Description
Pan pizza is a thick-crust pizza cooked in a skillet, where the dough is pressed into the pan and cooked until crisp on the bottom and soft in the middle. Jamie Oliver’s recipe simplifies the process while delivering a pizza that’s crispy, fluffy, and loaded with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 500g strong bread flour – For a chewy crust.
- 1 sachet (7g) dried yeast – Helps the dough rise.
- 1 tsp sugar – Feeds the yeast.
- 1 tsp salt – For flavor.
- 325ml warm water – Activates the yeast and binds the dough.
For the Toppings:
- 150g mozzarella (sliced or shredded) – Melty cheese base.
- 100g tomato sauce or pizza sauce – Forms the flavorful foundation.
- Fresh basil leaves – For garnish and flavor.
- Optional Toppings: Pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, or any favorites.
For Cooking:
- 2 tbsp olive oil – To grease the pan and crisp the crust.
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a clean tea towel, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Preheat the Skillet
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, spreading it evenly. Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan) or 425°F if using the oven for finishing.
Step 3: Shape the Dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Divide it into portions (depending on your pan size). Roll or stretch the dough to fit the skillet.
Step 4: Assemble the Pizza
- Place the dough in the hot skillet, pressing it gently into the edges. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the bottom begins to crisp.
- Spread the tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the sauce, then add your chosen toppings.
Step 5: Cook the Pizza
Option 1: Stovetop and Oven
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Option 2: Stovetop Only
Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 8-10 minutes, checking occasionally, until the cheese is melted and the crust is cooked through.
Step 6: Serve
Remove the pizza from the skillet using a spatula or tongs. Slice into wedges and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.