Domino's Pan Pizza: Recipe Secrets

Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza is a thick, crispy crust pizza with a soft dough centre, oozing with cheese and topped with your choice of toppings. The pizza is baked in a pan, with fresh dough that is hand-pressed and never frozen. The crust is buttery and golden brown, with a subtle garlic flavour. The pizza is loaded with two layers of cheese and toppings that extend to the edge of the crust, ensuring every bite is packed with flavour.

Fresh dough, never frozen

Domino's pan pizza is made with fresh dough that is never frozen. The dough is hand-pressed into a well-greased pan and baked to a delicious, crispy, yet soft and chewy texture. This technique ensures that every bite is loaded with sauce, cheese, and toppings, delivering a flavour-packed experience.

The use of fresh dough is a key differentiator for Domino's, as most pan pizzas from other restaurants are made with frozen dough. This commitment to using fresh, never-frozen dough is highlighted in their advertising and packaging, with Domino's proudly declaring it as a "dirty little secret" of the pizza business.

The process of making Domino's pan pizza begins with mixing dry milk, sugar, yeast, and warm water in a large bowl. After adding vegetable or canola oil and stirring, flour and salt are mixed in until a ball of dough starts to form. This dough is then kneaded by hand or with a mixer until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Once the dough is ready, it is divided into balls and placed into skillets with oil, ensuring an even spread, including up the sides. The dough is then stretched to match the size of the skillets, using fingers or a rolling pin if necessary. If the dough snaps back, it is covered and allowed to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before stretching again.

The dough is then placed in a pizza pan, and this time, it doesn't need to go all the way to the sides as it will expand during rising. The pan is covered and left to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours. During the final 20 minutes of this process, the oven is preheated to 500 degrees F.

Finally, the dough is topped with tomato sauce and a generous amount of cheese and other preferred toppings, before being baked in the oven for about 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The result is a thick, crispy crust with a soft, chewy texture, loaded with cheese and toppings.

Domino's commitment to using fresh dough that is never frozen sets them apart from competitors and ensures a high-quality, flavourful pan pizza.

Hand-pressed into a pan

Domino's pan pizza is made by hand-pressing fresh dough into a well-greased pan. This is in contrast to other pizza chains, which tend to use frozen dough for their pan pizzas. The dough is pressed into the pan to form a circle, and the edges are tapered, giving the pizza the appearance of a flying saucer. The dough is then baked to create a crispy, golden-brown crust with a soft, chewy texture.

The process of hand-pressing the dough into the pan is an important step in creating the unique texture and shape of Domino's pan pizza. This method of shaping the dough ensures that the crust is thick and fluffy, with a crispy exterior. It also allows for an even distribution of the dough, creating a uniform thickness throughout the pizza.

The pan used for baking is well-greased to prevent the dough from sticking and to create a crispy, golden-brown crust. The grease also adds a layer of flavour to the crust, giving it a subtle buttery taste. This is a signature feature of Domino's pan pizza, as they pride themselves on using fresh, never-frozen dough for their handmade pan pizzas.

The act of hand-pressing the dough into the pan is a labour-intensive process that requires skill and precision. The dough must be stretched and shaped evenly to ensure a consistent thickness across the entire pizza. This technique is part of what sets Domino's pan pizza apart from other varieties, as it creates a unique texture and flavour profile.

The hand-pressing process also allows for customisation and experimentation. Pizza makers can adjust the thickness of the dough to suit their preferences or create different shapes and sizes. This versatility adds to the appeal of handmade pan pizzas, as customers can enjoy a variety of options and customise their orders to their liking.

Crispy, buttery crust

To achieve the coveted crispy, buttery crust, Domino's uses a combination of specific ingredients and preparation techniques. Firstly, the dough is made with a blend of flour, water, salt, sugar, yeast, and oil, which forms the foundation of the crust. The inclusion of sugar and oil contributes to the development of a crispy and buttery texture during baking.

In addition to the basic ingredients, Domino's also adds a "`goodie bag`" of secret ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture of the crust. This goodie bag is reported to contain whey (a dry milk product), maltodextrin (preservative), dextrose (sweetener), and a dough conditioner (enhancer). The dextrose, in particular, likely contributes to the crust's sweet and buttery flavour.

