Crafting the Perfect Tavern-Style Pizza at Home: A Step-by-Step Recipe

Craving that crispy, thin-crust, perfectly portioned pizza you find in your favorite neighborhood tavern? Look no further! This recipe will guide you through creating an authentic tavern-style pizza right in your own kitchen. We’ll cover everything from the crucial dough to the signature sauce, the proper cheese blend, and the all-important baking technique. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious and surprisingly simple recipe.

What is Tavern-Style Pizza?

Tavern-style pizza, also known as bar pizza or thin-crust pizza, is a regional specialty primarily found in the Midwest, particularly in Chicago and surrounding areas. It’s characterized by its ultra-thin, cracker-like crust, generously topped with sauce, cheese, and toppings, and cut into small squares (or sometimes rectangles). Unlike Neapolitan or New York-style pizzas, tavern-style pizza is designed for sharing and snacking, making it perfect for game nights, parties, or a casual weeknight dinner.

The key differences that set tavern-style pizza apart are:

• Crust: Extremely thin and crispy, often made with a minimal amount of yeast and sometimes incorporating ingredients like cornmeal or baking powder for extra crispness.
• Sauce: Typically a simple, slightly sweet tomato sauce, often seasoned with oregano, garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes.
• Cheese: A generous layer of mozzarella, often a low-moisture part-skim variety for optimal browning and preventing a soggy crust.
• Toppings: Can be anything you like, but classic choices include sausage (usually Italian sausage, crumbled), pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. Toppings are spread evenly to the edges of the crust.
• Cut: Cut into small squares or rectangles, sometimes called “party cut” or “tavern cut.”

The Ultimate Tavern-Style Pizza Recipe

This recipe is broken down into components for ease of understanding. While it may seem like a lot of steps, each one is relatively simple and contributes to the overall amazing result.

Part 1: The Dough – Achieving the Perfect Crisp

The dough is arguably the most important part of tavern-style pizza. It needs to be thin enough to achieve that signature crisp, but strong enough to hold the toppings. This recipe uses a combination of all-purpose flour, semolina flour, and a touch of sugar for a slightly sweet and extra-crispy crust.

Ingredients:

• 300g (2 1/2 cups) All-Purpose Flour
• 50g (1/3 cup) Semolina Flour (or more All-Purpose Flour)
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Instant Dry Yeast
• 210ml (3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon) Lukewarm Water (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Instructions:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, semolina flour (if using), sugar, salt, and instant dry yeast. Make sure the yeast and salt are not directly touching each other, as salt can inhibit yeast activity.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the lukewarm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients.
3. Mix the Dough: Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough will be somewhat sticky, but avoid adding too much extra flour, as this can make the crust tough. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment and knead on medium-low speed for 5-7 minutes.
5. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This rise develops the flavor and texture of the dough.
6. Punch Down and Divide: After the first rise, gently punch down the dough to release the air. Divide the dough in half. Each half will make approximately a 12-14 inch pizza.
7. Second Rise (Optional but Recommended): Shape each piece of dough into a ball. Place each ball in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for another 30-60 minutes. This second rise will result in a more tender and flavorful crust. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but the results will be slightly different.

Part 2: The Sauce – Simple, Sweet, and Flavorful

The sauce for tavern-style pizza is typically a simple, slightly sweet tomato sauce. It doesn’t need to be overly complex, but it should be well-seasoned and flavorful.

Ingredients:

• 1 (28 ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
• 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
2. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded.
4. Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, sugar, or red pepper flakes depending on your preference.
5. Cool: Let the sauce cool slightly before using it on the pizza.

Part 3: The Cheese – The Right Melt is Key

For tavern-style pizza, the cheese should melt evenly and brown beautifully. Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella is the classic choice. You can also use a blend of mozzarella and provolone for a richer flavor.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces Low-Moisture, Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
• (Optional) 2-4 ounces Provolone Cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. Shred the Cheese: If you’re using block mozzarella or provolone, shred it using a cheese grater. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly.
2. Combine (Optional): If using both mozzarella and provolone, combine the shredded cheeses in a bowl.

Part 4: Toppings – Your Personal Touch

The toppings are where you can really customize your tavern-style pizza. Here are some classic and popular choices:

• Sausage: Italian sausage, crumbled and cooked
• Pepperoni: Thinly sliced pepperoni
• Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms, sautéed
• Onions: Thinly sliced onions, sautéed
• Green Peppers: Thinly sliced green peppers, sautéed
• Black Olives: Sliced black olives
• Bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon

Feel free to experiment with other toppings you enjoy. Just make sure to cook any toppings that need to be cooked before adding them to the pizza.

