Best Flour For New York Style Pizza Dough
New York style pizza is a classic favorite among pizza lovers. It is known for its thin and crispy crust that is slightly chewy on the inside. The key to achieving the perfect New York style pizza dough lies in the type of flour you use. In this article, we will explore the best flours for making New York style pizza dough.
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is a versatile flour that can be used for a variety of baked goods, including pizza dough. It is a blend of hard and soft wheat, making it a good choice for New York style pizza dough. All-purpose flour has a moderate protein content, which is essential for creating a chewy crust. It also has a neutral flavor, which allows the other ingredients in the dough to shine.
When using all-purpose flour for pizza dough, it is important to note that not all brands are created equal. Look for a brand with a protein content of around 12-13%. This will give you the perfect balance of chewiness and crispiness in your crust.
Bread Flour
Bread flour is another popular choice for making New York style pizza dough. It has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which makes it ideal for creating a chewy crust. Bread flour also has a slightly higher gluten content, which gives the dough elasticity and helps it hold its shape.
One thing to keep in mind when using bread flour for pizza dough is that it can be a bit more difficult to work with than all-purpose flour. The higher gluten content can make the dough tougher to stretch and shape. However, with a little practice, you can achieve a perfect New York style crust with bread flour.
Cake Flour
Cake flour is a low-protein flour that is typically used for making cakes and other delicate baked goods. However, it can also be used to make New York style pizza dough. Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose or bread flour, which means that it will produce a softer crust with a more tender crumb.
One thing to keep in mind when using cake flour for pizza dough is that it will not produce as crispy a crust as all-purpose or bread flour. If you prefer a softer crust, cake flour is a great option. If you prefer a crispier crust, you may want to stick with all-purpose or bread flour.
00 Flour
00 flour is a finely milled flour that is commonly used in Italian cooking. It has a very low protein content, which makes it ideal for creating a tender crust with a crispy exterior. 00 flour is also very easy to work with and produces a consistent result every time.
One thing to keep in mind when using 00 flour for pizza dough is that it can be a bit more expensive than other types of flour. However, the results are well worth it if you are looking for an authentic and delicious New York style pizza crust.
Conclusion
When it comes to making New York style pizza dough, the type of flour you use is crucial. All-purpose flour, bread flour, cake flour, and 00 flour are all great options that will produce a delicious crust. The key is to choose a flour with the right protein content for the level of chewiness and crispiness you prefer. With a little practice and experimentation, you can achieve the perfect New York style pizza crust every time.
