Authentic Pizza Hut Pan Pizza (Printable version)
Golden thick crust with soft chewy interior and perfectly melted cheese topping
# Ingredient list:
→ Dough
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 g)
02 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (7 g)
03 - 1 ½ tsp sugar
04 - 1 ½ tsp salt
05 - 1 cup warm water (240 ml, 110°F)
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (28 g) for greasing pans
→ Sauce
08 - 1 cup canned tomato sauce (240 ml)
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - ½ tsp dried basil
11 - ½ tsp garlic powder
12 - ½ tsp onion powder
13 - ½ tsp sugar
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Toppings
15 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (200 g)
16 - 20-24 slices pepperoni or preferred toppings
17 - 1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml) for brushing crust
# Directions:
01 - Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water in a small bowl. Let stand until foamy, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Pour in activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a rough dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm location for 1 hour until doubled in size.
05 - Generously grease two 9-inch round cake pans with softened butter. Brush bottom with a small amount of olive oil for enhanced crispiness.
06 - Punch down dough and divide into 2 equal portions. Press each portion evenly into prepared pans, pushing dough slightly up the sides to form edges.
07 - Cover pans and let dough rest for 10-15 minutes to relax.
08 - Preheat oven to 450°F.
09 - Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
10 - Spread half the sauce evenly on each crust. Distribute mozzarella cheese over sauce. Arrange pepperoni or desired toppings on top.
11 - Brush exposed crust edges with olive oil.
12 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
13 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crust achieves that legendary fried bottom and pillowy interior without any special equipment
- The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours
- Two medium pizzas mean everyone can customize their own perfect combination
02 -
- The softened butter in the pan is non negotiable, it creates the fried crust effect that makes this recipe worth making
- Letting the dough rest in the pan before topping prevents it from shrinking back while you work
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the butter from seizing up when you mix the dough
03 -
- Mix the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator for deeper flavor development
- Pre-sharp your pizza cutter or use kitchen shears for the cleanest cuts through the thick crust