Kamil Perry
Whether cheese goes on top of or underneath the toppings on a pizza is a hotly debated topic. In North America, most pizza places put cheese underneath toppings unless the customer requests extra cheese, in which case the cheese is loaded on top. However, some people argue that putting cheese on top of the toppings can make the pizza soggy and watery, while putting toppings on top of the cheese allows them to crisp up and get a toasted flavour.
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What You'll Learn
The order of toppings
Some people prefer to put the cheese on top of the toppings. This way, they can see the cheese, especially if they have paid for extra cheese. Putting cheese on top also allows the toppings to cook and crisp in the oven, preventing them from becoming soggy or watery. This is especially important for toppings like mushrooms, spinach, and fresh herbs, which tend to retain moisture and can benefit from the direct heat of the oven.
Others prefer to put the cheese underneath the toppings. This is a common practice in the pizza industry in North America, where customers often request "extra cheese." By putting the cheese on first, directly on the pizza crust, the crust cooks better without getting soggy from wet sauce. This method is used for Sicilian-style pizzas, as well as in Chicago and New York.
The decision on the order of toppings ultimately depends on personal preference and the type of pizza being made. Some toppings may benefit from being placed directly under or over the cheese to control moisture and crispiness. For example, toppings like bacon, pepperoni, or olives can handle the direct heat and may be placed under or over the cheese.
Additionally, the type of cheese used can also impact the order of toppings. For instance, cheddar cheese has smaller elasticity than mozzarella, which means it won't blister as easily. A blend of cheeses can be used to achieve the desired stretch and flavor, such as a combination of mozzarella and provolone.
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Avoiding a soggy pizza base
The order of your pizza toppings can have a significant impact on the crispiness of your pizza base. Generally, placing cheese before toppings can lead to a soggy pizza base as the cheese traps in the moisture, making the pizza watery. This is especially true for toppings like mushrooms, spinach, and fresh herbs. Therefore, it is recommended to place your toppings first, followed by cheese, to allow them to cook and crisp up in the oven.
To avoid a soggy pizza base, it is crucial to control the moisture levels during the pizza-making process. Here are some tips to achieve a crisp and delicious pizza:
- Use a blend of cheeses: Opt for a combination of cheeses that complement each other in terms of texture, flavour, and colour. For example, mix mozzarella for stretch, cheddar for flavour, and parmesan for sharpness.
- Avoid excessive cheese: Too much cheese, especially fresh cheese with a high water content, can lead to a soggy base. Be mindful of the type and amount of cheese you use.
- Manage "wet" ingredients: Ingredients like fresh tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh cheeses can release moisture during cooking, so use them sparingly and consider their placement on the pizza.
- Thin layer of sauce: Apply a thin and even layer of sauce to add flavour without making the base soggy. Three to four tablespoons is usually sufficient.
- Cook at the right temperature: Cooking at a high temperature in a pizza oven or preheating a traditional oven for at least 30 minutes can help ensure the base cooks properly without burning the toppings.
- Stretch the dough thinly: Stretching the dough evenly and thinly helps prevent sogginess by allowing the base to cook thoroughly. Aim for a thickness where light can pass through when held up.
- Use a pizza stone or perforated pan: These tools help absorb condensation and allow it to escape, resulting in a crispier crust. Preheat the pizza stone to avoid cracking when placed in a hot oven.
- Partially cook the base first: In a domestic oven, consider baking the pizza base without toppings for 1-2 minutes before adding them to ensure the base is partially cooked.
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The best cheese for pizza
When it comes to the best cheese for pizza, there are a few factors to consider, including meltability, stretchability, and flavor. The perfect melt coats the toppings in a creamy layer, ensuring that flavors blend seamlessly on the pizza dough. Stretchability, meanwhile, provides a visually satisfying experience and a delightful texture with every bite.
Mozzarella is the most popular choice for pizzas around the world. It melts beautifully, has a pleasant, mild flavor, and is known for its stretchability. When using mozzarella, it is important to consider whether to use fresh or low-moisture mozzarella, as each type will have a unique impact on the pizza. Fresh mozzarella offers a creamy, rich flavor with more moisture, while low-moisture mozzarella provides a denser texture and a saltier taste, making it ideal for achieving a stretchy cheese layer. For classic Neapolitan pizzas, fresh mozzarella is the go-to choice.
