Ever wondered exactly how big a 16 inch pizza really is? This popular family-size option offers impressive feeding capacity that’s perfect for gatherings. More than just a measurement, understanding a 16 inch pizza’s dimensions helps with everything from selecting the right pan to estimating portions. Whether you’re ordering delivery or making one at home, knowing the true size of this party-perfect pizza ensures you’ll have enough delicious slices for everyone at your table.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making a 16 inch pizza at home is a game-changer for several reasons:
• Feeds a crowd : Perfect for family dinners or gatherings
• Saves money : More affordable than ordering delivery
• Customizable : Create different toppings on each section
• Impressive results : Wow your guests with a huge, delicious pizza
• Enjoyable leftovers : Have tasty slices for the next day
This large pizza format gives you plenty of space to get creative while ensuring everyone gets enough to eat. It’s the perfect balance of practicality and fun!
Ingredients Needed
To make a perfect 16 inch pizza at home, you’ll need ingredients in larger quantities than for standard-sized pizzas. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Pizza Dough:
• 5 cups all-purpose flour (625g)
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast (6g)
• 3 teaspoons salt (18g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
• 1¾ cups warm water (415ml)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for yeast activation)
For Classic Tomato Sauce:
• 1 can (28oz) crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Toppings:
• 3-4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (12-16oz)
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan (optional)
• Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, vegetables, meats, etc.)
• Extra virgin-olive oil for brushing the crust
Equipment Needed:
• 16 inch pizza pan or large baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Large mixing bowl
• Pizza peel (optional but helpful)
• Pizza cutter
For best results, ensure your ingredients are fresh and at room temperature before starting. The flour-to-water ratio may need slight adjustments depending on humidity and flour brand, so have a little extra of each on hand.
How To Make 16 Inch Pizza
Creating a restaurant-quality 16 inch pizza at home is easier than you might think. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:
Preparing the Dough
- Make the dough – In a large bowll, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and add warm water and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead thoroughly – Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. For a 16 inch pizza, proper gluten development is crucial to support the larger size.
- First rise – Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
Shaping and Preparation
- Preheat your oven – Set to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone or steel inside if you have one. For a 16 inch pizza, preheating for at least 45 minutes ensures proper cooking.
- Shape the dough – Gently punch down the risen dough and shape into a ball. On a floured surface, use your hands or rolling pin to create a 16 inch circle. The center should be thinner than the edges.
- Transfer carefully – Move the shaped dough to a parchment-lined 16 inch pan or onto a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel if using a stone.
Adding Toppings
- Apply sauce – Spread a thin layer of sauce from the center outward, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
- Add cheese and toppings – Sprinkle cheese evenly and arrange toppings. For a pizza this size, avoid overloading with heavy toppings in the center.
- Final touches – Brush the outer crust with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt for extra flavor.
Baking
- Bake to perfection – Slide your 16 inch pizza into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Rest before slicing – Allow your pizza to rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting into slices. This helps the cheese set and makes for cleaner cuts.
The key to a successful large pizza is ensuring even heat distribution and not rushing the process. This extra care results in that perfect combination of crispy bottom and chewy interior that makes homemade pizza so satisfying.
16 Inch Pizza Size
A 16 inch pizza is significantly larger than what many people typically make at home. Here are the specific dimensions:
• Diameter: 16 inches (40.64 cm) across
• Radius: 8 inches (20.32 cm)
• Circumference: Approximately 50.27 inches (127.68 cm)
• Surface area: About 201 square inches (1297 sq cm)
For perspective, a 16 inch pizza has 77% more surface area than a 12 inch pizza, despite being only 4 inches larger in diameter. This is because the area increases with the square of the radius (πr²).
A 16 inch pizza is comparable in size to:
• A standard steering wheel
• A large serving platter
• The width of a typical backpack
This size requires special consideration for baking, as not all home ovens can accommodate a pizza this large. Always measure your oven interior before preparing.
How Many Slices in a 16 Inch Pizza
A 16 inch pizza can be cut in several ways depending on the number of people and serving preferences:
• Traditional cut: 8 large slices (most common for delivery pizzas)
• Party cut: 10-12 medium slices (better for serving larger groups)
• Square cut: 16-20 smaller squares (ideal for appetizers or kids)
The typical 8-slice cut means each slice is quite substantial, about 25 square inches per slice. This is approximately 50% larger than a slice from a 12 inch pizza cut into the same number of pieces.
