Quick Answer
A Baking Steel is not just for pizza—it's a versatile cooking surface that excels at bread, steaks, pancakes, roasting vegetables, and more. Its high heat retention and conductivity make it ideal for any food that benefits from a crispy crust or even browning. With the right techniques and a few accessories, you can unlock a whole new range of recipes.
Baking Steel
If you own a Baking Steel, you've probably mastered the perfect pizza. But that heavy slab of steel can do so much more. Its ability to store and transfer intense, even heat makes it a secret weapon for everything from crusty sourdough to perfectly seared steaks.
In this guide, we'll bust the myth that a Baking Steel is a one-trick pony. We'll explore 10 surprising ways to cook with your steel, and share practical tips to help you get the most from every meal.
Baking Steel for Bread: Beyond Pizza Dough
One of the most popular non-pizza uses for a Baking Steel is baking bread. The steel's high thermal mass mimics the floor of a professional bread oven, giving your loaves a deep, crispy crust and excellent oven spring. Preheat your steel for at least 45 minutes to an hour, then slide your proofed dough directly onto the hot surface. For even better results, use a covered pot or add steam to the oven during the first minutes of baking.
The key is to use a dough that has been properly proofed and shaped. A cold proofing box can help develop flavor and make the dough easier to handle. The Baking Steel Dough Container is a 5-liter cold proofing box designed for pizza and bread makers who want a reliable way to store and ferment dough. It helps keep your dough organized and ready for your next bake, and its 5-liter capacity is ideal for proofing pizza dough or bread dough. Cold proofing slows fermentation, which develops flavor and improves texture.
- Preheat the steel for at least 45 minutes at 500°F (260°C) for best results.
- Use a pizza peel or a bread board to launch the dough safely.
- For a crisper crust, add steam to the oven during the first 10 minutes.
Steaks, Burgers, and More: Searing on Steel
A Baking Steel can double as a powerful griddle for searing steaks, burgers, and other meats. The intense heat creates a deep, caramelized crust while keeping the inside juicy. Place the steel on your stovetop over high heat, let it get screaming hot, and then sear your protein. The steel's thick construction ensures even heat distribution, so you get a perfect sear every time.
For stovetop use, a reversible steel like the Baking Steel Griddle — 14"x18" Reversible Pizza Steel & Stovetop Griddle is ideal. It's designed to work both as a pizza steel and a griddle for smash burgers. The thickness makes it a much better option when putting it onto a grill that sits up top of the griddle-grates.
the Baking Steel Griddle
- Pat your steak dry before searing to get a better crust.
- Use high-smoke-point oil like avocado or canola to prevent sticking.
- Let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking.
Pancakes, Flatbreads, and Other Breakfast Favorites
Your Baking Steel is also fantastic for breakfast. Pancakes, French toast, and flatbreads cook evenly and get a beautiful golden-brown exterior. The steel's non-stick surface, once seasoned, means you need less butter or oil. Plus, the large surface area lets you cook multiple items at once, making breakfast for a crowd a breeze.
If you're looking for inspiration, the Amazing Griddle Recipes book is a great resource. It's packed with ideas for using your steel griddle beyond pizza. While we can't share the specific recipes here, it's designed to help you make the most of your griddle.
- Preheat the steel on medium heat for pancakes to avoid burning.
- Use a thin spatula to flip delicate items like pancakes.
- Season your steel regularly to maintain its non-stick surface.
Roasting Vegetables and More
The high heat of a Baking Steel is perfect for roasting vegetables. Toss your veggies in olive oil, season them, and place them directly on the hot steel. The intense heat caramelizes the natural sugars, giving you crispy, flavorful results in minutes. You can also roast potatoes, halloumi, or even fruit for a unique dessert.
For a complete meal, consider using the Baking Steel Griddle on your outdoor grill. Its reversible design allows you to cook vegetables and meats simultaneously, making it a versatile tool for summer cookouts.
- Cut vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking.
- Don't overcrowd the steel—give each piece space to crisp.
- Use a metal spatula to scrape up any stuck bits—they're delicious.
Other Surprising Uses: Toasting, Quesadillas, and More
The versatility of a Baking Steel extends to toasting sandwiches, making quesadillas, and even baking cookies. The even heat ensures perfectly toasted bread and melted cheese. For a fun twist, you can make personal pizzas on the steel for a party, or use it to keep tortillas warm.
The key is to experiment and adjust your heat settings. A Baking Steel is a tool that rewards attention and creativity. With a little practice, you'll find dozens of ways to use it beyond pizza.
- Use the steel as a griddle for grilled cheese sandwiches.
- For quesadillas, press down with a spatula for a crispy exterior.
- Bake cookies on the steel for a crisp bottom and chewy center.
Myth vs. Reality: Baking Steel Versatility
- Myth: Baking Steel is only for pizza: Reality: Its high heat retention makes it ideal for bread, searing, and roasting. Try baking a loaf of sourdough on your steel this week.
- Myth: You can't use a Baking Steel on a stovetop: Reality: The reversible griddle model is designed for stovetop use, perfect for smash burgers. Check your steel's compatibility with your cooktop.
- Myth: Baking Steel is difficult to maintain: Reality: With proper seasoning, it becomes naturally non-stick and easy to clean. Season your steel regularly to keep it in top shape.
Products to Help You Cook Beyond Pizza
- Baking Steel Dough Container — 5L Cold Proofing Box for Pizza & Bread: The Baking Steel Dough Container is a 5-liter cold proofing box designed for pizza and bread makers who want a reliable way to store and ferment dough. This container helps keep your dough organized and ready for your next bake. 5-liter capacity for proofing pizza dough or bread dough. Cold proofing box ideal for slowing fermentation and developing flavor. Durable construction suitable for repeated kitchen use. If you're baking bread on your steel, this container helps you develop flavor and manage your dough, making the process easier and more consistent.
- Baking Steel Griddle — 14"x18" Reversible Pizza Steel & Stovetop Griddle: I use it for smash burgers. The thickness makes it a much better option when putting it onto a grill that sits up top of the griddle-grates. This reversible steel expands your cooking options, allowing you to sear meats and cook breakfast items right on your stovetop or grill.
- Amazing Griddle Recipes: Judge.me %20AppleWebKit%2F537.36%20(KHTML%2C%20like%20Gecko)%20Chrome%2F151.0.0.0%20Safari%2F537.36&site=bakingsteel.com) This recipe book provides practical inspiration for using your steel griddle beyond pizza, helping you explore new dishes with confidence.
A Baking Steel is a versatile tool that goes far beyond pizza. From crusty bread and perfectly seared steaks to fluffy pancakes and roasted vegetables, it can handle a wide range of dishes with exceptional results. Experiment with different recipes and techniques to discover all the ways your steel can transform your cooking.
