Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza

If you love the thick, chewy crust of focaccia and the hearty, cheesy goodness of deep dish pizza, then this recipe is for you.  Join Big Poppa and his son Scott, in Big Poppa's Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza, that combines the best of both worlds, delivering a pizza that's rich in flavor and texture.  Perfect for a family dinner or a game day party, this pizza will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Why Focaccia?
Focaccia bread is known for its light, airy, and slightly chewy texture with a crispy crust. It’s the perfect base for a deep dish pizza because it can hold up to the thick layers of sauce, cheese, and toppings without becoming soggy. The extra olive oil used in focaccia also adds a rich flavor that pairs beautifully with traditional pizza ingredients.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza

• Use a Hot Oven: Baking at a high temperature (500°F) is essential for achieving that crispy crust. A hot oven ensures that the dough cooks evenly and develops a golden-brown exterior without drying out.
• Don’t Skimp on the Olive Oil: The olive oil in the dough and the pan not only adds flavor but also helps create a beautiful crust. Make sure to generously grease the pan to avoid sticking and to enhance the crust’s texture.
• Let the Dough Rest: If the dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking when you try to spread it, give it some time to relax. A 10-minute rest will make it easier to stretch and shape.
• Customize Your Toppings: One of the joys of homemade pizza is making it your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cheeses, sauces, and toppings. Just remember to balance the moisture content, especially if using vegetables that release water when cooked.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the focaccia dough in advance and refrigerate it overnight. This slow fermentation process will develop deeper flavors in the dough. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.
• Invest in a Good Pan: A deep dish pizza pan or a cast iron skillet is ideal for this recipe. These pans retain heat well and ensure an even bake, contributing to that perfect, crispy crust.

Homemade focaccia deep dish pizza is the perfect marriage of textures and flavors. The pillowy dough, rich olive oil crust, gooey cheese, and robust toppings make for a truly satisfying meal. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create a restaurant-quality pizza right in your own kitchen.  So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a pizza that’s a little bit different but oh-so-delicious!

Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza

Big Poppa

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Category

Pizza

Cuisine

Italian

Servings

4

If you love the think, chewy crust of focaccia and the hearty, cheesy goodness of deep dish pizza, then this recipe is for you.  Big Poppa's Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza combines the best of both worlds, delivering a pizza that's rich in flavor and texture.  Perfect for any gathering.  Join Big Poppa and his son, Scott, as they walk you through this recipe.  Remember be patient as it takes a couple of days to get the focaccia ready for the toppings, but it is so worth it.  

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Ingredients

• Pizza Flour Dough

• Pizza Sauce

• Sliced Mozzarella Cheese

• Grated Parmesan Cheese

• Olive Oil

Directions

1. Dough: Take pizza flour, water, olive oil, yeast and salt and prepare the dough allowing it time to ferment. It could take 1-2 days to create the desired rise of the dough.

2. When ready to make the pizza, take the dough and and split so that you have just enough to fill your skillet or pan. Remember to make sure you poke holes in the dough create those big air pockets.

3. Once the dough is prepared, then make sure it has rest for another hour before you put in the oven. Make sure it has doubled in size before dimpling it again.

4. Make sure all bubbles are popped to prevent blistering.

5. Par bake it for 15 minutes at 500 degrees. Then let rest.

6. Now you are ready to add your cheese, pizza sauce and any other of your favorite toppings.

7. Add it back to the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.

8. Cut and serve

Recipe Video

Recipe Note

Enjoy Big Poppa's Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza with your favorite side salad for a truly satisfying meal.  This pizza is sure to become a favorite in your home, brining the flavors of a classic pizza right into your kitchen.