Cheese Or Toppings First? The Great Pizza Debate

The order of toppings on a pizza is a hotly debated topic, with strong opinions on both sides. The traditional way of topping a pizza is to start with the sauce, followed by cheese, and lastly, toppings and garnishes. This order of toppings is essential for creating a pizza with a crispy crust, melted cheese, and well-baked toppings.

Putting cheese before toppings allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and the toppings to get direct heat and become crisp. It also prevents the pizza from becoming soggy and mushy, as the toppings release water vapour while cooking, which would get trapped under the cheese if it were placed on top.

The classic order: sauce, then cheese, then toppings

The classic order for pizza toppings is sauce, then cheese, then toppings. This order is important for achieving the right texture and flavour. With the cheese and toppings in direct heat, they get toasted the most. Toasted cheese gets a deeper flavour and a crispy texture. No one wants raw, mushy cheese on their pizza!

Placing the toppings last also makes the pizza look more appealing. You can easily see what's on the pizza, and the eye-catching colours of the toppings will make the pizza look very appetising.

Putting the toppings on top of the cheese also helps to prevent the toppings from getting soggy and mushy. If the toppings go under the cheese, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked in the oven. The heat will cause the toppings to release water vapour as they cook, and this water vapour will get trapped under the cheese, causing the toppings to steam. If you put pineapple under the cheese, you will get pineapple mush. If you put pepperoni under the cheese, you may end up with soggy pepperoni.

The classic order also makes it much easier to spread the liquid tomato sauce on a blank pizza base, rather than spreading it over cheese and toppings. This way, you can get a nice even layer of tomato sauce.

However, the main problem with putting the sauce on first is that the dough will absorb water and become less crisp in the oven. To avoid this, you can make a waterproof barrier by using sliced cheese on the base first, then adding the tomato sauce, and finally the toppings.

Why the classic order is best

The classic order of toppings on a pizza—tomato sauce, cheese, and then toppings—is the best way to ensure your pizza is cooked to perfection.

First, the tomato sauce is spread onto the dough. This is much easier to do on a blank pizza base than on top of cheese and toppings. A nice, even layer of sauce is the perfect foundation for your pizza.

Next, the cheese goes on. Putting the cheese directly on top of the sauce allows it to melt and spread evenly. Toasted cheese has a deeper flavor and a crispy texture—no one wants raw, mushy cheese on their pizza! It also acts as a barrier to stop the base from becoming soggy.

Finally, the toppings are added. Putting them on top of the cheese means they get direct heat and become toasted and crispy. It also looks better—you can easily identify what's on your pizza, and the eye-catching colors of the toppings make the pizza look very appetizing. This order also prevents the toppings from getting soggy. If you put them under the cheese, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked, releasing water vapor that gets trapped under the cheese. So, if you want to avoid mushy pepperoni or pineapple mush, keep the toppings on top!

Exceptions to the classic order

While the classic order of pizza toppings is tomato sauce, then cheese, and finally toppings, there are some exceptions to this rule.

Firstly, there are several pizzas that have cheese as the first layer, directly on the pizza crust, followed by the sauce, and then toppings. Sicilian-style pizzas, common in Chicago and New York, as well as many other parts of the USA, are an example of this. The idea behind this method is that the crust cooks better without the wet sauce directly on it. The Sicilian pizza is deeper and cooked in a tray, almost like a Focaccia with toppings. It is traditional to put the cheese on first to help the thick, bread-like dough underneath not become soggy.

Secondly, while it is generally agreed that toppings should go on top of the cheese, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some toppings that burn or dry out easily, like dried oregano, can be placed under the cheese so that they don't burn. Additionally, if you are making a pizza with extra cheese, then that extra cheese goes on top of the toppings so that it becomes nice and crispy.

