
In addition to pizza, many other dishes can be prepared in a wood-fired oven. People have been baking bread in wood-fired ovens for thousands of years. There's something very satisfying about cooking with fire, and the charring and smoke of the wood can add great flavor to most bread recipes. In some cases, heat and toasting are essential, such as with Indian naan bread or Mediterranean flatbread.
The best thing about a pizza oven is the cooking time when it cools down. You can light it up for Neapolitan pizza and later make bread, desserts and even slow cooker dishes.
In this article you will find the tastiest bread recipes from around the world that you can prepare in your pizza oven. I've included recipes for all of the breads so you have easy instructions and great ideas.
Here are some quick guidelines for baking bread in a pizza oven.
Cooking Temperature Guide
Fahrenheit | Celsius | kitchen style | what to cook |
750 °F + | 400°C+ | cooking pizza | Pizza, garlic bread, naan bread |
540 – 600°F | 280 – 320°C | The grill | Steak, sardines, shrimp |
450 – 540°F | 230 – 280°C | roast meat | Turkey, baked potatoes, whole fish |
400 – 450°F | 200 – 230°C | baking bread | Sourdough, ciabatta, foccacia, rolls |
320 – 400°F | 160 – 200°C | Bake desserts | Carrot cake, Cinnamon rolls, strawberry cake |
210 – 250°F | 100 – 120°C | slow cooking | Pulled pork, BBQ ribs, stews |
There are some types of bread that you can bake in the wood-fired oven. At the higher end of the temperature range, there are pizzas like naan breads and garlic breads that cook in minutes. Then there is lean bread baked at traditional temperatures around 400-450°F. Adding more fat, eggs, and sugar cooks them at lower temperatures of 350°F until you're essentially baking cakes.
To measure the temperature accurately, you need an infrared thermometerTry one like this one from Amazonthat withstand the maximum temperatures of a pizza oven, as these do not all rise high enough.

How to bake bread in the wood oven
It is important to activate the oven at maximum temperature and let it cool down to the desired temperature. This ensures even temperatures around the oven and retains heat during baking. Preheat the stove with the wood in the center to evenly heat the bottom.
You can push the coals aside or take them out to bake the bread. There are some differences in the methods and benefits of each method. The main thing is that the coals are a direct source of heat, so they cook faster on the opposite side, so the bread needs to be turned over.
Scrape the embers if:
- You need more space for more bread.
- You bake a lot of bread and don't want to turn every loaf.
- You don't mind if the oven gets cold.
Bake with fire if:
- Your recipe requires very high heat, similar to making pizza.
- You'll want to continue baking after the bread so you can add more wood to your existing fire.
- You don't want to go through the hassle of cleaning just yet if you don't need it.
Steam provides a crispier crust in bread recipes. You can achieve this by spraying water on the dome with a hose or spray bottle, or by placing damp cloths in a saucepan. The steam should be visible inside the oven so you can open the door to catch it.
Some tips for baking bread in the pizza oven:
- When cleaning the coals, sweep the oven with a brush and wrap a damp cloth around a bowl to clean the bottom of the oven.
- Generate some steam in the oven before cooking to make the crust crispier.
- Close the door and do not open it for the first few minutes so that the bread “pops out” completely.
- Remember to turn the bread so that it faces the fire.
- Don't cook too close to the fire. Closer means more turning and charring.
- Use a wooden tray to deploy and a metal tray to retrieve.
- When cooked, it should sound hollow when tapped.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing to allow the inner part to firm up.
You need a large enough crust, especially if you're making something long like baguettes. Check out my articleThe best pizza bases from the wood-fired ovento get a nice long cable.
15 breads for your pizza oven:
Naan Brot

The pizza oven is a replica of a tandoori oven in which these Indian breads are traditionally baked. They swell easily, have charred spots and taste delicious when fresh and hot. They can be brushed with butter and garlic and then served with your favorite curry dish.
Get the recipe -wood fired naan
sourdough

A wood-fired sourdough bread is a beautiful thing and a must-have for any pizza oven owner. This flavorful bread is the best choice for brunch with some eggs. If you don't have time to prepare an appetizer, you can find some simpler breads on this list, such as B. Bread without kneading.
Get the recipe -Wood-fired sourdough bread
Roggenbrot

