Tom Brady's go-to oven 'makes perfect Neapolitan-style pizzas' – testers say it offers effortless results in as little as 60 seconds

The former quarterback recommends a pizza oven that consistently excels in our reviewing process – it's the ultimate summer yard accessory

Tom Brady
(Image credit: Monica Schipper via Getty Images)

Thoughts of an al-fresco pizza party may currently seem like nothing short of a pipe dream, but Tom Brady's go-to has still stopped us in our tracks. Here at H&G, we consistently view his choice, the Ooni Koda, as one of the best pizza ovens you can choose for taste, convenience, and value – but Brady's endorsement proves we're in good company.

The former New England Patriots quarterback curated a list of Amazon buys that he recommends giving as gifts, but this includes gifts for yourself, naturally. Among them was the Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven (available from the retailer), alongside the brand's 12” Metal Pizza Peel (on Amazon) – the pefect accompaniment to your oven. 'No matter who you’re shopping for, there’s something for everyone on your list, so you can make sure to give the gift of greatness this year,' Brady says.

Retailing at just under $600, the Ooni Koda is an investment, but its capabilities mean it's one of the best value pizza ovens for your money, and you don't need to wait until summer to turn a corner of your home into a pizzeria. This oven fits just as seamlessly on your kitchen countertops as it does in your yard – so that party isn't so out of reach after all.

Alex David, H&G's head of e-commerce and professional product reviewer, gave the Ooni Koda's sister appliance, the Ooni Koda 12, saying the process is effortless – leaving you with perfectly cooked pizzas in only one minute.

'The Ooni Koda 16 is the large version of the Koda 12, which is our favorite budget pizza oven. Like all Ooni ovens, it's fast and makes perfect Neapolitan pizzas,' David says. The only drawback is that you have to pay extra for essential features like a thermometer or a pizza peel'. For the latter, however, Brady has us covered. In his gift guide, he similarly endorsed the Ooni 12” Metal Pizza Peel (available on Amazon), described as a super smooth aluminum pizza paddle that's a 'professional’s tool of choice'.

As a final pro-tip, don't forget to sprinkle your Ooni pizza peel with flour beforehand to help your pizza slide from the oven with ease. You can enjoy it knowing Brady has done the same.


Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.