The Difference Between Hand-tossed and Pan Pizza

Hand-tossed and Pan Pizza are two of the most popular pizza styles in the United States. Both are delicious and have their unique characteristics, but which one is better? In this article we’ll delve deeper into the differences between hand-tossed and pan pizza, discussing their crusts, toppings, and overall taste. So, whether you’re a die-hard hand-tossed fan or a lover of a crispy, crunchy pan pizza, read on to discover everything you need to know about these two popular pizza styles.

What is Hand-tossed Pizza?

Hand-tossed pizza is a classic pizza style that has been around for centuries. It is made by taking a ball of pizza dough and stretching it out by hand into a round shape. The dough is then topped with sauce, cheese, and toppings before baking in a pizza oven.

The crust of a hand-tossed pizza is thin and crispy, with a slightly chewy texture. The edges of the crust are usually slightly raised and crispy, giving the pizza a distinctive look and texture. The pizza is cooked at a high temperature in a pizza oven, which helps to create a crispy crust.

How to Make a Hand-tossed Pizza

Making a hand-tossed pizza involves several steps, from preparing the dough to assembling and baking the pizza. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make a delicious hand-tossed pizza:

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Pizza sauce
Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a combination)
Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, etc.)
Olive oil (for brushing)

Instructions:

Prepare the dough:
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center.
- Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the well.
- Gradually mix the flour into the liquid, incorporating it until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to the highest temperature setting, typically around 500°F (260°C). If you have a pizza stone or baking steel, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
Shape the dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions for medium-sized pizzas, or leave it as one for a larger pizza.
- Take one portion of the dough and shape it into a round ball.
- Place the dough ball on a lightly floured surface and gently press it down with your fingertips to form a small disc.
- Working from the center, stretch the dough outwards with your fingertips, rotating it as you go, to form a circular shape. Continue stretching until you achieve the desired size and thickness.
- Repeat the process with the other dough portion, or you can freeze it for future use.
Assemble the pizza:
- Transfer the stretched dough onto a pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spoon a generous amount of pizza sauce onto the dough and spread it evenly, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese over the sauce.
- Add your desired toppings evenly over the cheese.
Bake the pizza:
- If using a pizza stone or baking steel, carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated stone/steel in the oven. If using a baking sheet, place the sheet directly in the oven.
- Bake the pizza for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, remove the pizza from the oven using a pizza peel or oven mitts.
- Brush the crust edges with olive oil for a glossy finish.
Slice and serve:
- Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes, then slice it into wedges or squares.
- Serve hot and enjoy!

Make sure to check if pizza dough is bad

What is Pan Pizza?

Pan pizza is a newer style introduced by a major pizza chain in the United States. This style of pizza is made by pressing the dough into a deep-dish pan, which is then filled with sauce, cheese, and toppings before being baked in the oven.

The crust of a handmade pan pizza is thicker and denser than a hand-tossed pizza. The texture is more similar to bread or focaccia than a traditional pizza crust. The pizza is also cooked at a lower temperature for a more extended period, which helps to create the fluffy texture of the crust.

How to Make a Pan Pizza

Making a pan pizza involves a few key steps to achieve a delicious, crispy crust and flavorful toppings. Here’s a basic recipe to guide you through the process:

Ingredients:

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
1 ¼ teaspoons salt
1 ¼ cups warm water (around 110°F or 43°C)
3 tablespoons olive oil
Pizza sauce
Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions)

Instructions:

Proof the yeast – In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Mix the dough – In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.
Knead the dough – Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.
First rise – Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
Preheat the oven – Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a deep-dish pizza pan in the oven to heat up.
Shape the dough – Punch down the risen dough and transfer it onto a floured surface. Gently shape it into a round disk that fits your skillet or pizza pan.
Prepare the pan – Carefully remove the hot skillet or pizza pan from the oven (use oven mitts) and drizzle a little olive oil on the bottom. Spread the oil evenly to coat the surface.
Place the dough in the pan – Carefully transfer the shaped dough to the hot skillet or pizza pan. Press it down gently to cover the bottom and sides of the pan.
Add the toppings – Spread a generous amount of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Add your desired toppings, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or any other toppings you like.
Bake the pizza – Place the pan back into the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Cool and serve – Once the pizza is done, carefully remove it from the oven using oven mitts. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Key Differences between Hand-tossed and Pan Pizza

There are a few key differences between hand-tossed and pan pizza that can affect the overall taste and experience of each type of pizza.

