This Fried Pizza recipe transforms your regular pizza night into an exciting culinary adventure. It features homemade creamy ricotta cheese and a simple, yet delicious dough that fries up to a perfect golden crisp. Topped with mozzarella, mortadella, and fresh basil, it’s an indulgent twist on classic pizza.
Why You’ll Love This: Frying the pizza dough results in a crispy, yet fluffy texture that’s unlike any traditional baked pizza. The homemade ricotta is fresh, creamy, and elevates the flavor profile. This recipe is perfect for those looking to experiment with new cooking techniques and enjoy a unique twist on a beloved classic.
For the Ricotta:
- Whole Milk (non-pasteurized): ½ gallon
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- White Vinegar: ¼ cup
- Lemon Juice: 2 tbsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
For the Dough:
- Water: 1 1/3 cups
- Instant Dry Yeast: 2 1/4 tsp
- Granulated Sugar: 1 tsp
- Olive Oil: 3 tbsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Flour: 4 cups
For the Pizza:
- Homemade Ricotta: ¾ cup
- Shredded Mozzarella: 1 ½ cups
- Fresh Mozzarella (cubed): 6 tbsp
- Mortadella (beef or pork, cubed): ¾ cup
- Fresh Basil
Instructions:
- Ricotta Preparation:
- Heat milk and cream to 190°F. Mix vinegar, lemon juice, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Remove milk from heat, stir in the vinegar mix, return to heat until 190°F.
- Let sit covered for 5-10 mins until curdled.
- Strain through cheesecloth-lined strainer, pressing out excess water. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Dough Preparation:
- Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water (1 cup), let sit until fluffy.
- Mix flour, remaining water, yeast mix, oil, sugar, and salt. Knead for 4-5 mins.
- Let rest covered for 30 mins, punch down and knead for 5-7 mins. Rest until doubled in size.
- Divide into six balls, let rise again on a floured baking sheet.
- Assembling the Pizzas:
- Roll out dough balls into 7-inch circles. Fill with ricotta, mozzarella, mortadella, and basil.
- Fold and seal edges firmly.
- Heat oil to 350°F and fry each pizza until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve hot.
This fried pizza is an exciting twist on your traditional pizza, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Enjoy the crunch of the crust with the creamy richness of homemade ricotta and melty cheese, complemented by the savory mortadella and fresh basil.