Thirdly, the order of toppings is also important. If you have multiple types of meat, you should put thinner pieces of meat, such as salami or pepperoni, first, followed by larger chunks of meat. This is because the bigger pieces of meat need more heat to cook through, and you also want a nice, browned surface on them. By placing them on top, you also protect the thinner slices from burning. For vegetables, start with the vegetables that contain the least moisture first, and then add higher-moisture vegetables on top. This will help to ensure that excess moisture evaporates during baking and prevents the pizza from becoming soggy.

Lastly, some people choose to add certain toppings after the pizza has been baked. This includes ingredients that can't handle the heat from the oven, such as rocket and salad leaves, or ingredients that you want to taste fresh, like Prosciutto.

Why the order of toppings matters

The order in which you layer the ingredients on your pizza matters a lot. It can make the difference between a soggy, unappetising mess and a delicious, crispy, perfectly cooked pizza.

The Base

First, you need to prepare your pizza base. You can use a simple dough recipe, or opt for a thicker, bread-like base, such as Sicilian-style.

Sauce First

The classic way to layer your pizza is to start with the sauce. Adding the tomato sauce directly onto the base can make it soggy, as the dough absorbs water. However, this can be avoided by first adding a layer of sliced cheese to create a waterproof barrier.

Cheese Next

After the sauce, add your cheese. This will melt and bubble, creating a crispy texture and deeper flavour. If you add the cheese last, it will trap moisture, making your pizza soggy and causing your toppings to steam and turn to mush.

Toppings Last

Finally, add your toppings. This way, they will get direct heat and become crisp. You can also see what is on the pizza, making it look more appetising. If you add the toppings first, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked, releasing water vapour that gets trapped under the cheese.

Exceptions

There are, of course, exceptions to this layering method. Sicilian-style pizzas, for example, put the cheese directly on the base, followed by the sauce. This helps the thick dough underneath to cook better and not become soggy.

The Type of Toppings Matter

The type of toppings you choose will also determine the order. If you are using ingredients that are sensitive to hot, dry temperatures, you will want to bury them under the cheese to protect them from the oven's heat. For example, dried oregano, spinach, and fresh herbs might go under the cheese. Whereas, toppings that benefit from the heat, such as pepperoni, bacon, and olives, can go on top.

Layering Technique

There are also different techniques for layering your toppings. Some people prefer to sandwich their toppings between two layers of cheese, helping everything to hold together better. Others opt for a light layer of cheese, then toppings, then more cheese, and finally, the toppings that need direct heat.

Pre-Cooking Toppings

You can also pre-cook your toppings, which adds flavour and removes water. This is especially useful for fatty meats, which can make your pizza greasy, and vegetables with a high water content, which can make your pizza soggy.

Presentation

Lastly, don't forget about presentation. You can garnish your pizza with fresh ingredients after it comes out of the oven. For example, fresh vegetables, prosciutto, rocket, and salads are best added after baking to preserve their freshness and texture.

So, there you have it! The order of toppings does matter, and it's essential to know the techniques to create the perfect pizza.

How to avoid a soggy pizza

The order in which you assemble your pizza is important if you want to avoid a soggy mess. The conventional wisdom is that you should always put the cheese before the toppings, but there are some exceptions.

The Conventional Method

The usual order of assembly is dough, tomato sauce, cheese, and then toppings. This order allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and the toppings to get direct heat and become crisp. It also means that the toppings cook more quickly than the cheese, which can help prevent sogginess.

The Exceptions

Some pizzas, such as Sicilian-style, buck the trend by putting the cheese directly on the dough, followed by the sauce, and then the toppings. This method is said to help the crust cook better without becoming soggy.

Other Tips to Avoid Sogginess

Even if you follow the conventional method, there are some other things you can do to avoid a soggy pizza. One option is to precook your toppings to reduce their moisture content. Another is to use a pizza "steel" or pizza stone, which can help to more effectively cook the pizza from below and prevent sogginess.

The Toppings

The type of toppings you use can also have an impact on sogginess. Some toppings, such as mushrooms, are more likely to become soggy if they are placed under the cheese. If you are using toppings that are sensitive to heat, you may want to place them under the cheese to protect them from the oven's direct heat.

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