Ingredients: Firstly, the ingredients used to make each style of pizza are different. Hand-tossed pizza typically has a thinner crust than pan pizza and is made with a combination of flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil. Pan pizza, on the other hand, has a thicker crust and is made with more dough, giving it a denser texture.
Preparation: In terms of preparation, Hand-tossed pizza is typically made by forming the crust by hand, adding toppings, and then baking in a traditional oven. Pan pizza, on the other hand, is baked in a pan that has been preheated in an oven. The crust is pressed into the pan and the toppings are added before baking. This process produces a crispy crust that is often slightly thicker than a traditional hand-tossed pizza.
Appearance: The appearance of hand-tossed and pan pizza is also distinct. Hand-tossed pizza has a slightly irregular shape due to the stretching process, and the toppings are typically spread out evenly across the crust. Pan pizza has a uniform shape, with the toppings often piled higher and more densely than on a hand-tossed pizza. The crust on a pan pizza is also often coated in oil or butter, which gives it a crispy outside and a soft, chewy inside.

hand-tossed and pan pizza: Which Pizza Style is Better?

A. Pros and cons of each crust type

When it comes to the pros and cons of each crust type, hand-tossed pizza has a crispy texture and light feel that is easy to eat and delicious. The crust is thin, which means that toppings take centre stage, and the pizza is less filling than pan pizza. However, the downside of hand-tossed pizza is that it can become soggy if you overload it with too many toppings. On the other hand, pan pizza has a thicker crust that is perfect for holding up a lot of toppings and cheese. However, the extra dough can be heavy and overwhelming, and the crust may not always be crispy.

B. Factors that affect pizza preference

Factors that affect pizza preference include personal taste such as texture and flavor, as well as dietary restrictions and cultural background. People who prefer a light and airy crust with minimal toppings may enjoy hand-tossed pizza, while those who like a more filling pizza with lots of toppings may find that pan pizza is the way to go.

C. Personal preference

The choice between hand-tossed and pan pizza ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a thin and crispy crust with lighter toppings, then hand-tossed pizza is the way to go. Handmade pan pizza is better if you prefer a thicker and fluffier crust that can handle heavier toppings.

It’s important to note that both styles of pizza can be delicious when made with high-quality ingredients and cooked properly. It’s all a matter of personal taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to pizza, choosing the healthier option can be a challenge. Hand-tossed pizza may be a better choice since it is typically made with leaner dough, contains fewer calories, and is not cooked in oil. On the other hand, pan pizza is often made with thicker dough, cooked in oil, and topped with more cheese and greasy toppings. This can lead to a higher calorie count and an increase in saturated fat intake. Overall, it’s important to remember that pizza should be enjoyed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. When choosing between hand-tossed and pan pizza, opt for the option with less oil and toppings for a healthier choice.

Pan pizza is generally thought to have more cheese than other types of pizza. The reason for this is that the thicker crust and deeper dish of pan pizza allow for more toppings, including cheese, to be added. Additionally, the way that pan pizzas are constructed involves layering the toppings, including the cheese, which can result in a cheesier texture. While it ultimately depends on the specific restaurant or pizza chain, many customers swear by the plentiful cheese found on pan pizzas. If you’re a cheese lover, trying out a pan pizza may be the way to go.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hand-tossed and pan pizza are two popular styles with distinct differences. Hand-tossed pizza has a thin and crispy crust, while handmade pan pizza has a thick and fluffy crust. The choice between the two styles ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both styles can be delicious when made with high-quality ingredients and cooked properly.

We hope this guide has helped you understand the differences between hand-tossed and handmade pan pizza. If you’re looking for a delicious pizza, try both styles and decide which one you prefer.