Australian Detroit-style Pizza: Deep End Pizza’s “The New Aussie”

Detroit-style pizza (DSP) has been on the scene since its inception back in the 1940s with its distinctive shape, thick, fluffy base and crispy, golden cheese “frico” crust (for more about style and other pan pizzas, read more here). At Ooni, we’re such huge fans that we created our own Detroit-style Pizza Pan, blending traditional design with modern technology to make these authentic and delicious pies at home. We also enlisted chefs, authors and pizzaioli from around the globe to put their own distinct spin on this classic. What would a DSP look like if it had originated in Scandinavia, France, Italy, the UK or beyond? We aimed to find out. Each offering is a creative, tasty rendition of this American pizza powerhouse.

Paul Kasten, owner and head chef of Deep End Pizza in Fitzroy (Melbourne), Australia, has long been a fan (and champion of) Detroit-style pizza. Born in the U.S., he’s been making Detroit pizzas for years, both at home and at Deep End, where they also serve New York thin crust and Chicago deep dish. 

When asked to reimagine this Motor City icon for an Australian audience, Paul wanted to create a funky new spin on a beloved local pizza, “The Aussie.” When that pizza – topped with ham, bacon and egg – was invented is hard to say, but who created it is not: Salvatore Della Bruna. Not only did Salvatore create a multicultural pizza, but he also reportedly opened Australia’s first pizza parlor (Toto’s Pizza House) in Melbourne in 1961. 

While Toto’s closed recently, the memory of The Aussie lives on – Paul’s version captures the essence of the original with a few modern twists and an emphasis on the toppings that define it. Instead of ham, for instance, he uses streaky bacon for extra smokiness. For even more smoky flavour, chipotle peppers are added to the tomato sauce. The sweetness of the roasted onions complements the flavours of the bacon and chipotle, and it’s all rounded out by velvety egg yolk. As a finishing touch, drizzles of chimichurri (a herby and vinegary condiment from Argentina) adds freshness and acidity to cut through the richness of the pizza.

The finished pizza is brown and bubbly with crispy bacon and spring onions, and the cheesy frico is deeply golden and crunchy. Inspired by Detroit, with the heart of Australia and just a dash of Argentina, this new Aussie pizza will take your taste buds to the delicious deep end.

Want to try more twists on the classic Detroit-style pizzas? Check out our classic Detroit recipes, or click below for other DSP-inspired recipes from around the world! 


Australian Detroit-style Pizza: Deep End Pizza’s “The New Aussie”

Note

This recipe takes time. For the best-tasting pizza dough, set aside 3 to 4 hours for dough prep and around 12 hours for the cold proof before you begin cooking. Paul likes to parbake the dough and store it in the fridge overnight for extra flavorful results. If you want something less involved, you can use a classic Detroit-style dough base or our Detroit-style pizza dough mix instead. If using Ooni’s Detroit-style Pizza Pan, do not exceed 370 °C (700 °F).

For the dough

1. Combine the flour and yeast in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.

(If using instant dry yeast, combine this first with the flour. Dissolve in the water first if using fresh or active dry yeast.) Add the water to the mix, followed by the salt. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed until shaggy but just combined, about 3 minutes.

Tip: If you don't have a stand mixer, mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon or your hands, then knead by hand until a smooth dough forms, about 15 minutes.

Two hands holding Detroit-style pizza dough over a bowl on a table next to dishes of onions, bacon, tomatoes, salt, cheddar and chimichurri.

2. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and rest for 30 minutes.

Mix again until a smooth dough is achieved. Place the dough into a lightly oiled and sealed container and refrigerate overnight (or up to 72 hours). 

3. The next day, lightly coat your pizza pan with oil.

(If you have 2 pans, you can do this for both pizzas.) Remove the dough from the fridge. Use your dough scraper and a digital scale to divide the dough into two 570-gram portions. With wet hands, press the dough out toward the edges of the pan, starting at the centre. The dough will pull back a bit, but filling the pan at this stage is not important. Put the lid on the pan and place it in a warm spot around the house or outside to proof for 2 to 3 hours.

4. Combine the grated mozzarella and cheddar.

When the dough has filled the base of the pan and risen about ½ inch (1.5 centimetres), cover the edges with about 50 grams of cheese. This will create the “frico” or cheesy, crusty crown.

