Nov 25, 2024
Wondering about the different types of pizza? This guide will take you through the most popular pizza styles, highlighting their unique characteristics.
From Neapolitan’s rich history and simple toppings to the deep flavours of Chicago deep-dish, you’ll discover something new about each type.
Warning: reading this may lead to SERIOUS pizza cravings. Luckily, with the Bolt Food app, you can get your favourite pizza delivered to your door.
And if you’re inspired to make your own, Bolt Market — our grocery store inside the Bolt Food app — has all the fresh ingredients you need.
The journey begins in Naples, Italy, the birthplace of the classic Neapolitan pizza.
Originating in the 18th century, Neapolitan pizza has withstood the test of time, maintaining its status as one of the most beloved pizza styles worldwide.
What sets this pizza apart is its simplicity and authenticity. It’s often certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, ensuring that only the highest standards are met.
Neapolitan pizza is known for its soft, thin crust, which is slightly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
The dough is made from simple ingredients — flour, water, salt, and yeast — in a light and airy base.
Typically topped with homemade tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and a few basil leaves, this pizza is a celebration of high-quality, fresh ingredients.
It’s cooked quickly in a wood-burning oven at extremely high temperatures, giving it that signature charred yet tender crust.
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With Neapolitan pizza, less is definitely more. The traditional toppings focus on simplicity and quality, letting the ingredients shine.
Two of the most iconic versions are the Pizza Marinara and the Pizza Margherita.
The Margherita, with its red, white, and green colours, is a tribute to the Italian flag, making it not only delicious but also visually appealing.
The key to these pizzas is the use of fresh tomatoes and high-quality mozzarella cheese, which melt beautifully and create a harmonious blend of flavours.
The secret to a perfect Neapolitan pizza lies in its baking process.
Authentic Neapolitan pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven, reaching temperatures of 430–480C°.
This high heat ensures that the pizza cooks quickly, usually in just 60 to 90 seconds, resulting in a beautifully charred yet soft crust.
Replicating this at home can be challenging without a wood-fired oven, but a preheated pizza stone in a conventional oven set to its highest temperature can come close to achieving those delicious results.
The pizza should be watched closely to avoid overcooking, ensuring a perfect balance of crispy outer crust and chewy interior.
Next, we travel to Chicago, the home of the famous deep-dish pizza.
Developed in the early 1900s, this pizza style was the brainchild of Ike Sewell, who opened Pizzeria Uno, introducing a pizza with a uniquely thick crust that resembles pie dough rather than traditional pizza dough.
This rich, buttery crust forms the foundation of Chicago deep-dish pizza, with its edges rising high to hold an abundance of toppings.
What makes Chicago deep-dish pizza truly distinctive is its assembly. The crust is layered in the following order:
This reverse layering prevents the crust from becoming soggy and allows the flavours to meld together beautifully during the longer baking time, typically around 30 to 35 minutes.
The heart of Chicago deep-dish pizza lies in its ingredients.
Key components include layers of mozzarella cheese, various toppings like ground beef and green peppers, and chunky tomato sauce.
The mozzarella is placed directly on the dough, creating a barrier that keeps the crust from getting soggy and adds a rich, creamy texture to each bite.
Popular toppings for this style of pizza often include sausage, pepperoni, onions, and mushrooms, adding a hearty and satisfying flavour profile.
The chunky tomato sauce, with its robust taste, ties all the ingredients together, making every slice a deliciously messy affair.
Baking Chicago deep-dish pizza requires patience and the right techniques. The typical baking time is 30 to 35 minutes, but achieving the perfect crust and filling balance starts with pre-oiling the pan to help release the crust.
Pre-heating the pizza pan can also contribute to a crispy bottom crust, ensuring that the pizza holds together when sliced.
Using a cast-iron pan or a deep dish pan is ideal for this type of pizza. The pan should be generously oiled to prevent sticking and enhance the crust’s flavour.
