Short answer: Most frozen pizzas are only partly precooked. The crust is usually par-baked and toppings like pepperoni and sausage are usually cured or precooked, but the pizza as a whole is sold as not ready to eat. Rising-crust pizzas use raw dough. Always bake frozen pizza following the box until it is hot all the way through.
What is cooked and what is not
| Part | Usually | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thin / original crust | Par-baked | Baked enough to hold its shape, then frozen. Finishes browning in your oven. |
| Rising / self-rising crust | Raw dough | Contains active leavening and rises during baking. Not safe to eat unbaked. |
| Pepperoni, salami | Cured | Fermented and dried, not “cooked” in the usual sense. |
| Sausage crumbles, chicken, bacon | Usually precooked | Check the ingredient list; must still be heated through. |
| Cheese | Not cooked | Made from pasteurised milk; melts in the oven. |
| Sauce and vegetables | Varies | Often raw or lightly cooked before freezing. |
Why you should not eat it frozen or cold
- The label tells you to cook it. Frozen pizzas carry cooking instructions because the manufacturer has not made them ready to eat as packaged.
- Raw flour is not a safe ingredient. The FDA warns that flour can carry harmful bacteria, which is killed only by baking. Rising-crust dough has not been baked at all.
- Frozen does not mean sterile. Freezing stops bacteria from growing but does not kill them.
- It would not taste right anyway: a par-baked crust is pale and gummy until it finishes in the oven.
How to tell if yours is fully baked
- The cheese is completely melted and bubbling, starting to brown in spots.
- The edge of the crust is golden, and the underside is firm and dry, not doughy, when you lift it.
- The centre is steaming hot. A food thermometer should read 165°F (74°C).
Thick and rising-crust pizzas take the longest. If the top browns before the middle is done, cover loosely with foil and give it a few more minutes.
Cooking tips by crust
| Crust | Typical oven setting | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Thin | 400–425°F, 10–14 min | Directly on the rack for crispness |
| Original | 400–425°F, 15–20 min | Middle rack |
| Rising crust | 400°F, 20–25 min | Do not thaw first; follow the box exactly |
| French bread / pizza sticks | 375–425°F, 15–25 min | On a tray |
These are typical ranges. The instructions on your box win, because ovens and recipes differ.
Can you cook frozen pizza in an air fryer or microwave?
Air fryer: yes, if it fits in one layer. Most small frozen pizzas take 8–12 minutes at 380–400°F. Check that the centre is hot. Microwave: only for pizzas sold with microwave instructions (usually with a crisping sleeve). A standard frozen pizza goes soggy and may cook unevenly.
Related: can you freeze Domino's pizza, baking and reheating Hunt Brothers pizza.