Frequently asked questions

The most popular pizza in America is Pepperoni Pizza. This classic choice features tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and plenty of spicy, crispy pepperoni slices. It’s by far the most-ordered pizza across the U.S., beloved for its bold flavor and simplicity.

Here are some other popular pizza types in America:

1. Cheese Pizza - A straightforward classic with tomato sauce and lots of mozzarella cheese. It’s popular among all ages and serves as a base for countless toppings.

2. Sausage Pizza - Featuring Italian sausage, this pizza offers a hearty, savory flavor that’s especially popular in regions with strong Italian-American influences.

3. Supreme Pizza - Loaded with a mix of pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, onions, and black olives, the Supreme pizza brings together a variety of flavors in each slice.

4. BBQ Chicken Pizza - Often topped with barbecue sauce, grilled chicken, red onions, and sometimes bacon or cilantro, this pizza has a sweet, smoky flavor popular in many parts of the U.S.

5. Hawaiian Pizza - With ham and pineapple, this sweet and savory option has its own strong following (and some equally strong opposition).

Regional styles, like New York-style (large, thin, and foldable slices) and Chicago deep-dish (thick, pie-like crust), also have huge fan bases and influence popular orders across the country.

The best way to reheat pizza is by using a skillet or oven to get a crispy crust and melted cheese without making it soggy. Here are a few top methods:

1. Skillet Method (Stovetop):
   

   • Place a slice in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

   • Heat for 2 minutes to crisp the crust.

   • Add a few drops of water to the skillet (not directly on the pizza) and cover with a lid. This steams the pizza slightly to melt the cheese.

   • Heat for another 1-2 minutes, then remove and enjoy a perfectly reheated slice with a crispy crust.

1. Oven Method:
   

   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

   • Place pizza on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack for a crispier result.

   • Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is warm and crispy.

1. Air Fryer Method:
   

   • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

   • Place a slice in the air fryer basket.

   • Heat for 3-4 minutes until the pizza is heated through.

These methods help maintain the original texture and flavor better than the microwave, which can make the crust rubbery.

The number of calories in a slice of pizza depends on the size, crust type, and toppings, but here are some general estimates:

1. Cheese Pizza (Regular crust, 14-inch pizza):
   

   • A slice has about 250-300 calories.

1. Pepperoni Pizza (Regular crust, 14-inch pizza):
   

   • A slice has about 300-350 calories.

1. Vegetable Pizza (Regular crust, 14-inch pizza):
   

   • A slice has about 200-280 calories.

1. Thin-Crust Cheese Pizza (14-inch pizza):
   

   • A slice has around 200-250 calories due to less dough.

1. Deep-Dish or Stuffed Crust Pizza:
   

   • These can have 400-600 calories per slice because of the extra dough, cheese, and toppings.

Calories vary based on the exact recipe and portion sizes, so homemade or specialty pizzas might differ from these averages.

There are many different styles of pizza, each with unique characteristics in crust, toppings, and baking techniques. Here are some of the most popular styles:

1. Neapolitan Pizza:
   

   • Originating in Naples, Italy, this is the classic Italian pizza with a soft, thin crust that’s lightly charred. It's topped simply with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. Neapolitan pizza is known for its delicate, airy crust and is traditionally cooked in a wood-fired oven.

1. New York-Style Pizza:
   

   • Known for its large, thin, and foldable slices, New York-style pizza has a chewy yet crispy crust. It’s typically topped with mozzarella and a tangy tomato sauce and is often sold by the slice.

1. Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza:
   

   • A hearty pizza with a thick, buttery crust that lines a deep pan, filled with layers of cheese, meats, vegetables, and chunky tomato sauce. This pizza is more like a pie and is often eaten with a knife and fork.

1. Sicilian Pizza:
   

   • A thick, rectangular pizza with a spongy, focaccia-like crust. It’s topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and sometimes other toppings. Sicilian pizza has a soft interior with a crispy, golden bottom.

1. Detroit-Style Pizza:
   

   • Baked in a square pan, this pizza has a thick, airy crust that’s crispy on the edges. Cheese is spread all the way to the edges to create a caramelized border, and it’s topped with sauce last, giving it a unique look and flavor.

1. California-Style Pizza:
   

   • Known for its creative toppings, this pizza features a thin crust and unconventional ingredients like artichokes, avocado, goat cheese, or smoked salmon. The focus is on fresh and seasonal ingredients.

1. St. Louis-Style Pizza:
   

   • This pizza has a very thin, cracker-like crust and is cut into square pieces. It’s traditionally topped with Provel cheese (a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone) which gives it a distinctive taste.

1. Greek Pizza:
   

   • With a thicker, puffier crust than New York-style but not as thick as Chicago deep-dish, Greek pizza is baked in a pan with oil, giving it a crispy, almost fried edge. It’s often topped with ingredients like olives, feta cheese, and oregano.

1. Flatbread Pizza:
   

   • Made with a thin, crisp flatbread as the base, this pizza is lighter and often topped with a variety of fresh ingredients. It’s popular for its versatility and as an appetizer option.

1. Grandma Pizza:
   

   • A variation of Sicilian pizza, Grandma pizza is square, thin, and cooked in an olive-oil-coated pan. It’s typically topped with mozzarella, tomatoes, and sometimes fresh basil, giving it a fresh, homemade flavor.

These styles showcase the incredible versatility of pizza and allow for countless flavor and texture experiences across regions and preferences.

Pizza as we know it today originated in Naples, Italy. The modern pizza with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings was invented in the late 18th or early 19th century by Italian bakers who started adding tomatoes to flatbreads. Tomatoes were a relatively new ingredient in Europe at the time, and initially, people believed they were poisonous. But in Naples, they became a popular topping for flatbreads, and this combination evolved into the pizza we recognize today.

One famous story credits Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan pizza maker, with creating a version of pizza in 1889 to honor Queen Margherita of Italy. He crafted a pizza with ingredients representing the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This pizza, known as the Margherita, became iconic and helped spread the popularity of pizza outside of Naples.

While flatbreads topped with various ingredients were eaten in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece, the Neapolitan-style pizza from Italy is what truly evolved into the popular dish known as pizza today.

Pineapple on Pizza

Whether pineapple on pizza is good is a matter of personal preference, and it’s one of the most hotly debated topics in the pizza world!

Here are some perspectives on both sides:

Why People Love Pineapple on Pizza

• Sweet and Savory Flavor: The combination of sweet pineapple with savory ham or bacon creates a unique flavor contrast that many people enjoy.

• Tropical Twist: Pineapple brings a fresh, fruity taste that can make a pizza feel lighter and more refreshing.

• Texture: The juicy pineapple pieces add a soft, sweet bite that complements the crispy crust and melted cheese.

Why People Dislike Pineapple on Pizza

• Too Sweet for Savory Pizza: Some people feel that fruit, especially one as sweet as pineapple, doesn’t belong on a savory pizza.

• Texture Contrast: Pineapple’s juicy texture can feel out of place for those who prefer a traditional, crispy pizza experience.

• Non-Traditional Topping: Traditionalists may dislike pineapple because it’s not part of classic Italian pizza recipes.

Ultimately, it’s all about personal taste. If you enjoy sweet-and-savory combinations, you might love pineapple on pizza. If you prefer a strictly savory pizza, you may want to skip it.