Kamil Perry
The order of pizza toppings is a highly contested topic. The classic arrangement is crust, sauce, cheese, and then toppings. However, some people prefer to put their toppings under the cheese. The order of toppings can make a difference in the taste and texture of the pizza. For example, putting cheese on top of toppings like mushrooms can make them soggy and watery, while putting cheese under toppings like pepperoni can make them crispy and toasted. Ultimately, the decision of whether to put toppings on top of or under the cheese is a matter of personal preference, but it's important to consider the effects of the oven's heat on different toppings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Layering | The general order is crust, sauce, cheese, toppings. |
| Toppings that burn or dry out easily, like dried oregano, go under the cheese. | |
| Toppings that need the most cooking and browning, such as raw meat or vegetables, go on top. | |
| Toppings that need direct heat, like bacon, pepperoni, or olives, go on top. | |
| Taste | Toppings on top of the cheese can prevent them from getting soggy and mushy. |
| If toppings go under the cheese, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked. | |
| The heat from the oven will cause the toppings to release water vapour, which will get trapped under the cheese. | |
| Cheese that has been toasted gets a deeper flavour and crispy texture. | |
| Garnishes | Garnishes like basil, pepper, and fresh mozzarella go on top after the pizza is cooked. |
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What You'll Learn
The traditional order of toppings
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Toppings that dry out or burn easily, such as dried oregano, should be placed under the cheese to prevent burning. Additionally, in a Sicilian-style pizza, the cheese is placed on the base first.
The classic pizza arrangement follows a pyramid structure, with the dough as the foundation, followed by sauce, cheese, and then toppings. This order allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and the toppings to receive direct heat and become crisp. It also prevents the pizza from becoming watery, as covering the toppings with cheese can trap water vapour and lead to a soggy pizza.
Some people also prefer to have their cheese on top of the toppings, especially for relatively dry toppings like bacon, pepperoni, or olives. Ultimately, the order of toppings comes down to personal preference, and there is room for creativity and experimentation when crafting the perfect pizza.
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Avoiding soggy toppings
When making a pizza, the order in which you layer the ingredients is important. The traditional order is dough, sauce, cheese, toppings. However, some people prefer to put their toppings underneath the cheese. This can be for aesthetic reasons or to prevent certain toppings from burning. Nevertheless, putting toppings underneath the cheese can lead to a soggy pizza.
To avoid a soggy pizza, it is important to cook your pizza at the correct temperature and to preheat your oven for at least 30 minutes. Ovens are usually hottest at the top, so it is recommended to cook your pizza on the bottom rack. Alternatively, you can use a pizza stone to ensure even cooking.
The dough should be stretched out very thinly and evenly. This is important because a thicker pizza will cook more slowly, and the top will become soggy and undercooked. If you are using a traditional oven, it is better to cook your pizza for a longer time on a lower rack. This will help the dough cook more thoroughly without burning the toppings.
You can also try cooking the dough for a minute or two before adding the toppings. This will give the dough extra time to cook without burning the toppings. If you are using wet and soggy toppings, it is likely that they will cause your crust to become soggy. Avoid toppings that contain a lot of moisture or oil, such as mushrooms, as these can make your pizza watery. Instead, opt for toppings that are more oily, such as cheese and meats. If you are using vegetables, sauté them in some oil before adding them to your pizza to reduce the risk of excess water on your base.
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Getting crispy toppings
To get crispy toppings, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of topping plays a crucial role. For example, toppings like pepperoni, salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo tend to get crispy when placed on top of the cheese. The high temperature of the pizza oven causes the pepperoni to leak greasy fat and curl up at the edges, a characteristic of Detroit-style pizza. The same principle applies to other fatty meats with high oil content and durability, such as salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo. Placing these toppings on top of the cheese allows them to render out their fat, preventing the pizza from becoming overly greasy.
