Baking pizza in a campervan – that might sound like limited space, low heat, and a lot of improvisation. But that's precisely what makes it interesting. With the Omnia oven, you can prepare pizza on the go, even without your campervan needing a permanent oven.
For us, that wasn't a given at first. When we took our first campervan trip, we weren't exactly camping novices. I had been camping for seven years. Accompanied camping tours as a guide through the USA and CanadaWe also went camping on our honeymoon through Canada and the USA. Cooking while camping is quite different from cooking in a camper van.
Many things are more convenient in a camper van. At the same time, you have to plan more carefully. The work surface is small. Storage space is limited. Often there are only a few cooking surfaces. That pizza bake in the mobile home We hadn't expected it to be possible back then.
If you enjoy cooking while traveling, you'll also find more ideas here. Preparation in the Omnia ovenFor longer tours, it's also worth taking a look at our packing list for the motorhome.
Baking pizza in a camper van: Why the Omnia oven is practical for this
Cooking in a campervan is rarely about elaborate dishes. What usually matters is a recipe that works with minimal dishes, manageable ingredients, and quick preparation. That's precisely why pizza from the Omnia oven is a great fit for camping kitchens.
The Omnia oven sits on the gas hob. It doesn't replace a full-size oven, but it distributes heat so effectively that you can prepare dough, casseroles, bread, or simple cakes. For pizza, this means you don't need a built-in oven, just a suitable hob, a little patience, and the right pan.
Especially in small campervan kitchens, it helps to prepare everything beforehand. The dough should be cut to size. The toppings are best placed in small bowls or directly on a board. This way, you avoid having everything lying around in the cramped kitchen at once.
Omnia oven for motorhomes
The Omnia is a practical solution if you want to bake in a motorhome, campervan, or while camping without a permanent oven. It's suitable for pizza, bread, casseroles, and simple cakes.
Chris from camper_culinaric shows us pizza from the Omnia oven.
This recipe comes from Chris of camper_culinaric. I came across his recipes on Instagram and noticed how confidently he handles his kitchen knives. After some back and forth, it turned out that Chris had indeed learned to cook from scratch.
After completing his culinary training, he set off to explore the world. He spent a year traveling in New Zealand and later nine months in Canada and the USA. He often traveled by campervan. In between, he worked as a chef on and off. This explains why his recipes for traveling don't seem complicated, yet are still well thought out.
For TravelWorldOnline, he shows us how to make pizza in a campervan. He uses ready-made dough because it saves space and time on the road. This is perfect for trips where cooking should be enjoyable but doesn't have to take up half the evening.
What do you need to bake pizza in your motorhome?
You don't need a long shopping list for this recipe. What's more important is that the ingredients store well and are easy to prepare.
- an Omnia oven*
- a silicone mold for the Omnia*
- a camping stove or gas stove*
- a pizza kit with ready-made dough and tomato sauce
- Salami, ham, cheese, onion and corn
- Pepper or other spices to taste
What you should pay attention to before buying
Before you buy an Omnia oven, silicone mold, or gas stove, it's worth taking a quick look at your own travel style. Not every camper needs the same accessories.
Will the Omnia oven fit your cooking surface?
The Omnia oven is placed on a cooking surface. Therefore, check whether your gas stove or camping stove is stable enough and whether the Omnia sits securely on it. It can be wobbly on very small cooking surfaces. Heat distribution also varies from stove to stove.
Do you need the silicone mold?
The silicone mold is practical for pizza, bread, or cakes because it makes removing the baked goods easier and simplifies cleaning. If you plan to use the Omnia regularly, it's worth it. For occasional use, the basic set is sufficient to start with, as long as you grease it thoroughly.
How much space do you really have?
The Omnia oven is lightweight, but still requires storage space. If you're traveling in a small campervan, you should consider where you'll store the oven, baking dish, and accessories during the journey before buying one. Especially on short trips, accessories that you'll use multiple times are the only worthwhile investment.
Which recipes do you want to cook on the go?
If you only want to try making pizza once, the Omnia might be too specialized. But if you frequently prepare bread, casseroles, cakes, or simple oven dishes, it will quickly become an integral part of your camping kitchen.
Omnia silicone mold
The silicone mold makes baking and cleaning easier. It is especially useful if you regularly use the Omnia for pizza, bread, or cakes.
Pizza in the Omnia oven with ready-made dough: the recipe
Making pizza in the Omnia oven is especially easy with ready-made dough. It's practical for on the go because you don't need yeast, flour, or a long rising time. The dough comes from the refrigerated section, the sauce is usually already included, and the toppings can be customized to your taste.