However, mozzarella is not the only option for pizza cheese. Provolone, a blend of mozzarella and provolone, is commonly used in New York-style pizzas to achieve both stretch and a fuller flavor profile. Other cheese options include Fontiago, which melts well and has a great flavor, cheddar, fontina, Muenster, and Gouda. These cheeses provide a variety of flavors and melting abilities that can enhance the overall taste and texture of the pizza.
In addition to the type of cheese, the order in which the ingredients are layered on a pizza is also important. In North America, most pizza places put cheese underneath the toppings unless the customer requests "extra cheese," in which case the cheese is loaded on top. This practice has evolved because customers like to see the extra cheese they have paid for. However, putting cheese on top of the toppings can affect the taste and texture of the pizza, making the toppings soggy and watery. To avoid this, it is recommended to place toppings that need direct heat, such as mushrooms, on top of the cheese so they can cook and crisp properly in the oven.
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The ideal oven temperature
It is worth noting that the oven temperature may vary slightly depending on the type of pizza being baked. For example, a thicker, deeper pizza, such as a Sicilian-style or Chicago-style pizza, may require a slightly lower temperature to ensure that the inside of the pizza is cooked through without burning the crust.
Additionally, the type of oven used can also make a difference. A pizza oven or a brick oven, for example, may retain heat differently than a standard home oven, so adjustments may need to be made accordingly.
When baking pizza, it is crucial to keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The cooking time will depend on the type of pizza and the desired level of doneness. For a crispier pizza, it may be necessary to bake it for a slightly longer period, but this should be balanced with the risk of burning the crust or overcooking the toppings.
To achieve the perfect melt and bubble for the cheese, it is recommended to bake the pizza for 5-6 minutes before adding the toppings, and then returning it to the oven to finish baking. This two-step process helps to ensure a crispy crust and prevents the issue of watery cheese and soggy toppings.
Finally, it is important to let the pizza cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the cheese to set, preventing it from sliding off the slice when cut. This waiting period also helps to prevent burning your mouth when taking that first bite!
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Presentation
The presentation of a pizza is key to making it look appetising. If you add the toppings last, you can easily see what is on the pizza. This wouldn't be the case if you buried the toppings under the cheese. In the pizza industry in North America, most pizza places put cheese underneath toppings, unless the customer requests "extra cheese". In that case, all the cheese is loaded on top of all the toppings. This is because, as a visual species, we like to see the cheese, especially when we ask for more of it.
However, some people prefer to have cheese on the bottom of a pizza. Sicilian-style pizzas, for example, put the cheese directly on the pizza crust, and then the sauce goes on top. This helps the thick, bread-like dough underneath not become soggy. It is also much easier to spread the liquid tomato sauce on a blank pizza base rather than spreading it over cheese and toppings.
When it comes to how the pizza cooks, where you place the cheese makes a big difference in taste and texture. Cheese that has been toasted gets a deeper flavour and crispy texture. No one wants raw, mushy cheese on pizza. Similarly, most toppings get better with a bit of toasting from the oven, and that can't happen if they are covered in cheese. Covering your toppings in cheese can also trap in moisture and make the pizza watery.
If you want to avoid soggy toppings, keep them on top of the cheese so they can cook and crisp in the oven.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of pizza you are making. If you are making a Sicilian-style pizza, it is traditional to put the cheese directly on the dough before adding the sauce. This helps the thick, bread-like dough cook without becoming soggy. However, if you are making a pizza with a thinner crust, it is recommended to put the cheese on top of the toppings. This allows the cheese to bubble and brown and the toppings to get direct heat and become crisp.
Toppings that you don't want to dry out, such as spinach and fresh herbs, should be placed under the cheese.
Most toppings, especially those that are relatively dry, such as bacon, pepperoni, or olives, should be placed on top of the cheese. This allows them to get some toasting from the oven, which can't happen if they are covered by cheese.
Yes, if you are making a deep-dish pizza, it is common to place the sauce on top of the cheese. This is also the preferred method for Italian-style pizzas, which typically have one-half to one-third of the amount of cheese as North American pizzas.
