7 Essential Tips For Perfecting Homemade Pizza Toppings

Homemade pizza has a special place in our hearts (and stomachs). Honestly, there is something undeniably satisfying about crafting a pizza from scratch, from kneading the dough to selecting the perfect combination of toppings.™

Aside from its delicious taste, homemade pizza lets us alter each dish to suit our personal preferences, whether that means loading up on veggies or choosing a variety of meats and cheeses. However, as easy and fun as it may sound to eat, it is important to pay attention to the finer details-especially toppings. Intrigued? Here are 7 mistakes to avoid with your pizza toppings.

Overloading your homemade pizza with toppings can ruin its final taste.
Photo Credit: iStock

Here Are 7 Mistakes To Avoid With Your Homemade Pizza Toppings:

1. Overloading

One of the most common mistakes you can make with your homemade pizza toppings is overloading it with too many toppings. While it may look tempting at first, excess toppings can weigh down the crust, leading to a soggy mess, especially with high-moisture veggies like mushrooms. Limit toppings to 2-3 on thin crusts and 3-4 on thick ones to ensure even distribution for balanced flavour. Make sure not to cover every inch of your pizza crust with toppings to ensure each flavour shines through.

2. Using Wet Ingredients

Wet ingredients like fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, or pineapple contain a lot of moisture, which can ultimately make your homemade pizza soggy if not precooked or properly drained. To avoid this, pat wet toppings with a paper towel or saute them briefly before adding them to the pizza.

3. Overloading With Cheese

Even though the gooey cheese is undeniably a pizza’s highlight, overdoing it can ruin your eating experience. Overloading cheese not only disrupts the slice’s ingredients but also leads to excess grease over and around it. Instead of doing this, opt for a measured approach, making sure that cheese has sufficient coverage without drowning the pizza. Remember, cheese melts and spreads during baking, which means there is no need to overload your pizza with it.Make sure not to overfill your pizza toppings with shredded cheese.
Photo Credit: iStock

4. Not Precooking Dense Toppings

Dense toppings such as raw sausage, salami, or thick-cut vegetables may not cook through completely by the time the pizza crust is done. To ensure even cooking of your pizza, precook these toppings before adding them to the pizza. This would also ensure there’s less fat, preventing a greasy pizza.

5. Using Any Ingredient As Topping

While making homemade pizza, placing and choosing the toppings is the key. Each ingredient cooks differently and requires different amounts of heat. Cooking in a hurry can result in uneven cooking, leading to a ruined pizza experience. When layering with toppings, make sure to consider the thickness, moisture, and cooking status of the pizza. For delicate ingredients that are prone to burning, like basil, tuck them under the cheese. Follow with precooked toppings, then raw ones.

6. Neglecting Seasoning

The toppings should be seasoned well to enhance the flavour of your homemade pizza. Don’t forget to season each layer as you assemble the pizza. Sprinkle salt, pepper, dried herbs, spices, and even sauces of your choice over the toppings you have selected for your pizza to add depth of flavour to the finished dish.

Do you bake pizza at home? Let us know in the comments below!