Chris doesn't make a flat pizza, but rather a kind of pizza roll. The slices are placed side by side in the Omnia oven. This makes the pizza easier to portion and ensures it bakes more evenly in the small ring oven.
Ingredients for pizza in the Omnia oven
- 1 pizza kit with ready-made dough and pizza sauce
- 80g salami
- 80 grams of ham
- 1 onion
- Corn (Mais)
- Cheese as desired
- pepper
Preparing pizza in the motorhome
- First, peel the onion and slice it thinly.
- Cut the ham and salami into small cubes.
- Roll out the ready-made pizza dough.
- Spread the pizza sauce from the pizza kit onto the dough.
- Season the sauce with freshly ground pepper.
- Distribute the onion, corn, ham, and salami over the dough.
- Then sprinkle grated cheese over it.
- Carefully roll out the dough using the baking paper.
- Cut the dough roll into slices.
- Place the slices side by side in the silicone mold of the Omnia.
- Place any fallen-out ingredients on top of the pizza rolls.
- Sprinkle some more cheese on top.
- Place the Omnia on the hob, put the lid on and bake the pizza for about 20-25 minutes.
Here you can print out the recipe as a PDF.
Gas cooker for the Omnia
If your campervan doesn't have a suitable stove or you want to cook outdoors, a sturdy gas stove can be a good option. Make sure the Omnia oven is stable.
This is how pizza turns out better in the Omnia oven when traveling
When baking pizza in a campervan, a perfect recipe isn't as important as being able to manage the limited kitchen space. The following points have proven effective when baking in the Omnia oven.
Prepare everything before you turn on the stove.
Campervan kitchens often lack the space to chop, season, and bake simultaneously. Therefore, it's best to prepare all ingredients before placing the Omnia oven on the stove. Chop onions, sausage, or vegetables beforehand. Keep cheese and spices within easy reach. This will make the cooking process much smoother.
Don't overload the pizza with toppings.
Too many toppings make the pizza soggy and heavy. In an Omnia oven, this can cause the dough to brown on the bottom before the toppings are even hot enough. Especially with ready-made dough, fewer ingredients are needed. Salami, ham, corn, onion, and cheese work well because they don't release too much liquid.
It's best to bake with medium heat.
Too high a flame will quickly darken the base. Medium heat is usually better. Depending on the stove, amount of dough, and toppings, the pizza takes about 20-25 minutes to cook. Check it carefully from time to time, but don't open the lid constantly. Otherwise, too much heat will escape.
Turn the Omnia oven over during baking.
Not every cooking surface distributes heat evenly. Therefore, it helps to rotate the Omnia oven slightly every 10 minutes while baking. This ensures the pizza bakes more evenly.
Plan for cleaning time
After a meal, there's little room in the small kitchen for dirty dishes. The silicone mold makes cleaning easier. Nevertheless, you should remove food residue immediately before it dries. Warm water and a little dish soap are usually sufficient.
Storing ingredients in your campervan: 5 practical tips
Making pizza in a campervan isn't just about baking. The ingredients also need to be transported and stored. This is especially important if you're traveling for several days.
- Ready-made pizza dough saves space: A pizza kit from the refrigerated section is convenient when you're on the go. You don't need flour, yeast, or a bowl for kneading.
- Small packages are useful: Tomato sauce in small cans or Tetra Paks stores better than large jars. Leftovers should be refrigerated and consumed soon.
- Vacuum-packed products last longer: Salami, ham, and cheese are easier to transport when vacuum-packed. This saves space in the refrigerator.
- Keep spices small: Oregano, basil, pepper, salt, and a little oil are sufficient for many dishes. Small tins or spice bags are more practical in a camper van than large jars.
- Shop for fresh produce with a specific goal in mind: Peppers, mushrooms, or herbs add variety. It's best to buy them fresh on the go rather than storing them in the campervan for a long time.
Order in the camping kitchen
Small boxes and compact spice sets are helpful if you cook frequently in your campervan. They are especially practical if you want ingredients and accessories readily accessible.
Who would benefit from baking pizza in a camper van?
Pizza from the Omnia oven is a great option if you enjoy cooking but don't want to set up a complicated camping kitchen. This recipe is perfect for couples, families, or campers who don't want to look for a restaurant in the evening. The Omnia is also practical at campsites without much infrastructure, as long as you have a suitable cooking area.
This recipe is less suitable if you want to eat as quickly as possible or have very little space for preparation. In that case, a pan pizza is easier. You should also be careful in strong winds or if the stove is unstable, especially if you're cooking outdoors.
