Half-Baked Pizza Cooking Instructions
A quick intro
Bring pizzeria flavor home with a simple oven pizza routine that delivers a crisp crust and melty cheese in minutes. Below you will find the exact pizza oven temperature to use, plus quick tips that make it easy to make pizza at home. If you are browsing pizza recipes for oven or wondering how to make oven pizza that tastes restaurant quality, start here.
What you will need: a fully preheated oven, oven mitts, a cooling rack or cutting board, and your half baked pizza.
Pro tips before you bake
Preheat completely so the crust crisps fast. A hot oven is the secret to great texture.
Bake on the center rack for even browning.
Rotate the pizza once mid bake so the cheese melts uniformly.
Let the pizza rest one minute after baking so slices hold their shape.
To finish cooking your Half Baked Pizza at home, follow these easy instructions:
Preheat oven to 475 to 500°F.
Defrost if frozen.
Place pizza directly on the rack in the center of the oven.
Cook pizza for about 5 minutes, turning once to brown evenly.
Slide pizza back into the box or onto a cutting board to cut.
Be careful taking pizza out of the oven. It will be hot.
After you bake
Doneness cues
Cheese should be fully melted with small golden spots. The crust should feel firm at the edge and lightly crisp on the bottom. If needed, add 30 to 60 seconds.
Slice and serve
Let the pizza sit for one minute, then slice with a pizza cutter. Finish with red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or a drizzle of olive oil.
Quick variations
For extra crisp: add one more minute directly on the rack.
For a softer base: bake on a sheet pan instead of the rack.
For more browning: move to the top rack for the final 60 seconds.
Reheating leftovers
Warm slices in a 400°F oven for 4 to 6 minutes or in a covered skillet over medium heat until the cheese is melty and the bottom is crisp again.