Detroit-Style Pan Pizza 🧀🔥 Thick, Crispy, Cheesy-Edged, and Irresistibly Saucy

Detroit-Style Pizza is pan-baked with a thick, airy dough, edge-to-edge cheese that crisps against the pan, and sauce spooned on top after baking — no soggy crust, just golden caramelized corners and bold flavor in every square.

Ingredients (For 1 10×14” pan or quarter sheet)

Dough

• 2 ¼ cups (280g) bread flour
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 tsp instant yeast
• ¾ cup + 2 tbsp (210g) warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for dough)
• Oil for the pan (butter + olive oil combo is ideal)

Toppings

• 6 oz brick cheese or mozzarella, cut into ¼-inch cubes
• Optional: mix in provolone or Monterey Jack for stretch
• ½ cup pizza sauce (thick and smooth)
• Optional: pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, veggies

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough (No Knead, 1st Rise)

In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and stir until shaggy. Add olive oil and mix again. Cover and let rise at room temperature 2–3 hours, until doubled.

Step 2: Pan and Second Rise

Generously oil a 10×14″ pan or quarter sheet. Stretch dough gently into the pan. Let rest 10 minutes, then stretch again until it reaches edges. Cover and rise another 1–2 hours until puffy.

Step 3: Top with Cheese (Edge-to-Edge!)

Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C). Press cheese cubes all the way to the edges — they’ll caramelize into that signature crispy crust. Add toppings like pepperoni or sausage on top of the cheese.

Step 4: Bake

Bake 12–16 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are deeply golden brown. Rotate pan if needed for even crisping.

Step 5: Add the Sauce (On Top)

Warm your pizza sauce and spoon it in stripes or dollops on top of the cheese — the classic Detroit move. Return to oven for 1–2 minutes if you want the sauce to bake in slightly.

Step 6: Cool Slightly, Slice, and Serve

Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen edges with a spatula and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into squares and serve hot.

Flavor Variations

• Classic pepperoni: put slices directly on the cheese so they cup and crisp
• Deluxe: mushrooms, onions, green pepper — diced small to cook through
• White Detroit: skip sauce and use garlic cream sauce or ricotta dollops
• Spicy version: add Calabrian chili oil or hot honey after baking

Pro Tips

• Use a well-oiled steel pan for best edge crisping
• Don’t skimp on cheese at the edges — that’s where the magic happens
• Brick cheese is traditional but hard to find — low-moisture mozzarella works fine
• Let dough rise in the pan for extra airiness and better oven spring

Final Thoughts

Detroit-Style Pizza is cheesy, golden, and unapologetically square. With its puffy base, crispy perimeter, and saucy top layer, it flips everything you know about pizza — and wins every time.

Edge-to-edge cheese. Crispy corners. Sauce on top. 🧀🔥🍕

🍕 Explore Our Homemade Pizza Recipes

From Neapolitan-style classics to bold flavor combos and deep-dish comfort, these pizza recipes cover every craving — made right in your own kitchen.

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🥩 Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza – Sweet heat meets salty crisp in this fan-favorite combo.
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