Patrick Oconnell
Cheddar cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, but can it be used for pizza? Cheddar cheese is widely loved for its sharp taste and is one of the four main pizza cheese types, along with mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone. While it is commonly used on specialty pies like chicken bacon ranch, some people believe that it does not melt well and overpowers the flavour of the rest of the pizza.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Used on pizza | Yes, but less common than mozzarella |
| Melting characteristics | Does not melt well at high heat |
| Taste | Sharp, nutty, rich |
| Fat content | Higher than mozzarella |
| Texture | Greasier and breaks more easily |
| Colour | Deeper orange tint for sharper cheddar |
| Best used with | Salami, BBQ chicken, cheeseburger, buffalo chicken, sweet pineapple, and other strong flavours |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar is best mixed with other cheeses
Cheddar is commonly used on pizzas like chicken bacon ranch, cheeseburger, and buffalo chicken. It is also used on BBQ chicken pizza as it works well with stronger flavours like red onions, peppers, and BBQ sauce. However, Cheddar is not a great option for pizza on its own. It doesn't melt well and has a strong flavour that can overpower the rest of the pizza. It also doesn't handle high heat well and can scorch, which tastes and smells bad. The fats can separate from the solids as a yellowish oil.
When choosing a cheddar to use on pizza, softer, younger cheddars are ideal if you want to use cheddar as the primary or only cheese. A sharper cheddar with a deep orange tint will add colour to your pizza, but the flavour can be overpowering. It is best to add cheddar halfway through the cooking process because of the way it melts compared to other cheeses.
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It doesn't melt well at high temperatures
Cheddar cheese is commonly used on pizzas like chicken bacon ranch, cheeseburger, and buffalo chicken. It is also used in blends with other cheeses. However, cheddar cheese doesn't melt well at high temperatures.
Cheddar cheese is a popular pizza topping due to its sharp, nutty, and rich flavor. It is commonly used on specialty pizzas such as chicken bacon ranch, cheeseburger, and buffalo chicken. Cheddar is also often blended with other cheeses such as mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan to add a unique taste to the pizza.
While cheddar cheese is a popular choice for its flavor, it does have some drawbacks when used on pizza. One of the main issues is that cheddar doesn't melt well at high temperatures. This is because it has a lower elasticity, which causes it to toughen up and secrete oil when exposed to sustained high heat. The cheese can scorch, resulting in a bad taste and smell, and the fats can separate from the solids as a yellowish oil.
To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use a younger, softer cheddar cheese that has a milder flavor. Older and sharper cheddars have a lower melting point and are more likely to scorch. Blending cheddar with other cheeses that melt better, such as mozzarella, can also help improve the melting characteristics of the cheese blend.
Additionally, adding the cheddar halfway through the cooking process or towards the end can help prevent it from scorching. Using a thinner crust pizza and cooking it longer at a lower temperature can also help prevent the cheese from burning.
In conclusion, while cheddar cheese is a popular choice for pizza due to its flavor, it is important to consider its melting characteristics when using it as a topping. By using younger, softer cheddars and blending them with other cheeses, the melting issues can be mitigated to some extent. However, care must be taken to ensure that the cheese does not scorch and ruin the taste of the pizza.
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Younger cheddars are better for pizza
While cheddar cheese is commonly used on pizzas, it is usually blended with other cheeses. Cheddar is a good addition to any pie because its lower elasticity means it doesn't blister as easily as other cheeses like mozzarella. Mozzarella is the most popular cheese option for pizza and is a defining ingredient in Neapolitan pizza. However, it is not the only option.
Cheddar cheese is widely loved because of its sharp taste. Younger, softer cheddars are ideal if you're trying to use cheddar as the primary or only cheese on a pizza. This is because younger cheddars are milder and melt better than sharper, darker cheddars. The more aged the cheese, the more reluctant it is to melt. Sharper cheddars also have a lower heat tolerance and can scorch, resulting in a bad taste and smell.
When using cheddar on a pizza, it is best to add it halfway through the cooking process or towards the end because of the way it melts compared to other cheeses. It is also important to note that cheddar tends to be greasier and breaks more easily, so it is recommended to blend it with a lower-fat cheese like mozzarella.
While some people may prefer the traditional combination of mozzarella and provolone for their pizza, others may enjoy experimenting with different cheeses like cheddar to find their favourite combinations. Ultimately, the type of cheese used on a pizza comes down to personal preference.
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It's good for adding colour to your pizza
While cheddar cheese is not the most popular choice for pizza, it is often used in blends with other cheeses. Cheddar is a good addition to pizza because its lower elasticity means it doesn't blister as easily as other cheeses.
Cheddar cheese is widely loved because of its sharp taste, which ranges from mild to intense depending on the variety. If you choose a sharper cheddar cheese that has a deep orange tint, it will add a vibrant colour to your pizza.
When using cheddar on pizza, it is important to consider its melting properties. Cheddar tends to melt and run more than other cheeses, so it should be used sparingly. It also doesn't handle high heat well and can scorch, so it is best added halfway through the cooking process or used on pizzas cooked at lower temperatures.
Cheddar pairs well with various toppings, including savory meats, sweet pineapple, red onions, peppers, and BBQ sauce. It is commonly used on specialty pies like chicken bacon ranch, cheeseburger, and buffalo chicken pizzas.
Some people may prefer other cheeses for pizza, such as mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, or gouda, as these cheeses melt well and have a milder flavour that may be more suited to traditional pizza varieties. However, if you're looking to add a pop of colour and a sharp, earthy flavour to your pizza, cheddar cheese is a great option.
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It's a popular choice for speciality pies
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for speciality pies. While it is not traditionally used as the main cheese on pizza due to its low melting point, it is a good addition to cheese blends. Its lower elasticity means it doesn't blister as easily as other cheeses, and its sharp, nutty, rich, earthy, and pungent flavour adds depth to the overall taste of the pizza.
Cheddar cheese is commonly used on speciality pies, such as chicken bacon ranch, cheeseburger, and buffalo chicken pizzas. It pairs well with toppings like savory meat or sweet pineapple, creating a unique menu offering. The type of cheddar cheese used can also add colour to the pizza, with sharper cheddars having a deeper orange tint.
When using cheddar cheese on pizza, it is important to consider its melting properties. Cheddar tends to be greasier and breaks more easily, so it is often blended with lower-fat cheeses like mozzarella or provolone. Adding the cheddar halfway through the cooking process can also help ensure it melts properly.
The quality of the cheddar cheese also matters, with higher-quality cheddars from specialty cheese producers offering a better taste and melting experience. Younger, softer cheddars are ideal if using cheddar as the primary cheese, as sharper cheddars have a lower melting point and can scorch, resulting in an unpleasant taste and smell.
Overall, cheddar cheese is a versatile and popular choice for speciality pies, offering a unique flavour profile and colour to the pizza. By blending it with other cheeses and adding it at the right time during cooking, cheddar can be successfully incorporated into pizza recipes to create delicious and distinctive flavour combinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use cheddar cheese on pizza. However, it doesn't melt as well as other cheeses and has a stronger flavour, so it's best to use it as part of a blend with other cheeses, such as mozzarella, provolone or parmesan.
Younger, softer cheddars with a milder flavour are better suited to pizza because they melt more easily and won't overpower the other flavours.
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza and is used in many regions. Provolone is the second most popular cheese to blend with other cheeses. Other options include parmesan, gouda, fontina, muenster, pepper jack and raclette.
