Differences Between Hand Tossed And Handmade Pan Pizza

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when perusing the menu of a pizza restaurant because there are so many different kinds of pizza to choose from. The question “what is the difference between hand tossed and handmade pan pizza?” is consistently one of the most common questions regarding pizza.

To put it another way, the majority of people recognize it by its crust. Hand-tossed pizza often has a lighter and crunchier crust, in contrast to the heavier and chewier crust of pan pizza. According to their preferences, the vast majority of people enjoy either one of the pizzas or both of them.

On the other hand, these two extremely distinct pizzas differ in a wide variety of other respects as well. Because of this, we’ve decided to compile an essay detailing the five key distinctions between hand-tossed pizza and hand-made pizza baked in a pan. Let’s get started without further ado, shall we?

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Brief History Of Pizza

Let’s start with some background information before we get into the specifics.

Pizza, a popular Italian meal with roots in the 16th to 19th centuries, is a delicious invention that has won the hearts of many. Many businesses have responded to the increasing demand by entering the market and competing to provide the best pizzas.

The original version of this dish featured a wheat dough base in the shape of a spherical pizza and was topped with tomatoes, cheese, and other things like meat or mushrooms.

Some businesses have emerged as today’s top choices for pizza because to their unique offerings and widespread popularity. Domino’s Pizza is one of them. Not the first pizza company, although they did spend three years perfecting their recipe.

Domino’s Pizza has many devoted customers because they make excellent pizzas. You have probably been making purchases from them and have seen the selection they offer.

What Is a Pan Pizza?

A pan pizza has a crust that is much thicker than other types of pizza since it is baked on a cast-iron skillet or a cake pan. Cast-iron pans are used to prepare Chicago-style pizza, often called deep-dish pizza, as well as Detroit-style pizza. Sicilian pizza is yet another style of pan pizza that is baked on a rectangular sheet tray before being served.

How to Make a Pan Pizza

To cook your own homemade pizza on a pan, follow these steps:

1. Coat both the pan and the dough in oil. Prepare the baking sheet or cast-iron skillet for use by coating the bottom with olive oil or vegetable oil. Before placing a ball of pizza dough on the pan, you should brush it with oil beforehand.
2. Roll the dough into a rectangle. You can use your fingers to spread out the dough until it completely covers the bottom and the sides of the pan.
3. Sprinkle on your desired toppings. After that, you can top the pizza crust with any toppings you prefer, including tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, pepperoni, oregano, and any other ingredients you desire.
4. Bake your pan pizza. Put the pizza into an oven that has been preheated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 25–35 minutes, or until the toppings are browned and bubbling and the crust is crispy and golden brown.

What Is a Hand-Tossed Pizza?

You can tell a hand-tossed pizza because the dough is stretched by being tossed in the air. The pizza is tossed by hand and then baked on a stone in a very hot oven. This method produces a pizza with a thin crust, like that found in the New York, Brooklyn, and traditional Italian Neapolitan styles.

How to Make a Hand-Tossed Pizza

Making pizza at home with a hand tossing requires some skill. You can learn to hand toss a pizza by following these steps:

• First, get a ball of pizza dough ready. Work the dough ball into a flat disc on a floured surface.
• The pizza dough must be kneaded. Use your fingertips to knead the dough until it’s about the size of your hand, then continue to work it until it’s smooth and elastic. Form a crust by pressing the dough together along its outer edges.
• Third, toss the pizza by hand. To the dough ball, add some flour. Toss the dough upward, pick it up, place it on the backs of your hands, and rotate your arms in a circle towards your body. When the dough has completed its rotation, grab it in your fists. The dough should be rolled out until it is at least 12 inches in diameter. Pinch the dough back together if it tears.
• Next, put on the condiments. Put the dough back on the counter after it’s thin enough, then top with pizza sauce and mozzarella. Toppings can include pepperoni, vegetables, oregano, or anything else you would choose.
• Put the pizza in the oven, number 5. Put the pizza on a pizza peel and into the oven. If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can use a baking sheet. Pizza is traditionally baked on a hot pizza stone or steel at most professional pizzerias. If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can get quite close by placing a sheet tray or pan on the bottom of your preheating oven and setting the pizza on top of that.

