Montanara Pizza Recipe
Montanara pizza is a delicious, deep-fried Neapolitan street food with a crispy, golden crust topped with rich marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. It's a unique twist on traditional pizza, offering a perfect blend of crunch and chew.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1.5 cups warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the Marinara Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can 28 oz San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves
- For the Toppings:
- Fresh mozzarella preferably Mozzarella di Bufala
- Fresh basil
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil, then knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for 2 hours until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the Marinara Sauce:
- While the dough rises, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add fresh basil at the end.
- Shape and Fry the Dough:
- After the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a circle about 8 inches in diameter.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry each dough circle for 2 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on each fried dough circle. Add shredded mozzarella and fresh basil on top.
- Place the pizzas on a pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Ensure the oil is at the right temperature (around 375°F) when frying the dough to avoid it becoming soggy.
Use a pizza stone for an extra crispy base when baking.
You can add extra toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms if you like.
Use a pizza stone for an extra crispy base when baking.
You can add extra toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms if you like.