Patrick Oconnell
Cutting a pizza without messing up the cheese can be tricky. Pizza cutters are notorious for not cutting through the crust and dragging cheese and toppings along with them, ruining the pizza. To avoid this, some recommend using kitchen shears or scissors, which can easily cut through the crust and diameter of the pizza without dragging the cheese. If you do use a pizza cutter, it's important to ensure it's sharp and to let the pizza cool down for a few minutes before cutting to prevent the cheese from sticking to the cutter or knife. Additionally, the type of cheese used can impact the crispiness of the crust, with wetter cheeses more likely to sweat and affect the texture.
How to cut pizza without messing up the cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pizza cutter | Use a sharp pizza cutter to cut through the cheese and crust without messing up the cheese. |
| Chef's knife | A large chef's knife can be used to cut pizza, but it is recommended to wait until the pizza has cooled down to prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife. |
| Pizza type | If using a frozen pizza, allow the cheese to fully melt before cutting. |
| Toppings | Assemble the toppings in a way that guarantees space for a "clean cut" when slicing. |
| Temperature | Let the pizza sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting to allow the cheese and toppings to set. |
| Alternative tools | Kitchen shears or scissors can be used to cut pizza and are easier to clean than pizza cutters. |
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What You'll Learn
Use kitchen shears/scissors instead of a pizza cutter
Pizza cutters are actually pretty inefficient at cutting pizza, and that's one of the reasons why we recommend kitchen shears/scissors instead. Not only do wheel cutters often fail to cut a pizza all the way through, but they've also been known to drag a sheet of cheese and any baked-in toppings along with them, ruining the topping distribution. Kitchen shears, on the other hand, can easily cut through your pizza crust and along its diameter without dragging the cheese along with them. They also allow you to achieve different shapes and sizes for your slices.
Kitchen shears are multi-functional kitchen tools that can be used for various tasks such as chopping salads and opening processed foods. They are also much easier to clean than pizza cutters. Pizza cutters are tricky to clean as the wheel often spins while you're trying to clean it, and the gunk can get underneath the arms of the handle and around the center screw. The OXO Good Grips shears, for example, can be easily separated into two pieces for faster and more thorough cleaning and are also dishwasher-safe.
It's also worth noting that pizza cutters need to be sharpened regularly, which can be inconvenient and annoying. With kitchen shears, you don't have to worry about frequent sharpening. They can also be used on frozen pizzas, where you just break the pie into pieces so that you can easily pick one piece/slice at a time after cooking.
However, it's important to let the pizza cool down for a few minutes before cutting, regardless of whether you use a pizza cutter or kitchen shears. This will prevent the cheese from sticking to the cutting tool and help the cheese and toppings to set, reducing the likelihood of them sliding off the pizza as you cut.
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Let the pizza cool down before cutting
Allowing your pizza to cool down before cutting it is a crucial step in ensuring the cheese doesn't stick to your knife or pizza cutter. While it may be tempting to dig into your pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven, it's worth the wait to avoid a mess. The exact amount of time can vary, but most sources recommend waiting at least 2-3 minutes to let the cheese and toppings settle and set. This will prevent the cheese from melting further and reduce the risk of it sticking to your cutting tool.
When you let the pizza cool down, the cheese has a chance to firm up slightly, which makes it easier to cut through cleanly. If you cut into the pizza immediately, the cheese can be too soft and gooey, causing it to stick to your knife or pizza cutter. By giving it a few minutes to rest, you'll have a better chance of achieving neat and even slices.
Additionally, waiting for the pizza to cool down slightly can also improve the texture of the crust. If you cut into the pizza right out of the oven, the hot oil from the cheese can soak into the crust, making it soggy and less crispy. By letting the pizza sit for a few minutes, you allow the oil in the cheese to cool and solidify, reducing the likelihood of it affecting the crust's texture.
While it's important to let the pizza cool down, you also don't want it to get too cold. Ideally, you should aim for the cheese to be just piping hot and the crust to be warm and crispy. This way, you can enjoy your pizza at its optimal temperature and texture while still avoiding the mess of cutting into it too soon.
Finally, letting the pizza cool down slightly before cutting can also help prevent burns. Cutting straight into a hot pizza can cause the cheese to stretch and stick to your cutting tool, potentially causing burns if you're not careful. By waiting a few minutes, you reduce the risk of burning yourself as the cheese will be slightly firmer and less likely to stick.
