Nothing beats a homemade pizza, but a homemade Detroit-Style Pizza? That’s a whole other level of deliciousness.
Made with simple ingredients, this Detroit classic has an extra-thick crust that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It is topped with a generous amount of cheese and sauce. Welcome to pizza heaven!
Not gonna lie, I was a bit intimidated going into making this one, but don’t be fooled by the long prep time! It’s mostly waiting for the dough to rise, and trust me, it’s so worth the wait.
If you’re a pizza-making newbie, don’t worry—we walk through the process step by step to ensure your pizza turns out perfectly every time.
Detroit-Style Pizza Recipe – What You Need
- Instant yeast: The most quick and convenient kind of yeast there is!
- All-purpose flour: This will make up the bulk of your dough.
- Olive oil: To add moisture and yummy flavor to the crust.
- Brick cheese: A must-have for authentic Detroit-style pizza, this cheese has a higher melting point and creates the perfect gooey texture.
- Mozzarella cheese: You know we gotta add more cheese to the mix!
- Pepperoni: Because what’s a pizza without pepperoni?
- Pizza sauce: Feel free to use store-bought or make your own from scratch.
- Electric stand mixer (with hook attachment): Game changer! This makes the dough-making process a breeze.
What if I can’t find brick cheese?
Brick cheese is traditional when making a Detroit-style pizza. If you cannot find brick cheese, mozzarella or provolone cheese can be substituted. Make sure you still cube it!
What size pan do I need for Detroit-style pizza?
A traditional Detroit-style pizza pan is 10×14 inches. This dough recipe would work in that pan as well. But a cake pan will certainly do the trick.
Our Favorite Toppings for Detroit-Style Pizza
- Pepperoni: A classic and must-have topping for any pizza.
- Sausage: Ground pork seasoned with Italian herbs and spices.
- Bell peppers: Add a pop of color and crunch to your pizza.
- Onions: We love caramelized onions on our Detroit-style pizza for added sweetness and flavor.
- Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms add an umami depth to your pizza.
- Olives: Black or green, olives add a briny and salty flavor to your pie.
- Bacon: Because everything is better with bacon, especially on pizza!
Most important tip
This dough is a little fluffier/more moist than traditional pizza dough. You may need to oil your hands when you handle it. Be gentle, and you will find it very forgiving!
How to Make Detroit Style Pizza
This Detroit-style pizza is a “pizza cake” with these step-by-step instructions! Whether you’re a seasoned pizza expert or a beginner, you can make this delicious pizza at home.
- Activate Instant Yeast: First, add the instant yeast and water to the bowl of a stand mixer. Allow the yeast to bloom (it becomes bubbly or frothy). About 5 minutes.
- Make Dough: Next, on low-medium speed, use an electric mixer and a dough hook attachment, and slowly stir in the flour and salt. When a shaggy dough starts to form, continue to mix for another 3-4 minutes.
- Let Dough Rise: Once mixed, rub olive oil on your hands and transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size. About 1.5-2 hours.
- Transfer Dough & Rise Again: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 9×13-cake pan. Transfer the risen dough to the cake pan and stretch the dough to the sides of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for a second time—about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450℉. Set the rack to the bottom row of the oven.
- Add Toppings: The dough may have shrunk in a little, if so, stretch it again to make sure it is touching the edges. Sprinkle the brick cheese and mozzarella on top of the dough, leaving no room for the “crust handle”. Next, place the pepperoni on the top. Finally, drizzle 3 rows of sauce over the top.
- Bake: Bake on the bottom rack for 15-20 minutes.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before removing from the pan. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Storing Your Easy, Cheesy Pizza
Place any leftover pizza in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 375℉ and place the pizza on a baking sheet. Heat for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What to Serve with Detroit-Style Pizza
Detroit-style pizza can easily be a main dish, but it also pairs well with a variety of side dishes. For classic pizza sides, we recommend these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings, Parmesan Garlic Knots, or a Classic Caesar Salad.
Other great options are these Fried Mac and Cheese Bites or a Caprese Salad!
Detroit-Style Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 cups + 2 tablespoons lukewarm water
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings
- 8 oz. brick cheese cubed
- 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz. sliced pepperoni
- 14 oz. pizza sauce
Instructions
- Add the instant yeast and water to the bowl of a stand mixer. Allow the yeast to bloom (it becomes bubbly or frothy). About 5 minutes.
- On low-medium speed, use an electric mixer and a dough hook attachment, and slowly stir in the flour and salt. When a shaggy dough starts to form continue to mix for another 3-4 minutes.
- Rub olive oil on your hands. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1.5-2 hours.
- Once the dough has risen, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 9×13-inch pan. Transfer the dough to the cake pan and stretch it to the sides of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for a second time—about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 450℉. Set the rack to the bottom row of the oven.
- Once the dough has risen for a second time, prepare it for the toppings. It may have shrunk a little, so stretch it again to make sure it is touching the edges. Sprinkle the brick cheese and mozzarella on top of the dough, leaving no room for the “crust handle.” Next, place the pepperoni on top. Finally, drizzle 3 rows of sauce over the top.
- Bake on the bottom rack for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before removing it from the pan. Slice and serve.
Tips & Notes
- This dough is a little fluffier and more moist than traditional pizza dough. You may need to oil your hands when you handle it.
- Brick cheese is traditional when making a Detroit-style pizza. If you cannot find brick cheese, mozzarella or provolone cheese can be substituted. Still, cube it.
- A traditional Detroit pizza pan is 10×14 inches. This dough recipe would work in that pan as well. But a cake pan will certainly do the trick.
