Copying Pizza Hut's Pan Pizza Crust At Home

Pizza Hut's pan pizza is a beloved classic, and you can make it at home with a few simple steps. The key to a perfect pan pizza is pressing the dough into a well-oiled pan. Pizza Hut uses soybean oil, but you can use vegetable oil, olive oil, or a combination of the two. The pan is then covered, and the dough rises in a heated cabinet for 45 to 60 minutes. When the dough is topped, the edge is sprayed with a butter-flavoured food release, and the pie is baked at 500 degrees Fahrenheit until perfectly browned on top.

For the dough, you'll need sugar, yeast, salt, dry milk, water, oil, and flour. Combine the yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in a mixing bowl. Add the water and stir to mix. Let the mixture sit for two minutes or until the yeast starts to bubble. Add the oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add the flour in one-cup increments, stirring after each addition, until a dough forms and the flour is all combined. Turn the dough out onto a flat, lightly floured surface and knead for about ten minutes. Divide the dough into three equal balls. Place about three ounces of oil in the bottom of each nine-inch cake pan or cast-iron skillet. Tilt the pans to spread the oil evenly. Using a rolling pin, roll out each ball of dough to a nine-inch circle and place it in the prepared pans. Lightly coat each dough disk with cooking spray or oil and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft-free location and let rise for one to one and a half hours or until puffy.

For the sauce, you'll need tomato sauce, oregano, marjoram, basil, and garlic salt. Combine all the ingredients until blended. Let sit at room temperature for at least one hour. The sauce can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using.

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. For each nine-inch pizza, spoon one-third cup of the sauce onto the dough and spread it to within one inch of the edges. Sprinkle with one and a half ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese. Place toppings of your choice in the following order: thin meats like pepperoni or Canadian bacon, vegetables, ground or cubed meats, and additional mozzarella cheese. Place the pizzas in the oven and cook until the outer crust is brown and the cheese is bubbly in the centre (11-15 minutes, depending on how many toppings you use). Remove from the oven and let cool for two to three minutes, then remove from the pans to a cutting board and cut into wedges using a pizza cutter.

Prepare the dough

The dough is the foundation of your pizza, so it's important to get it right. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the dough for your pan pizza:

Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry milk, yeast, salt, and sugar. Make sure to mix them well so that they are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Add the Liquid Ingredients

Add the warm water to the dry ingredients and let the mixture sit for about 2-5 minutes. This allows the yeast to activate and start bubbling. Then, mix in the vegetable oil.

Step 3: Add the Flour

Start adding the flour to the mixture, one cup at a time. Stir after each addition until a dough starts to form. Keep adding flour and stirring until all the flour is combined.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a flat, lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This step is crucial for developing the gluten in the dough, which gives the crust its structure and chewiness.

Step 5: Divide the Dough

Divide the dough into equal portions, depending on how many pizzas you want to make. For a standard 9-inch pizza, divide the dough into three equal balls.

Step 6: Prepare the Pans

Add a generous amount of vegetable oil to the bottom of each cake pan or cast-iron skillet. Tilt the pans to spread the oil evenly. You want to make sure the entire surface is coated with oil, as this will help create a crispy crust.

Step 7: Roll Out the Dough

Using a rolling pin, roll out each ball of dough to a circle that is slightly larger than your pan (about 9 inches in diameter). Place the dough circles into the prepared pans.

Step 8: Let the Dough Rise

Lightly coat each dough disk with cooking spray or oil, and cover the pans with plastic wrap. Place them in a warm, draft-free location and let the dough rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until it becomes puffy. This step is crucial, as it allows the dough to develop air bubbles and creates a light and airy crust.

Let the dough rise

The dough should be left to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until puffy. You can place the dough in a warm, draft-free location, such as an oven preheated to 90-100°F, and turned off.

If you want a thicker crust, let the dough rise for a bit longer.

Add the toppings

Now that you've made your pizza dough and sauce, it's time to add the toppings. The great thing about making your own pizza is that you can add whatever toppings you like. If you want to copy Pizza Hut's toppings, you can add meats such as pepperoni, Italian sausage, or Canadian bacon. You can also add vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, onions, or tomatoes.

If you're making a supreme pizza, you can add a variety of meats and vegetables. For a Hawaiian pizza, add ham, pineapple, and onions.

Once you've added your desired toppings, sprinkle the pizza with shredded mozzarella cheese. This will help to hold the toppings in place and give your pizza a delicious, cheesy flavor.

If you want to get creative, you can also try adding some unique toppings. Some people like to add fruits or vegetables that are not traditionally used on pizza, such as apples, pears, or spinach. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as feta or goat cheese.

Once you've added all your toppings, it's time to bake your pizza! Follow the instructions in the previous section for baking instructions. Enjoy your delicious, homemade Pizza Hut-style pan pizza!

Bake the pizza

Now that you've prepared your dough and sauce, it's time to assemble and bake your pizza. First, preheat your oven to 475°F. If you want a crispier crust, preheat your oven for at least 30 minutes.

Next, spoon 1/3 cup of sauce onto the dough and spread it to within 1 inch of the edges. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Now, it's time to add your toppings. Start with thin meats like pepperoni or Canadian bacon, followed by vegetables, ground or cubed meats, and finish with an additional sprinkling of mozzarella cheese.

Place the pizzas in the oven and bake until the outer crust is brown and the cheese is bubbly in the centre. This should take 11-15 minutes, depending on how many toppings you use.

Once the pizza is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 2-3 minutes before removing it from the pan and cutting it into wedges. Enjoy!

Enjoy

Making pizza at home is a fun activity for the whole family. It's also a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen. This Pizza Hut Pan Pizza recipe is a copycat of the famous chain's original pan pizza, and it's easy to make. The key to a great pan pizza is a slow rise time and a heavy cast-iron pan. You'll need two cast-iron pans for this recipe, as the dough rises right in the pan. If you don't have two pans, you can half the recipe or bake the other half in an 8-inch or 9-inch cake pan.

The dough for this pizza is super simple to make. All you need is warm water, yeast, bread flour, and salt. Mix these ingredients together until combined; no kneading is required! The dough will need to rise for at least four hours, so this is a great recipe to start in the morning or early afternoon if you plan to eat pizza for dinner.

Once the dough has risen, divide it into two balls and place each ball into a well-oiled cast-iron pan. Use your oiled fingers to lift and tuck the edges of the dough towards the centre, forming a loose ball. Then, press your hand down on the dough to spread it out towards the edges of the pan. Cover the pans with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for another hour and a half in a warm place.

While the dough is rising, you can prepare your toppings. This recipe includes instructions for a copycat Pizza Hut pizza sauce, but you can also use your favourite store-bought sauce or make your own from scratch. Grated mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and parmesan cheese are classic toppings for this style of pizza.

When the dough has finished rising, preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible—ideally 550°F. Spoon the sauce onto the pizzas, leaving a one-inch border around the edge. Add your desired toppings, being careful not to overload the pizza, as this can make the crust soggy.

Bake the pizzas for about 9-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. For an extra crispy crust, slide the pizzas out onto a cooling rack a couple of minutes after removing them from the oven. Let the pizzas cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

This Pizza Hut Pan Pizza recipe is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. It's a fun and delicious way to enjoy a classic restaurant favourite in the comfort of your own home. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy a tasty treat!

Frequently asked questions