Pan-Fried Pizza

Pan-Fried Pizza
Evan Sung for The New York Times
Total Time
2 hours
Rating
4(309)
Comments
Read comments
  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe
  • Print Options


Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:At least 4 servings
  • 2cups all-purpose or bread flour, more as needed
  • Âľteaspoon instant yeast
  • 1teaspoon coarse salt
  • 3tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, more for cooking
  • About 2 cups any light, fresh tomato sauce, warmed
  • Sliced mozzarella to taste
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Prosciutto slices and basil leaves for topping (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine flour, yeast and salt in a food processor. Turn machine on and add ½ cup water and 2 tablespoons oil through feed tube. Process for about 30 seconds, adding more water, a tablespoon or so at a time, until mixture forms a ball and is slightly sticky to the touch. (If mixture becomes too sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time.)

  2. Step 2

    Put one tablespoon olive oil in a bowl and turn dough ball in it. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise until dough doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours. When dough is ready, re-form into a ball and divide it into 4 pieces; roll each piece into a ball. Place each piece on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle with a little flour, and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rest until each puffs slightly, about 20 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    When ready to cook, press one ball into about a 10-inch round. Use a little flour, if needed, to prevent sticking and a rolling pin, if desired. Film a 10-inch skillet with olive oil and turn heat to medium. When oil shimmers, put dough in pan and adjust heat so it browns evenly without burning. (If dough puffs up unevenly in spots, push bubbles down.)

  4. Step 4

    Turn dough, then top browned side with tomato sauce, cheese, a bit of salt and pepper, and, if you like, prosciutto and/or basil leaves. If top is now heavily laden, cover pan and continue cooking, or run it under broiler, just until toppings become hot. With only a couple of toppings, just cook until bottom browns. Repeat with remaining dough; serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

Ratings

4 out of 5
309 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

I make pizza every Friday. My thoughts on this:

Step 2 - Let the dough rise in the refrigerator for 1-3 days - will taste way better.

Step 3 - Never rolling pin pizza dough. Use your hands. You can do it. I know you can. Then let that sit for 20 minutes or so.

Although I used Sifton's Roberta's Pizza Dough recipe for the dough, I decided to try Bittman's pan fry technique, followed by letting people top their own pizzas and then finishing the pizzas in the oven--Wow! Best pizzas ever.

I love this, but would use pizza dough as sold by pound in my local supermarket. (blush )

Half recipe: 2C flour 1/2 tsp yeast Pinch salt 4T water plus 1T oil and 1/4 cup water, liquid for flour mixture 60 min to rise.

Needed to add significantly extra water & oil.

Fabulous! Made this tonight as written - WOW! Best pizza ever and so easy! I kept it simple with a very light homemade tomato -basil sauce and fresh mozzarella. The crust is simply amazing! I froze two of the four dough balls to thaw and cook another time. I suspect it will work well!

Private comments are only visible to you.

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.