Brooklyn Style Pizza: A Crunchy, Foldable Culinary Icon

Experience the iconic Brooklyn Style Pizza, renowned for its thin, crisp crust and robust toppings. This quintessential New York delicacy embodies the spirit of Brooklyn, blending traditional Italian craftsmanship with the bold flavors New Yorkers love. Perfect for pizza lovers seeking a lighter slice that doesn’t skimp on taste, this recipe will guide you through crafting the perfect Brooklyn-style pizza right at home. Discover the secrets to achieving that signature chewy texture and learn how to top it like a true Brooklyn pizzeria.

Brooklyn Style Pizza: A Crunchy, Foldable Culinary Icon

Recipe by Chef NinaCourse: MainCuisine: American, ItalianDifficulty: Medium

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

Brooklyn-Style Pizza is a crispy, thin-crust pizza that’s foldable yet firm enough to hold your favorite toppings. Featuring a hand-tossed dough dusted with cornmeal, a simple tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and classic toppings, this pizza is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• For the Dough:

• High-gluten flour: 3 ½ cups

• Yeast: 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet)

• Lukewarm water: 1 ¼ cups

• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons

• Salt: 1 teaspoon

• Sugar: 1 teaspoon (optional, to help activate yeast)

• For the Sauce:

• Crushed tomatoes: 1 can (14-16 oz)

• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced

• Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon

• Dried basil: 1 teaspoon

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon

• Salt and pepper: To taste

• For the Cheese:

• Shredded mozzarella cheese: 2 cups

• Shredded provolone cheese: 1 cup

• Toppings (Optional):

• Pepperoni slices

• Sausage crumbles

• Sliced mushrooms

• Bell peppers

• Onions

• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Directions

• Prepare the Dough
  Activate the Yeast:
  In a small bowl, combine lukewarm water, sugar (if using), and yeast. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  Mix the Dough:
  In a large mixing bowl, combine high-gluten flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
  Stir until a rough dough forms.
  Knead the Dough:
  Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  Let the Dough Rise:
  Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 1-2 hours in a warm area until it doubles in size.
• Prepare the Sauce
  Sauté Garlic:
  Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes).
  Simmer the Sauce:
  Add crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool.
• Assemble the Pizza
  Preheat the Oven:
  Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). Place a pizza stone or steel in the oven and let it heat for at least 30 minutes.
  Shape the Dough:
  Punch down the risen dough and divide it into portions if making multiple pizzas.
  Stretch or roll the dough into a thin, round shape. If you’re confident, toss the dough gently in the air to stretch it evenly.
  Prepare the Baking Surface:
  Dust a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
  Add Sauce and Cheese:
  Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce evenly across the dough, leaving about ½ inch around the edges for the crust.
  Sprinkle the mozzarella and provolone cheese blend generously over the sauce.
  Add Toppings:
  Arrange your chosen toppings evenly across the pizza.
• Bake the Pizza
  Transfer to the Oven:
  Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet using the peel or baking sheet back.
  Bake:
  Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is bubbling with light brown spots.
  Cool and Slice:
  Allow the pizza to rest for 2-3 minutes. Slice and serve.
• Tips for Success
  Use a Hot Oven: High heat is essential for a crisp crust and bubbling cheese.
  Keep It Simple: Avoid overloading with toppings to maintain the balance of flavors.
  Experiment: Try variations with different herbs, spices, or unique toppings to make it your own.
• Enjoy your homemade Brooklyn style pizza with friends or family!

The Origin Story of Brooklyn-Style Pizza

Roots in New York-style pizza:

• Brooklyn-style as a regional offshoot of the larger New York pizza tradition.
• Thin crust designed for convenience and street food culture—easy to grab, fold, and eat on the go.

Influence of Italian immigrants:

• Italian immigrants in Brooklyn brought their culinary traditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• The adaptation of traditional Italian recipes to suit American tastes and available ingredients.

How it evolved into a distinct style:

• The importance of Brooklyn’s unique culture: a melting pot of traditions leading to a specific pizza-making approach.
• Distinctive features: a balance between crispy crust and soft center, larger slice size, and minimalist topping philosophy.