5. Optional parbake: Fire up your oven and allow it to preheat for 15 to 20 minutes.

Optional parbake: Fire up your oven and allow it to preheat for 15 to 20 minutes. Aim for 300 °C (570 °F) on your pizza stone. You can check this quickly, accurately and from a safe distance with an infrared thermometer. If using a Volt, turn the heat knob to the bottom-only position and put the pan into the oven. Parbake the dough, uncovered, for 7 minutes until it shows signs of browning. Using oven gloves, remove it from the oven, put the lid on and place it on a baking rack to cool. Once cooled, the dough can be removed from the pan using a spatula. Tightly wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature until you’re ready to cook. 

Tip: If you only want one pizza or prefer to save the dough for later, it will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

For the roasted onions

1. Preheat your home oven to 200 °C (390 °F).

Peel and halve the onions, then cut each half into quarters. Toss with olive oil and salt. Bake for about 50 minutes in a skillet or roasting pan tightly wrapped in foil. The onions should be cooked to look almost transparent and soft but not brown. Remove from the oven, pack into a sealed container and refrigerate until needed. 

Tip: About 40 minutes into the onion’s bake, prep and cook the bacon to save time and heat!

For the bacon

1. Place 500 grams of streaky bacon strips onto a parchment-lined baking tray.

Place in the oven with onions and bake for 7 to 8 minutes. (The bacon should be releasing some fat but not starting to brown – it will cook and crisp up more when placed on top of the pizza.)

2. Remove from the oven, drain the fat into a bowl and set aside.

You should have about 60 grams of fat reserved.

3. Once cooled, cut the bacon into 2-centimetre (¾-inch) pieces and refrigerate until needed.

When the bacon fat has cooled, mix it with about 60 grams of softened, unsalted butter. Set aside.

For the egg yolk purée

1. Place the egg yolks in the blender and blend on high speed for 4 to 5 minutes.

Add in the salt and cold water, blend for 1 minute, then pour the mixture into a piping bag and refrigerate until needed. 

Tip: If you don’t have a blender, cook the eggs in boiling water for 6 minutes. Once cooled, peel and separate the soft yolks from the whites. Press the yolks through a fine strainer twice to remove any lumps. In a bowl, add the yolks and stir in the salt and water. Pour the mixture into a piping bag and refrigerate until needed. 

For the tomato sauce

1. Combine all ingredients, mix well, and store in a bowl or squeeze bottle in the refrigerator.

Set aside until ready to cook your pizzas.

For the spring onion chimichurri

1. Combine all ingredients, mix well, and store in a bowl or squeeze bottle in the refrigerator.

Set aside until ready to cook your pizzas.

For the assembly

1. Pull all of your toppings from the fridge.

Fire up your oven and allow it to preheat for 15 to 20 minutes. Aim for 300 °C (570 °F) on your pizza stone. You can check this quickly, accurately and from a safe distance with an infrared thermometer.

2. Liberally brush the pan with about 60 grams of the butter and bacon fat mixture.

Place the dough into the pan and top with 450 grams of the cheese mixture to the edges. Drain any excess liquid from the onions and cover the dough in an even layer, about 400 grams, followed by 250 grams of the bacon pieces. 

Two hands placing gratted mozzarella and cheddar over dough in an Ooni Detroit-style Pizza Pan on a table next to a dish of shredded cheese and a plate of cheddar.

3. If using a Volt, adjust settings to bottom heat only, place the pan into the oven and close the door.

Set the timer for 16 minutes. Using your oven gloves, remove the pizza from the oven. At this point, the cheese should be starting to brown and bubble, and the bacon should be nearly crisp.

4. Using the back of a spoon, spread 290 grams of the sauce over the pizza.

Return the pizza to the oven. (If using a Volt, turn the balance dial to the right, so all the heat comes from the top heating element.) Cook for 2 minutes, then remove it from the oven.

One hand spooning chimichurri over a cooked Australian Detroit-style pizza with cheddar, mozzarella, roasted onions, bacon and egg yolk purée in an Ooni Detroit-style Pizza Pan on a table.

5. Let the pizza rest for a few minutes before removing it from the pan with a spatula.

Top the pizza with half of the egg yolk purée and 3 to 4 tablespoons (45 to 60 grams) of chimichurri.

6. Cut, serve and enjoy! Repeat the steps for the remaining pizza, if applicable.