What is New Haven-Style Pizza? Everything You Need To Know
New Haven-style pizza is one of the most loved but still underrated types of pizza in the United States. It’s a little thin, chewy, and the little chart on the bottom is made from a coal-fired oven.
It’s different from New York style and way different from deep dish. And if you have not tried it, then you are truly missing out on something really nice.
Where did New Heaven-style pizza come from?
The unique pizza style was born in New Haven, CT, in the early 1900s. It was created by Italian immigrants who brought their passion for pizza to America.
The most famous places that serve it? Frank Pepe’s pizzeria napoletana and Sally’s pizza. They are still going strong. Some people even travel across the US just to try the crispy coal-fired goodness.
What makes New Haven pizza so special?
- The crust is completely thin but not floppy. It’s a chewy, crispy crust and charred on the edges on purpose. The char is from the coal-fired oven. The coal-fired oven basically reaches up to 650 to 700°F, which gives the pizza a signature charred finish.
- Just like Neapolitan pizza, New Haven pizza is made with crushed tomato sauce, grated pecorino Romano cheese and optional mozzarella. You can expect olive oil, garlic and fresh toppings. The best part is that when you order a plain pizza in New Haven, you’ll just get tomato sauce, no cheese
- Traditional New Haven pizzerias use fresh-sliced mozzarella or hand-grated stuff; they do not use any processed stuff.
- The best part is the coal ovens. They burn hot and dry, giving the crust a crunch that unmistakable smoky flavour.
Popular toppings on New Haven-style pizza
The style doesn’t go overboard with toppings. Instead, you need to keep things simple and flavorful. Some local favourites that you can try include in New Haven style pizza are mozzarella pie, sausage and peppers, besides fresh garlic and mushrooms and onions.
Why is it called Apizza?
Apizza comes from the Neapolitan dialect of Italian. When Italians from Naples came to the US, they brought not just their recipes but also their accents.
So this pizza became apizza. Undoubtedly, it’s a small detail, but it’s a very big part of what makes the New Haven style really unique.
New Haven vs Other Pizza Styles
| Pizza Style | Crust | Oven Type | Cheese Type | Cooking Time |
| New Haven-Style | Thin, charred, chewy | Coal-fired | Optional mozzarella | 5–8 minutes |
| New York-Style | Thin, foldable | Gas deck oven | Shredded mozzarella | 7–10 minutes |
| Neapolitan-Style | Soft, puffy edges | Wood-fired | Fresh mozzarella | 90 seconds |
| Chicago Deep Dish | Thick, buttery | Gas oven | Lots of mozzarella | 30+ minutes |
Can you make a New Haven pizza at home?
Yes and no both. You probably don’t have a coal-fired oven in your kitchen. But you can still get close with the right tools and ingredients. You must always use a pizza stone for a cast-iron pan because this will help you recreate the crispy base.
Crank your oven to the highest temperature, which is around 260°C. You must use minimum fresh toppings like tomato, garlic mozzarella if you want and some olive oil. Don’t overload your pizza, just keep the centre thin and the crust slightly crisp.
How to eat New Haven-style pizza like a local?
If you are going to try New Haven-style pizza, you should eat it the way the locals do.
Firstly, start with plain Apizza. It’s just tomato sauce, oregano, olive oil and maybe a little grated cheese, but it lets the crust shine.
Locals often order a plain pie first to appreciate the base flavours.
The crust is crispy and chewy but still flexible enough to fold. You can fold it like New York style or just eat it flat and enjoy the crunch.
Ask anyone from New Haven they will recommend drinking Foxon Park soda with your pizza. The white Birch or Gassosa flavours are local favourites.
Well share your pizza as Typical New Haven pizzas are 12 to 16 inches, cut into irregular slices.
You can also order a few pies and try different toppings with friends or family.
Can New Haven pizza work for vegans and gluten-free diets?
Absolutely. Traditional pizza is made with wheat flour and optional mozzarella; many pizzerias offer custom options for modern eaters. Some vegan-friendly toppings include tomato sauce, fresh veggies like mushrooms, spinach and onions, olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes and vegan mozzarella available at select locations.
While coal-fired crusts are traditionally made with wheat flour, a lot of places today offer gluten-free bases that also mimic the crispiness and flavour of the original.
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Conclusion
New Haven-style pizza may not be as famous as New York or Chicago, but it’s one of the most authentic, bold and flavour-packed styles out there.
Whether you are a crust lover, a tomato sauce fan or just someone hungry, this style deserves a spot on your plate.
Just head to allHungry and order your favourite pizzas with the click of a button.
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