Gluten-free versions require longer baking times for thorough cooking.
New York-style pizza is a true American classic, popular for its large, foldable slices and crispy yet chewy crust.
Originating from Italian immigrants in New York City, this pizza has become a staple in the Big Apple and beyond. The dough includes sugar and oil, making it sturdier yet still deliciously soft.
This pizza is typically sold by the slice, making it a convenient and quick meal option. The slices are wide and often served on paper plates — perfect for eating on the go.
The unique flavour of New York-style pizza is often attributed to the minerals in New York’s tap water, which are believed to give the dough its special taste.
Traditional New York-style pizza keeps the toppings simple.
The classic version is topped with a rich tomato sauce and grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese, which melts perfectly without making the pizza soggy.
This combination creates a balanced and flavourful base that can be enjoyed plain or with additional toppings.
While the basic cheese pizza is a staple, popular toppings also include pepperoni, mushrooms, and sausage.
These toppings are spread evenly across the large slices, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavour. The simplicity of these toppings allows the quality of the dough and sauce to shine through.
The baking process for New York-style pizza is crucial to achieving its distinctive texture and flavour.
Traditionally, these pizzas are cooked in wood or coal-burning ovens, which reach high temperatures and impart a unique flavour to the crust.
Using a preheated pizza stone at home can replicate the high heat of traditional ovens.
The dough is baked for 12 to 15 minutes, resulting in a crispy outer crust and a soft, foldable interior.
The dough’s inclusion of sugar and oil also contributes to its characteristic sturdiness and chewy texture.
Sicilian pizza, also known as sfincione, brings a taste of Sicily to your table.
This pizza is characterised by its thick, airy crust and is traditionally meatless. It features a robust tomato-based sauce, onions, herbs, and sometimes anchovies.
The base is spongy and fluffy. In the US, Sicilian pizza has evolved but still retains its signature thick crust and rectangular shape.
It’s a hearty and satisfying option that stands out from the crowd, offering a flavourful alternative to more common pizza styles.
Traditional Sicilian pizza toppings are simple. Common ingredients include:
These create a rich and aromatic profile. Breadcrumbs and grated hard parmesan cheese are sometimes added, enhancing the pizza’s texture and flavour.
The toppings are often placed beneath the sauce, ensuring they meld together during the baking process. This method keeps the toppings moist and prevents them from drying out.
Baking Sicilian pizza involves a few unique steps to achieve the perfect crust. The recommended oven temperature is 256°C, which helps create a crispy and charred bottom while keeping the middle soft and airy.
Pre-baking the crust for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the toppings ensures it holds up under the weight of the sauce and cheese.
The dough is pressed into a well-oiled square pan, which helps achieve the characteristic crispy edges and soft middle.
This method ensures that each bite of Sicilian pizza is a delightful combination of textures and flavours.
Greek pizza offers a delightful twist with its thick, chewy crust cooked in shallow, oiled pans.
This pizza style bridges the gap between thin-crust pizza and the thick, airy crust of Sicilian pizza, providing a unique texture that pizza lovers adore.
The crust is slightly spongy and flavourful, thanks to the generous use of olive oil.
Greek pizza’s origin lies in Greek-American communities, where it has become a beloved staple. The pizza is typically baked in a shallow pan, which helps to create a crust that’s both crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Common toppings for Greek pizza reflect its Mediterranean roots.
Feta cheese, olives, and bell peppers are frequently used, adding vibrant flavours and colours to the pizza.
Spinach, red onions, and Kalamata olives are also popular choices. These provide a tangy and savoury profile that pairs perfectly with the rich crust.
These toppings are often combined with tomato paste that includes a strong oregano flavour, enhancing the overall taste and giving Greek pizza its distinctive character.
This blend of ingredients highlights the Mediterranean influence and makes for a deliciously unique pizza experience.
Cooking Greek pizza involves a few specific techniques to achieve its signature texture.
