You’ve likely heard that 500 is one of the best temperatures to cook pizza. It provides the ideal texture with bubbly cheese, perfectly-cooked toppings, and piping hot sauce. That’s great and all, but how long should you actually be cooking your pizza at 500F?
Pizza, homemade or otherwise, will cook in roughly ten minutes at 500F. However, some people might want to tack on an extra minute or two if they want a crispier pizza or one with more browning of the cheesy layer.
Hello, hello! I’m Michelle, and I make pizzas a lot; probably more often than I should, to be honest. There is just something so delicious about pizza, and it’s fun for the whole family to create.
I used to cook at 450F until I found that 500F for ten minutes provides the most remarkable results.
Keep reading if you want to learn how long to cook pizza at 500F (plus some other nifty info).
Contents
How Long to Bake Pizza at 500F?
A pizza cooked at 500F will take anywhere between eight and twelve minutes, with ten minutes being the “golden number” for most pizza connoisseurs.
It really comes down to preference. Some people prefer more “browning” and crispiness on their pizza, which would require a few extra minutes in the oven.
You also need to take toppings into consideration. For example, a couple more minutes can mean the difference between crispy and soft bacon.
Always make sure the oven is preheated to 500F before placing your pizza inside.
It’s a good idea to make sure that your oven displays the correct temperature. Otherwise, ten minutes may not suffice. Consider purchasing an oven thermometer to check the “true” degrees before baking your pizza.
Can I Cook Pizza at 500 Degrees?
You can cook pizza at 500F degrees. In fact, this is the most recommended number for two crucial reasons.
- Most home ovens have a limit of 500F. Some can go higher, in which case, you would want to use the highest setting for your pizza.
- 500F provides excellent results. With 500F, you achieve a great texture for your pizza as a whole. You also ensure the sauce, cheese, and toppings are cooked through, essential for safety when consuming.
How Long to Cook Pizza on Stone at 500F?
If you’re using a pizza stone (which you should be, by the way), the time frame doesn’t change. You will still need to cook your pizza for approximately eight to twelve minutes.
The only difference is that you’ll need to preheat the pizza stone at 500F for 20 minutes to an hour before sliding your pizza on top.
The longer you allow the pizza stone to preheat, the better your results will be. So, if you can wait the full hour before you start cooking, do it. I promise you; you won’t regret it.
How long does pizza take at 550F?
As mentioned earlier, it’s best to crank your oven up as high as possible to bake pizza. And while most home ovens cap out at 500F, there are still those that can get up to the 550F mark.
If this is you, don’t hesitate to use the 550F option to cook your pizza.
When cooking at 550F, pizza will be ready in approximately four to seven minutes. Remember – personal preference and toppings can cause longer or shorter cooking times, so keep a good eye on your pizza while it’s cookin’.
How long do you cook a pizza at 450?
On the other hand, some people may have a 450F limit or simply feel more comfortable using the 450F rather than 500F. After all, plenty of recipes call for 400F to 450F, so most people feel okay using it.
Whatever the case may be, you will need to add extra time to achieve the same results. Pizza will need 14 to 17 minutes to cook at 450F. While cooking, pay attention to your pizza, so it doesn’t burn or have raw spots.
How Do You Know When Pizza is Done?
Whether you decide to bake your pizza at 550F, 450F, or meet in the middle at 500F, it’s essential to know when your pizza is done.
There are two significant indicators it’s time to pull the pizza from the oven:
1. The toppings will be browned. Think that ooey-gooey cheese with just the right amount of bubbly browning goodness and pepperoni with a crunchy texture.
2. The crust will be firm, crispy, and slightly browned. To check the crust, you will need to give it a poke – be careful, as it will be hot. The crust should have a crispy texture. Don’t worry if it feels a little too crisp. As it cools, the crust will soften up.
FAQs
Now you know everything you need to know about how long to cook pizza at 500F (and a few other common temperatures, too.) If you’re not ready to say “bye” just yet, take a look at these informative questions.
Do you put pizza directly on the pizza stone?
Pizza is placed directly on a pizza stone and is the best choice for baking pizzas with a beautiful crust. But don’t worry – if you don’t have a baking stone, you can always use another option like a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet.
How long does pizza take to cook in a pizza oven?
If you have an actual pizza oven, cook times change immensely. That’s because most of these ovens go well above 800F. So, you can expect your pizzas to be done in as little as one or two minutes.
What temperature do you cook pizza UK?
Pizzas cooked in the UK should follow the same recommendation. Crank up your oven as high as possible, whether it’s 232C, 260C, or 287C.
Final Words
Pizzas usually only need eight to twelve minutes in an oven set to 500F. However, everyone’s range and preferences are different, so you may have to tweak the exact number. Personally, I find that ten minutes is the “golden” number for “golden” crust and toppings. Yum!
How long do you bake your pizza at 500F?
About Michelle