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Use a sharp pizza cutter
Using a sharp pizza cutter is the most common way to slice a pizza. However, it is essential to use the cutter correctly to avoid messing up the cheese. Firstly, allow the pizza to settle for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This will prevent the cheese and toppings from being pulled up by the cutter. A James Beard Award-winning chef, Ann Kim, recommends waiting three minutes before cutting, ensuring the toppings and cheese are still hot but set enough to avoid a mess.
When using a pizza cutter, it is essential to use a sharp one. Kim, who gets her cutters professionally sharpened weekly, states, "You really do want a nice, sharp cutter. Just because it's round, it's still a knife." A sharp cutter will ensure a clean slice, reducing the chances of the cheese sticking to the cutter and creating a jagged cut. When cutting, use a back-and-forth rocking motion to smoothly glide through the cheese and crust.
If your pizza cutter is not sharp enough to cut through the crust, you may end up with uneven slices and cheese sticking to the cutter. To avoid this, ensure your cutter is sharp and consider using a larger chef's knife that can fit the pizza's circumference. A knife with a blade covering the pizza's diameter will create perfect slices without disturbing the cheese. However, it is crucial to let the pizza cool down slightly before using a knife, as a room-temperature knife will prevent the cheese from sticking.
While a sharp pizza cutter is essential, it is also important to note that the type of cheese used can impact the cutting process. Wetter cheeses like burrata or buffalo mozzarella can affect the crust's crispiness and make it more challenging to cut without messing up the cheese. Therefore, when using a pizza cutter or a knife, consider the type of cheese and its potential impact on the pizza's texture and your cutting tools.
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Choose the right type of cheese
Choosing the right type of cheese is essential for a well-cut pizza. While a pizza cutter or wheel is the most common tool for slicing pizza, the type of cheese you choose can impact its effectiveness.
Wetter cheeses, such as burrata or buffalo mozzarella, tend to sweat more and can impact the crispiness of the crust. These cheeses may also be more likely to stick to the cutter or knife, affecting the cleanliness of your cuts. Harder cheeses can also release a lot of liquid, so it is important to consider how the cheese will affect the overall texture and appearance of your pizza.
If you are using a wetter or softer cheese, it is advisable to let the pizza cool down for a few minutes before cutting. This will help prevent the cheese from sticking to your cutting tool and create neater slices. Allowing the pizza to cool slightly will also give the cheese and toppings time to set, reducing the likelihood of them sliding off or being pulled up with the cutter.
Additionally, consider the amount of cheese you are using. If you add too much cheese, it may overflow the crust and increase the chances of it sticking to your cutting tool. Aim for an even distribution of cheese that covers the sauce without overwhelming the other toppings.
By choosing the right type of cheese and allowing your pizza to cool slightly before cutting, you can achieve cleaner and more precise slices without disturbing the cheese and toppings.
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Assemble toppings with cutting in mind
When assembling your pizza, it's important to keep in mind how you plan to cut it. If you're planning on using a pizza cutter, it's best to ensure that your toppings are distributed evenly and not overloaded, as this can make it difficult for the cutter to slice through the pizza.
If you're using a pizza cutter, it's also important to have a clean, sharp blade. Dull blades can crush the toppings and cheese, causing them to spread and create a mess. Additionally, allowing the pizza to cool down for a few minutes before cutting can help prevent the cheese from sticking to the cutter or knife. This is especially important if you're using a metal knife, as the cheese is more likely to stick to a room-temperature blade.
When assembling your toppings, try to create a balanced distribution. This will ensure that each slice has a similar amount of toppings and cheese, creating a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing pizza. This balance will also help when cutting, as the cutter or knife will have an easier time slicing through the pizza.
For pizzas with a lot of toppings, consider using a larger chef's knife that can cut through the diameter of the pizza. This will help you achieve a clean slice without disturbing the toppings and cheese. If you're using a smaller knife, be careful not to twist the blade as you slice through the crust, as this can cause the toppings and cheese to spread.
Finally, if you're using a frozen pizza, you can assemble the toppings in a way that guarantees space for a "clean cut". This means visualizing where the cutter will slice through and arranging the toppings accordingly. This way, the cutter only needs to cut through the bread, sauce, and cheese, resulting in less mess and intact toppings.
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Frequently asked questions
While pizza cutters are the most common tool used to cut pizza, they are not always the most effective. Some alternatives that can be used to cut pizza are a chef's knife, kitchen shears, or scissors.
Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before cutting. This will prevent the cheese from sticking to the cutter and give the cheese and toppings a chance to set.
Allow the pizza to cool before cutting to prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife. To cut, rock the knife back and forth.
Allow the pizza to cool for 2-3 minutes, then use a spatula to loosen the pizza from the sheet pan. Place the pizza on a cutting board and cut into uniform or creative shapes.
