You’ve got your pizza base, your toppings are prepped, and you’re ready to bake. But here’s the question that trips up most home cooks: what temperature should the oven be at, and how long should the pizza bake?

The answer depends on your oven type and the style of base you’re using. Here’s a complete guide tailored specifically for the ovens commonly found in Thai homes and apartments.

The Golden Rule: As Hot as Possible

Real Italian pizza bakes at 400–485°C in a wood-fired oven. Your home oven won’t reach that, but the principle remains: the hotter the oven, the better the pizza. A high temperature ensures that the crust crisps up quickly while the toppings cook without drying out.

Most home ovens in Thailand max out at 230–250°C. Some newer models reach 275°C. Use whatever your maximum is.

Oven Types Common in Thailand

Standard Electric Oven (Most Common)

Set to maximum temperature (usually 230–250°C). Use the “top and bottom heat” setting if available, not fan-forced. Place the pizza on the lowest rack for the crispiest base. Baking time: 8–10 minutes for a pre-made base with toppings.

Convection / Fan Oven

If fan-forced is your only option, reduce the temperature by 10–20°C (so if the recipe says 250°C, use 230°C with fan). The fan circulates hot air, which cooks faster but can dry out toppings. Baking time: 7–9 minutes.

Countertop Oven / Toaster Oven

Smaller ovens are very common in Thai condos. They heat up fast, which is actually an advantage. Set to maximum (usually 230°C). Because the heating element is closer to the food, you may need to rotate the pizza halfway through. Baking time: 6–8 minutes. Watch closely — these ovens can go from perfect to burnt in 30 seconds.

Pizza Oven (Ooni, Roccbox, etc.)

If you’re lucky enough to own a portable pizza oven, you’re in the big leagues. These reach 400°C+ and bake a pizza in 60–90 seconds. Use the Neapolitan base for these — it’s designed for extreme heat. Pre-made bases work beautifully in pizza ovens; just keep rotating to avoid burning one side.

Air Fryer

Yes, you can bake pizza in an air fryer — and the results are surprisingly good. Set to 200°C, place the base directly in the basket (you may need to use smaller bases like our 7″ or 9″), and bake for 5–6 minutes. The circulating hot air creates a very crispy base.

The Pizza Stone Trick

If you don’t have a pizza stone, turn a heavy baking tray upside down, place it in the oven during preheating, and slide the pizza onto the hot surface. This mimics a pizza stone by delivering intense bottom heat directly to the crust — the key to a crispy base in a home oven.

Quick Reference Table

Oven Type	Temperature	Baking Time	Best Rack Position
Standard electric	250°C (max)	8–10 min	Lowest rack
Fan / convection	230°C	7–9 min	Middle rack
Countertop / toaster	230°C (max)	6–8 min	N/A (rotate halfway)
Pizza oven	400°C+	60–90 sec	Stone floor
Air fryer	200°C	5–6 min	Basket

Signs Your Pizza Is Done

• Cheese is fully melted and starting to bubble
• Crust edges are golden brown with some darker spots
• The bottom of the base is firm and crispy (lift a corner to check)
• Toppings are cooked through but not dried out

When in doubt, check the bottom. A pale, soft bottom means more time is needed. A golden, firm bottom means it’s ready.