

2. How long does it take to heat up a Gozney pizza oven?
The Gozney Dome typically takes about 20-30 minutes to reach optimal cooking temperatures, depending on the fuel used and environmental conditions.

3. Can I use charcoal in the Gozney Dome?
The Gozney Dome is primarily designed for wood and gas fuels.

4. Can you cook other things in a Gozney? Absolutely. Beyond pizza, the Gozney Dome is versatile enough to roast meats, bake bread, grill vegetables, and even smoke foods, offering a wide range of culinary possibilities.

5. Can I use my Gozney in the rain?
While the Gozney Dome is built for outdoor use, it's advisable to avoid operating it in wet conditions to ensure safety and maintain performance.