Key Brooklyn pizzerias:

• Totonno’s: A pioneer in coal-fired, thin-crust pizza that embodies old-world craftsmanship.
• Di Fara’s: Renowned for its artisanal approach, high-quality ingredients, and iconic pizza-making by Dom DeMarco.
• Grimaldi’s: Celebrated for its coal-fired oven and panoramic Brooklyn Bridge views, blending tradition with a modern dining experience.

What Sets Brooklyn Style Pizza Apart?

Brooklyn-style pizza is a standout in the diverse world of pizza styles, known for its unique characteristics that pay homage to the borough’s cultural and culinary traditions. From its signature crust to the way it’s served and enjoyed, Brooklyn-style pizza offers a distinct experience that has earned it a loyal following. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes it special.

The Crust: Thin and Crispy with Cornmeal Dusting

One of the defining features of Brooklyn-style pizza is its crust. Unlike the chewy, foldable crust of a typical New York-style pizza, Brooklyn-style crust is notably thin and crispy, achieving the perfect balance between crunch and tenderness. It is slightly less dense than New York-style crust, making it lighter and less filling, while still sturdy enough to support generous toppings.

A unique feature of the Brooklyn-style crust is the cornmeal dusting. This not only prevents the dough from sticking to the pizza stone during baking but also adds a subtle texture and earthy flavor that sets it apart from other styles. The result is a crust that is both satisfying and complementary to the toppings.

Size and Slice Shape: Extra-Large, Foldable but Not Floppy

Brooklyn-style pizzas are typically made in larger sizes, often exceeding the diameter of standard pizzas. The slices are extra-large and designed to be foldable, making them convenient for eating on the go — a practical trait that reflects Brooklyn’s fast-paced lifestyle. However, the crust’s thinness ensures that the slices remain firm and are not overly floppy, unlike some variations of New York-style pizza.

This feature makes Brooklyn-style pizza ideal for sharing in social settings. Whether it’s a gathering of friends or a casual dinner, the oversized slices encourage a communal dining experience that is quintessentially Brooklyn.

Toppings: Classic and Timeless.

Brooklyn-style pizza embraces simplicity when it comes to toppings. Classic options such as pepperoni, sausage, onions, mushrooms, and fresh mozzarella are the mainstays. While more adventurous combinations are welcome, the focus tends to remain on high-quality, traditional ingredients.

This straightforward approach allows the toppings to shine without overwhelming the crust or sauce. The balance between crust, sauce, and toppings is a hallmark of Brooklyn-style pizza, ensuring that each bite is flavorful and well-proportioned.

Cooking Style: Hand-Tossed Dough with High-Gluten Flour

The preparation of the dough plays a crucial role in achieving the unique texture of Brooklyn-style. The dough is hand-tossed, a technique that stretches it evenly while incorporating air to create a light, crisp crust. High-gluten flour is often used, lending elasticity to the dough and ensuring it holds its shape and structure during baking.

Brooklyn-style pizzas are typically cooked in traditional pizza ovens, which provide the intense heat necessary for a quick and even bake. This method creates a slightly charred crust with a smoky undertone, adding depth to the flavor.

Comparison to New York-Style and Other Pizza Styles

While Brooklyn-style pizza shares similarities with New York-style pizza, such as large slices and foldability, it differentiates itself with its thinner, crispier crust and the characteristic cornmeal dusting. Compared to Chicago deep-dish pizza, which emphasizes a thick, pie-like crust, Brooklyn-style is far lighter and more portable. It also stands apart from Neapolitan pizza with its larger size and less chewy texture, offering a more casual and versatile dining experience.

In summary, Brooklyn-style pizza is a celebration of simplicity and craftsmanship. Its thin and crispy crust, generously sized slices, classic toppings, and hand-tossed preparation create a pizza that is both distinctive and deeply satisfying. This style captures the spirit of Brooklyn itself: bold, authentic, and unpretentious.

How to Serve and Eat Brooklyn Style Pizza

Brooklyn-style pizza is a beloved variation of New York pizza, celebrated for its thin, crispy crust and robust flavors. Serving and eating this classic style requires a nod to tradition to fully appreciate its essence.

Serving Brooklyn Style Pizza

Brooklyn-style pizza is typically served in two distinct ways: large triangles or squares, depending on the pizzeria’s heritage. Most often, the slices are cut into large, foldable triangles. This method showcases the pizza’s wide, thin crust and allows for a traditional street-food feel. Squares, however, are another popular option, particularly when dealing with thick Sicilian-style Brooklyn pies, which have a slightly different crust and preparation method.

