Pepperoni Handmade Pan Pizza: Yes Or No?

Handmade pan pizza is a type of pizza that typically has a thick and fluffy crust. The dough is pressed into a greased or oiled pan, which gives the pizza its distinct shape and texture. This style of pizza usually has generous amounts of cheese and hearty toppings such as sausage or pepperoni. The cooking process allows for even heat distribution, ensuring that the toppings are cooked through without becoming burnt.

Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza, for example, boasts a buttery, golden-brown crust with hints of garlic and two layers of fresh cheese. The toppings extend to the edge of the crust, ensuring every bite is loaded with sauce, cheese, and toppings.

While the answer to whether the handmade pan pizza has pepperoni depends on the toppings you choose, it is a popular choice and pairs well with the thick and fluffy crust of a handmade pan pizza.

Handmade Pan Pizza Nutritional Value

Handmade pan pizza is a style of pizza that typically has a thicker, chewier crust than other types of pizza. The dough is spread into a greased or oiled pan before adding toppings, resulting in a softer and chewier texture. This style of pizza usually has generous amounts of cheese and toppings, making it perfect for those who like a heartier slice.

When it comes to the nutritional value of handmade pan pizza, a slice of plain Domino's medium (12") handmade pan pizza contains 290 calories, with a macronutrient breakdown of 41% carbs, 45% fat, and 14% protein. It's a good source of protein (18% of your Daily Value) and calcium (22% of your Daily Value).

If you opt for a slice of Domino's medium (12") handmade pan pizza with pepperoni, it contains 300 calories, 16 grams of fat, 27 grams of carbs, and 11 grams of protein. This option provides a similar nutritional profile, with a slight increase in calories and fat due to the addition of pepperoni.

While handmade pan pizzas can be a delicious treat, they tend to be higher in calories due to their heavier toppings. If you're looking for a healthier option, you might want to consider a pizza with a thinner crust and lighter toppings, such as vegetables or grilled chicken. However, as a treat, handmade pan pizzas can be a great option for sharing with family and friends, providing a filling and flavourful experience.

Handmade Pan Pizza vs Hand-Tossed Pizza

Handmade pan pizza and hand-tossed pizza are two of the most popular pizza types. But what's the difference between the two? Let's take a closer look at each style so you can decide which one is right for your taste buds.

Hand-Tossed Pizza

Hand-tossed pizza is a classic style where the dough is stretched and tossed by hand, giving it a circular shape. This method ensures an even distribution of toppings and results in a slightly crispy crust. Hand-tossed pizzas are typically round and cooked at high heat for about 8 minutes, producing a thin and crispy crust. The dough for a hand-tossed pizza is softer and thinner, as it needs to be flexible enough to be tossed in the air. This style of pizza usually has a variety of toppings and is lighter on the cheese. It is often compared to classic Italian pizza and is perfect for those who prefer a thinner crust.

Handmade Pan Pizza

Handmade pan pizza, on the other hand, is made by spreading the dough into a greased or oiled pan, creating a thicker and chewier crust. This style takes longer to cook, up to 12 minutes, due to its thicker crust. Handmade pan pizzas are known for their generous amounts of cheese and hearty toppings such as sausage or pepperoni. The dough for this style is thicker and more moist, as it is mixed with more oil. The crust of a handmade pan pizza is often described as softer, crispier, and golden brown. This style is perfect for those who crave a thicker crust and a heartier slice.

So, Which Is Better?

It's hard to say which is better, as it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both styles have their unique qualities and offer a delicious pizza experience. Hand-tossed pizza is great for those who like a thinner, crispier crust, while handmade pan pizza satisfies those craving a thicker, chewier crust loaded with toppings. Why not try both and decide for yourself?

How to Make Handmade Pan Pizza at Home

Ingredients

To make a handmade pan pizza at home, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Bread flour
• Active dry yeast
• Olive oil
• Pizza sauce (jarred or homemade)
• Mozzarella cheese (sliced or shredded)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Salt
• Water

Steps

Prepare the Dough:

• Combine warm water and active dry yeast in a large bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast dissolves.
• Add bread flour and salt to the bowl and mix until everything is combined. You can use a spoon or your hands for this step.
• Grease a large bowl or container with oil or non-stick spray. Place the dough in the greased bowl and spread it out as much as possible.
• Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a lid. Ensure that the cover is not too tight, as you need to allow some gases to escape.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) for about a minute, then turn it off. You want the oven to be warm but not hot.
• Place the dough in the warm oven and let it rise for 4 hours. After 2 hours, remove the dough, turn the oven on again for a minute, and then return the dough to the oven when it's warmed up.

