We get asked about cornmeal every week in pizza class. Is it ok to use cornmeal on my pizza peel for the launch? The short answer is yes, it will help accomplish the goal of getting the pizza into the oven and onto your steel. But remember, cornmeal is literally ground up corn. Why on earth do you want chopped corn on the bottom of your pizza? That's kind of gross to be honest. Instead, use either flour or semolina flour (or better yet a combo of both).
Confusing? Let me explain. The goal is for the pizza dough to easily slide off the peel and onto your waiting Baking Steel in the oven. The semolina flour acts as a ball bearing between the wood peel and the dough. In other words, it will help that dough stay "loose" on top. If the dough gets stuck, your launch is bound to be an epic fail. We have all experienced that unintentional calzone, and it's not fun. So, generously flour your peel, and say hello to pizza launch success!
Our mantra “less is always more” holds true in this instance as well, UNLESS you are just learning to launch correctly. If you are a newbie, more flour on the peel is actually better!
You worked so hard to craft your 72 Hour Pizza Dough-don’t compromise the flavor with burnt cornmeal! Instead, take your pizza launch game to the next level with flour and stop using cornmeal on your pizza peel.
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