To serve, ensure the pizza is warm, as the thin crust cools quickly. Place it on a large, flat serving tray or pizza peel, and provide parchment or wax paper for easy handling, especially for larger slices. Pizza enthusiasts know that simplicity is key—pair your slices with a casual, no-frills presentation to capture the authentic Brooklyn vibe.

Eating Brooklyn Style Pizza

The quintessential way to eat Brooklyn-style pizza is to fold the slice lengthwise, forming a compact triangle. This technique not only makes the large slices more manageable but also prevents toppings from sliding off, keeping the flavors intact with every bite.

Start at the tip of the triangle and work your way up, savoring the balance of tangy tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and crisp crust. Avoid utensils, as Brooklyn-style is best enjoyed with your hands, embodying its street-food origins.

Whether served at a bustling pizzeria or in your home, enjoying Brooklyn-style is a celebration of tradition, taste, and simplicity.

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The Legacy of Brooklyn Style Pizza in American Food Culture

Brooklyn-style holds a unique and enduring place in American food culture, celebrated for its iconic thin crust, distinctive taste, and historical significance. Its legacy is deeply intertwined with the immigrant story, particularly the Italian-American community in Brooklyn, where this pizza style emerged as a culinary adaptation that balanced tradition with the pragmatism of New York life.

Why Brooklyn-Style Pizza Remains Iconic

Is instantly recognizable by its hand-tossed, wide, and foldable slices with a thin yet sturdy crust. This style strikes a perfect balance between crispness and chewiness, providing a satisfying base for its simple, high-quality toppings. The hallmark ingredients—zesty tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and a sprinkle of olive oil—highlight the importance of fresh, straightforward components. Its ability to maintain a timeless appeal stems from its adaptability and consistency, resonating with both purists and adventurous eaters alike.

Its Role in Defining Regional Pizza Styles

Is a defining feature of New York’s pizza culture, which itself has become synonymous with American pizza identity. As pizza spread across the United States, Brooklyn’s version served as a benchmark for what a great slice should be—affordable, flavorful, and accessible. It embodies the melting pot ethos of Brooklyn, reflecting the cultural and culinary diversity of its origin. This regional pizza style helped establish the broader “New York-style” pizza archetype, influencing countless variations across the country while maintaining its distinct Brooklyn roots.

Influence on Modern Pizza Chains and Menus

The influence of Brooklyn-style extends beyond neighborhood pizzerias to national and international pizza chains. Brands like Domino’s and Pizza Hut have adopted elements of the style, offering their interpretations of hand-tossed or thin-crust pizzas. Gourmet and artisan pizza makers also draw inspiration from Brooklyn-style techniques, such as wood-fired ovens and locally sourced ingredients. Its legacy can be seen in the surge of customizable pizza menus and the popularity of oversized, shareable slices, proving its adaptability to contemporary trends.

In summary, Brooklyn-style is more than just a regional delicacy; it is a symbol of culinary ingenuity, immigrant heritage, and cultural evolution. It has left an indelible mark on American food culture, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation while continuing to delight pizza lovers around the globe.

FAQs About Brooklyn-Style Pizza

Conclusion

Brooklyn-style embodies the perfect blend of tradition, simplicity, and bold flavor. Its appeal lies in its distinct thin, yet sturdy crust that crisps beautifully while supporting a generous topping of fresh, high-quality ingredients. The hallmark of this pizza is its balance—where the natural sweetness of the tomato sauce, the creaminess of the mozzarella, and the smoky char from a well-fired oven harmonize to create a memorable dining experience. It’s a style that brings the soul of New York’s bustling streets to your table, making it an enduring favorite among pizza enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a casual diner, Brooklyn-style offers something to love. Its versatility accommodates a variety of tastes, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Why not take the plunge and experience it for yourself? You can enjoy it at a pizzeria that specializes in this iconic style or try your hand at crafting it at home. With a little practice and quality ingredients, you can recreate the authentic flavors of Brooklyn in your own kitchen. Dive into the world pizza—it’s more than just food; it’s a slice of New York’s cultural heritage waiting to be savored.