There’s something magical about Neapolitan Pizza Recipe. With its thin, soft, and slightly charred crust, its fresh, simple toppings, and its rich history rooted in Naples, Italy, this pizza has captivated food lovers for centuries. Whether you’re an aspiring pizza chef or just a pizza enthusiast, making an authentic Neapolitan Pizza Recipe at home is a rewarding experience. But mastering it requires understanding the traditional techniques, the right ingredients, and a lot of love.
In this blog post, we will dive deep into the world of Neapolitan pizza—its origins, the essential ingredients, a step-by-step recipe, and some tips and tricks to help you achieve the perfect pizza. Along the way, we’ll also address some frequently asked questions about Neapolitan Pizza Recipe-making. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- What Is Neapolitan Pizza?
- The History of Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
- Key Ingredients for Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
- Step-by-Step Recipe: How to Make Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
- Top Tips for Perfect Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
- Creative Topping Ideas for Your Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
- FAQs About Neapolitan Pizza
1. What Is Neapolitan Pizza Recipe?
Neapolitan pizza is a classic Italian dish that traces its origins back to Naples. Known for its thin and soft crust with slightly charred edges, this pizza stands out because of its simple, high-quality ingredients and its quick cooking time. Authentic Neapolitan pizza is typically topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, and basil. Its dough is soft and chewy with a slight crisp on the outside, and it’s cooked at a very high temperature for just 60-90 seconds.
There are strict guidelines from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) on what makes a pizza truly “Neapolitan.” These include using specific ingredients, hand-stretching the dough, and cooking it in a wood-fired oven at around 900°F (480°C).
2. The History of Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
Pizza, in some form, has existed for centuries, but the modern Neapolitan pizza as we know it was born in Naples in the 18th century. It began as a simple dish for the working class, where the soft dough was topped with basic ingredients like tomatoes, cheese, and herbs. The first formal documentation of pizza is traced to 1738 when pizza vendors would sell their flatbreads on the streets.
The most famous version of Neapolitan pizza, Pizza Margherita, was created in 1889 by pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy. He incorporated tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to symbolize the colors of the Italian flag. This particular pizza became an instant classic and is now one of the most popular pizzas worldwide.
3. Key Ingredients for Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
To make authentic Neapolitan pizza, quality ingredients are essential. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Flour
The flour used for Neapolitan pizza is finely milled, high-protein, and low-gluten flour known as 00 flour. This type of flour gives the dough its signature texture—soft, light, and slightly chewy. You can find 00 flour at specialty stores or online.
2. Water
Use room temperature, non-chlorinated water to help the yeast activate properly.
3. Yeast
You can use fresh or dry yeast, but the key is not to use too much. The dough should rise slowly, creating that perfect texture.
4. Salt
The salt in the dough helps to balance the flavors and control fermentation. Use fine sea salt for best results.
5. Tomatoes
Neapolitan pizza traditionally uses San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the volcanic soil around Mount Vesuvius. These tomatoes have a sweet flavor and low acidity, perfect for a pizza sauce.
6. Mozzarella
Opt for fresh fior di latteormozzarella di bufala . These types of mozzarella are soft, creamy, and melt perfectly.
7. Olive Oil
High-quality extra virgin olive oil is drizzled over the pizza before baking to enhance flavor.
8. Fresh Basil
Fresh basil leaves are added for a burst of flavor and color.
4. Step-by-Step Recipe: How to Make Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
Making Neapolitan pizza requires patience, precision, and attention to detail. Follow these steps carefully for a truly authentic pizza experience.
Ingredients:
- 500g of 00 flour
- 325g of water (room temperature)
- 10g of salt
- 3g yeast
- 200g San Marzano tomatoes (crushed)
- 200g fresh mozzarella
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Dough
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in water. Gradually add flour while mixing, then add the salt. stay blending until the dough becomes smooth.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 10-15 minutes. The dough should be elastic,smooth and a bit sticky
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 8-24 hours at room temperature. This slow fermentation process is key to achieving the right texture.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
1.Preheat to 900°F (480°C): If you’re using a pizza oven, set it to 900°F. If using a home oven, set it to the highest temperature possible, around 500°F (260°C). For improved results, use a pizza stone.
