This easy Cast Iron Skillet Pizza is as simple as it gets! The quick, fluffy dough comes together in just 10 minutes, giving you a soft, pillowy crust with a perfectly crispy edge.
Pizza Overview
Time: 10 minutes to make the dough, 15 minutes for it to rise, 5 minutes to assemble the pizza, and 13 minutes to bake.
Ease: The hardest part is making the dough, which is pretty easy and comes together in less than 10 minutes.
Serving Size: Perfect for 2-3 people. If you need a larger pizza, try this Sheet Pan Pizza recipe!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough - Super easy to make with flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil, warm water, and optional Italian seasoning. You can also use store-bought dough.
Pizza Sauce - My favorites are Mezzetta Pizza Sauce (sweet, spicy, and robust) and Rao’s Homemade Arrabbiata Sauce (spicy and flavorful).
Mozzarella - You can use shredded mozzarella or a pre-made pizza cheese blend.
Pepperoni - I went with a classic pepperoni pizza for this recipe. You can also use sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, sausage, onion, or sliced olives.
Parmesan Cheese (optional) - I love finishing my pizza with a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Cast Iron Pan Pizza
Step 1 | Make the Dough
Mix flour, sugar, yeast, Italian seasoning (if using), and salt in a bowl. Add olive oil and warm water, and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead for 4 minutes by hand or 2 minutes with a stand mixer, then let it rise for 15 minutes.
Step 2 | Assemble the Pizza
Preheat a cast iron skillet in the oven to 450°F. Carefully remove the hot skillet, coat with olive oil, and stretch the dough into a 9-inch circle. Add pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.
Step 3 | Bake
Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the cheese melts and the crust turns golden brown.
Step 4 | Slice and Serve
Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Tips for Homemade Pizza Dough
Water Temperature: The water should be 110-115°F — warm, but not too hot. Water that's too hot can kill the yeast, while water that's too cold may prevent the dough from rising properly.
Dough Too Stiff? You may have added too much flour if the dough is too stiff or dry. Add one teaspoon of warm water at a time until it becomes soft and elastic.
Sticky Dough? If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in flour (1 tablespoon at a time) until it’s easier to handle.
Rising Tip: If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in a warm spot, near the oven, or in a microwave (turned off), with a cup of hot water inside.
Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.
Ingredients
Quick and Fluffy Pizza Dough (1 pound)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for kneading
- 2 ¼ teaspoon instant yeast 1 packet
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning optional
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup warm water 110-115°F
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
- 1 lb. pizza dough
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ to ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ¼ cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 oz pepperoni
- Parmesan cheese & red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Quick and Fluffy Pizza Dough
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Add olive oil and warm water. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the DoughStand Mixer: Using a dough hook, mix until a smooth ball forms, about 2 minutes. Cover with a towel and let rise for 15 minutes.By Hand: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 4 minutes, adding flour if needed. Cover with a bowl or towel and let rise for 15 minutes.
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
- Place a 9-inch cast iron skillet into the oven, then preheat it to 450F while the dough rises.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and coat carefully with olive oil.
- Place a 9-inch cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 450°F while the dough rises.
- Carefully remove the hot skillet and coat it with olive oil.
- Stretch the dough into a 9-inch circle and place it in the skillet. Be very careful—do not touch the hot oil or pan. If adjustments are needed, use a spoon.
- Poke holes in the dough with a fork to prevent air bubbles.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Top with cheese and pepperoni.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
- Run a knife around the edges, then carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board to prevent sogginess. Tip: Use a fork to lift one side of the pizza, then slide a spatula underneath before lifting it out.
- Let cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Common Questions
Yes! Preheating the skillet helps achieve a crispy crust. Place the skillet in the oven while it preheats.
To get a crispy crust, make sure the skillet is extremely hot. Let it stay in the oven for an extra 5 minutes once it reaches 450°F.
Absolutely! A cast iron skillet is perfect for deep-dish pizza. You can 1.5x the pizza dough recipe and layer your toppings generously to fill the skillet. Bake it a little longer to ensure the thicker layers cook through.
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