Pizza Baking Time & Temperature: How Long Should You Cook Pizza?

Craving a hot slice of pizza from your own oven? Whether you’re baking a frozen pie or making it from scratch, knowing the right pizza baking time and temperature can make all the difference. The golden rule: time and heat vary depending on the style of pizza you're making. Let's break down exactly how long to cook pizza in the oven for that perfect slice. Want to skip the oven and go straight to a delicious slice? Check out the Pizza Menu at Hungry Howie’s.

How Long Does It Take to Bake a Pizza

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to pizza cooking time. From crust thickness to toppings, every detail affects the clock. Here’s a breakdown of how long to bake pizza depending on type:

• Thin Crust Pizza: 8–12 minutes at 475°F. Quick, crispy, and classic.
• Regular Crust Pizza: 12–15 minutes at 450°F. Watch for golden edges and bubbling cheese.
• Thick Crust or Deep Dish Pizza: 18–25 minutes at 400°F. Lower temp for longer baking helps the center cook through.
• Frozen Pizza: Follow the box, but most bake for 12–18 minutes at 400–425°F.

Use a baking stone if you have one and always keep an eye on your pizza near the end. Depending on your oven, how long to cook pizza in the oven may vary slightly.

What Is the Best Temperature to Cook Pizza?

Have you ever walked into a pizza place and felt the whoosh of heat (and the accompanying delicious aroma) that the oven gives off? The temperatures for home pizza making are on the high end of the dial, but there are several reasons why pizzas need to be cooked at such high heat.

Most home ovens can’t match the 800°F heat of a wood-fired oven, but you can still get that perfect crust by cranking up the dial. In general:

• Standard Home Oven: Preheat to 475°F–500°F for best results. Higher heat = a crispier crust and perfectly melted cheese. Best for thin and regular crusts.
• Wondering how long to bake pizza at 400°F?  Thicker crusts need more time, up to 20–25 minutes but a higher temperature can result in a burnt crust. 

So yes, you can bake pizza at 400 degrees or even higher. Just adjust the pizza baking time accordingly. Or for an easier route for pizza is to order straight from our Pizza Menu!

When in doubt for baking a pizza, check that your crust is golden, and the cheese is bubbling before you pull it out of the oven. Then slice and serve.

Why Preheating the Oven for Pizza is Essential

Before you even think about tossing that pie in, ask yourself: what do you preheat the oven to for pizza? If the answer isn’t “high,” you’re missing out.

Here’s why preheating matters:

• A properly preheated oven ensures even cooking from the bottom up.
• It helps achieve that ideal crispy crust, even with thicker crusts or loaded toppings.
• If you're using a pizza stone or steel, it needs time to absorb heat for a crispier bake.

We recommend preheating for at least 20–30 minutes at 475°F or higher. If you’re baking at 400°F, still give it a full preheat for optimal results.

Not in the mood to wait? That’s why Hungry Howie’s locations are always oven-ready.

Whether you're team homemade or a takeout regular, understanding how long you should bake pizza means your slice comes out just right. And if you’re wondering how many minutes to cook pizza in the oven, this guide will help you out.

Still hungry? Hit up our Pizza Menu or find a location near you to grab your favorite pie, no timer required.