Crispy, Cheesy, and Bursting with Flavour
Unlike a traditional thin-crust pizza, each square of Detroit Pizza is delightfully crunchy and hearty, offering a unique eating experience. Perfect for family meals or gatherings, every bite delivers a satisfying crunch alongside a melty, flavour-packed centre.
Prep Time: Approximately 1 hour (plus an additional hour for dough rising)
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Serves: 4–6 people
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 500g strong bread flour
- 300ml lukewarm water
- 7g dried yeast (or 15g fresh yeast)
- 10g salt
- 10g caster sugar
- 30ml olive oil
For the Toppings:
- 200g pizza tomato sauce
- 300g mozzarella, cubed (or a mix of mozzarella and brick cheese)
- 150–200g pepperoni, sliced into small discs
For Finishing:
- A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare Your Charlie Oven
Load a half a football's worth of lumpwood charcoal into your Charlie Oven, light it, and adjust the vents to maintain a consistent temperature of 250°C (482°F). It should take 20 roughly minutes to reach temperature if you are using good quality charcoal.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Dough
In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm water, yeast, and caster sugar. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until frothy. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil, then knead for 8–10 minutes until you achieve a smooth, elastic dough. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and leave in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 3 – Prepare the Pan
Generously oil a rectangular pan (approximately 30 x 20cm, ideally cast iron or steel). Transfer the risen dough into the pan and gently stretch it to cover the entire surface. Allow the dough to rest in the pan for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, so that delightful bubbles form along the edges.
Step 4 – Assemble Your Pizza
Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, creating a vibrant base. Next, scatter the cubed mozzarella over the sauce, ensuring some pieces reach the edges to form that signature crispy, caramelised border. Finally, finish by arranging small discs of pepperoni evenly across the top.
Step 5 – Bake to Perfection
Place the pan in your preheated Charlie Oven and bake for 15–20 minutes. The pizza is ready when the cheese is bubbling and the edges are crisp and golden.
Step 6 – Finishing Touches and Serve
Remove the pizza from the oven and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares. Enjoy each crunchy, hearty square with its melty, flavour-packed centre—a delicious twist on traditional pizza.
