Wood-Fired Oven Margherita Pizza Recipe

There’s nothing like a pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. The high heat creates a perfectly charred crust, bubbly cheese, and that signature smoky flavor you can’t replicate in a regular oven. This Margherita pizza keeps it simple — letting the ingredients shine.

Ingredients (Makes 2 pizzas)

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
  
• 1 tsp sugar
  
• 2 tsp salt
  
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
  
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  

For the Topping

• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  
• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• Fresh basil leaves
  
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
  
• Olive oil
  
• Salt + pepper

Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
   
2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
   
3. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   
4. Cover and let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled.
   

2. Prepare the Sauce

1. Mix crushed tomatoes with garlic, salt, and pepper.
   
2. Set aside.
   

3. Shape the Pizza

1. Divide dough into 2 balls.
   
2. Stretch each ball into a thin circle.

Tool Tip (Before the Oven)

Before cooking, use a pizza peel to slide your pizza into and out of the oven. It helps you transfer the pizza safely and keep the toppings perfectly in place.

👉 Shop Nella Cutlery’s pizza peels here.

4. Cook in the Ooni Pizza Oven

1. Heat the Ooni pizza oven until very hot (ideally 700–900°F).
   
2. Place pizza directly on the stone or baking surface.
   
3. Cook for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, rotating halfway, until crust is charred and cheese is bubbly.
   

5. Finish

1. Remove pizza and add fresh basil.
   
2. Slice and serve immediately.
   

Explore our selection of Ooni pizza ovens here.