Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Stand Mixer: An In-Depth Review

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Ooni has established itself as a leader in the outdoor pizza oven market, but its latest innovation transitions into the kitchen with the introduction of the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Stand Mixer. This powerful mixer is designed to assist in creating the ideal Neapolitan pizza dough, characterized by its stretchy and airy texture. Unlike traditional stand mixers that feature spinning attachments, Ooni’s mixer utilizes a rotating bowl coupled with a digital interface and dial control. I put the Ooni stand mixer through its paces over several weeks, making various recipes including pizza dough, rolls, whipped cream, and cookies.

The Tests

For my evaluation, I performed several tests:

Dinner Rolls Test: I prepared dinner rolls with the dough hook attachment to see how well it handled a sticky and buttery dough.
Pizza Dough Test: True to Ooni’s roots, I made Neapolitan pizza dough, utilizing both the breaker bar attachment and the dough hook for kneading.
Sugar Cookie Test: Using the paddle attachment, I creamed butter and sugar for sugar cookies.
Whipped Cream Test: The mixer’s whisk attachment was tested by whipping one cup of heavy cream to see how quickly it could reach stiff peaks.

What We Learned

Ooni vs. KitchenAid Stand Mixers: What’s the Difference?

The first discernible difference between the Ooni and KitchenAid mixers is the way they function: Ooni features a spiral mixer design with a rotating bowl, while KitchenAid operates with a planetary mixing mechanism where the arm rotates to mix the ingredients.

The Ooni’s rotating bowl offers enhanced speed and efficiency, resulting in superior gluten development during kneading. This design also simplifies the task of scraping down the sides of the bowl without the need to dodge spinning attachments. Additionally, the Ooni’s seven-quart bowl has a flat bottom that prevents ingredients from sinking to the center, a frequent issue seen with KitchenAid’s sloped bowl shape. In terms of controls, Ooni uses a touchscreen paired with a dial, contrasting with KitchenAid’s lever system.

The Ooni Stand Mixer Was Sturdy, Powerful, and Easy to Use

Setting up the Ooni mixer was straightforward; a few simple steps allow users to attach the bowl, tool, and power it on. The digital interface featuring a timer and speed settings is intuitive, controlled by a single dial. This ease of use encourages effective operation whether for simple or intricate tasks.

Weighing in at 33 pounds, the Ooni is quite solid, contributing to its stability during operation. Its robust 650-watt motor provides considerable mixing power, significantly exceeding that of many popular stand mixers, including KitchenAid models.

It Excelled at Making Bread Dough

The Ooni stand mixer truly excelled in preparing bread dough, utilizing its intelligent design to ensure even mixing and kneading. The combination of the rotating bowl and the breaker bar allowed for achieving impressive texture when making both Neapolitan pizza dough and dinner rolls, resulting in consistently strong yet flexible dough. The built-in timer proved beneficial for longer kneading sessions.

It Wasn’t so Great at Other Tasks

Despite its strengths, the Ooni mixer faced challenges with certain tasks. For instance, it required almost five minutes to whip heavy cream into stiff peaks—a considerably longer duration compared to similar mixers. The process generated quite a bit of splatter, necessitating the use of a splatter guard that didn’t completely prevent messes.

Additionally, when trying to cream butter and sugar for cookies, the silicone-lined paddle proved less efficient than anticipated, causing the ingredients to slide around rather than mix properly. This required adjusting the speed and manually scraping the sides to ensure proper incorporation, although the final cookies still turned out well.

The Verdict

If you are a pizza enthusiast willing to enhance your dough-making game, the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer could be a valuable addition to your kitchen. Its unique bowl design guarantees thorough mixing for bread dough, effectively eliminating dry pockets. The timer function is particularly helpful for extended kneading durations. Although it excels at making exceptional dough, it appears less capable in other areas such as creaming and whipping tasks, limiting its versatility compared to other mixers.

One notable advantage is the user-friendly setup, as speed and timer adjustments are just a dial away. Additionally, its weight ensures stability during use, and its design accommodates easy storage under cabinets when the mixer arm is down.

The Pros

The Ooni distinguishes itself with outstanding performance in bread dough preparation. The mixer effectively handles the incorporation of ingredients, resulting in light and airy baked goods. Its straightforward operation makes for an enjoyable user experience, with features conducive to baking success.

The Cons

On the downside, the silicone-lined paddle does not mix as effectively as expected, leading to longer preparation times. Likewise, the mixer displayed sluggishness when whipping cream. With a higher price point compared to some competitors, the Ooni stand mixer requires a thoughtful investment. Additionally, its weight can pose challenges for lifting and moving, and having a handle on the bowl for easy transfers could enhance usability.

Key Specs

Weight: 33 pounds
Dimensions: 10 x 13.5 x 17 inches
Stated bowl capacity: 7.3 quarts
Wattage: 650 watts
Cord length: 63 inches
Attachments: Whisk, dough hook, breaker bar, paddle, pouring shield
Colors: Charcoal grey or polar white
Care instructions: Bowl, lid, and attachments are dishwasher safe; wipe the whisk gear box and base clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
Materials: Die-cast aluminum, stainless steel

Why We’re the Experts

Grace Kelly, a senior editor at Serious Eats, has been engaged in testing and reviewing kitchen equipment for nearly three years. Her practical experience includes using the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Stand Mixer to prepare a variety of recipes, ensuring comprehensive testing results.

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www.seriouseats.com