Detroit Style Pepperoni Pizza by Ooni

This authentic and unique style of pizza is fairly easy to make and perfect for sharing because, in a traditional Italian way, it’s very filling. Detroit Pizza features a thick, crispy crust that’s got lots of caramelization on the top edge from the cheese and oil getting exposed to the intense heat of an Ooni Pizza Oven. Plus, to make an authentic Detroit style pie, it needs to be baked in high-sided metal pan. Any metal bakeware will do fine, but Ooni does also make pans made specifically for this style of pizza cooked in their ovens.

Today, we’re showing you how to create the classic Detroit style Pepperoni Pizza built on Ooni’s quick proof dough that’s thick and chewy. Their dough can be ready to cook in approximately 3 hours. Otherwise, your favorite pizza dough mix should do, as long as you set aside enough time for it to rise and proof.

Shop Ooni Gear For This Recipe

Equipment List:

• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
• Ooni Detroit-style Pizza Pan (medium), or a high sided metal baking dish
• Ooni Pizza Oven
• Infrared Thermometer (optional)
• High Temperature Rated Oven Gloves
• Large metal spatula

Detroit Style Pepperoni Pizza Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 1 C + 2 TBSP (260 grams) water
• ½ tsp instant dried yeast or 4 ½ grams active dried yeast or 9 grams fresh yeast
• 1 ½ TBSP extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for coating the metal pan
• 3 C strong bread flour
• ½ TBSP fine grain sea salt

For the toppings:

• ¾ C cheddar, shredded
• 1 C mozzarella, shredded
• 1 C pepperoni slices
• ½ C pizza sauce

After you have finished proofing the dough, wipe down the bottom and sides of your baking pan with olive oil. Once the dough is in the pan you begin to ‘dimple’ it with your fingers by gently pressing the surface of the dough, shaping and pushing the dough into the corners. Cover the dough with a towel and leave it to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

After that, dimple it again using your fingers, pushing it towards the corners of the pan.

Fire up your pizza oven and allow it to preheat for 15 to 20 minutes. Aim for 650F on your baking stone.

As the oven heats, add the cheese all the way to the edges of the pan to make the crispy “frico” or cheesy, crusty crown. Use a ladle to lay down to wide strips of sauce, then place the pepperoni slices. After the oven is up to 650F turn the flame down to its lowest setting. Place the pan at the front of your oven and then put on your pizza oven gloves so you can rotate the pan every 2 minutes. Bake the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top edge of the crust is very charred.  If you think the pizza is cooking too quickly, turn the flame off for 2 to 4 minutes.

Once you remove the Detroit style pepperoni pizza from the oven, make sure to get it out of the pan and onto a cooling rack or flat, cool surface to help it crisp up even more. After 4 or 5 minutes, get a large pizza cutter or pizza wheel and cut the pie into four pieces and serve!

If you want to watch a video of an Ooni expert chef making this pizza, just watch this video!