How Long Does Pizza Take to Cook?
Pizza is loved across the world for its comforting crust, melty cheese, and endless variety of toppings. Whether it’s baked at home, cooked outdoors, or reheated for leftovers, one question always comes up: How long does pizza take to cook? The answer isn’t as simple as a single number. Different ovens, temperatures, crust styles, dough types, and toppings all influence the perfect cook time. By understanding how these elements work together, you can create pizzas that are crisp on the bottom, airy in the center, and delicious all around. Below, we explore the various factors and typical cooking times to help you master the pizza-making process.
Cooking Time in a Conventional Home Oven
A standard home oven is the most common way people bake pizza, but it also brings the widest range of cooking times. Most kitchen ovens max out between 450°F and 500°F (230°C–260°C), which is much lower than restaurant pizza ovens. Because of this, pizzas take longer to cook and require more careful monitoring.
Typical Times
- Homemade pizza: 12–15 minutes
- Store-bought fresh pizza: 10–14 minutes
- Frozen pizza: 15–20 minutes
A thin crust cooks the fastest because heat can penetrate quickly. Medium-thickness crusts bake more slowly, while thick or deep-dish crusts require extended time to prevent the center from staying doughy.
Baking Surfaces Matter
Using a pizza stone or baking steel can make a significant difference. These tools absorb and hold heat, mimicking the effect of professional pizza ovens. When preheated, they can:
- Reduce total cooking time by 2–4 minutes
- Improve crust crispiness
- Help the dough cook more evenly
Without these surfaces, baking on a basic metal sheet often results in a softer, less crisp crust.
Cooking Time in a Wood-Fired Oven
Wood-fired ovens are known for producing some of the best pizza in the world. Their intense heat—often reaching 800°F to 900°F (425°C–480°C)—creates a unique cooking environment. Pizzas cook fast, puff up dramatically, and develop those classic charred spots.
Typical Times
- Neapolitan pizza: 60–90 seconds
- Very thin crust: 90–120 seconds
- Artisan or sourdough crust: 2–3 minutes
Because the heat envelopes the pizza from all sides, the dough cooks rapidly while the toppings melt and bubble beautifully. However, the downside is that the pizza can burn in seconds if left unattended. Experienced pizza makers frequently rotate the pizza every 10–15 seconds to ensure even cooking.
Signature Qualities
Wood-fired pizzas typically feature:
- Leopard-spotted crust
- Smoky aroma
- Soft and airy edges
- Slightly charred bottom
This style is not easily replicated in home ovens, making the short cook time and unique flavor especially prized.
Cooking Time in an Outdoor Pizza Oven
Outdoor pizza ovens have grown incredibly popular because they offer high heat with less effort than wood-fired ovens. These ovens, which may use propane, charcoal, or pellets, typically reach 600°F to 750°F (315°C–400°C).
Typical Times
- Under 600°F: 5–7 minutes
- 650°F–700°F: 3–5 minutes
- Above 700°F: 90 seconds to 3 minutes
The higher the temperature, the closer the results become to wood-fired pizza. Many home cooks enjoy outdoor ovens because they heat quickly—often in 15–20 minutes—compared to the slow warming of a home oven.
Benefits
- More consistent heat than a home oven
- Better crust blistering
- Faster cook times
- Great middle-ground between convenience and quality
Outdoor pizza ovens also handle a wide range of dough styles, from thin crust to sourdough.
Cooking Time in an Air Fryer
Air fryers have become a modern cooking favorite thanks to their speed and convenience. Their circulating hot air cooks food quickly and evenly, making them surprisingly effective for small pizzas or leftovers.
Typical Times
- Mini homemade pizza: 7–10 minutes at 375°F (190°C)
- Frozen personal pizza: 6–12 minutes at 350–400°F (175–205°C)
- Reheating slices: 3–5 minutes
Air fryers are ideal for:
- Single servings
- Quick lunches
- Extra-crispy results
- Reheating slices without sogginess
However, they are limited by size, which means full-size pizzas won’t fit unless cut into pieces.
Cooking Time in a Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens are convenient for heating small pizzas or slices without having to heat an entire large oven. Their compact size allows them to cook pizza faster, but they can also brown toppings quickly if the heat source sits close to the food.
Typical Times
- Personal-size pizza: 10–14 minutes
- Frozen mini pizza: 12–15 minutes
- Reheated slices: 5–8 minutes
The cooking time depends on the heating method—top coils, bottom coils, or convection mode. Convection toaster ovens cook faster and more evenly than standard models.
