What Is Neapolitan Style Pizza? The Original Pizza Style Explained Simply

If you are someone who loves a good pizza, crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside and topped with just the right amount of tomato, mozzarella and basil, you are going to fall in love with Neapolitan style pizza. Let’s get straight into it.

Neapolitan pizza a taste from Naples

Neapolitan pizza is also known as pizza napoletana it comes from Naples, Italy. It is one of the oldest and most authentic styles of pizza in the world. The best part about the pizza is that it is not overloaded with toppings or thick crusts. 

You can expect a thin, soft centre and puffy, airy crust with simple, fresh ingredients being cooked in a wood-fired oven at extremely high heat. It’s a kind of pizza that reminds you that less is always more.

What makes Neapolitan style pizza different?

Here is what sets it apart from other styles like New York or deep dish.

The dough

It is made from only flour, water, salt and yeast. The pizza is fermented for at least 24 hours no sugar or oil is added. The pizza dough is hand-stretched, not rolled with a pin. You must know that the dough is rolled soft and stretchy, making the base thin and harder.

The toppings

Traditional Neapolitan pizza uses just a few key ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella di bufala, fresh basil extra virgin oil. That’s it. You don’t need any pineapples, no overloaded needs, just honest, fresh flavour.

The cooking method

This pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven at 430 to 480°C. It just takes 90 seconds to cook. Crust gets blistered and slightly charred but it is not burnt. The best part is that the high heat creates that bubbly leopard spotted crust that pizza lovers like you would just love.

Classic Neapolitan pizzas

There are mainly two types of traditional Neapolitan pizzas.

Margarita pizza includes san marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves and olive oil. It is named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, who visited Naples in 1889.

Marinara pizza includes tomato sauce, garlic, oregano and olive oil. There is no cheese. If you are a tomato lover, then you will truly love this pizza.

Neapolitan pizza has some official rules

Yes, that’s really serious. Associazione Verace Pizza Napolitano has strict rules for what can be called true Neapolitan pizza. Some rules include that the dough used must be hand-kneaded and never rolled. You need to ensure that the pizza is round, not more than 35 centimetres in diameter. Ensure that the crust is completely raised and airy, with no artificial ingredients allowed.

The magic of the ingredients: why quality matters

You can say that Neapolitan pizza is proof that high-quality ingredients can create something amazing with just a few items.

• San Marzano tomatoes are sweeter and less acidic as compared to regular ones. They are grown in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius, which gives them a unique flavour. Even the canned versions are highly priced.
• Mozzarella de Buffalo is made from the milk of Buffalo in Italy. The cheese is completely Creamer and more flavorful as compared to regular mozzarella. If you cannot find it try fresh mozzarella as a backup.
• Fresh basil is not just about garnish; it actually brings out fresh aromatic notes that complement the tangy tomato and rich cheese.
• Extra virgin olive oil helps the crust brown and also adds the Italian touch of richness.  A small drizzle before and after baking adds depth.

Why do Neapolitan pizzas taste so good?

It’s all about balance and simplicity. Each bite gives you the freshness of tomatoes, the richness of mozzarella, the fragrance of basil and the slight char and crunch from the oven. The crust is completely chewy and soft inside with few bubbles that give texture and flavour.

Can you make a Neapolitan pizza at home?

Absolutely. You don’t need a brick oven to get close to that authentic flavour. You can use a pizza stone or cast cast-iron skillet. They retain the heat well and also mimic the wood fire texture.

 You just need to set your oven to the highest temperature possible, that is 252 to 270°C. You can even buy sand marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. And you can truly feel the difference in the taste. Don’t overload your pizza with toppings. Less is always more.

Modern twists on Neapolitan pizzas

Many pizza places today are giving Neapolitan pizza a modern twist with fun variations like Neapolitan with truffle oil and spicy honey drizzle on Margarita, besides Neapolitan with burrata instead of mozzarella.

Neapolitan pizza versus other styles

Conclusion

Neapolitan pizza is not just food, it’s a tradition that’s been passed down through generations. It’s completely simple, beautiful and delicious. Whether you try it at an authentic pizzeria or attempt to make it at home, the pizza style will remind you that sometimes the most basic things in life are the most enjoyable.

 If you’re in the mood to stay home, allHungry offers handcrafted Neapolitan inspired pizzas delivered fresh to your door. Every slice is made with love, tradition and quality ingredients.