Hand Tossed Vs Handmade Pan: What's The Real Difference?

Hand-tossed and pan pizza are two popular types of pizza, but the preparation of each yields a different kind of pizza crust. The hand-tossed pizza is made by tossing and turning the dough mid-air. The pan pizza, on the other hand, is made by spreading the dough inside a cake pan or skillet greased with olive oil. The hand-tossed pizza has a thinner, crispier crust and softer dough. The pan pizza, meanwhile, has a thick and chewy crust, with dough that is more bread-like.

Preparation: Hand-tossed pizza is made by tossing the dough in the air, while pan pizza is made by spreading the dough in a pan

The preparation methods for hand-tossed and pan pizzas differ significantly. Hand-tossed pizza is made by tossing the dough in the air, while pan pizza is made by spreading the dough in a pan.

To make a hand-tossed pizza, you first need to knead the dough until it is soft. Then, you toss the dough in the air repeatedly, shaping it until it reaches the desired size and thickness. This technique helps to evenly stretch the dough and create a uniform thickness. It is important to ensure that the dough is soft enough to toss without breaking, but not so soft that it tears. Once the dough is ready, it is baked in the oven on a pizza stone or baking sheet at around 500° F (260° C) for 10 to 15 minutes.

On the other hand, pan pizza is prepared by spreading the dough in a pan. The dough is first shaped into a ball and then pressed and spread into the bottom of a pan, such as a cake pan or cast-iron skillet. This method helps to achieve the desired shape without tossing. Before baking, the pan is usually coated with oil to prevent the dough from sticking and to create a crispier crust. Pan pizzas are baked at a higher temperature than hand-tossed pizzas, typically above 500° F (260° C), for 15 to 35 minutes.

The different preparation techniques result in distinct crusts for hand-tossed and pan pizzas. Hand-tossing the dough creates a thinner, flatter crust with fewer air bubbles, while the pan pizza dough rises more and results in a thicker, fluffier crust. The tossing action of hand-tossed pizza also causes the air bubbles in the dough to burst, leading to a crust that does not rise as much during baking. In contrast, the pan pizza dough has more room to expand, resulting in a crust that is thicker and chewier.

Crust: Hand-tossed pizza has a thin, crispy crust, while pan pizza has a thick, chewy crust

Crust is one of the most significant differences between hand-tossed and pan pizza. Hand-tossed pizza has a thin, crispy crust, while pan pizza has a thick, chewy crust.

Hand-tossed pizza gets its name from the way the dough is tossed and turned in the air during preparation. This action stretches the dough, thinning it out and removing air bubbles. As a result, the crust doesn't rise much in the oven, giving hand-tossed pizza its characteristic thin, crispy texture.

On the other hand, pan pizza is baked in a cast-iron skillet or cake pan, resulting in a thick crust. The dough is spread out and baked in the pan, allowing the air bubbles to remain intact. This leads to a crust that rises significantly and has a chewy texture.

The dough preparation for hand-tossed pizza involves making it softer and more flexible so that it can be tossed without tearing. In contrast, the dough for pan pizza is thicker and stiffer due to the limited expansion room in the pan.

Both types of pizza have their unique characteristics, but the main distinction lies in their crusts. While hand-tossed pizza offers a thin, crispy experience, pan pizza provides a thicker, chewier alternative.

Texture: Hand-tossed pizza dough is soft, while pan pizza dough is bread-like and fluffy

When it comes to texture, hand-tossed and pan pizzas are like night and day. Hand-tossed pizza dough is soft, thin, and easy to chew. This is because the act of tossing and rotating the dough kneads and softens it. The dough is then cooked on a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven, resulting in a crispier and drier crust.

On the other hand, pan pizza dough is denser, bread-like, and fluffy. It is thicker and chewier than hand-tossed pizza dough, as the air bubbles in the dough stay intact during the baking process, causing it to rise more. The dough is baked in a circular pan or skillet greased with olive oil, resulting in a crust that is crispy and golden, similar to fried dough.

The difference in texture between the two types of pizzas is largely due to the preparation methods. The tossing motion used for hand-tossed pizzas thins out the dough and ruptures the air bubbles, preventing the dough from rising as much during baking. In contrast, the dough for pan pizzas is simply spread out in a pan, allowing the air bubbles to remain intact and resulting in a fluffier texture.

Toppings: Pan pizza can hold more toppings than hand-tossed pizza due to its thicker crust

When it comes to toppings, pan pizzas can typically hold more than hand-tossed pizzas. This is mainly due to the thicker crust of the pan pizza, which can support the weight of multiple toppings without collapsing.

Pan pizzas are usually loaded with sauce, several different types of cheese, vegetables, and meats. The thicker crust of the pan pizza allows for more toppings to be added without the risk of them sliding off during the baking process.

On the other hand, hand-tossed pizzas have a thinner crust that cannot withstand as much weight. As a result, hand-tossed pizzas usually have fewer toppings, especially less cheese.

The type of toppings used on pan and hand-tossed pizzas can also vary. Pan pizzas are better suited for heavier toppings like multiple types of cheese, minced meat, marinara sauce, and moisture-heavy vegetables like mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and eggplant. The depth of the pan helps to keep these heavier toppings in place during baking.

Hand-tossed pizzas, on the other hand, are better suited for lighter toppings like fresh herbs or thinly sliced vegetables. The lighter toppings complement the thin, crispy crust of the hand-tossed pizza.

Ultimately, the choice of toppings for both pan and hand-tossed pizzas comes down to personal preference. While some people enjoy a loaded pan pizza with multiple toppings, others may prefer a simple hand-tossed pizza with minimal toppings.

Taste: Hand-tossed pizza is drier and less greasy, while pan pizza is oilier and cheesier

When it comes to taste, hand-tossed and pan pizzas differ significantly. Hand-tossed pizzas are drier and less greasy, while pan pizzas are oilier and cheesier. This is because pan pizzas are cooked in olive oil and stuffed with cheese, resulting in a crisp, flaky crust. On the other hand, hand-tossed pizzas use less oil and cheese, making them lighter and drier.

The dough preparation for these two pizza styles also varies. Hand-tossed pizza dough is softer and thinner, as it needs to be flexible enough to be tossed in the air. This tossing action ruptures air bubbles in the dough, preventing it from rising too much in the oven and resulting in a thin or medium crust. In contrast, pan pizza dough is thicker and firmer due to the limited expansion room in the pan, leading to a fluffier texture.

The distinct crusts of these pizzas are a result of their preparation methods. Hand-tossed pizzas have a thin, flat crust that is drier and blistered due to the lack of toppings. They are also less greasy, making them a preferred choice for those who are averse to oil. In contrast, pan pizzas have a thicker, bread-like crust that is cooked in oil, resulting in a golden-brown, crispy texture.

The toppings on these pizzas also differ. Hand-tossed pizzas typically have fewer toppings, especially cheese, as the thin crust cannot support much weight. Pan pizzas, on the other hand, can accommodate heavier toppings due to their thicker crusts. They are often loaded with sauce, multiple types of cheese, vegetables, and meats.

Both hand-tossed and pan pizzas have their unique characteristics and appeal to different preferences. While hand-tossed pizzas offer a lighter, drier option, pan pizzas provide a heartier, oilier, and cheesier experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to individual taste preferences.

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