When serving, consider that most adults will eat 2-3 slices from a traditionally cut 16 inch pizza for a main course. For a party with other food available, plan on 1-2 slices per person.
Storage/Reheating
Properly storing and reheating your 16 inch pizza ensures you’ll enjoy every last slice at its best:
Storage
• Refrigeration: Allow pizza to cool completely, then stack slices with parchment paper between them or store flat in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, place cooled slices on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm (about 1-2 hours), then transfer to freezer bags or wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Frozen pizza slices remain good for up to 2 months.
Reheating Methods
• Oven method (best results): Preheat to 375°F (190°C), place slices on a baking sheet, and heat for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
• Skillet method: Place slice in a covered non-stick skillet over medium-low heat for 4-6 minutes. Add a few drops of water beside (not on) the pizza and cover to create steam for melting the cheese.
• Air fryer: Heat at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes for quick results with a crispy crust.
• Microwave (quickest but least crispy): Heat on high for 30-45 seconds, but expect a softer crust.
For best results when reheating frozen slices, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using one of the methods above.
How Big is a 16 Inch Pizza
A 16 inch pizza offers impressive feeding capacity that makes it perfect for gatherings:
• Servings: Feeds 5-8 people as a main course
• Compared to smaller sizes: Contains the equivalent of 2.6 personal-sized (10 inch) pizzas
• Total weight: Typically 2-3 pounds (900-1350g) depending on toppings
In terms of practical considerations:
• Required dough weight: 22-25 oz (625-700g)
• Sauce needed: Approximately 8-10 oz (235-295ml)
• Cheese required: 12-16 oz (340-450g)
The substantial size requires special equipment considerations:
• A dedicated 16 inch pizza pan or very large baking sheet
• Adequate counter space for preparation
• Sufficient oven capacity (measure before starting!)
• A large cutting board for serving
This size pizza is commonly available at pizzerias as their “XL” or “Family Size” option, though some establishments may call it different names.
FAQs
Q: Is a 16 inch pizza twice as big as an 8 inch pizza?
No, it’s actually four times as big! Pizza size increases with the square of the radius, so a 16 inch pizza has four times the area of an 8 inch pizza.
Q: Will a 16 inch pizza fit in my oven?
Standard home ovens are typically 24-30 inches wide, but the usable space may be smaller. Measure your oven’s interior width and depth before attempting to bake a 16 inch pizza.
Q: How much dough do I need for a 16 inch pizza?
You’ll need approximately 22-25 oz (625-700g) of dough for a medium-thickness 16 inch pizza crust.
Q: Is it better to order one 16 inch pizza or two 12 inch pizzas?
One 16 inch pizza has about 201 square inches of area, while two 12 inch pizzas have about 226 square inches combined. So two 12 inch pizzas provide slightly more pizza, but often at a higher price.
Q: How many calories are in a 16 inch pizza?
A whole 16 inch cheese pizza typically contains around 2,000-2,800 calories, but this varies greatly depending on crust thickness and toppings.
Q: What’s the best way to cut a 16 inch pizza?
Use a large pizza wheel cutter in a continuous motion from edge to edge. For very large pizzas, a rocking pizza knife (mezzaluna) works well to ensure clean cuts through the center.
Q: How long does it take to cook a 16 inch pizza?
In a preheated 475°F (245°C) oven, a 16 inch pizza typically takes 12-15 minutes to bake fully. The time may vary based on your oven and the amount of toppings.
Happy Cooking.
How big is a 16 inch pizza
Ingredients
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 3 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1¾ cups warm water
- 1 can 28oz crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp herbs oregano, basil
- 3-4 cups mozzarella cheese
- Your choice of toppings
- Extra olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Mix flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl
- Add water and oil, stir until dough forms
- Knead 8-10 minutes until smooth
- Let rise 1-2 hours until doubled
- Preheat oven to 475°F
- Roll dough into 16-inch circle
- Transfer to pizza pan
- Spread sauce, add cheese and toppings
- Brush crust with olive oil
- Bake 12-15 minutes until golden
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing
Notes
- Calories: 340 per slice
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 15g
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