Go Back

Pizza Fritta

Fried Neapolitan pizza dough topped with tomato sauce and cheese
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword fried pizza, margherita pizza, pizza, pizza fritta, pizza recipe
Prep Time 2 days 4 hours
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Author theforkedring

Ingredients

  • 3 3/4 cups 00 Flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 3/4 cup cold water
  • 6 cups vegetable frying oil
  • 16 oz fresh mozzarella for topping
  • 8 oz tomato sauce for topping
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  • Measure flour into a large bowl. Add yeast and salt and mix to combine.
  • Add your cold water and bring dough together into a shaggy mess using your hands or a chopstick.
  • Once dough is cohesive, transfer to a work surface and knead for 10 minutes until you have a shiny, stretchy ball of dough.
  • Place dough in a lightly-oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for 24 - 48 hours.
  • Once dough is rested, remove from bowl and spread into a thin square of dough using your hands.
  • Cut your dough into 4 equal pieces and measure by feel or using a kitchen scale to ensure consistency.
  • Place balls of dough on a large plate, 2-3 inches apart, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours, then place in fridge for 12 hours minimum (up to 36 hours).
  • 2 hours before cooking, remove dough balls from fridge and leave covered. Let rest at room temperature.
  • Heat cooking oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes before cooking. Oil temperature should read 350°F.
  • Prepare 2 large baking sheets with paper towels to soak up hot oil. One at a time, stretch your pizza balls into a thin crust Neapolitan pizza shape, about 12" in diameter.
  • Carefully pick up dough and quickly transfer into your hot oil, making sure to place the dough away from yourself in case of splashing oil.
  • Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side until bubbly and deeply golden brown on both sides. You can use chopsticks or two spatulas to flip it. Remove with a slotted spatula and transfer to your prepared baking sheets.
  • When finished frying, turn off oil and remove from heat. Top each pizza dough with a generous scattering of mozzarella. Place in a warm oven to melt the cheese if you need to for 3-4 minutes.
  • Top pizza doughs with tomato sauce, basil leaves, flaky salt, and a light drizzle of good olive oil.

Notes

  • If making a homemade tomato sauce, I recommend a Neapolitan style sauce with crushed tomato, olive oil, salt, and basil. 
  • Make sure to use real whole-milk mozzarella for best results. 
  • If you're worried about splashing oil when you lower your dough into the hot oil, you can use a pizza paddle or a couple spatulas to lower it in gently. Be safe!