Cooking Time for Frozen Pizza
Frozen pizzas come in many varieties—thin crust, rising crust, stuffed crust, and more. Because the pizza must thaw and cook at the same time, frozen pizzas generally take longer than fresh ones.
Typical Times at 425°F (220°C)
- Thin crust: 12–15 minutes
- Regular crust: 14–18 minutes
- Rising crust: 18–25 minutes
Rising crust pizzas contain dough that expands in the oven, which is why they take the longest. Heavily topped frozen pizzas may need a few extra minutes to heat toppings evenly.
Cooking Time for Homemade Dough
Homemade dough adds a personal touch, but cook time depends on hydration, thickness, resting time, and stretching technique. Dough that is hand-stretched with slightly uneven edges may cook at different rates than rolled-out dough.
General Times at 475°F (245°C)
- Thin crust: 10–12 minutes
- Medium crust: 12–15 minutes
- Thick crust: 15–20 minutes
When using many moist toppings—fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, or vegetables—expect to add 2–5 minutes to the cook time.
Dough Hydration Differences
- Low hydration dough (50–55%) → denser; takes longer
- Medium hydration dough (60–65%) → typical pizza; cooks evenly
- High hydration dough (70%+) → airy and bubbly; cooks faster
Hydration affects how quickly steam forms inside the dough, which contributes to oven spring and texture.
How Temperature Affects Pizza Cooking Time
Temperature is often more important than time when baking pizza. Higher heat leads to shorter cooking times and better crust texture, while lower heat results in slower cooking and a softer crust.
Quick Reference Guide
| Temperature | Cooking Time | Result |
| 900°F / 480°C | 60–90 sec | Airy, charred Neapolitan crust |
| 750°F / 400°C | 2–4 min | Crisp, well-browned crust |
| 500°F / 260°C | 10–15 min | Common home oven zone |
| 425°F / 220°C | 14–18 min | Frozen pizza sweet spot |
| 350°F / 175°C | 20–25 min | Soft crust, not ideal |
Low temperatures can dry out the cheese and toppings, while extremely high heat demands constant attention to avoid burning.
How to Tell When Pizza Is Done
Even though recommended cooking times are helpful, visual cues ultimately determine when a pizza is perfectly cooked.
Look for:
- Golden-brown crust edges
- Completely melted, slightly bubbling cheese
- Firm bottom crust that isn’t pale or doughy
- Evenly cooked toppings
- Slight charring on edges (depending on style)
If the center still looks soft or undercooked, keep baking in short intervals until fully done.
Factors That Change Pizza Cooking Time
Many variables influence how long pizza takes to cook, including:
1. Oven Type
Each oven produces different heat distribution, affecting cook speed.
2. Cooking Temperature
High heat = fast cooking; low heat = slower, softer results.
3. Crust Thickness
Thin crust cooks quickly; deep-dish takes much longer.
4. Topping Moisture
Moist vegetables or raw meats increase cooking time.
5. Baking Surface
Stones and steels reduce overall time while improving crispness.
6. Pizza Size
Large pizzas cook slower than small, personal-size pizzas.
Mastering these variables allows you to adapt any recipe to your specific oven and preferences.
Final Thoughts
Cooking pizza is more than following a timer—it’s about understanding how heat, dough, and toppings interact. From 90-second Neapolitan pies to frozen pizzas needing a full 20 minutes, the ideal cooking time depends on the tools and ingredients you’re using. Once you learn how your oven behaves, you’ll gain the confidence to adjust timing naturally.
Crust thickness, moisture levels, and temperature all play a major role. Thin, lightly topped pizzas cook quickly, while thick, heavily loaded pizzas require patience. Tools like pizza stones and steels can drastically improve results by delivering even heat and shortening cooking time. Even small appliances like air fryers and toaster ovens can produce great pizza when used correctly.
Ultimately, your senses—sight, smell, and touch—are the best indicators of doneness. A golden crust, bubbling cheese, and firm bottom signal a perfectly cooked pizza. With practice, you’ll become skilled at judging cook time by instinct rather than clock alone.
Whether you’re preparing homemade dough or heating a quick frozen meal, understanding pizza cook times helps you bake with confidence and enjoy consistently delicious results. With the right knowledge and a little experience, anyone can master the art of perfectly cooked pizza at home.