The recommended baking temperature is 230°C, and the pizza is typically baked for 12 to 15 minutes.
Using a shallow, oiled pan is crucial, as it helps create the crispy outer crust while keeping the inside chewy and flavourful.
The tomato paste used on Greek pizza is often tangier than other styles, with a strong oregano flavour that complements the savoury toppings.
This combination of ingredients and cooking methods results in a pizza that’s both hearty and satisfying.
California-style pizza is all about innovation and creativity. Emerging in the 1980s, this pizza style was pioneered by Chef Ed LaDou, who introduced unconventional toppings and non-traditional ingredients to the pizza world.
The crust is typically thin, similar to New York style, but what sets California pizza apart is its adventurous toppings.
This pizza style often features a variety of unique ingredients, reflecting the diverse culinary influences of California. It’s a great choice for those looking to try something new and different.
California-style pizza is known for its creative and nontraditional toppings.
Commonly used ingredients include:
Take a look at these toppings — they really show off a blend of different culinary influences, don’t they? It’s what makes California pizza such an exciting choice!
Baking California-style pizza often involves using wood-fired ovens or deck ovens, which allow for longer baking times and enhance the flavour and texture of the crust.
The use of oil in the dough, combined with the melting properties of mozzarella and Wisconsin brick cheese, provides a buttery flavour that’s characteristic of this pizza style.
The longer baking times help to develop the flavours of the unique toppings. This method also contributes to the pizza’s crispy crust and tender interior.
Detroit-style pizza is a distinctive and flavourful option that originated in 1946.
Known for its deep, rectangular shape and light, crisp crust, this pizza style is baked in square steel pans originally used in Detroit’s automotive industry.
The thick, extra-crispy crust is tender and airy on the inside, making it a unique addition to the pizza world.
One of the standout features of Detroit-style pizza is the layering of cheese underneath the sauce, which helps to caramelise the cheese and create a deliciously crispy edge.
This technique, combined with the use of Wisconsin brick cheese, results in a pizza that is both rich and satisfying.
☝️ These are traditional toppings for Detroit-style pizza.
Brick cheese is a defining characteristic of Detroit-style pizza. It provides a rich and creamy texture that complements the other toppings.
The tomato sauce is typically applied on top of the cheese and toppings, creating a visually striking and delicious pizza.
Baking Detroit-style pizza involves using a jelly roll pan and baking at 260°C for 10 to 15 minutes.
Spreading the cheese to the edges of the pan helps to caramelise it into a golden, crispy crust, adding a delightful texture to the pizza.
The sauce is applied on top of the cheese and toppings, allowing the flavours to meld together during the baking process.
This method creates a pizza that’s both flavourful and visually appealing, with a perfect balance of crispy crust and tender interior.
St. Louis-style pizza is known for its thin, cracker-like crust made without yeast.
The sauce used in St. Louis pizza is distinguishable for its sweetness, which complements the savoury toppings.
Another defining feature of St. Louis pizza is the use of Provel processed cheese, which melts smoothly without becoming stringy and provides a unique flavour profile.
St. Louis-style pizza sauce is typically sweeter than other pizza styles, providing a unique taste that pairs well with the savoury toppings.
Oregano is a prominent herb used in St. Louis pizza, enhancing its flavour and adding an aromatic touch.
The cracker-like crust is achieved by pressing the dough extra thin, resulting in a crispy, firm base that can support plenty of toppings.
Baking a St. Louis-style pizza involves using a pizza stone or thin baking sheet and preheating the oven to 220°C.
The pizza should be baked on the lowest rack of the oven for 8 to 12 minutes to achieve optimal crispiness in the crust.
The crust’s unique cracker-like texture is due to the absence of yeast.
Vegetarian pizza is all about enjoying great flavours without the meat. It’s become popular because it’s lighter, fresh-tasting, and works for just about anyone — whether you’re vegetarian or not.