Part 5: Assembling and Baking the Pizza – The Crispness Finale

Now for the fun part: assembling and baking your tavern-style pizza!

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Baking Stone/Steel: Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it will go, ideally 500-550°F (260-290°C). Place a pizza stone or baking steel on the lowest rack of the oven. The stone or steel needs to be very hot to achieve a crispy crust, so allow it to preheat for at least 30-60 minutes. If you don’t have a pizza stone or steel, you can use a baking sheet, but the crust won’t be quite as crispy.
2. Prepare the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out one of the dough balls into a very thin circle or rectangle, about 12-14 inches in diameter. Tavern-style pizza crust is much thinner than other types of pizza, so don’t be afraid to stretch it out as thin as possible without tearing it. If the dough keeps snapping back, let it rest for a few minutes to relax the gluten.
3. Transfer to Baking Sheet/Pizza Peel: Carefully transfer the stretched dough to a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal or flour (if using a pizza stone/steel) or directly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (if not using a stone/steel).
4. Add Sauce: Spread a thin layer of the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border (about 1/4 inch) around the edge. Don’t use too much sauce, as this can make the crust soggy.
5. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese (and provolone, if using) evenly over the sauce, covering the entire surface.
6. Add Toppings: Arrange your desired toppings evenly over the cheese.
7. Bake: If using a pizza stone or steel, carefully slide the pizza from the pizza peel onto the preheated stone or steel. If using a baking sheet, simply place the baking sheet with the pizza in the oven.
8. Bake Time: Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on the pizza, as it can burn quickly at high temperatures. Rotate the pizza halfway through baking for even browning.
9. Cool Slightly: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
10. Cut and Serve: Using a pizza cutter or large knife, cut the pizza into small squares or rectangles. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Tavern-Style Pizza

• Use a Pizza Stone or Steel: A pizza stone or steel is essential for achieving a crispy crust. They retain heat and transfer it to the pizza, resulting in a faster and more even bake.
• Preheat Thoroughly: Make sure to preheat your pizza stone or steel for at least 30-60 minutes before baking the pizza. This will ensure that it’s hot enough to cook the crust properly.
• Stretch the Dough Thin: Tavern-style pizza crust is very thin, so don’t be afraid to stretch it out as thin as possible.
• Don’t Overload the Toppings: Too many toppings can make the crust soggy. Use a moderate amount of toppings and spread them evenly over the cheese.
• Use Low-Moisture Cheese: Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese is ideal for tavern-style pizza because it melts evenly and doesn’t release too much moisture.
• Bake at a High Temperature: Baking the pizza at a high temperature will help it cook quickly and evenly, resulting in a crispy crust.
• Rotate the Pizza: Rotate the pizza halfway through baking for even browning.
• Experiment with Toppings: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combinations.
• Let the Dough Rise Properly: Giving the dough enough time to rise is crucial for developing the flavor and texture of the crust.
• Consider a Docking Tool: Docking is poking the dough with a tool or fork before adding sauce. This prevents large air bubbles from forming in the crust during baking, which is important for a flat, crispy tavern-style pizza.

Variations and Adaptations

• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pizza dough recipe or store-bought gluten-free pizza dough.
• Vegan: Use vegan cheese and toppings.
• Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes to the sauce or use spicy sausage.
• Different Cheeses: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as provolone, fontina, or parmesan.
• Different Toppings: Try different combinations of toppings, such as prosciutto and arugula, or artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes.

Serving Suggestions

Tavern-style pizza is best served hot and fresh. It’s perfect for:

• Game Nights: Serve it as a snack during game night with friends and family.
• Parties: It’s a great option for parties and gatherings.
• Casual Dinners: Enjoy it as a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
• Appetizers: Serve it as an appetizer before a meal.

Storage Instructions

Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the oven, toaster oven, or microwave.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is carefully crafted to deliver an authentic tavern-style pizza experience. The combination of all-purpose and semolina flour creates a crispy yet sturdy crust. The simple, flavorful sauce complements the cheese and toppings perfectly. And the high baking temperature ensures a quick and even bake, resulting in a pizza that’s crispy, delicious, and perfect for sharing.

Enjoy Your Homemade Tavern-Style Pizza!

With this recipe, you can easily create your own delicious tavern-style pizza at home. It’s a fun and rewarding experience, and you’ll be amazed at how good it tastes. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a taste of the Midwest!