The pizza should be baked in the oven, number 6. In a hot oven (500 degrees Fahrenheit), bake the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden.

Differences Between Hand Tossed And Handmade Pan Pizza

The main differences between a hand-tossed pizza and a handmade pan pizza include the thickness of the crust, the texture of the crust, and the cooking method.

The Dough

Both styles of pizza use essentially the same components for the dough. Breads are typically made with wheat, yeast, salt, honey, warm water, and olive oil.

But the dough for a hand-tossed pizza is far more tender and thin. This is because finding the ideal shape for baking requires throwing the dough in the air.

You need to get the dough to the perfect softness. Still, moderation is key to surviving a toss into the air without shattering. When pizza dough is tossed by hand, it often expands and covers the entire baking sheet.

The dough for a pan pizza is thicker and more rigid. The lack of space for expansion on the pan makes for a lighter and fluffier pizza.

Pan pizza dough spreads out rather than rises as it bakes. As a result, after being cooked, the pizza is spongy and full of air bubbles.

Pan pizza dough, ideally, doesn’t expand as much when baked as does dough thrown by hand. That’s the key distinction between regular pizza dough and the one used for hand-held pizzas.

The Preparation

Pan and hand-tossed pizzas are prepared differently. After kneading the dough until it’s soft, you toss it in the air to form it.

To avoid tearing the dough, use the back of your fist. Roll the dough onto a hot pizza stone or steel. And bake it at 500°F (260°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Pizza peels are best for transferring pizzas to and from the oven. If there’s no peel, parchment paper works.

Hand-tossing dough requires practice. Thus, making a crust that holds toppings without crumbling will take time.

Pan pizzas are simpler than hand-tossed ones. Oil the dough and form a ball.

Press the dough into a hefty cake pan or cast-iron skillet with your fingertips. Poking lubricated dough into the pan gives the proper form.

Before baking, grease the pan a spoonful. This keeps the dough from sticking and makes the crust crispier.

25–35 minutes at 500 °F (260 °C) bakes the pan pizza. Pan pizzas don’t require tossing, so anyone can make them.

The Crust

Hand-tossed and pan pizza crusts differ greatly. Hand-tossed pizza has a thinner, less-cheesy crust.

Tossing usually bursts dough air bubbles. The dough will not rise in the oven, resulting in a thin or medium crust.

Hand-tossed pizza is baked without oil. The crust won’t be as greasy as pan pizza. It will appear drier and burned.

Deep-dish pizza crusts are thicker and cheesier. Because the dough has little room to expand, it grows in width but not height.

Pan pizza requires a thin layer of oil at the bottom. The crust will be nicely fried and golden. The dough and pan coating will make it look oily.

However, hand-tossed and pan pizza are crispy. Thus, whether you choose the former or the latter, you receive that delicious crunchiness you want.

If you prefer classics, choose a hand-tossed pizza. Pan pizza, on the other hand, tastes like fried bread.

The Toppings

Both pizzas can have the same toppings. Neapolitan pizza has a thinner crust.

It supports fewer toppings and uses less cheese and sauce. Hand-tossed pizza toppings include fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, vegetables, olive oil, and oregano.

Add whatever toppings you choose. Pineapple, seasonings, and spices are useful. Hand-tossed pizza is consumed by hand.

The pan pizza’s broader crust can hold more toppings. Most thick crusts have mozzarella, white cheddar, fontina, asiago, and provolone.

You can also experiment with toppings to customize your pizza.

Many pizza aficionados add pepperoni and vegetables to their crust.

To enhance flavor, sprinkle green papers and Parmesan cheese over the tomato sauce. The thick pan pizza requires a knife and fork.

Pan pizza toppings have more cheese than hand-tossed pizza. That’s why it’s buttery and soft.

