Review of the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Stand Mixer

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Ooni has established itself as a leader in the field of outdoor pizza ovens, but its newest product shifts focus to indoor cooking: introducing the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Stand Mixer. Marketed as a robust appliance aimed at perfecting Neapolitan pizza dough—characterized by its elasticity and airy texture—this mixer stands out with a rotating bowl and a contemporary digital control interface. My thorough testing over several weeks involved making pizza dough, rolls, whipped cream, and cookies to assess its performance. 

The Tests

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

Dinner Rolls Test: I evaluated the Ooni stand mixer using its dough hook attachment while making dinner rolls, specifically focusing on its ability to properly mix and knead a soft, buttery dough.
Pizza Dough Test: Known for its pizza production, Ooni’s stand mixer was put to the test to create Neapolitan pizza dough. I utilized the breaker bar and dough hook for effective kneading.
Sugar Cookie Test: The paddle attachment, included with the mixer, was used to blend butter and sugar for a batch of sugar cookies.
Whipped Cream Test: The whisk attachment allowed me to whip one cup of heavy cream while tracking the time to achieve stiff peaks. 

What We Learned

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

KitchenAid mixers typically have a stationary bowl with spinning attachments, whereas the Ooni model operates inversely.

Unlike traditional stand mixers, the Ooni functions as a spiral mixer; in this case, the bowl itself rotates while the attachments remain steady, akin to the Ankarsrum mixer. This design allows for quicker mixing speeds, improving the kneading process and gluten development in dough. Additionally, it facilitates easier access for scraping the sides of the bowl without the interference of moving parts. 

The Ooni’s impressive seven-quart bowl features a flat-bottom design that minimizes dry ingredient accumulation during mixing—contrasting with KitchenAid’s sloped bowl, where ingredients can easily sink and remain unincorporated. With a touchscreen display, the Ooni provides a more modern approach to speed control compared to the lever system of KitchenAid models. 

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

The Ooni Halo Pro Spiral stand mixer showcases a straightforward digital interface.

Setting up the Ooni is an efficient process: lift the head by pressing the side hinges, secure the bowl, attach the desired mixing tool, and hit the power button. Its digital touchscreen not only includes a speed regulation feature but also boasts a timer functionality, all operable through a single dial. Adjustments to speed and timer settings are intuitive, requiring only a tap on the display and a simple twist of the dial. 

At 33 pounds, the Ooni stand mixer is notably heavy, lending it stability during operation. It’s equipped with a robust 650-watt motor, surpassing many of its competitors, such as popular KitchenAid models by a significant margin. 

It Excelled at Making Bread Dough

The Ooni’s powerful motor and rotating bowl performed exceptionally in mixing and kneading bread-based doughs.

The Ooni mixer demonstrated its strengths most clearly when kneading bread dough. The rotating mechanism ensured even mixing and effective kneading—essential for creating elastic dough. The removable breaker bar added to its functionality, reinforcing the kneading process. The result was a supple Neapolitan pizza dough, paired with delightfully tender dinner rolls. The included timer feature is especially advantageous for lengthy kneading tasks. 

It Wasn’t so Great at Other Tasks

The mixer encountered challenges while creaming butter and sugar for cookies, although the final product was still appetizing.

Despite its impressive kneading performance, the Ooni had difficulties when whipping cream and preparing cookie dough. Whipping cream required nearly five minutes at maximum speed to achieve the desired peaks, a stark contrast to the 35 seconds it took for the Ankarsrum mixer. A splatter guard was beneficial, although its imperfect fit resulted in some overflow during whipping. 

The struggle continued with cookie preparation; even while using the paddle attachment at a controlled speed, the mixer often just shuffled the ingredients rather than properly blending. It was necessary to increase the power and manually assist with a spatula to achieve the proper mixture, though the end result remained satisfactory. 

The Verdict

For those who take their backyard pizza creations seriously or have an interest in precise dough crafting, the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer might be an excellent fit. With its rotating bowl facilitating thorough ingredient mixing in bread dough, the integrated timer enhances usability for extended kneading periods. While it delivered impressive results for bread-making, its mixed performance in other tasks, like cookie dough preparation and cream whipping, suggests limitations in versatility compared to some other mixers. 

The setup is straightforward; speed and timing adjustments can be managed simply through the dial. Its robust weight ensures it stays firmly placed on any countertop, a definite advantage for stand mixers. Additionally, its compact height allows for convenient storage beneath cupboards. 

The Pros

The Ooni stand mixer shines particularly when it comes to bread doughs—a fitting highlight for a brand specializing in pizza ovens. The dough hook efficiently incorporated butter, yielding light and fluffy dinner rolls. Coupled with the breaker bar, it produced wonderfully elastic Neapolitan pizza dough with the perfect chew. 

The user experience is commendable as well: opening the mixer’s top, attaching the necessary components, and toggling the power is a breeze. The simple digital interface, featuring a dual-function dial, seamlessly allows for both timer and speed selections. The ability to scrape down the sides during mixing without interrupting the process also adds a layer of convenience not found in most planetary mixers. 

The Cons

While the Ooni excels at dough preparation, it underperformed during tasks like creaming butter and sugar, with the silicone-lined paddle proving less effective. A non-silicone version could potentially yield better results. Whipping cream was also an arduous task, taking longer than expected. 

The stand mixer is on the pricier side, even compared to its rivals such as the Ankarsrum, and its weight can make it challenging to reposition. An additional design feature, like a handle on the bowl for easier dough transfer, would enhance usability. 

Key Specs

Weight: 33 poundsDimensions: 10 x 13.5 x 17 inches Stated bowl capacity: 7.3 quartsWattage: 650 wattsCord length: 63 inches Attachments: Whisk, dough hook, bar breaker, paddle, pouring shieldColors: Charcoal grey or polar whiteCare instructions: Bowl, lid, and attachments are dishwasher-safe. Wipe whisk gear box and base clean with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly.Materials: Die-cast aluminum, stainless steel 

Why We’re the Experts

Grace Kelly is a senior editor at Serious Eats, with nearly three years of experience in testing and reviewing kitchen equipment.

In evaluating the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Stand Mixer, Grace utilized it for preparing dinner rolls, Neapolitan pizza dough, whipped cream, and sugar cookies.

Source
www.seriouseats.com