What is Brooklyn Style Pizza? Special Pizza & Helpful Guide

Pizza lovers rejoice: Brooklyn-style pizza is here. This unique take on the classic Italian classic has quickly become a favorite among many pizza enthusiasts, and for good reason. With its thick crust, tangy sauce and secret blend of cheeses, it’s the perfect way to satisfy any craving. Whether you’re looking for a slice that packs some serious flavor or just want something comforting after a long day, this type of pizza can hit all the right spots. So what is Brooklyn style pizza? Let’s find out.

What Is Brooklyn Style Pizza?

Brooklyn-style pizza is a unique variety initially created and perfected in the borough of Brooklyn. It is characterized by its thin and crispy crust, typically served in square shapes instead of the traditional triangular slices seen in other pizza styles. With a larger pie size, ranging from 18 to 45 inches, Brooklyn-style pizza boasts a thin crust with minimal toppings.

Unlike deep-dish pizzas like Chicago-style, which feature thick crusts and generous layers of sauce and cheese, Brooklyn-style pizza offers a lighter and more delicate flavor profile. Typically, a Brooklyn-style pizza pie is cut into six square portions, offering a different serving experience compared to pizzas with thick crusts.

The Specialty Of Brooklyn Style Pizza

Brooklyn-style pizza is characterized by its unique features:

• Hand-stretched dough guarantees a consistently thin crust.
• The dough is less moist due to hand stretching, appealing to those who prefer less crust or a crispy texture.
• Compared to other cheese blends, Brooklyn-style pizzas typically have simpler toppings and a combination of 55% provolone and 45% mozzarella cheese.
• With fewer toppings and less cheese, Brooklyn-style pizzas are often perceived as a healthier option. Additionally, the reduced dough content means lower carbohydrate intake when enjoying this style of pizza.

The Birth Of Brooklyn Style Pizza

The birth of Brooklyn-style pizza can be traced back to 2006, when fast-food pizza chain Domino’s introduced it as the pizza with the thinnest crust ever, baked with cornmeal. However, the New York Times fact-checked this claim by comparing it to an authentic Brooklyn pie from Coney Island and found the resemblance to be far from close. According to Eater, Brooklyn-style pizza can be seen more as a “particular aesthetic” rather than just a recipe.

Classic Brooklyn-Style Pizza Recipe

Here’s a classic Brooklyn-style pizza recipe that you can try at home:

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ¾ cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
• Olive oil for the crust and greasing the pan

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt and sugar.
2. In a separate small bowl, mix the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms (about 10 minutes).
4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1-2 hours.
5. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out into your desired shape on an oiled baking sheet.
6. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) and let the rolled-out dough sit for 15 minutes.
7. Add your desired toppings, keeping in mind the simplicity of Brooklyn-style pizza.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
9. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares and enjoying your homemade Brooklyn-style pizza.

Related: how to reheat pizza in air fryer

How Should You Eat A Brooklyn-Style Pizza?

To fully savor a Brooklyn-style pizza, it is recommended to fold each slice into a manageable size that can easily fit into your mouth. This not only enhances the delightful flavors for your taste buds but also allows for the perfect blending of all the toppings. Embrace the burst of flavor and relish your experience with a Brooklyn-style pizza.

The Best Way To Serve Brooklyn-Style Pizzas

The best way to serve authentic Brooklyn-style pizzas is by considering the thin crust. Due to its thinness, Brooklyn-style pizzas can sometimes be floppy. To overcome this, it is recommended to cut the pizzas into six rectangular or square slices instead of the traditional eight triangular slices. This technique helps slow down the breakdown of the crust, allowing you and your guests to savor the pizza’s crispiness for an extended period.

Ordering The Perfect Brooklyn Pizza Slice

If you’re looking to order a Brooklyn-style pizza, here are some tips to ensure you get the perfect slice:

• Look for pizzerias that specialize in Brooklyn-style pizza.
• Ask for specific ingredients or toppings (e.g., extra cheese, pepperoni) if needed.
• Request a well-done pie if you prefer your crust to be crispy.

5 Best Places To Eat Brooklyn-Style Pizza

SottoCasa Pizzeria

Located in Brooklyn’s heart, this pizzeria offers a variety of authentic Italian pizzas, with their signature Brooklyn-style pie being a fan favorite.

Numero 28 Pizzeria

With multiple locations in Brooklyn, this pizzeria offers a wide range of delicious pizzas, including their take on the classic Brooklyn-style pizza.

Bleecker Street Pizza

This pizzeria is known for its New York-style pizzas, including a special Brooklyn pie with toppings such as buffalo mozzarella and fresh tomatoes.

Sottocasa Pizzeria

Another location from the Sottocasa chain, this pizzeria offers a cozy ambiance and serves some of the best Brooklyn-style pizzas in town.

B Side Pizzeria

Known for their large square slices, B Side Pizzeria offers a variety of toppings while staying true to the classic Brooklyn-style pizza recipe.