It gives you all the comforting, satisfying vibes of a classic pizza, but with a focus on veggies and plant-based ingredients that keep it feeling healthy.
There are probably many restaurants around you offering delicious vegetarian pizzas. Just open Bolt Food and see what options are available nearby!
Popular toppings for vegetarian pizzas include:
These ingredients not only add vibrant colours and textures but also provide a delicious and nutritious alternative to meat.
To create the perfect vegetarian pizza, it’s important to achieve a good balance of toppings. Additionally, the ratio of crust to cheese should also be carefully considered.
Using fresh ingredients and pre-cooking certain vegetables can enhance the pizza’s flavour and texture. For best results, pre-cook vegetables with high water content to avoid a soggy pizza.
Layering cheese underneath the vegetable toppings helps to maintain a crispy crust while allowing the flavours to meld together during baking.
A variety of colourful vegetables enhances the visual appeal and adds a depth of flavour that makes vegetarian pizza a delicious choice.
Gluten-free pizza is specifically designed for individuals with a gluten intolerance. It uses alternative flours to mimic the taste and texture of traditional pizza.
These pizzas often use ingredients like rice flour, almond flour, and tapioca starch in their crusts, providing a delicious option for those with dietary restrictions.
The use of alternative flours ensures that gluten-free pizzas can still offer a satisfying and flavourful experience.
With the right ingredients and techniques, gluten-free pizza can be just as enjoyable as its traditional counterparts.
Common ingredients for gluten-free pizza crusts include:
These flours provide a distinct flavour and texture, allowing the crust to mimic traditional pizza dough while being gluten-free.
Corn flour is another popular ingredient in gluten-free crusts. It offers a unique taste that complements the other ingredients.
Baking gluten-free pizza may require different temperature settings and longer baking times to ensure proper texture. Avoid excess moisture to prevent a gummy texture; spreading the dough by hand rather than rolling maintains its consistency.
Allowing gluten-free dough to rise too long can lead to a collapse during baking, so careful attention to timing is crucial. With the right techniques, gluten-free pizza can achieve a crisp crust and delicious flavour, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
Exploring the world of pizza reveals a rich tapestry of flavours, textures, and traditions.
From the classic Neapolitan pizza with its simple, high-quality ingredients to the innovative California style with its unique toppings, each type of pizza offers something special.
Feeling hungry now? Get your favourite pizza delivered straight to your door using the Bolt Food app. And if you’re inspired to make your own, check Bolt Market for the fresh ingredients — delivered quickly and conveniently.
Pizza types range from classic Italian favourites like Neapolitan to internationally loved variations such as Chicago deep-dish, New York, Sicilian, Greek, and Detroit. Each style has its own unique crust, baking method, and topping combination, making every pizza experience truly distinct.
The most popular type of pizza is arguably Neapolitan. As the original pizza, it has a rich history and simple, high-quality ingredients that have won over hearts globally.
The top five are pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, sausage, and bell peppers — classic, satisfying, and loved by many.
Traditional pizzas are all about classic recipes and quality ingredients that have stood the test of time. Think Neapolitan pizza — simple, authentic, and timeless.
Some of the most uncommon pizzas feature truly surprising ingredients. These include squid ink pizza from Japan, chocolate and banana pizza from Brazil, and kangaroo pizza from Australia.
Greek pizza is known for its thick, chewy crust that’s cooked in shallow, oiled pans, giving it a unique texture. It’s a delicious twist on traditional pizza!
Chef Ed LaDou is credited with creating California-style pizza. His innovative approach blended fresh, local ingredients with traditional pizza concepts.
Detroit-style pizza is known for its thick, extra-crispy crust and tender, airy interior — a key feature that makes it so special!
St. Louis-style pizza has a unique, thin, cracker-like crust that’s made without yeast. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves a crispy base!
Provel cheese is a key ingredient in St. Louis-style pizza, giving it a unique flavour and texture. It’s definitely a key ingredient for that classic taste!
