Authentic New York-Style Pizza Recipe: Thin Crust & Savory Toppings

New York-style pizza is a beloved classic known for its thin, large, and foldable slices. It’s iconic to New York City but its popularity has spread worldwide.

Ingredients for New York-style pizza

For the New York-style pizza dough:

3 1/2 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

For the New York-style pizza sauce

1 can (28 ounces) whole San Marzano tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch of sugar

For the New York-style toppings

2 cups shredded low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni slices
Sliced Italian sausage
Sliced mushrooms
Sliced bell peppers
Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:

Pizza dough preparation for New York-style pizza

• In a small bowl, mix the lukewarm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
• Stir the ingredients until a dough forms, then transfer it to a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours or until it doubles in size.

New York-style Pizza sauce preparation:

• In a blender or food processor, puree the San Marzano tomatoes until smooth.
• In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
• Add the tomato puree, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and a pinch of sugar to the saucepan. Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly.

New York-style Pizza assembly and baking:

• Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach (usually around 500°F/260°C) and place a pizza stone or an upside-down baking sheet inside to heat up.
• Divide the pizza dough into two equal portions. On a floured surface, gently stretch and shape each portion into a 12-inch round, using your hands or a rolling pin.
• Carefully transfer the stretched dough to a parchment paper-lined pizza peel or another upside-down baking sheet.
• Spread a generous amount of pizza sauce on each dough round, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
• Add your desired toppings, such as pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
• Carefully slide the parchment paper with the assembled pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
• Bake the pizzas for about 10–12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving.
• Enjoy your delicious Homemade New York-Style Pizza with the classic thin crust and flavorful toppings! It’s a taste of New York right in your home kitchen!

Tips and Tricks for Making a Delicious New York-style pizza:

High-protein Flour: Use bread flour with a high protein content (around 12–14%). This will result in a chewier and more authentic New York-style crust.

Slow Fermentation: Allow the pizza dough to rise slowly in the refrigerator for 24 to 72 hours. This extended fermentation develops the dough’s flavor and texture, giving you a tastier crust.

Hand Stretching: Stretch the dough by hand rather than using a rolling pin. Gently pull the dough from the center outward, leaving the edges slightly thicker to create that characteristic thin crust.

Cornmeal or Semolina: Sprinkle cornmeal or semolina on the pizza peel before placing the stretched dough on it. This prevents sticking and helps slide the pizza into the oven easily.

Preheat the Oven and Stone: Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach (around 500°F/260°C). Place a pizza stone or an upside-down baking sheet in the oven while preheating to create a hot surface for baking.

Use a Pizza Peel: Invest in a pizza peel, a flat shovel-like tool, to easily transfer the pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet in the oven.

Keep the Sauce Light: New York-style pizza typically has a thin layer of sauce. Use a light hand when spreading the sauce to avoid making the crust soggy.

Low-Moisture Mozzarella: Use shredded low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella cheese. It melts evenly and creates a delicious cheese pull with each slice.

Classic Toppings: Stick to classic toppings like pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Keep it simple to let the crust and sauce shine.

Avoid Overloading: Don’t overload the pizza with too many toppings. Less is more when it comes to New York-style pizza.

Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. The high oven temperature ensures a crispy crust.

Rest Before Slicing: Allow the pizza to rest for a minute before slicing. This lets the cheese set and the flavors meld.

By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create an authentic New York-style pizza that will rival any pizzeria’s offering. Enjoy your delicious homemade slice of New York!