Perfect, fresh, and hot pizzas are very finger-licking. But, do you know the best temperature to cook a homemade pizza? The most precise answer about the best temperature to cook homemade pizza is 450-500 Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
Note that different types of pizza have different optimal temperatures. For instance, the best temperature for a homemade pizza is 430°F (220°C), whereas, in the Neapolitan or New York style, you’ll need to bake it at a slightly higher temperature and very quickly.
Have you asked what will determine the temperature to bake your favorite pizza? Now, you should understand that the thickness of your pizza will decide the cooking temperature. For a thin-crust pizza, you’ll cook it hot and quick. On the other hand, you’ll bake a thick-crust pizza at a lower temperature.
How Temperature Affects Pizza Baking
When you make pizza at different temperatures, you’ll create a different pizza. At a higher temperature, the pizza will be baked so fast. At lower temperatures, the pizza will take longer to get ready.
The crust will help you know if baking is low and slow or hot and fast. When baked quickly, the crust will be crispier outside but soft at the center. If you leave the crust at a lower temperature for much longer, the crust will also be crispier. However, the longer the crust stays in the oven, the drier it gets at the center.
What about the cheese and toppings? Cheese and toppings also affect the temperature of the oven used while baking pizza. More toppings and cheese need more time in the oven. The temperature should not be too high. You’ll also need to bake the pizza slowly to avoid burning the toppings.
In addition, the high temperature makes charred pizza crust. A good example is a wood-Fired pizza with small charred spots on the crust. The spots add flavor to the crust. However, home ovens have relatively low temperatures, and getting a charred pizza is difficult. What you can have is a crust with an even brown color.
Temperature also affects the level of hydration in pizza dough. While baking pizza, water evaporates from the crust. The amount of water evaporating will depend on the baking time and temperature. If you bake for about 10-15 minutes long, at a temperature of 430°F (220°C), much water will be lost. Eventually, you’ll have a dry crust.
The pizza components– cheese, toppings, and sauce are the most important things to consider while setting the baking temperature. Thick layers of cheese and toppings do not need a hot and quick bake. Instead, give the pizza enough time for the cheese to melt properly. You’ll love the taste and texture! Therefore, ensure that your pizza dough has a hydration of 65-70% to make the perfect pizza at home.
The Best Temperature to Cook Neapolitan-Style Pizza
The best temperature to cook Neapolitan pizza is between 400 and 450 Degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature ensures that the crust does not overcook or burn. However, the cheese and toppings of Neapolitan pizza will determine if you’ll bake it for much longer. Therefore, be aware and adjust the temperatures of the oven accordingly.
A perfect example is the temperature to cook tomatoes and pepperoni. You’ll require more time to cook tomatoes compared to pepperoni. But if you’re using both ingredients simultaneously, a standard oven temperature is 450(°F). Pepperoni and tomatoes will be cooked evenly.
If you want to bake Neapolitan pizza using a Wood-Fire pizza oven traditionally, you’ll be required to have your temperature setting at 905°F (485°C) or 500°F (260°C). We also recommend using pizza steel while baking your Neapolitan pizza at home. Pizza steel makes the surface very hot and speeds up the baking process to give your pizza a crispier crust.
The Best Temperature to Cook New York-Style Pizza
The best temperature for a New York pizza is between 500 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The crust will have a crispy texture at such a high temperature, while the toppings will be juicy and very hot. Not that the crust might burn; therefore, be a careful fool to avoid spoiling your favorite pie.
Like Neapolitan pizza, some toppings may need more cooking time than others. It would help if you understood the temperature you should set when using the toppings, either independently or simultaneously. Also, New York pizza requires hot and fast baking.
The Best Temperature to Cook Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
The best oven temperature to bake a golden-brown Chicago deep pizza is 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It also makes the toppings very juicy and hot. The toppings you use might also need more time to cook.
Note that Chicago deep-dish pizza is far different from other pizzas. It is very thick and requires more time to get ready at relatively low temperatures.
In summary, consider setting your oven at a lower temperature of 375 (°F) and bake it slowly. The crust will be crispy on the outside and have a soft gooey on the inside. When you eat the pizza, it will melt in your mouth.
Frozen Pizza
It is healthy to first cook a frozen pizza before eating. The best oven temperature to cook a frozen pizza is 400 (°F) and 450 (°F). The crust cooks without burning, and the toppings are not overcooked.
Like all other pizza types, some toppings will take longer to cook than others. Remember to adjust the temperatures of the oven accordingly.
What is the Best Temperature to Cook Calzones
To make delicious calzones, we recommend an oven temperature of about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This will give you a golden-brown crust with a warm and cheesy center. Remember to start checking your calzones after 20 minutes because cooking time varies.
Commonly used toppings– fresh mushrooms release moisture as you cook. Therefore, you should adjust the oven temperature so that you do not let all the moisture evaporate. The crust might end up drying up and losing its texture and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Pizza Cooked at a High Temperature?
The oven temperature needs to be high– around 425-475 F (220-240 C) to make an evenly cooked delicious pizza with a crispy crust. However, the temperature may vary depending on the pizza you’re baking. The toppings and cheese also determine the duration and the temperature to set for your pizza.
For instance, the best temperature to cook Neapolitan pizza and a frozen pizza is between 400 and 450 Degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature for a New York pizza is between 500 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Baking a golden-brown Chicago deep, this pizza requires a temperature of between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend an oven temperature of about 375 degrees Fahrenheit for calzones.
Why Does A Pizza Oven Need To Be So Hot?
A hot oven provides a perfect condition for baking pizza. High temperature ensures that the crust cooks to become crispy. In addition, the toppings also cook evenly. Cooking a pizza at a relatively lower temperature will make it burnt or soggy.
Not that turning your oven so hot won’t damage anything. Again, always be careful to check the pizza to avoid overcooking.
How Much Time Should I Bake Pizza?
In most cases, pizza cooking duration depends on the oven temperature and the pizza size. Thick crusts make larger pizzas that need more cooking time than small pizzas. In addition, pizzas cooked at high temperatures cook faster than those cooked at lower temperatures.
It would help if you cooked your pizza between 8-10 minutes. Checking the pizza every 5 minutes is essential to ensure that it cooks evenly, the cheese is melted, and the crust looks golden brown.
How Do You Know When The Pizza is Done?
There are several ways to confirm if the pizza is done. For instance, look at the signs such as evenly-browned crust, bubbly toppings, and melted cheese. If your time has elapsed and you haven’t seen these signs, keep cooking and checking the pizza in a 5-minute increment until you get the desired signs.
Is It Possible To Use A Low Temperature For Pizza Oven?
No, cooking pizza using low oven temperature is not possible. Low temperature will make the pizza undercooked at the center and have a soggy crust. For that reason, ensure the oven is set at a temperature perfect for making a crispy crust with juicy and hot toppings.
Conclusion
Every type of pizza has its perfect oven temperature. To make an amazing crust, tender cheese, and delicious toppings, follow the recipe carefully–ensuring that the oven temperature is set as directed.
A good example is if you need to make a thin-crust pizza with fewer toppings, we recommend a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Such pizza will cook quickly compared to a thicker crust with many ingredients.
As discussed above, there are several factors to consider when setting pizza temperatures. The best thing to do is to adjust the oven heat accordingly until you achieve the best fit for your pizza type.
Now you know the best temperature for different pizzas baked in various kinds of ovens. The standard oven temperature for baking most of the pizza types is between 425-475 °F (220-240 C). Also, ensure that the oven temperature does not exceed 500 °F. Has this guide answered all your queries?
