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 this 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. 

They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and when it comes to Detroit-style pizza, this (very German) interpretation from chef and recipe developer Jelena Lozo (@der_kulinarische_donnerstag) is no exception. Jelena had a hunch that some favourite German ingredients (and one famous dish) could be just as scrumptious as the Motor City classic. 

The beloved star of this recipe, currywurst, is a sliced sausage dish usually covered in a spicy tomato sauce that’s become a German favourite for over 50 years. Much like Detroit-style pizza, how exactly currywurst was invented is hard to pin down. According to Tom Burson for National Geographic, “The most common iteration of currywurst’s origin story, though, is that on a rainy September night in 1949, snack-bar owner Herta Heuwer concocted the dish out of pure luck — and boredom — in her Berlin kitchen.” With a blend of chilli powder, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, the condiment, dish and name came onto the scene officially in 1959.

Jelena puts her own spin on the sauce with a blend of tomatoes, curry powder, Tabasco, onions, honey and balsamic vinegar for an extra kick. German bratwurst (a mildly spiced sausage usually made from pork and sometimes veal or beef) replaces the pepperoni, and a mixture of butterkäse (a savoury, creamy, semi-soft cheese) and Gouda is sprinkled generously over the pizza before baking. 

True to the original Detroit-style pizza which was baked in a blue steel industrial utility tray, Jelena bakes her pie in a Detroit-style pizza pan. This helps keep the dough soft and airy while also maintaining its distinct rectangular shape. 

The curry sauce racing stripes over the cheese are a visual connection between Germany (birthplace of Mercedes-Benz) and Detroit (deemed the “automobile capital of the world” thanks to Henry Ford and the assembly line). Savoury, tasty and slightly spicy, this Detroit-style currywurst pizza hits all the right notes. 

Want to try more twists on the classic Detroit-style pizzas? Check out our classic Detroit recipes.

• UK Detroit-style Pizza: Cheesy Beans on Toast
• Scandinavian Detroit-style Pizza: Lørdagspizza
• Canadian Detroit-style Sourdough Pizza: Bloody Caesar
• Italian Detroit-style Pizza: Pepperoni with Pecorino and Provola Silana
• French Detroit-style Dessert Pizza: Tarte-Tatin
• Australian Detroit-style Pizza: Deep End Pizza’s “The New Aussie”