Personal Pan Pizza: What Happened?

Pan pizza is a pizza baked in a deep dish pan or sheet pan. In 2019, Pizza Hut changed its pan pizzas for the first time in 40 years. The company announced that its Original Pan Pizza was being completely remade, including a new cheese blend, sauce, and a newly engineered pan for a crispier crust. The new recipe took three years to develop, and the company focused on combining art, science, and culinary expertise to improve the pan pizza.

The history of pan pizza can be traced back to the early 20th century in the city of Turin in Northern Italy, where the Pizza al Padellino was a notable early version. In the 1950s, Dan and Frank Carney opened a pizza parlor in Wichita, Kansas, which later became Pizza Hut. The brothers initially focused on thin-crust pizzas but added a thicker crust pan pizza when they franchised in 1959. This thicker-crust style became popularised by Pizza Hut in the 1960s.

Today, pan pizzas are enjoyed by many, and some people even purchase vintage Pizza Hut pans to recreate the iconic personal pan pizzas at home.

Pizza Hut's Original Pan Pizza recipe changes for the first time in 40 years

Pizza Hut's Original Pan Pizza has been a beloved menu item since its debut in 1980. However, in May 2019, the company announced a major change to this iconic pizza for the first time in four decades.

The new and improved Original Pan Pizza features a crispier, golden-brown crust, achieved through a "newly engineered" baking pan. The sauce and cheese have also been revamped, with a new blend of cheese and a tweaked sauce-to-cheese ratio, resulting in a more flavourful and stringier combination. According to Pizza Hut, the new recipe is the result of a three-year culinary innovation journey, combining art, science, and culinary expertise.

The Original Pan Pizza has been a staple of Pizza Hut's menu since the 1980s, and its recipe has remained largely unchanged. The pizza is known for its distinctive pan-baked crust, which has a crispy exterior and a chewy interior. The original recipe was so influential that Jeff Ruby of The Takeout recalled how, in his childhood, any pizza that wasn't from Pizza Hut didn't feel like pizza at all.

However, in recent years, Pizza Hut has faced increasing competition from rivals like Domino's, Papa John's, and newer, trendier competitors like Blaze and Mod Pizza. These competitors offer more personalized experiences, customization options, and cater to evolving customer tastes with chic branding and artisanal ingredients. To stay competitive, Pizza Hut embarked on a journey of innovation, not just with its menu but also with initiatives like expanding its beer delivery program and creating insulated pouches to keep pizzas hotter during delivery.

The new Original Pan Pizza recipe is part of this strategy to adapt to the changing landscape of the pizza industry. While some customers may be hesitant to change, Pizza Hut is confident that its improved blend of cheese and sauce, combined with its state-of-the-art pan technology, will deliver a superior pizza experience.

Pan pizza recipe for a thick and crispy crust

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Salt
• Yeast
• Water
• Oil
• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Basil leaves (optional)
• Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)

Steps:

Step 1: Mix and Proof

Weigh out your flour, salt, and yeast, then add water and oil. Mix it up, either with your hand or a wooden spoon. Make sure there's no dry flour left. Wrap it up tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest, anywhere from 8 to 24 hours.

Step 2: Ball the Dough

After letting the dough rest, sprinkle the top with some flour, then dump it onto a floured work surface. Divide the dough into two even balls. Form and roll the dough using the sides of your hands to create a taut ball with a smooth, elastic top. Use your fingers to smooth out the bottom side of the dough.

Step 3: Proof Dough in a Cast Iron Pan

Pour olive oil into the bottom of a 10-inch cast iron skillet or a 10-inch round cake pan. Place the dough in the middle of the pan and turn it over a few times to coat it evenly with oil. Swirl the dough around the pan to get oil into all corners and sides. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit for about 2 hours.

Step 4: Touch Up the Dough

Use your fingertips to poke at the dough, working it into the corners and popping any large air bubbles. Make a quick lap around the edge of the pan, lifting the dough to ensure no large bubbles are hiding underneath.

Step 5: Sauce the Dough

You can use any sauce you like, or make your own. For a thick pie, you'll need a nice thick layer of sauce. Spread the sauce to the edges or leave a little rim, depending on your preference.

Step 6: Add Toppings

Spread cheese over the top of the pizza, going all the way to the edges if desired. Any good melting cheese will work, such as mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, or Jack. You can also mix different cheeses for an extra kick. Feel free to go wild with the toppings, as a pan pizza with a thick crust can handle a heavy load.

Step 7: Bake in a Hot Oven

Place the pan in a hot oven, preferably at the maximum temperature (around 550°F/290°C). The higher the temperature, the more crunch and character your pizza will have due to the formation of microbubbles on the exterior. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, until the top and bottom are golden brown and crispy.