Step 3: Shape the Dough
- Divide the dough: Once the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal portions. shape every portion into a ball.
- Stretch the dough: On a floured surface, use your hands to stretch the dough into a circle, about 10-12 inches in diameter. cancel using a rolling pin, as it may cause the dough to become too flat.
Step 4: Add the Toppings
- Tomato sauce: Spread a thin layer of crushed San Marzano tomatoes over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Mozzarella: Tear the mozzarella into small pieces and scatter them evenly over the sauce.
- Olive oil and basil: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top and place a few fresh basil leaves over the pizza.
Step 5: Bake the Pizza
- Bake in a hot oven: Slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or oven surface. If using a wood-fired oven, cook the pizza for 60-90 seconds, rotating it halfway through. In a home oven, bake for 7-10 minutes or until the crust is golden and slightly charred.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve hot. The pizza should have a soft, chewy crust with slight charring and melted, bubbling cheese.
5. Top Tips for Perfect Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
- Use the Right Flour: 00 flour is crucial for the light, chewy texture. Don’t substitute it with all-purpose flour if you want the authentic experience.
- Don’t Overload with Toppings: Less is more when it comes to Neapolitan pizza. Using too many toppings may result in a soggy crust.
- High Heat is Key: The pizza must be cooked at an extremely high temperature. If you don’t have a pizza oven, use a pizza stone in a conventional oven set to the highest possible temperature.
- Master the Dough Stretching: Avoid using a rolling pin, as it can knock out the air bubbles in the dough. Hand-stretching preserves the light, airy texture.
6. Creative Topping Ideas for Your Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
While traditional Neapolitan pizza is simple, you can experiment with different toppings while still maintaining its authenticity. Here are a few topping ideas:
- Prosciutto and Arugula: After baking, top the pizza with fresh arugula and thinly sliced prosciutto for a salty, peppery bite.
- Buffalo Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes: Add fresh buffalo mozzarella and halved cherry tomatoes for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Mushrooms and Truffle Oil: Add sautéed mushrooms and a drizzle of truffle oil for an earthy, gourmet twist.
- Spicy Salami: Top with slices of spicy salami and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a fiery version.
7. FAQs About Neapolitan Pizza
**1. How does Neapolitan pizza stand out from other types of pizza?
Neapolitan Pizza Recipe is distinct because of its thin, soft crust, high-quality simple ingredients, and quick cooking time at extremely high temperatures. Unlike thicker-crust pizzas, it has a chewy, airy dough with slight charring. Authentic versions also use specific ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella di bufala.
**2 Is it possible to make Neapolitan Pizza Recipe without a pizza oven?
Yes, while a wood-fired pizza oven gives the best results, you can make a decent Neapolitan-style pizza in a home oven. To replicate the high heat, use a pizza stone and set your oven to its highest possible temperature. Keep in mind that the texture may not be exactly the same, but it will still be delicious!
3. Why does Neapolitan pizza have such a short cooking time?
Neapolitan pizza cooks in just 60-90 seconds because it’s baked at extremely high temperatures (around 900°F/480°C). This quick cooking process gives the pizza its signature soft, airy crust with charred spots.
Conclusion
Making an authentic Neapolitan Pizza Recipe at home may seem like a challenge, but with the right ingredients, equipment, and technique, it’s absolutely achievable. The simplicity of Neapolitan pizza is what makes it so beautiful—the focus is on quality ingredients and traditional methods. Whether you’re sticking to a classic Margherita or experimenting with creative toppings, the joy of making and eating this iconic pizza is unparalleled.
Give it a try and bring a little slice of Naples into your home!