Small Oven, Big Results: The Best Way to Cook Frozen Pizza in a Toaster Oven

Frozen pizza is one of those comfort foods we all keep around. It’s quick, familiar, and honestly, pretty satisfying when it’s done right.
And yes — a toaster oven is actually one of the best ways to cook frozen pizza.

We’ve tested it more times than we can count. Late nights, busy weekdays, small kitchens, dorm rooms. The toaster oven handles it all surprisingly well.

Let’s walk through exactly how we cook frozen pizza in a toaster oven, step by step, without overcomplicating things.

Before we jump into temperatures and timings, let’s talk about why this works so well.

A toaster oven heats up faster than a regular oven.
It uses less energy.
And for small or medium pizzas, it often gives us a crispier crust than a microwave ever could.

Plus, we don’t have to heat up the whole kitchen just to cook one pizza.

Simple, efficient, and surprisingly effective.

Most frozen pizzas work just fine in a toaster oven, but size matters.

Best options:

• Personal-size pizzas

• Small round frozen pizzas

• French bread pizzas

• Flatbread or thin-crust pizzas

Trickier options:

• Extra-large frozen pizzas

• Thick, deep-dish styles

If it doesn’t fit comfortably inside the toaster oven without touching the sides or heating elements, it’s a no-go. For those, a regular oven is safer.

We know.
Skipping preheating is tempting.

But don’t do it.

Preheating helps the crust cook evenly and prevents that sad, soggy bottom nobody wants.

What we do:

• Set the toaster oven to 400°F (205°C)

• Let it preheat fully (usually 5–10 minutes)

If your pizza box suggests a different temperature, we usually stick close to it. Most frozen pizzas fall between 375°F and 425°F, and 400°F is a great middle ground.

This step affects texture more than people realize.

Our go-to options:

Directly on the rack

• Best for a crispier crust

• Great for thin-crust pizzas

On a baking tray

• Better for softer crusts

• Safer for pizzas with lots of cheese that might drip

If we want that classic crunch, we go rack-only.
If we’re worried about mess, we grab a tray.

Tip: Avoid foil directly under the pizza. It can block heat and lead to uneven cooking.

This is where toaster ovens shine, but also where things can go wrong if we’re not paying attention.

General guideline:

• 10–15 minutes total

We always start checking at the 8–9 minute mark. Every toaster oven heats a little differently.

Signs it’s almost ready:

• Cheese fully melted and bubbling

• Crust turning golden brown

• No visible frozen spots in the center

If the top browns too fast but the crust isn’t done, we lower the temperature slightly and give it a few extra minutes.

Most toaster ovens have hot spots. It’s normal.

Halfway through cooking, we:

• Open the door

• Rotate the pizza 180 degrees

This one small step helps everything cook evenly, especially the back edge.

Once the pizza is done, we take it out and wait 1–2 minutes.

This helps:

• Cheese set slightly

• Slices hold together better

• Avoid burning our mouths (learned the hard way)

Then we slice and enjoy.

We’ve made them all. Here’s how we avoid ruining a perfectly good frozen pizza.

❌ Cooking at too high a temperature

This burns the top while leaving the inside cold.

❌ Skipping preheating

Leads to uneven cooking and soggy crust.

❌ Forgetting to check early

Toaster ovens cook fast. One extra minute can make a big difference.

❌ Overloading with extra toppings

More toppings = more moisture = longer cook time.

Absolutely. We do it all the time.

But we keep it simple.

What works well:

• A little extra shredded cheese

• Thinly sliced pepperoni

• Pre-cooked veggies

What to be careful with:

• Raw meats

• Thick, watery vegetables

• Too much sauce

If we add toppings, we expect to add 2–3 extra minutes of cook time.

Frozen pizza is convenient.
But it doesn’t have to taste boring.

Here are a few easy upgrades we swear by:

• Sprinkle dried oregano or chili flakes after baking

• Drizzle olive oil on the crust

• Add fresh basil once it’s out

• Finish with grated parmesan

Small touches, big difference.

We always cook frozen pizza straight from the freezer.

Letting it thaw can make the crust gummy and harder to crisp. Frozen pizza is designed to go straight into a hot oven — toaster oven included.

For pizza?
No contest.

Microwaves heat fast but leave us with:

• Soft, chewy crust

• Uneven texture

• Lukewarm spots

A toaster oven gives us:

• Crisp edges

• Melted cheese

• Real oven-style results

It takes a few extra minutes, but it’s worth it.

Just a few basics to keep things stress-free:

• Never let the pizza touch heating elements

• Keep the crumb tray clean

• Use oven mitts (toaster ovens get hot fast)

• Don’t leave it unattended

Simple habits, no surprises.

Frozen Pizza + Toaster Oven = Win

Cooking frozen pizza in a toaster oven is easy once we know the basics.

Preheat properly.
Watch the time.
Rotate halfway.

That’s really it.

Whether we’re cooking for one, feeding a quick lunch, or just craving something warm and familiar, the toaster oven delivers reliable results every time.

And once we get comfortable with it, frozen pizza stops feeling like a compromise — and starts feeling like a smart, practical choice.