What Oven Setting for Pizza: How Hot, and How Long?

Updated on: April 09 2023

Pizza is easy to make at home, but one of the keys to making a perfect homemade pizza is getting the oven setting just right. In this article, we'll explore various factors to consider when determining the ideal oven temperature and cooking time for your pizza. We'll also discuss specific settings for fan ovens, electric ovens, and provide insights on how to achieve the best results.

For easy reference, use the following table:

Crust thickness	Oven temperature	Time needed to cook
Thin crust (less than 1/4 inch)	450-500°F	8-12 minutes
Regular crust (1/4-1/2 inch)	425-450°F	12-15 minutes
Thick crust pan (more than 1/2 inch)	375-425°F	15-20 minutes

Of course, the best way to make pizza at home is by using one of the best pizza ovens, which you can find out more about by following the link. In any case, let's discuss which oven setting is best for you and your homemade pizza.

Pizza Temperature and Time:

The temperature and time for baking a pizza in the oven are crucial factors that can greatly impact the final result. Generally, a high temperature is recommended for baking pizza to achieve a crispy crust while ensuring that the toppings are cooked to perfection. The most common temperature range for baking pizza is between 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit (230-260 degrees Celsius) in a conventional oven. However, it's important to note that different types of pizza crusts and toppings may require slight adjustments in temperature and time.

Thin crust pizzas usually cook faster, typically taking around 10-12 minutes at a high temperature of 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit (230-260 degrees Celsius). Thicker crusts often require a longer cooking time, usually ranging from 12-15 minutes or more, to ensure that the crust is cooked through. It's important to keep a close eye on your pizza as it cooks and use visual cues to determine when it's done.

Personally, I take the pizza out of the oven when the crust is a golden brown color and the cheese and sauce are bubbling (but not crusted over and browned).

Fan Oven Setting for Pizza:

Fan ovens, also known as convection ovens, have a built-in fan that circulates hot air, resulting in faster and more efficient cooking. When it comes to cooking pizza in this kind of convection/fan oven, the general rule of thumb is to lower the temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) compared to a conventional oven. This is because the circulating air in a fan oven tends to cook food more quickly.

For example, if a recipe recommends baking your pizza at 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius) in a conventional oven, you may need to lower the temperature to around 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) for around 8-9 minutes in a fan oven. But it's important to note that every oven is different, so it's always best to keep a close eye on your pizza and make adjustments as needed to ensure it's cooked to perfection.

This is why I always recommend watching your pizza closely after 4-5 minutes in the oven, regardless if it's done or not—it only take a few minutes to go from perfect to burned.

That said, if you're cooking a traditional Neapolitan or other thin crust style pizza, I recommend leaving the temperature on the highest setting available. The hot hair circulated by the convection oven will only help the pizza cook faster and turn out better overall. I always recommend using the convection fan setting on your home oven if you have it.

How Long to Cook Pizza in a regular Oven:

The cooking time for pizza can vary depending on several factors, including the thickness of your crust, the type of toppings you're using, and your personal preference for the level of crispiness.

As a general guideline, thin crust pizzas usually cook faster, typically taking around 10-12 minutes at a high temperature of 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit (230-260 degrees Celsius). Thicker crusts may require a longer cooking time, usually ranging from 12-15 minutes or more, to ensure that the crust is cooked through. If you're using a pan, it can take even longer—20 to 30 minutes at 375-425F.

It's important to keep a close eye on your pizza as it cooks and use visual cues to determine when it's done. The crust should be golden brown (though not blackened) and crispy, the cheese should be melted and bubbly (but not crusted), and the toppings should be cooked to your liking (still moist and flavorful).

Remember, pizza can continue to cook for a few minutes after it's taken out of the oven due to residual heat, so be sure to account for that as well. The key is a golden brown crust and bubbling cheese.

How to Cook Pizza in Electric Oven:

If you're using an electric oven, the process of cooking pizza is quite similar to a conventional oven—in fact, it's mostly identical. You can follow the same temperature and time guidelines mentioned earlier based on the thickness of your crust and type of toppings.

Preheat your electric oven to the recommended temperature (typically between 400-500 degrees Fahrenheit or 230-260 degrees Celsius, depending on its maximum temperature) and allow it to fully preheat before placing your pizza inside.

Place your pizza on a preheated pizza stone, pizza steel, pizza pan, or directly on the oven rack using parchment paper, depending on your preference and the type of crust you're aiming for. It's important to note that using a pizza steel can help achieve a crispier crust by evenly distributing heat.

Close the oven door and let the pizza cook for the recommended time, keeping a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Once your pizza is cooked to your liking, carefully remove it from the oven using a pizza peel, and let it cool for a few minutes on a cooling rack before slicing and serving.

Why You Should Consider A Pizza Oven – Pizza Oven vs Regular Home Oven

While it is certainly possible to cook fantastic pizza in a home oven, there are several reasons why someone might want to consider using a pizza oven instead.

First and foremost, pizza ovens are specifically designed for cooking pizzas, which means they can reach much higher temperatures than a home oven—often twice as hot. This allows the pizza to cook quickly and evenly, resulting in a perfectly crispy crust and evenly cooked toppings. By contrast, a home oven typically cannot reach the high temperatures needed to properly cook a pizza, resulting in a pale, dry crust and overcooked toppings.

Another advantage of using a pizza oven is that it allows for greater control over the cooking process. Many pizza ovens come with adjustable settings for temperature and cooking time, allowing the user to customize the cooking process to their specific pizza preferences and lifestyle. Additionally, some pizza ovens often come with specialized features, such as rotating pizza stones or multiple cooking zones, which can further enhance the quality of the pizza.

Personally, I'm a fan of the most traditional pizza ovens, either fixed and made of stone, or portable ones like those from Ooni and Gozney.

On top of all that, using a pizza oven can simply be a fun and enjoyable way to cook pizza. Lots of people, including myself, enjoy firing up a pizza oven and getting to work the same way the old Neapolitans did. There's also a special novelty about pizza ovens that is sure to encourage lots of comments and discussion at any gathering where one is being used.