What Is the Order You Should Apply Pizza Toppings?

Pizza Toppings Should Be Applied in the Right Order

Creating the perfect pizza is an art. A delicate balance of toppings will provide a delicious slice with dough that is not too dry or too soggy and carries the right amount of flavor. So, what is the order you should apply pizza toppings?

This guide can shed some light on this famous question and provide tips and tricks for achieving the perfect pizza.

Why the Order of Applying Pizza Toppings Matters

Knowing the best order to apply the toppings when making homemade pizza will ensure your delicious meal comes out perfectly. Unfortunately, not all pizza toppings are created equal, and the sequence can vary depending on the items you choose.

To determine the best order for your next pizza, consider the oven's heat and how the toppings will cook.

For example, items placed underneath cheese and other toppings will take longer to cook, while those directly on top of the cheese will cook the quickest. If you prefer toppings that will heat up quickly and dry out or burn, placing them under the cheese rather than directly on top is best.

Raw toppings, like meat, should always remain on top to receive the most heat and exposure for optimal cooking. Consequently, cheese and sauces do not need as much attention, making them best for underneath other toppings.

If the order is incorrect, you risk having a soggy pizza, which is not ideal for anyone.

The Meat is Placed on Top of the Other Toppings to Ensure it Becomes Fully Cooked

Is Pre-Cooking the Pizza Dough Necessary?

Some individuals swear that pre-cooking their homemade pizza dough gives them the best crust, while others prefer to load it up with toppings before cooking. This step can be a personal preference. However, it may be necessary when creating a pizza with moisture-rich ingredients.

For example, some of the toppings that can create a soggy pizza include:

  • Fresh mozzarella
  • Artichoke hearts
  • Pineapple
  • Banana peppers
  • Jalapenos

If you prefer to stack multiple toppings on your crust, pre-cooking the dough for six to ten minutes can help keep it crispy on the outside while soft and chewy inside. However, too many items on a pizza can keep the crust from thoroughly cooking, so pre-cooking it ahead of time can ensure that it will not come out soggy when the toppings finish cooking.

Depending on the Ingredients, You May Want to Pre-Cook Your Pizza Dough

The Best Order to Apply Pizza Toppings

Now that the basics have been covered, we can answer the question, what is the order you should apply pizza toppings, more thoroughly. Generally, a pizza will begin with a crust, then have sauce with the cheese afterward, and finally the rest of the toppings. So, let’s dive deeper into creating the best pizza possible!

The Crust

No matter what toppings you want or if you pre-cook your dough, the pizza should go on a pizza stone or a heat-conducting surface for the crust to bake correctly. Use a pizza peel to place your dough into a high-temperature oven for the best results.

Pro Tip: Brush on some olive oil to get a crispy, flaky outside to the pizza crust while leaving the inside chewy and soft.

The Sauce

The next step in creating your tastiest pizza ever is adding the sauce. Many beginners will slather on the tomato sauce, thinking that more is better, but unfortunately, too much can ruin the crust. Pizza sauce is moisture-rich; if it is too thick, it will keep the crust from cooking evenly and leave you with a soggy pizza.

Pro Tip: Use just enough pizza sauce to cover the dough without adding too much, so you do not risk a weak, soggy crust. If you prefer extra sauce, use a thicker crust or sprinkle some cheese on the crust before adding sauce for a moisture barrier.

The Cheese

The next step in adding pizza ingredients the correct way is the cheese. Cheese lovers may want to pile on extra, but too much cheese can result in a greasy and soggy pizza. So instead, spread the cheese evenly on top of the sauce, preferably using a low-moisture cheese, like mozzarella.

Pro Tip: If you want to use multiple types of cheese, remember to place the drier cheeses on the bottom and the moisture-rich cheeses on top so they will not create a soft, weak crust.

The Vegetables

Vegetables will cook best when you add them on top of the cheese. This ingredient will need more heat than sauce or cheese to cook thoroughly. Ensure that all veggies, like red onion or sliced tomatoes, are cut the same so they will cook evenly and space them out around the crust. Do not overload the pizza, or you risk a soggy pizza.

Pro Tip: For delicate veggies like spinach or mushrooms, you can dice them up into fine bits and add them to the sauce for additional flavor and texture.

The Herbs and Spices

Adding flavor to a pizza is simple through herbs and spices. These ingredients, like basil, garlic, and rosemary, are more delicate and will fit well as the next step to building the perfect pizza.

Pro Tip: You can chop up additional herbs and spices to add to the sauce for a more intense flavor.

The Meats

The meat will need the most heat to cook correctly, making it best to place on top of the pizza. They can include anything from pepperoni and bacon to chicken or shrimp. Some meats that require extra cooking time can benefit from pre-cooking before adding them to the pizza to ensure they will be ready when the pizza crust is.

Pro Tip: Space the meat evenly across the pizza, careful not to overload it. Too much meat can leave you with a greasy, unstable pizza.

Optional - More Cheese

Some individuals who love extra cheese will finish their pizza with a small sprinkling of cheese. However, you do not want to have it too thick that it buries the meat and vegetables. As the cheese melts, it should melt down around the meat, providing a nice browning topping for the perfect pizza.

Pro Tip: Moisture-rich cheeses, like fresh mozzarella, work best for the top of a pizza, so they do not create a soggy crust.

Optional - Garnishes

Presentation is everything when it comes to creating the perfect pizza. Not only should it taste great, but it should also look appealing. Some individuals will use fresh basil leaves or cilantro once they remove it from the oven before serving.

Sauce and Cheese Are Excellent Base Layers For a Pizza

Alternatives Where Cheese Under the Sauce Is Preferable

However, there are some situations where the cheese will instead go directly on the crust, providing a different texture and flavor to the meal. For example, Sicilian-style pizzas will have cheese as the first topping, with the sauce poured on top.

The reasoning behind this alternative order is that this type of pizza has a thicker crust that sits deep in a pan rather than on a pizza stone or in a special oven. This way, the crust will cook better without the sauce directly on top. Other pizza varieties, like New York Tomato Pie or Chicago-style, will have a similar order with cheese under the sauce.

These alternative methods will require a longer cooking time than standard pizzas, where the sauce comes before the cheese.

Unique Pizza Topping Ideas

If you are tired of the same old standard pizza choices, like pepperoni or Hawaiian pizza, there is a world of pizza topping ideas to try that might be your next favorite. Take a look at these unique combinations to create a delicious new meal.

Bacon Pickle Pizza

For pickle-lovers everywhere, this combination of crumbled bacon and pickles provides a tangy and delicious twist on traditional pizza. Remember to place the pickles over the cheese because they are moisture-rich, and sprinkle bacon evenly across the top.

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

This pizza alternative swaps the standard tomato sauce for barbeque sauce instead. Then, layer up your pizza normally with cheese and the roasted chicken on the top. Finally, drizzle Ranch dressing over the chicken for extra flavor.

In Conclusion

Making homemade pizza can be an adventure. The choices for toppings are endless, and you can make your next meal as unique as you are. From goat cheese and feta to artichokes and capers, there is no limit to what goes on a pizza crust. The only consideration is what is the order you should apply pizza toppings.

Knowing the correct order to apply pizza toppings will ensure that everything cooks properly and the crust does not end up too soggy, greasy, or weak. By following these guidelines, you are sure to get a perfect pizza every time.

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Frank Salvatore

Hey there - I'm Frank Salvatore. I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!

About Me

I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!
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