Shape the Dough:

• Grease two cast iron pans or round cake pans with olive oil. You need two pans because the dough will rise in them.
• Divide the risen dough into two portions and place each portion into the greased pans.
• Use oiled hands to lift and tuck the edges of the dough towards the center, forming a loose ball. Flip the dough over so the smooth side is up, and coat it completely with oil.
• Press and spread the dough towards the edges of the pan using your hands.
• Cover each pan loosely with plastic wrap, ensuring the plastic doesn't touch the dough.
• Repeat the oven-warming process for the second rise. Place the pans with the dough in the warm oven for about an hour and a half.

Assemble the Pizza:

• Remove the pans from the oven and keep them in a warm place. Preheat your oven to its highest temperature, preferably 550°F (290°C).
• Spread pizza sauce on each pizza base, going all the way to the edges if desired.
• Add a few slices of mozzarella cheese to each pizza, followed by shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Top with your desired toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, or vegetables. Just remember not to overload the pizza to avoid weighing down the dough.
• Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese over the pizzas, if using.

Bake the Pizza:

• Place the pizzas in the hot oven and bake for about 9-15 minutes.
• The pizza is done when the edges are starting to brown and the cheese is melted and golden. To ensure doneness, lift the edge of the pizza with a spatula to check if the bottom crust is golden brown.
• Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them set for a couple of minutes. Then, use a spatula to slide the pizzas out onto cooling racks to maintain a crispy crust.
• Let the pizzas cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve!

Tips:

• If you don't have bread flour, you can make it by combining vital wheat gluten with regular all-purpose flour. For this recipe, replace 2.5 tablespoons of flour with vital wheat gluten.
• Light olive oil is recommended for frying and baking due to its high smoke point. Avoid using extra virgin olive oil in a very hot oven, as it may create a smoky kitchen.
• If you only have one cast iron pan, you can bake the pizzas one at a time or halve the recipe. Alternatively, you can use three heavy 8-inch cake pans lined with parchment paper, but the results may not be the same.
• For a crispier crust, pre-bake the crust at 550°F for 5 minutes before adding the toppings.

Handmade Pan Pizza Toppings

Handmade pan pizza is a type of pizza that has a thick, fluffy, and chewy crust. It is made by spreading dough into a greased or oiled pan and then adding toppings and a generous amount of cheese. This style of pizza typically has hearty toppings and is perfect for those who like a heavier and more filling slice.

Topping Options

When it comes to toppings for your handmade pan pizza, the options are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sausage
• Pepperoni
• Mushrooms
• Peppers
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Black olives
• Basil leaves
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Provolone cheese
• Jack cheese

Customization

The beauty of handmade pan pizza is that you can customize it to your liking. If you prefer a lighter pizza with classic toppings, go for a thin crust and choose toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, and olives. On the other hand, if you're craving a more filling and hearty pizza, opt for a thicker crust and load up on toppings like sausage, peppers, and extra cheese.

Tips for the Perfect Handmade Pan Pizza

To ensure your handmade pan pizza turns out perfectly, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Don't skimp on the olive oil—it gives the crust an amazing texture and flavor.
• Use fresh, never-frozen dough for the best results.
• Be generous with the cheese and toppings—handmade pan pizzas can handle it!
• Let the dough rise properly—this will give your crust a fluffy and chewy texture.
• If you like a crispy crust, bake your pizza in a hot oven at a high temperature.

Handmade Pan Pizza vs Deep-Dish Pizza

Handmade pan pizza and deep-dish pizza are both thick-crust pizzas, but there are some key differences between the two.

Handmade pan pizza is made by spreading the dough into a greased or oiled pan before adding toppings. This results in a thicker and chewier crust compared to hand-tossed pizza. The cooking time is also longer, usually up to 12 minutes, to ensure the thicker crust is cooked through. Handmade pan pizzas tend to have generous amounts of cheese and hearty toppings such as sausage or pepperoni, making them a heartier option.

Deep-dish pizza, on the other hand, typically has a thicker, breadier crust due to the use of yeast and baking powder in the dough. It is often associated with Chicago-style pizza, with a tall outer crust portion and a thinner inner crust. The order of placing the toppings is also reversed, with the cheese placed at the very bottom, followed by an aggressive amount of tomato sauce, and then other toppings such as Italian sausage, pepperoni, and fresh mushrooms.

In terms of similarities, both types of pizzas offer a thick crust and can be baked in a pan. They also use similar types of sauces, cheeses, and toppings, although deep-dish pizzas tend to have a higher amount of toppings compared to pan pizzas.

When choosing between the two, consider your preference for the amount of toppings and the thickness of the crust. If you prefer a lighter concentration of toppings and a thicker, fluffier crust, a pan pizza may be the better option. However, if you want a larger amount of toppings and a thinner inner crust with a tall outer crust, deep-dish pizza might be more suitable.

Frequently asked questions