The Best Cheeses For New York-Style Pizza

New York-style pizza is known for its thin, chewy crust, and its signature move: being folded in half to eat. But what type of cheese does it use? The answer is dry, grated, full-fat mozzarella. This is the same type of mozzarella you'd find in a meatball sub. It's applied sparingly, so it melts into a loose matrix that mingles with the tomato sauce underneath, browning ever so slightly in the heat of the oven. The top of a New York-style pizza should be mottled with red, white, and brown—definitely not a solid expanse of white melted cheese.

Mozzarella is the best cheese for New York-style pizza

Mozzarella: The Best Cheese for New York-Style Pizza

New York-style pizza is one of the most popular styles of pizza. It features a thin, chewy crust, a tangy tomato-based sauce, and a generous amount of cheese. But what type of cheese is best for this iconic pizza style? The answer is mozzarella.

Mozzarella is the classic choice for New York-style pizza, and for good reason. Its stretchy, creamy texture and mild flavour make it the perfect complement to the tangy sauce and thin, foldable crust. Unlike Neapolitan-style pizzas, which use fresh mozzarella, New York-style pizzas use dry, grated mozzarella. This type of mozzarella is usually full-fat and has a lower moisture content, which helps the pizza maintain its structural integrity and prevents it from becoming soggy.

When making a New York-style pizza, it's important to grate the mozzarella yourself. Pre-shredded mozzarella is often coated with starch to prevent clumping, which can interfere with the melting process and affect the overall texture of the cheese. By grating your own mozzarella, you can ensure a gooey, stretchy cheese that melts evenly and creates a loose matrix that mingles perfectly with the sauce.

Another tip for achieving the perfect New York-style pizza is to freeze your grated mozzarella before adding it to your pizza. This slows down the melting process, helping the cheese to melt evenly and preventing it from becoming greasy.

So, if you're looking to create an authentic New York-style pizza, be sure to use dry, grated, full-fat mozzarella cheese. And don't forget to freeze it first! With these tips, you'll be well on your way to crafting the perfect New York-style pie.

Dry, grated, full-fat mozzarella is best

Dry, Grated, Full-Fat Mozzarella: The Best Cheese for New York-Style Pizza

New York-style pizza is characterised by its large, hand-tossed, thin crust, often sold in wide slices to go. The crust is only thick and crisp along its edge, with a soft, thin, and pliable interior that can be easily folded.

The best cheese for New York-style pizza is dry, grated, full-fat mozzarella. This type of mozzarella is different from the fresh mozzarella used on Neapolitan-style pizzas. Dry mozzarella is aged longer, has a lower water content, and a salty and tangy flavour. Its low moisture content helps prevent the pizza from becoming soggy, and it melts beautifully, creating a gooey, stretchy cheese that is essential to an authentic New York-style pizza.

It is important to grate the full-fat mozzarella yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with starch to prevent clumping, which can hinder proper melting. Grating the cheese yourself ensures a better melt and that distinctive gooey texture. Freezing the grated cheese for at least 15 minutes before adding it to the pizza helps to slow down the melting process, preventing the cheese from over-browning or burning before the crust is fully cooked.

The type of mozzarella cheese used on a New York-style pizza is similar to the kind used on a meatball sub. It is applied sparingly, creating a loose matrix that blends with the tomato sauce underneath and browns slightly in the oven's high heat. The top of the pizza should have a mottled appearance with red, white, and brown spots, rather than a solid white melted cheese surface.

Dry, grated, full-fat mozzarella is the key to achieving that iconic, stretchy cheese pull that New York-style pizza is known for. By following these steps and using the right type of cheese, you can create the perfect New York-style pizza with that irresistible, gooey cheese we all crave.

Don't use pre-shredded mozzarella

While it may be tempting to use pre-shredded mozzarella for your New York-style pizza, there are several reasons why this type of cheese should be avoided.

Firstly, pre-shredded mozzarella is often coated with starch or anti-caking agents to prevent the shreds from clumping together. These additives can interfere with the melting process, resulting in a less smooth and stretchy cheese layer on your pizza.

Secondly, pre-shredded cheese tends to have preservatives and other additives that you may want to avoid if you're aiming for a more natural and wholesome pizza. By shredding your own cheese, you have greater control over the ingredients and can choose a high-quality block of mozzarella that is free from artificial additives.

Another downside of pre-shredded mozzarella is that it can be difficult to achieve precise portion control. This can be especially important if you're aiming for a consistent cheese layer on your pizza or if you're watching your cheese intake.

Additionally, pre-shredded cheese tends to be staler than freshly shredded cheese. This can impact the overall freshness and flavour of your pizza. By shredding your own cheese, you can ensure that your pizza has the best possible taste and texture.

