What Makes Detroit Pizza Unique?
Detroit pizza is baked in an oiled blue steel pan that creates an incredibly crispy, caramelized cheese edge (called "frico"). The dough is high-hydration (70-75%), giving it a focaccia-like open crumb.
The Dough
- Flour: All-purpose or bread flour
- Hydration: 70-75%
- Oil: 2-3 tablespoons in dough + generously coating the pan
The Pan
The original Detroit pizza was baked in blue steel automotive parts trays. Today, Lloyd Pans makes dedicated Detroit pans. Dark steel absorbs heat and creates maximum crispness.
The Process
The Cheese
Brick cheese is traditional — melts into crispy frico along pan edges. Substitute: low-moisture mozzarella + mild cheddar mix.
Sauce on Top
Detroit pizza traditionally has racing stripes of sauce on top of the cheese.
