Ultimate Detroit Style Pizza
Ultimate Detroit Style Pizza is a intermediate American (Detroit-style) recipe that serves 4. 420 calories per serving.
Prep: 2 hrs 25 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 3 hrs 55 min
Cost: $10.39 total, $2.60 per serving
Ingredients
- 190 g Bread flour (High-protein bread flour preferred)
- 10 g Whole wheat flour (optional) (For extra flavor; can omit)
- 2 g Diastatic malt powder (1% of flour weight)
- 2 g Instant yeast (About 1/2 tsp)
- 150 g Water (Room temperature)
- 5 g Salt (About 1 tsp)
- 1.5 tbsp Olive oil (For pan greasing)
- 400 g Whole peeled tomatoes (high quality) (One 14-15 oz can; Stanislaus Alta Cucina, Jersey Fresh, Cento, or similar)
- 3 g Salt (for sauce)
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp Dried thyme
- 0.25 tsp Garlic powder
- 0.25 tsp Milk powder
- 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 225 g Wisconsin brick cheese (Grated; about 8 oz)
- 60 g Pepperoni (flat, not cupping style) (Optional, for traditional topping)
Instructions
Mix Dough (Initial Mix)
Combine bread flour, (optional) whole wheat flour, diastatic malt powder, and instant yeast in a large mixing bowl. Add 75% hydration water (150g for 200g flour). Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Do not add salt yet.
Time: PT5M
Rest Dough (Autolyse)
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: 22-25°C
Add Salt and Incorporate
Sprinkle salt over the dough. Press and fold the salt into the dough until fully incorporated.
Time: PT3M
Bulk Fermentation with Stretch and Folds
Transfer dough to a clear container (optional). Let rise at room temperature until increased by 50% in volume (about 1.5 hours). Every 20 minutes, perform a set of stretch and folds (4 sets total).
Time: PT1H30M
Temperature: 22-25°C
Cold Fermentation
Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1-4 days (3 days is ideal). Optionally, perform one more set of stretch and folds after 24 hours.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 4°C
Prepare Pizza Sauce
Blend tomatoes until smooth. Add 3g salt, 1 tsp oregano, 0.5 tsp thyme, 0.25 tsp garlic powder, 0.25 tsp milk powder, and 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until reduced by 1/3 to 1/2 (about 20 minutes).
Time: PT25M
Temperature: Medium-low heat
Grate Cheese
Grate Wisconsin brick cheese (or substitute blend) using a box grater. Store in fridge until ready to use.
Time: PT5M
Oil Pan
Coat Detroit-style pizza pan with olive oil, then wipe with a paper towel so only a thin layer remains.
Time: PT2M
Shape Dough in Pan
Remove dough from fridge. Form into a tight ball, close seam at bottom, and place in oiled pan. Flatten slightly. Cover and let rest 1 hour at room temperature.
Time: PT1H
Temperature: 22-25°C
Stretch Dough to Pan Edges
After 1 hour, gently stretch dough toward pan edges. Cover and let rest 30 minutes. Repeat stretching if needed until dough stays at edges (usually 2-3 times, 30 minutes apart).
Time: PT1H
Temperature: 22-25°C
Final Proof
Let dough rise, covered, for 2 hours at room temperature until puffy and airy.
Time: PT2H
Temperature: 22-25°C
Preheat Oven
About 20 minutes before baking, preheat oven to its highest temperature (ideally 550°F/290°C).
Time: PT20M
Temperature: 550°F
Par-Topping and Initial Bake
Top dough with a layer of flat pepperoni (if using), then a thin layer of cheese (just enough to cover dough, not edges). Bake on middle rack for 7 minutes.
Time: PT7M
Temperature: 550°F
Final Topping and Bake
Remove pizza from oven. Add remaining cheese, focusing on edges for crispy cheese crown. Spoon sauce in racing stripes over top. Add any additional toppings. Return to oven and bake 4 minutes more. Optionally broil for 2-3 minutes for extra charring.
Time: PT7M
Temperature: 550°F (broil optional)
Remove and Serve
Let pizza cool in pan for 2-3 minutes, then run a spatula around edges and transfer to cutting board. Slice and serve.
Time: PT5M
Cleanup
Wash all bowls, pans, utensils, blender, grater, and countertop. Wipe down oven area if any cheese or oil splattered.
Time: PT1H15M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 420
- Protein
- 18g
- Carbohydrates
- 48g
- Fat
- 18g
- Fiber
- 3g
Dietary info: Vegetarian (if omitting pepperoni), Not gluten-free, Not vegan
Allergens: Wheat, Milk (dairy), Possible: Soy (if using some brands of pepperoni or cheese)
Last updated: April 11, 2026