Lastly, shredding your own cheese allows you to choose the exact type of mozzarella that suits your preferences. For New York-style pizza, dry or low-moisture mozzarella is typically recommended as it helps prevent a soggy pizza and provides a great melt and tangy flavour. By shredding your own cheese, you can select the ideal variety of mozzarella that will complement the other flavours on your pizza.

In summary, while pre-shredded mozzarella may seem convenient, it's worth taking the extra time to shred your own cheese. This will ensure that your New York-style pizza has the perfect balance of flavours and textures, with a stretchy, gooey cheese layer that complements the thin, chewy crust.

Freeze your mozzarella before adding it to the pizza

Mozzarella is the best cheese for a New York-style pizza. But before you add it to your pizza, you should consider freezing it first. Freezing mozzarella is a great way to preserve it for long-term use and can be done simply at home. Freezing mozzarella can also help you achieve the perfect gooey, stretchy cheese texture that is characteristic of New York-style pizza.

How to Freeze Mozzarella

Freezing mozzarella is a straightforward process. First, prepare the cheese by slicing or shredding it. If you are using block mozzarella, it is recommended to cut it into slices or shred it before freezing, as the texture of block cheese becomes crumbly after freezing. Place a piece of parchment or wax paper between each slice. Then, place the cheese in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag.

Next, label the bag with the type of cheese and a "use-by" date. It is best to use frozen mozzarella within one to three months, as the longer it is frozen, the harder it becomes to melt. Finally, suck out the air from the bag by partially sealing it and using a straw to remove the remaining air. Place the bag in the freezer, and you're done!

Defrosting Mozzarella

When you are ready to use your frozen mozzarella, it is important to defrost it properly. For block or sliced cheese, place it in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours to allow it to thaw slowly. Do not defrost frozen mozzarella by leaving it on the counter, as this can affect its texture and flavour. For shredded mozzarella, there is no need to defrost, as it can be used directly from the freezer and placed on your pizza.

Benefits of Freezing Mozzarella

Freezing mozzarella has several benefits. Firstly, it extends the shelf life of the cheese, allowing you to stock up on this versatile ingredient. Secondly, freezing mozzarella can help achieve the perfect melt. By slowing down the melting process, you can avoid a soggy pizza and instead enjoy a gooey, stretchy cheese texture that is synonymous with New York-style pizza.

So, the next time you're making a New York-style pizza, don't forget to freeze your mozzarella first!

Vegan cheese options are available

New York-style pizza is known for its thin, chewy crust, achieved by hand-tossing the dough and using bread flour with a high gluten content. The crust is thick and crisp only along its edge, with a soft, thin, and pliable centre that can be folded in half to eat.

The traditional cheese used on New York-style pizza is mozzarella, specifically the dry, grated, full-fat variety. However, vegan cheese options are available, ensuring that those following a plant-based diet don't have to miss out on enjoying a cheesy New York-style pizza.

Vegan mozzarella, made from ingredients like rice starch, cashews, and chickpeas, is a popular choice for vegan New York-style pizza. This variety of vegan cheese melts just like its dairy-based counterpart, creating the same stretchy, gooey effect. Several pizzerias in New York City offer vegan cheese options, including:

• Mora Pizza in Manhattan, which uses Pleese Cheese, a plant-based brand that melts just like traditional cheese.
• Two Boots, with nine locations across town, offers nine different vegan pizzas, including the V for Vegan, introduced in 2011, and the Earth Mother, loaded with veggies.
• Screamers Pizzeria, with two Brooklyn locations, is a fully plant-based pizzeria offering a variety of traditional pies made with vegan ingredients.
• Williamsburg Pizza, with locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, offers vegan slices with Violife cheese, a creamy, dairy-like vegan option.
• Double Zero in the East Village serves plant-based personal pies from a custom-built wood-burning oven.
• Vinnie’s in Williamsburg offers a good number of plant-based options, made with soy-free Teese cheese, including the Parma Initiative, made with baked breaded eggplant, marinara sauce, cheddar, and mozzarella.
• Paulie Gee’s serves eight different vegan pies, including the Vegan Shmoogula, made with tomato sauce, baby arugula, olive oil, nutritional yeast, and mild Aleppo chili oil.
• Artistic Pizza, located near Washington Square Park, offers an extensive menu of plant-based pies, including vegan meat options and the veggie galore, loaded with veggies and vegan cheese.
• Tufino Pizzeria in Queens serves Neapolitan pies from a wood-fired oven, and any of their pizzas can be made vegan with homemade cheese for a small additional charge.
• Village Square Pizza in the West Village offers a few plant-based options, including the vegan square topped with roasted peppers and onions, and the eggplant square, featuring fried eggplant, marinara sauce, tomatoes, garlic, and basil.

With so many vegan cheese options available, it's easier than ever to enjoy a delicious, cheesy New York-style pizza while adhering to a plant-based diet.

Frequently asked questions