What Makes Hand Tossed Pizza The Best Kind Of Pie?

Pizza variations are common, ranging from different crusts to sauces and toppings. These differences give diners diverse choices and seemingly endless combinations. However, when searching for delicious hand tossed pizza in North Carolina, visit Mario’s Pizza.

Key Characteristics Of Hand Tossed Pizza

Generally, hand tossed pizza falls into 2 categories: Neapolitan and NY style (also sometimes called Brooklyn style pizza crust). Although both are thin crust pizzas, they differ in texture and taste. Today, we’ll be talking specifically about NY style and its unique characteristics:

1. Texture

Perhaps the best-known characteristic of NY pizza is its foldability. Although it has a crispy crust, you can easily fold a slice in half.

2. Taste

Typically, a New York pizza recipe includes flour, water, yeast, and salt. Proper mixing, kneading, and proofing techniques are essential for a well-formed crust. Additionally, fermenting the dough in the refrigerator for a few days gives the crust a slightly tangy and savory flavor.

3. Thickness

Pizza New York style has a thin crust. To achieve the perfect width and texture, pizzerias hand toss the dough.

4. Customization

Although pizzerias serve traditional NY pizza with just sauce and cheese, you can add many other toppings, like pepperoni.

How To Hand Toss Pizza Dough

Once you’ve mixed, kneaded, and proofed your pizza dough, it’s time to toss it. While the steps appear simple, it usually takes consistent practice to master the technique:

1. Lightly flour the dough to keep it from sticking and flatten it on an even surface.
2. Using your fingers, press into the dough about half an inch from the edge. This forms a groove around the entire circle for the outer crust.
3. Drape the dough over your curled fingers and knuckles, keeping your hands spread wide.
4. Using the knuckles of both hands, begin to pull and stretch the dough, slowly moving your hands apart.
5. Start spinning the dough by twisting it so that one hand crosses the other. Then gently throw your hands upwards to toss.
6. Repeat step 5 until you reach the desired size.

Hand Tossed Vs. Pan Style Crusts

Across the United States, you’ll find different pizza crusts. Yet, among all the varieties, hand tossed and pan are the most popular. Ultimately, one is not necessarily better than the other. However, each offers different flavors, textures, and preparation methods:

Flour

Six different varieties of wheat exist. To make flour, mills grind different parts of the grain. Moreover, manufacturers grind the grain to varying coarseness. Essentially, these variations affect the final product. Generally, both pan and NY style require a high-protein, high-gluten flour.

Hydration

Hydration is the ratio of water to flour in your pizza dough. Generally, using more water results in a softer, chewier crust, while less water makes a crispier crust. Comparatively, pan pizza has a 60% or higher ratio, though NY style is closer to 58%.

Olive Oil

Here again, the percentage of olive varies depending on the pizza crust. NY style pizza requires a small amount for flavor and texture. However, pan pizza uses a larger amount to form its almost fried, crispy bottom.

Cooking Method

It may seem obvious, but chefs cook pan pizza in a well-oiled pan. In contrast, pizzerias cook NY style directly on the floor of a deck oven. Additionally, the oven temperature differs. For pan pizza, a 450-degree oven works fine. However, most pizzerias bake NY style at 700 to 900 degrees.

Hand Tossed Pizza – FAQS

Ultimately, when considering all pizza types. New York style crust is America’s favorite.  Mario’s Pizza is a local restaurant serving up this iconic NY style pie, hot and delicious. Below, we answer a few questions about thin crust pizza.

Is Pan Or NY Style Pizza A Healthier Meal Choice?

Generally, a thin crust pizza is healthier because it has fewer carbohydrates, salt, and saturated fat per slice. However, adding certain toppings can also increase the benefits. For example, adding vegetable toppings can increase your intake of vitamins and minerals.

What Is The Best Sauce For Pizza?

Pizza sauce is the unifying ingredient, helping the other components to blend seamlessly. Although some of the sauce pairings relate to taste, the crust can also influence your choice.

For example, thin crust pizzas pair well with light sauces, helping them to retain their crispiness. Traditional NY pizza has a bright tomato sauce with a slightly acidic yet sweet flavor profile. In contrast, the thicker crust of pan pizza demands a more robust flavor with greater seasoning.

Where Can I Find Delicious NY Style Pizza?

One of the most influential factors in choosing a dining establishment is customers’ opinions.  We’re proud to share a few comments about our food:

Always the best pizza around. I ordered this for my staff because they work hard. Support local when you can. Great people here who make amazing pizza and deliver customer service every time. – Brian P.

The food here is ALWAYS good and so is the customer service. Nothing to complain about. – Syn B.

I picked up some to go pizzas from Mario’s for a work celebration. They were a hit! The huge 24″ party size pizza is a great value and a ton of fun to share! I ordered via phone and it was ready and right on time when I arrived. – Jake P.

What’s for dinner tonight? How about some hot, delicious Mario’s Pizza with New York style crust?