Are you looking for ideas that offer a fun way to gather friends and family, enjoy delicious food, and get everyone involved? You need to try throwing an outdoor pizza oven party!
With a few easy tips, you can ensure everyone has a fantastic time creating and eating their pizzas, and the memories will last long after the last slice is gone.
If you’d love to start planning your own pizza oven pizza party, here’s how to get started and make it unforgettable. From preparing your pizza party oven area to keeping your pizzas hot, you’re covered with all the details you need for a perfect night!
Setting Up Your Perfect Pizza Oven Party Space
Choosing the Right Spot for Your Pizza Party Oven:
Whether you’re using a portable pizza oven like the HALO Versa 16 or a larger setup, make sure you have a spacious area where people can gather around safely.
Set up on a level surface with a sturdy table nearby for prep work, then choose a spot where everyone can watch their pizza creations cook to perfection. Since the HALO Versa 16 heats to an ambient temperature of 950°F, and the pizza stone heats to roughly 750°F, be sure to keep this area clear and make sure your guests know to be cautious around the oven!
Setting up a Prep and Topping Station:
Next, you’ll want to set up a pizza prep and toppings station on a table close to your outdoor pizza oven with everything you need within reach. For an example of what you’ll likely want on hand:
- Pizza Dough
- Sauces
- Toppings
- Pizza Peel
- Heat-resistant hand protection, like oven gloves.
Consider organizing toppings in small bowls or air-tight containers and trays, labeling each one so your guests can pick and choose what toppings they want quickly. You can make the process of choosing toppings even easier by grouping them by flavor, such as vegetables, meats, and specialty items like fresh herbs or unique cheeses.
Have Your Tools Ready
Your pizza party ideas should include a few essential tools to keep the party running smoothly. As we mentioned above, keeping a pizza peel nearby for transferring pizzas in and out is always a must-have. Keep a cutting board and pizza cutter nearby for serving and any tongs or spatulas for added ingredients that might need a quick turn. This setup makes the entire experience feel like a true outdoor pizza party!
Prepare Ingredients and Toppings
Save Time and Effort by Prepping Dough Ahead of Time:
When it comes to the dough, simplicity is key. Make your pizza dough batch before the party take them out and pre-roll them to set them at room temp for about an hour before your pizza oven party starts.
This makes it much easier for everyone to have fun stretching and shaping their pizzas. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could even provide a few different types of dough, such as classic, whole wheat, or gluten-free options.
Offer a Variety of Toppings:
A big part of the fun in a pizza oven pizza party is the chance for each person to build their own perfect pizza. Offer a variety of sauces, such as:
- Classic tomato
- Garlicky white sauce
- Pesto
- Barbecue
- Garlic-infused olive oil
- Hummus
- Alfredo
- Salsa
- Sweet chili sauce Harissa
- Muhammara
- Mushroom Cream sauce
You don’t have to include every sauce, but providing a few nontraditional sauces and toppings are a great way to get your guests experimenting with new flavors, too.
For toppings, include the classics, but consider going on a taste tour by providing options like:
- BBQ Chicken
- Mediterranean hummus
- Beef Bulgogi
- Taco or Enchilada toppings
- Buffalo Chicken
- Sausage and Kale
- Smoke Salmon
And so many more, but these are just a few examples of more unique toppings you can provide along with the classics.
Create The Ultimate Topping Station
Your pizza oven party ideas should include a topping station where guests can ooooh and aaah over the selection of toppings, assembly-line style. Set up a “build your own” section where everyone can have fun mixing and matching toppings or creating their own combinations for everyone to try. This interactive style lets everyone feel like a professional chef, making the party even more memorable as they try flavors they may not have had before.
How to Keep the Party Flowing
Keep the Pizzas Coming and the Oven Hot:
The best way to keep things moving at a portable pizza oven party is to always have a few pizzas in rotation. With a pizza oven like our Versa 16, pizzas cook fast, so as soon as one pizza comes out, you can put the next one right in. This can make it so much easier to keep the pizzas coming, so everyone has a hot slice to enjoy.
How to Keep Pizza Warm for the Party:
When you’re cooking multiple pizzas at once, you can keep them warm on a baking sheet set near the pizza oven. Alternatively, depending on your outdoor pizza oven, you may be able to place them once finished in a slightly lower-heart area for a few moments to keep them warm.
Not Just Pizza!
Alas, it’s true that there are some people out there who may not like pizza. While we may not be able to comprehend not loving this iconic pie, did you know you can cook more than pizza in a pizza oven?
Looking to experiment can be fun for everyone! Why not look at some of our exceptional recipes to see what you could surprise your guests with:
- Chorizo Empanadas – Flavorful, spicy chorizo with seasoned Yukon potatoes and green olives inside a golden-brown crust.
- Giant Pretzels – Golden, crispy outside crust glazed with butter and salt with a perfect, soft, springy bready interior.
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip – All the mouth-watering flavors of tangy, spicy buffalo wings in a cheesy, creamy dip.
- Pizza Oven Chicken Wings – Game night or family and friends night, these are the oven baked wings you’re looking for!
Sides and Drinks Inspiration for your Pizza Oven Party
Your pizza party oven setup is ideal for pairing with simple sides and refreshing drinks. For a few ideas that can complement the flavors of each slice, think about:
- Fresh salads to counterbalance the hearty, stringy, ooey-gooey cheesy pizza.
- Grilled veggies, as you’ll already be cooking outside, why not toss some seasonal veggies like zucchini, eggplant, or even peppers.
- For drinks, consider chilled sparkling water, lemonade, or light mocktails and cocktails.
Wrap Up Your Pizza Oven Party in Style!
Hosting a pizza oven pizza party is all about good food, good conversation, fun, and spending time with the people you love. With your portable Versa 16 pizza oven, everyone can create their own unique pizza flavor masterpiece while enjoying the atmosphere of outdoor cooking.
Get inspired by the nearly limitless possibilities of outdoor pizza oven cooking and start planning your own remarkable gathering!
Happy pizza cooking!