The dough-making process is just as important as the ingredients. Domino's allows the dough to ferment for at least 24 hours, with 48 hours being ideal. This slow fermentation process is crucial for developing the desired pizza flavour and texture. Additionally, the dough is made with a minimal amount of yeast, allowing it to rise slowly and create a chewy consistency.

Once the dough is prepared, it's hand-pressed into a well-greased pan, ensuring an even coating of oil that contributes to the crispy texture. The dough is then baked to perfection, resulting in a crust that is crispy, buttery, and golden brown. This combination of ingredients, techniques, and attention to detail is what creates the distinctive and delicious crust of Domino's pan pizza.

Two layers of cheese

Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza is loaded with two layers of fresh cheese. The first layer of cheese is placed directly on top of the dough, followed by the sauce, and then the second layer of cheese. This double layer of cheese ensures that every bite is loaded with flavour. The cheese used in the first layer is provolone, while the second layer is a classic pizza cheese. The amount of cheese in each layer is carefully measured, with 4oz of provolone in the first layer and 3oz of mozzarella in the second. This combination of cheeses creates a gooey, delicious topping that is sure to please any pizza lover.

The Handmade Pan Pizza is Domino's take on the classic deep-dish pizza, and it certainly delivers on taste. With its buttery, golden-brown crust and generous toppings that extend to the edge of the crust, it's a pizza that's made to be shared and enjoyed with family and friends. The two layers of cheese are a key part of this pizza's appeal, adding to the overall flavour and texture that has made it a popular choice among customers.

The process of making the Handmade Pan Pizza starts with fresh, never-frozen dough that is hand-pressed into a well-greased pan. This dough is a special type called buttered pan dough, which contains little chunks of butter for added flavour. The dough is then stretched to fit the pan, and the first layer of cheese is added. The cheese melts into the dough as the pizza bakes, creating a delicious, crispy, and chewy texture.

The addition of sauce and the second layer of cheese takes the pizza to the next level. The sauce used is a classic tomato-based pizza sauce, adding a tangy, savoury element to the mix. The second layer of cheese not only adds extra flavour but also helps to bind the toppings together. This ensures that each slice holds together nicely and that every bite is packed with all the ingredients, creating a cohesive and satisfying eating experience.

The two layers of cheese in Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza are an essential part of what makes this pizza so tasty and unique. With its generous portions, crispy yet chewy crust, and mouth-watering toppings, it's a pizza that's hard to resist and perfect for sharing.

Toppings to the edge

Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza is loaded with toppings that extend directly to the edge of the crust. This means that every bite is packed with sauce, cheese, and toppings. The pizza is made with fresh, never-frozen dough that is hand-pressed into a well-greased pan and baked to a delicious, crispy, yet soft and chewy texture.

The process of making Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza starts with fresh, never-frozen dough. This dough is then hand-pressed into a well-greased pan, ensuring that the toppings can extend to the very edge. The pan is an essential part of the process, as it gives the pizza its characteristic thick, crispy, and golden crust. The dough is baked to perfection, resulting in a crust that is both crispy and chewy.

The toppings on a Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza truly go to the edge, providing a flavourful bite every time. The pizza is loaded with two layers of fresh cheese, which creates a gooey and indulgent texture. In addition to the cheese, the pizza is topped with a variety of ingredients that extend all the way to the crust. Whether you choose pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, or black olives, you can expect a generous amount of toppings on your pizza.

The key to achieving toppings that go to the edge is the shape of the dough and the distribution of toppings. The dough is pressed into a circular shape, ensuring that it fills the pan evenly. Then, the toppings are distributed evenly across the dough, allowing them to reach the edges. This attention to detail ensures that every bite of the pizza is packed with flavour and texture.

Domino's Handmade Pan Pizza stands out from its competitors due to its focus on fresh, never-frozen dough and its commitment to providing toppings that extend to the edge. This results in a pizza that is not only delicious but also visually appealing, with a generous amount of toppings in every slice.

Frequently asked questions