cookingyes.com Sicilian and Detroit-style pizzas both feature square pies but differ in crust texture and baking methods. Sicilian pizza has a thick, airy crust with a focaccia-like softness, often baked in a well-oiled pan for a crispy bottom, while Detroit-style pizza boasts a thicker, chewy crust with caramelized cheese edges created by baking in a steel pan. Both styles emphasize generous toppings and rich tomato sauce, offering distinct yet equally satisfying experiences for lovers of pan pizzas.
Table of Comparison
| Feature | Sicilian Pizza | Detroit-Style Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Italy, Sicily | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Crust | Thick, airy, focaccia-like | Thick, crispy, chewy, airy |
| Shape | Square or rectangular | Rectangular |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, sometimes Romano | Wisconsin brick cheese layered to edges |
| Toppings | Simple: tomato sauce, onions, anchovies | Generous toppings, often layered under sauce |
| Sauce | Thick tomato sauce on top | Tomato sauce ladled over cheese |
| Baking Style | Baked in well-oiled pan for crisp edges | Baked in blue steel pan for crispy crust |
| Texture | Soft, thick crumb with crispy bottom | Crispy edges, soft interior |
Introduction to Square Pizzas: Sicilian vs Detroit-Style
Sicilian and Detroit-style pizzas are renowned for their distinctive square shapes and deep-dish characteristics. Sicilian pizza features a thick, airy crust with a spongy texture, traditionally topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and often herbs or anchovies. Detroit-style pizza is known for its ultra-thick, crispy edges, buttery crust, and toppings layered under a generous amount of cheese, often finished with tomato sauce ladled on top.
Historical Origins: Sicilian and Detroit-Style Pizzas
Sicilian pizza traces its origins to Sicily, Italy, where it began as a thick, square focaccia-like bread topped with tomato sauce and modest cheese, reflecting traditional Italian ingredients and methods. Detroit-style pizza originated in the mid-20th century at Buddy's Rendezvous in Detroit, Michigan, featuring a rectangular, airy crust with a crispy, caramelized cheese edge and toppings layered under a robust tomato sauce. Both styles use a square shape and thick crust but differ historically in texture, cheese placement, and regional ingredient influences.
Dough and Crust: Texture and Preparation Differences
Sicilian pizza dough is thick and airy, made with a high-hydration, focaccia-like base that yields a soft, spongy crust with a slightly crisp bottom. In contrast, Detroit-style pizza dough is also thick but more structured, using a longer fermentation and oil-coated pan to create a golden, ultra-crispy, caramelized crust with a tender interior. The preparation differences highlight Sicilian's emphasis on fluffiness and dough softness, while Detroit-style focuses on a crunchy, buttery texture with a distinct edge-to-edge crispiness.
Baking Methods and Pan Types
Sicilian pizza is traditionally baked in a thick, rectangular pan with high sides, often oiled to create a crispy, focaccia-like crust through a longer, slower bake. Detroit-style pizza uses a well-seasoned steel pan similar to an automotive parts tray, delivering a crunchy yet airy crust by baking at high temperatures for a shorter period. The pan's shape and material significantly influence the texture, with Sicilian offering a breadier base and Detroit-style emphasizing a caramelized, cheese-edge crust.
Sauce Placement: Under or Over the Cheese?
Sicilian pizza typically features sauce spread over a thick layer of cheese, allowing the sauce to meld with the toppings during baking for a rich, savory flavor. Detroit-style pizza places the sauce on top of the cheese and toppings, creating a distinct caramelized sauce crust around the edges due to its unique baking method in a deep, rectangular pan. This difference in sauce placement significantly impacts texture and taste, with Sicilian offering a softer, more integrated profile and Detroit delivering a crispier, more robust bite.
Cheese Choices: Mozzarella, Brick Cheese, and More
Sicilian pizza features a thick, airy crust topped with robust tomato sauce and typically uses mozzarella for its creamy texture, enhancing the pizza's traditional flavors. Detroit-style pizza distinguishes itself with a buttery, crispy crust and a unique blend of brick cheese, which offers a sharp, tangy profile that complements the caramelized edges. Both styles may incorporate provolone or parmesan for added depth, but the cheese selection remains a key factor in defining their distinctive taste and texture.
Toppings: Traditional and Creative Variations
Sicilian pizza toppings typically include classic ingredients like tomato sauce, mozzarella, anchovies, onions, and herbs, emphasizing a balanced, savory flavor profile rooted in Italian tradition. Detroit-style pizza showcases a thicker crust topped with Wisconsin brick cheese that caramelizes along the edges, paired with pepperoni, green peppers, and sometimes unconventional toppings like smoked sausage or barbecue chicken for a fusion twist. Creative variations on both styles experiment with seasonal vegetables, gourmet cheeses, and infused oils to elevate the square pie experience beyond its traditional boundaries.
Shape and Size: Comparing the Square Slices
Sicilian pizza features a thick, rectangular crust measuring approximately 12x16 inches, offering larger, airy slices with a spongy texture. Detroit-style pizza, known for its smaller 10x14-inch rectangular pan, produces thick, crispy edges and a dense, chewy interior. Both styles prioritize square slices, but Sicilian emphasizes volume and softness, while Detroit-style highlights a caramelized crust and uniform thickness.
Regional Popularity and Cultural Influence
Sicilian pizza, known for its thick, airy crust and generous tomato sauce, is deeply rooted in Italian-American communities of New York and Sicily, highlighting its Mediterranean cultural heritage and longstanding popularity. Detroit-style pizza features a crispy, caramelized cheese edge and a denser dough, which reflects the working-class influences and automotive history of Detroit, Michigan, making it a regional favorite in the Midwest. Both styles showcase distinct regional taste preferences and cultural identities through their unique preparation methods and ingredient choices.
Which Square Pie Should You Pick?
Sicilian and Detroit-style pizzas both offer thick, square crusts but differ in texture and flavor profile. Sicilian pizza features a spongy, airy dough with a crispy bottom and is traditionally topped with robust tomato sauce and a layer of cheese underneath. Detroit-style pizza boasts a light, chewy crust with caramelized cheese edges and sauce ladled over the cheese, making this choice ideal for those seeking a savory, rich experience.
Sicilian vs Detroit-Style for square pies Infographic