More recipes for your camping kitchen
If you use the Omnia oven frequently, it's worth taking a look at simple recipes that work on the go with minimal equipment.
Camping trips for which this campervan kitchen is suitable
Having pizza in your campervan is especially practical if you're traveling for an extended period or want to cook for yourself several evenings. When traveling to lakes, rivers, or the sea, a simple camping kitchen is often more convenient than searching for a restaurant every day.
- Spend the night in a wine barrel on the Moselle River – if you want to combine the feeling of camping with a wine region.
- Camping in Portorož – for trips to the Slovenian Adriatic coast.
- Campsite near Trieste by the sea – as a complement to or alternative to Portorož.
- Camping at the Chiemsee – for a camping trip in Bavaria with a lake and excursions.
- Travel by motorhome – Our experiences and tips for beginners.
Enjoy your meal from the campervan kitchen
We would like to thank Chris from camper_culinaric for the recipe. For us, this pizza perfectly demonstrates why camping cuisine doesn't have to be complicated. With just a few ingredients, a little preparation, and the right equipment, you can create a meal on the go that tastes like a trip but remains simple.
Have you ever baked pizza in the Omnia oven? If so, please share in the comments what worked well for you.
Questions and answers about baking pizza in the Omnia
Why is the Omnia oven suitable for baking pizza in a motorhome?
The Omnia oven is compact, lightweight, and can be used directly on a gas stove. This makes it ideal for small camping kitchens without a built-in oven. While it doesn't replace a traditional oven, it allows for even baking on the go.
What ingredients do I need to make pizza in a camper van?
For this recipe you will need a pizza kit with ready-made dough and pizza sauce, 80g salami, 80g ham, one onion, corn, grated cheese, and pepper. You will also need an Omnia oven, a suitable baking dish, and a suitable cooking surface.
How long does it take to make pizza in the Omnia oven?
The pizza takes about 20-25 minutes to cook in the Omnia oven. The exact time depends on the dough, the amount of toppings, and the type of cooktop. Rotate the Omnia occasionally to ensure even heat distribution.
Do I need to preheat the Omnia oven?
Yes, a short preheating helps. About 5 minutes is usually enough. After that, you place the pan in the Omnia oven and continue baking at medium heat.
Can I prepare pizza in a camper van without an Omnia oven?
Yes, you can do that in a coated pan with a lid. The dough will be more fried than baked. The pizza usually won't be as airy as in an Omnia oven, but it can be a good alternative if you don't have a camping oven.
Which coatings are suitable for use on the go?
Ingredients that are easy to store and release little liquid are ideal. These include salami, ham, corn, olives, canned tuna, grated cheese, and bell peppers. Mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach should be bought fresh and used soon.
Can I bake vegetarian pizza in the Omnia oven?
Yes. Suitable ingredients for vegetarian pizza include bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, corn, olives, artichokes, or arugula. It's important not to layer water-rich ingredients too thickly, otherwise the dough will remain soggy.
Can I make vegan pizza in my campervan?
Yes. You can top ready-made dough with tomato sauce, vegetables, olives, and plant-based cheese. Cashew cream or a topping with artichokes and arugula also works well.
What do I do if the bottom of the pizza gets too dark?
Then the heat is probably too high. Reduce the flame and rotate the Omnia regularly. It also helps not to overload the pizza with toppings.
How do I clean the Omnia oven after baking?
First, remove any food residue. Then, clean the mold and accessories with warm water and mild dish soap. Avoid harsh cleaners to prevent damage to the surface.
Enjoy winter – even on the go
Those who travel by campervan in winter or cook outdoors often combine enjoyment with a special way of traveling. We've experienced both: quiet winter days in a campervan, but also relaxing stays in holiday apartments in cold regions of Europe.
Read on and consider:
- Winter camping in Bavaria – our tips for camping in winter
- Winter holiday in Lipno in the Czech Republic – Holiday apartment, snow and time for slow travel
These reports show how winter enjoyment can be combined with travel planning without it having to become a full program.
More about cooking and traveling with a campervan
- Omnia oven recipes
- Cooking and baking in the mobile home
- packing list for the motorhome
- Motorhome accessories for connoisseurs
- Dutch oven sizes
- You can also find Dutch oven accessories
- Dutch oven cleaning and care
- Gifts for campers
- Cool box for camping
- Easy gas grill recipes for beginners
Source: camper_culinaric. We thank Chris for the recipe. However, our opinion remains our own, as always.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Chris and Camper_Culinaric