Pan Vs Stuffed Pizza: What's The Difference?

Pan pizza and stuffed pizza are two popular pizza styles with distinct characteristics. Pan pizza, also known as pan crust pizza, is baked in a deep dish pan or sheet pan and has a thick, crispy crust. It is softer and more buttery than regular hand-tossed pizza, with a soft bottom crust. The dough for pan pizza is spread in a pan and baked until golden and crispy. On the other hand, stuffed pizza, also known as stuffed crust pizza, takes it one step further by adding cheese, sausage, or other ingredients to the outer edge of the crust. Stuffed pizza is typically deeper than deep-dish pizza, with an additional layer of dough covering the toppings. It is loaded with cheese and has a thin top crust over the fillings. While both styles are American inventions, they offer unique experiences, with pan pizza providing a crispy crust experience and stuffed pizza taking it up a notch with a cheesy, indulgent edge.

Characteristics of Pan and Stuffed Pizza

Pan pizza crust is crispy and does not contain any fillings

Pan pizza is baked in a deep dish pan or a sheet pan. The dough is spread in a pan, and this dough is harder. The bottom and sides of the crust are fried in coated oil, and the pizza is baked at a high temperature for about 15 minutes. This results in a crispy crust.

The pan pizza crust is thick and crispy, and it does not contain any fillings. The toppings are placed on top of the crust, and the pizza is then baked. This is unlike stuffed pizza, which has cheese and other ingredients in its crust.

The pan pizza crust is thick and crispy, and it does not have a soft bottom crust like stuffed crust pizza. The crispy exterior of the pan pizza crust comes from being baked in the oven. The dough for the pan pizza crust is spread in a pan and baked until golden and crispy.

The pan pizza crust is a good base for heavy toppings. It is light on its own but can hold up to all the toppings. The crispy crust provides a textural contrast to the toppings.

The pan pizza crust is baked at a high temperature, which gives it a golden and crispy texture. The dough is pressed into the pan and baked. This is different from the stuffed pizza crust, which has a layer of cheese and other ingredients in its crust.

Stuffed pizza crust is a snack in itself, often filled with cheese and other ingredients

In Japan, Pizza Hut has offered pockets of Camembert, shrimp, sausage, and mozzarella in the crust. In Germany, they have a "German King" pizza with sausage, bacon, and cheese-stuffed crust. Pizza Hut Australia has served a pizza with miniature meat pies in the crust, and in Taiwan, they have a Pineapple Bun Crust Pizza, which is a sweet and savoury combination.

The stuffed crust pizza was popularized by Pizza Hut in 1995, and it has been a staple in households ever since. It was the brainchild of Patty Scheibmeir, a former food scientist for Pizza Hut. Scheibmeir's bosses were initially sceptical, but she persevered, and the result was a huge success.

The beauty of a stuffed crust is that it offers a different taste experience from the rest of the pizza. It's like having a starter built into your main course. The cheese and other fillings create a gooey, golden, crispy crust that is irresistible.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own stuffed crust pizza at home. It's easier than you might think and allows you to customize your pizza to your heart's content. You can use store-bought dough or make your own. For the fillings, you can use string cheese, shredded mozzarella, or fresh mozzarella cut into thin pieces. Simply add your chosen fillings to the outer edge of the crust, fold the dough over, and seal it shut.

So, whether you're dining out or staying in, a stuffed crust pizza offers a unique and indulgent experience that takes your pizza night to the next level.

Pan pizza is baked in a deep dish pan or a sheet pan

The bottom and sides of the crust are fried in coated oil. The crust is thick and has extra cheese. It is baked at a high temperature for about 15 minutes. The pan pizza is an American cuisine. It is closely tied to both Detroit-style and Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. The pan crust is baked in a deep, round pan with sloping sides, similar to a cake pan. The dough is pressed into the pan and baked until golden and crispy. The crust is light and pairs well with heavy toppings.

Stuffed pizza is deeper than deep-dish pizza and has an additional layer of dough

When it comes to pizza, everyone has their own unique preferences. From thin crust to deep-dish, and from stuffed crust to pan pizza, there is a wide range of options to choose from. While each type of pizza has its own distinct characteristics, one key difference lies between stuffed pizza and deep-dish pizza.

Stuffed pizza, also known as Chicago-style pizza, is a unique variation that sets itself apart from other deep-dish styles. One distinguishing factor is its depth. Stuffed pizza is deeper than deep-dish pizza, creating a taller and more dramatic slice. This extra depth allows for more generous fillings, making it an extremely filling meal.

Another defining feature of stuffed pizza is the additional layer of dough. Unlike deep-dish pizza, which typically has a single layer of dough, stuffed pizza utilizes two layers. The first layer of dough is spread out in the form of a bowl in a pan, followed by toppings and cheese. Then, an additional layer of dough is placed on top, creating a completely enclosed pie. This top layer of dough is paper-thin and covered in a smooth tomato sauce before baking, resulting in a signature characteristic of stuffed pizza.

The process of making a stuffed pizza also includes creating small holes in the top layer of dough. These holes serve a functional purpose, allowing air and steam to escape during the cooking process. This technique ensures that the pizza cooks evenly and helps prevent sogginess.

The depth and additional layer of dough in stuffed pizza contribute to its overall taste and texture. The extra layer of dough adds to the density of the pizza, making it a truly indulgent and decadent experience. The combination of the thick crust, generous fillings, and enclosed cooking method results in a unique flavour and texture profile that sets stuffed pizza apart from other varieties.

In summary, stuffed pizza distinguishes itself from deep-dish pizza through its greater depth and the use of an additional layer of dough. These characteristics not only enhance the visual appeal of the pizza but also contribute to its taste, texture, and overall dining experience. For pizza enthusiasts, understanding these differences can help make informed choices when selecting their preferred style of pizza.

Pan pizza crust is fried with coated oil

Pan pizza is fried with coated oil to achieve a thick and crispy crust that's golden on the bottom but puffy and soft under the layers of sauce and cheese. The bottom and sides of the crust are fried with coated oil, adding flavour and texture to the exterior of the crust.

The process of frying the crust in oil is an important step in achieving the desired texture and taste of a pan pizza. The oil allows the dough to spread easily in the pan, reducing friction. It also adds an extra layer of cooking to the exterior of the crust, resulting in a fried texture. Additionally, the oil enhances the flavour of the crust, making it tasty and crispy.

The type of oil used is crucial. Oils with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed or peanut oil, are recommended to withstand the high temperatures of the oven. Extra virgin olive oil, while tempting, is not ideal due to its low smoke point, which can cause smoke during cooking.

To fry the pan pizza crust, a thin layer of oil is spread in the pan before adding the dough. The dough is then turned in the oil to coat all sides before being left to rest for a couple of hours. This step ensures that the dough absorbs the oil and allows it to spread more easily. After the resting period, the dough is shaped and stretched in the pan, filling the corners and eliminating any large air bubbles.

The pan pizza is then baked in a hot oven, resulting in a thick and crispy crust with a golden-brown exterior and a soft, puffy interior. The high temperature creates micro-bubbles in the dough, contributing to the desired crunch and airy texture.

Overall, frying the pan pizza crust with coated oil is a key step in creating a delicious and distinctive pan pizza with a crispy, golden exterior and a soft, airy interior.

Frequently asked questions