Additionally, the moisture content of the toppings is an important factor. Vegetables, for instance, tend to have high water content. When placed on top of the cheese and baked at high temperatures, the moisture in the vegetables evaporates, preventing a soggy pizza base. In contrast, placing vegetables underneath the cheese traps the released moisture between the cheese and the sauce, resulting in a soggy crust. Therefore, to achieve crispy vegetable toppings, it is advisable to place them on top of the cheese.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Thinly sliced vegetables, such as onions and green peppers, can easily burn and turn to dust before the pizza is even out of the oven. In such cases, placing them underneath the cheese can help prevent burning while still achieving a crispy texture. Similarly, toppings like mushrooms, which have high moisture content, can dry out and become flavourless when placed on top of the cheese. To avoid this, thicker slices of fresh mushrooms or canned mushrooms can be used, as they can withstand the heat better. Alternatively, tossing the mushrooms in olive oil before placing them on top of the cheese can also help prevent them from drying out.
Another factor to consider is the amount of cheese used. In North America, most pizza places put cheese underneath the toppings unless the customer requests "extra cheese." In this case, all the cheese is loaded on top of the toppings. This practice evolved because customers like to see the cheese, especially when they are paying for more. Therefore, when aiming for crispy toppings, requesting extra cheese and placing it on top can help achieve the desired texture.
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Toasting the cheese
The traditional way of making a pizza involves placing the cheese under the toppings. This method allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and the toppings to get direct heat and become crisp. Putting the cheese first, followed by the toppings, can also prevent the toppings from getting soggy or mushy. This is because the toppings will cook and crisp in the oven, rather than being steamed by the cheese. If you put mushrooms, pineapple, or pepperoni under the cheese, for example, they may become soggy or watery.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Some toppings that burn or dry out easily, like dried oregano, should go under the cheese so that they don't burn. Additionally, if you are making a pizza with extra cheese, you may want to add a thin layer of cheese on top of the toppings so that it becomes nice and crispy.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to put the cheese or toppings first depends on the specific toppings you are using and your personal preference for texture and taste. If you want to avoid mushy toppings, keep them on top of the cheese. If you want to prevent certain toppings from burning, place them under the cheese.
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The Sicilian style
Sicilian-style pizza is typically baked in a sheet pan and has a thick, focaccia-like crust. The original Sicilian pizza is called sfincione, and it is topped with onions, breadcrumbs, and caciocavallo cheese.
When it comes to the placement of toppings, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of toppings and desired texture will play a role in the layering order. For example, if you are using fatty meats like pepperoni, salami, or sausage, placing them on top of the cheese will allow them to crisp up and prevent the fat from rendering out and making the pizza greasy. On the other hand, ingredients that can easily burn or dry out, such as thinly sliced vegetables, should be placed under the cheese for protection. The cheese can act as a barrier to prevent the dough from getting soggy, especially if you are using a thicker crust.
Some Sicilian-style pizza recipes follow the "upside-down" assembly method, where the cheese is placed before the sauce. This technique is also known as the "upside-down Sicilian" in pizzerias. This method helps prevent the dough from getting soggy and is commonly used in New York-style pizza slices.
Ultimately, the decision to place toppings above or below the cheese in a Sicilian-style pizza comes down to personal preference and experimentation. You can get creative with your toppings and cheeses, choosing from options like bacon, pepperoni, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, basil, and different types of cheese like mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, or Parmesan.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, pizza toppings should generally go on top of the cheese. This is because the top layer of the pizza gets the most heat, and toppings that need the most cooking and browning—such as raw meat or vegetables—should get the most surface area. If you put the toppings under the cheese, they will become soggy and mushy.
If the toppings are placed under the cheese, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked in the oven. The heat from the oven will cause the toppings to release water vapour, which will get trapped under the cheese.
Yes, there are a few exceptions. Toppings that burn or dry out easily, like dried oregano, can be placed under the cheese so that they don't burn. If you are making a pizza with extra cheese, then that extra cheese goes on top of the toppings so that it's nice and crispy.
The general order of assembly for a pizza is: dough, sauce, cheese, and then toppings.