Step 8: Add Some Post-Bake Flair

Some toppings, like hard cheeses, are best added after baking. Grate Parmigiano-Reggiano or similar cheese over the top of the pizza for a sharp, fresh bite.

Tips:

• For a gluten-free version, check out gluten-free pan pizza recipes.
• If you want to add your favourite toppings beyond red sauce and cheese, cook vegetables or meats before arranging them on the pizza.
• To avoid potential sogginess, stick to the same quantities and layering process for sauce and cheese as mentioned in the recipe.
• If you're serving the entire pizza right away, you can serve it straight from the pan. However, avoid using a knife to cut the pizza as it might damage the pan's surface. Instead, use a spatula to lift the pizza out of the pan, then cut it with scissors or kitchen shears.

Personalised pan pizza with vintage Pizza Hut pans

Vintage Pizza Hut pans can be purchased online, and they can be used to make your own personalised pan pizza. The pans are lightweight, reasonably small for storage, and create a crispy, self-contained crust.

To make the pizza, you will need the following ingredients:

• Dry active yeast
• Sugar
• Salt
• Non-fat dry milk powder
• Warm water
• Vegetable oil
• All-purpose flour
• Tomato sauce
• Dried oregano
• Dried marjoram
• Dried basil
• Garlic salt
• Butter-flavoured cooking spray
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pizza toppings of your choice

First, combine the yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in a mixing bowl. Add the water and stir to mix. Let the mixture sit for a couple of minutes or until the yeast starts to bubble. Then, add the oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Gradually add the flour in one cup increments, stirring after each addition, until a dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a flat, lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes. Divide the dough into three equal balls. Place about three ounces of oil in the bottom of each 9-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 9-inch circle and place 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 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until puffy.

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by combining all the ingredients until blended. Let sit at room temperature for at least one hour. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. For each 9-inch pizza, spoon 1/3 cup of the sauce onto the dough and spread it to within one inch of the edges. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 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 2-3 minutes, then remove from the pans and cut into wedges. Enjoy your personalised pan pizza!

Pan pizza dough and ingredients

The dough and ingredients for a pan pizza are simple and easy to prepare. Here is a guide to help you make the perfect pan pizza dough and choose the right ingredients.

Dough

The dough for a pan pizza is typically made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and oil. The type of flour can vary, with some recipes calling for bread flour or unbleached all-purpose flour. The water should be warm, around 105°F (40°C), to activate the yeast. Instant or active dry yeast can be used, and the amount of yeast will depend on the desired rise time. Oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil, is also added to the dough to give it a soft and smooth texture.

To make the dough, simply combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add the water and oil. Mix until everything is combined and there are no dry patches of flour. The dough should be soft and smooth. Once the dough is ready, it can be placed in an oiled pan and allowed to rise.

Ingredients

The great thing about pan pizza is that you can get creative with the ingredients and toppings. Here are some common ingredients used in pan pizzas:

• Sauce: Tomato sauce, pizza sauce, or even pesto can be used as the base for your pizza. You can make your own sauce or use a store-bought option.
• Cheese: Mozzarella cheese is a classic choice for pan pizza, but other melting cheeses such as cheddar, provolone, or Muenster can also be used. Grated hard cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, or Romano can be added after baking for extra flavour.
• Toppings: The beauty of pan pizza is that it can handle a variety of toppings. Meat lovers can add sausage, pepperoni, or other meats, while vegetable options include mushrooms, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Get creative and experiment with different combinations!

Remember to be generous with your ingredients, especially the cheese, to ensure a delicious and flavourful pan pizza.

Pan pizza vs deep-dish pizza

Pan pizza and deep-dish pizza are both thick-crust pizzas, but they have distinct differences.

A pan pizza has a medium-thick crust that is equally thick throughout. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The toppings are layered in the traditional order: crust, sauce, cheese, and then toppings. The emphasis of a pan pizza is on the crust, and it is often associated with popular pizza chains.

A deep-dish pizza, on the other hand, has a thick and tall outer crust, but the inside of the pizza is thinner, resembling a pie. The layering of toppings is different, with the cheese going on the crust first, followed by toppings, and then sauce. This inverted arrangement is a signature of deep-dish pizza. The emphasis of a deep-dish pizza is on the toppings, and it originated in Chicago.

Both types of pizzas have their unique characteristics and loyal fan bases. The main differences lie in the thickness of the crust, the layering of toppings, and the cooking method. Pan pizza is baked in a cast-iron skillet or a deep pan, while deep-dish pizza is cooked in a steel round dish.

If you prefer a thicker crust, a pan pizza would be the choice for you. However, if you enjoy a variety of toppings and a focus on flavour, a deep-dish pizza would be the better option.

Frequently asked questions