This Mediterranean flatbread is ideal for the pizza oven because the high heat causes it to rise quickly and form a hollow center. Once cool, you can cut them into chunks and fill them with your favorite meats, veggies, and sauces. A great accompaniment to other dishes cooked over a wood fire.
Get the recipe -Wood Baked Pita Bread
garlic bread

Garlic bread can be made similar to a pizza, using the same dough and the addition of crushed garlic butter, herbs, and olive oil. Or you can create a more loaf-like style that is thicker. A great way to use up leftover pizza dough.
Get the recipe -Garlic bread with rosemary
Ciabatta

This classic Italian bread has big holes and great flavor and makes a great sandwich meal. You can cut it in half, stuff it with cheese and toast it into a panini, or just stuff it with ham to make a delicious lunch or snack.
Get the recipe -Simple ciabatta bread in the wood-fired oven
Olive branch

This rustic bread with added olives is great for slicing and dipping in some balsamic vinegar and quality olive oil. The olives provide a savory flavor that goes well with a glass of crisp white wine.
Get the recipe -Olive bread from the wood oven
Tuscan bread

Another Italian bread. Thanks to its crispy crust, it is good for soups or toasted to prepare crostini with pâté or a classic tomato bruschetta. The linked recipe has added basil, thyme, oregano, and fennel for a flavorful, flavorful bread.
Get the recipe -Tuscan bread
French baguette

One of the most popular bread shapes in the world. The baguette is characterized by its long length and crispy crust. This crispy crust is created by adding steam to the pizza oven, creating a beautiful oven casserole. You can do this with a spray bottle, spray hose, or damp towels in a pot. By preparing the batter a day in advance, you'll develop a more intense flavor.
Get the recipe -Pariser Wand
Rustic Bread

This rustic bread made with a mix of whole wheat flour and wheat flour gives it a nice flavor and texture. It's an easy recipe and can be made quicker than some of the other "Day After" recipes here. You won't be disappointed if you cook this dish in your wood-fired oven.
Get the recipe -wood oven bread
Focaccia

A classic Italian bread that's easy to make using the residual heat from your oven. The dough is very similar to pizza dough so you should be familiar with this, or you can use some leftover dough. Great dipped in olive oil or sliced for next-day sandwiches.
Get the recipe -Focaccia flatbread
flatbread

Flatbreads are another super quick bread to bake in the pizza oven. They only take 1 minute to bake in the oven and by the end they are charred and browned and have great flavor. The linked recipe has sesame seeds and chili pepper additions and is great for shredding and dipping in hummus.
Get the recipe -Pepper flatbread with sesame
Bread without kneading

Baking bread couldn't be easier. This bread does not need kneading, but still has a nice open crumb after 12 hours of fermentation at room temperature. Prepare it the night before and prepare it for baking the next morning.
Get the recipe -Homemade bread without kneading
Kaiser rolls

Originating in Austria, Kaiser rolls have a distinctive appearance and a thin, crispy crust. This is done with steam in the oven and a light mist before baking. They are versatile and go well with almost everything from soups to meat dishes.
Get the recipe -Kaiser rolls
Pizza Rolls

A great crowd pleaser when cooking for guests. These pizza rolls are topped with cheese and garlic butter and are guaranteed to be a hit. Regular pizza dough can be used and you can fill it with absolutely anything.
Get the recipe -Pizza buns from the wood-fired oven
Rosemary and Seed Bread

A list of breads would not be complete without seed bread. This interesting artisanal bread has more depth than regular white bread. Add some bread flour with malt and rosemary seeds for a great flavor.
Get the recipe -Rosemary and seed malt bread
Diploma
Hopefully you now have some inspiration for baking in your pizza oven. It's a great tool to start cooking other foods. First, try one of the recipes you can make with leftover pizza dough, such as garlic bread, focaccia, and pizza rolls.
After that, you can opt for some of the more adventurous breads like sourdough or baguettes, which require a little more prep but command great rewards.
If you want to find more foods to cook in your pizza oven, check out my article25 foods you can make in your pizza ovencovering a broader range of foods.