Cheese lovers who loathe crust will adore this. Both pizzas have equal toppings.

The Taste And Texture

As mentioned, both pizzas are crispy. Hand-tossed pizza crusts are dry and blistered. No toppings give it an edge.

Hand-tossed pizzas are usually plain. Pan pizzas are usually greasier than these.

Pizza lovers who abhor oil prefer hand-tossed pizzas. Dryness makes them crispy.

Pan pizza is fluffy like bread. Its bready crust is about an inch thick.

The pizza will have a cooked, golden crust because you spray oil on the pan before baking. Hand-tossed pizzas have varied crust edges.

Pan pizzas can fit more cheese, sauce, and toppings due to their broader crusts. These decorations usually cover the crust.

Pan pizza crusts are softer due to the extra cheese. The ideal golden-brown crust and this give the pizza a superb crispiness and succulence.

FAQs

What is the difference between hand-tossed and handmade pan pizza?

Hand-tossed pizza has a traditional thin crust that is stretched by hand, while handmade pan pizza has a thicker crust that is made in a pan and baked to a crispy golden brown.

Which crust option is more popular, hand-tossed or handmade pan pizza?

The popularity of crust options may vary among individuals, but both hand-tossed and handmade pan pizzas have their dedicated fan bases.

Is the dough for hand-tossed pizza different from handmade pan pizza?

Yes, the dough for hand-tossed pizza is typically lighter and thinner, while the dough for handmade pan pizza is denser and designed to rise in the pan.

Does the cooking method differ for hand-tossed and handmade pan pizza?

Yes, hand-tossed pizza is typically cooked on a pizza stone or screen, while handmade pan pizza is baked in a deep dish pan.

Which crust option is best for a crispy texture?

Hand-tossed pizza crust is generally known for its crispiness, as the thinner crust bakes faster and achieves a crisper texture.

Which crust option is best for a soft and doughy texture?

Handmade pan pizza crust is known for its soft and doughy texture, thanks to its thicker and more substantial crust.

Can I get different toppings on hand-tossed and handmade pan pizzas?

Yes, you can choose from a wide range of toppings for both hand-tossed and handmade pan pizzas, allowing you to customize your pizza to your liking.

Which crust option is more suitable for sharing with a group?

Hand-tossed pizza, with its thinner crust and lighter texture, is often more popular for sharing among larger groups.

Are there any gluten-free options available for hand-tossed or handmade pan pizza?

Pizza chains like Domino’s offer gluten-free crust options for hand-tossed pizza, but handmade pan pizza is typically not available in a gluten-free version.

Can I order a half-and-half combination of hand-tossed and handmade pan pizzas?

Yes, you can order a half-and-half combination of different crust options, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Are there any specific toppings that pair well with hand-tossed pizza?

Toppings such as fresh vegetables, delicate cheeses, and lighter meats are often popular choices for hand-tossed pizza.

Which crust option is better for holding heavier or denser toppings?

Handmade pan pizza, with its thicker and sturdier crust, is better suited for holding heavier or denser toppings.

Is there a price difference between hand-tossed and handmade pan pizza?

Pizza prices may vary depending on location and any ongoing promotions, but typically, there is no significant price difference between hand-tossed and handmade pan pizza.

Can I request a specific level of crispiness for hand-tossed or handmade pan pizza?

While you can request a specific level of crispiness, it ultimately depends on the standard baking process for each crust option.

Are there any special deals or promotions specific to hand-tossed or handmade pan pizza?

Pizza chains occasionally offer promotions or limited-time deals that may include discounts or special offers for hand-tossed or handmade pan pizza, so it’s worth checking for any current promotions.

Conclusion

There is no definitive winner between pan pizza and hand-tossed pizza. Instead, it’s a matter of personal preference. If you like a lighter, more minimalistic pizza, then a hand-tossed pizza is the way to go.

If you’d rather have a big slice with lots of cheese and toppings, the pan pizza is a good alternative. Keep in mind that the crunchiness of either choice is virtually equal.