If you have ever eaten pizza in a New York or New Jersey tavern you already know the charm of a true bar pie. It is thin almost cracker like on the edges baked in a pan brushed with oil loaded with cheese right up to the rim and finished with a simple but bold sauce. Bar pizza is not floppy or doughy like a big New York slice and it is not thick or heavy like deep dish. It is light crisp salty cheesy and extremely addictive.
I have been making bar pizza at home for years because it is one of those styles that feels special but is actually very easy once you understand the method. You do not need a pizza oven or fancy equipment. A simple round pan a hot oven and a few pantry ingredients are enough to create an authentic tavern style pizza with that classic brown bubbly caramelized cheese all the way to the edges.
This is the full step by step guide to make real NY NJ bar pizza at home from the dough to the sauce to the cheese blend. I will walk you through all the small tricks that make the crust extra crispy and the flavor deep and nostalgic.
Ingredients and Measurements
Below is everything you need for one large bar pie. You can double or triple the recipe if you want to make more.
For the dough
All purpose flour 2 cups
Warm water 3 by 4 cup
Instant yeast 1 teaspoon
Sugar 1 teaspoon
Salt 1 teaspoon
Olive oil 2 tablespoons
For the sauce
Crushed tomatoes 1 cup
Olive oil 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic 1 teaspoon
Salt 1 by 2 teaspoon
Sugar 1 by 2 teaspoon
Dried oregano 1 teaspoon
Dried basil 1 by 2 teaspoon
Black pepper 1 by 4 teaspoon
Red pepper flakes optional 1 pinch
For the cheese topping
Low moisture whole milk mozzarella shredded 2 cups
Grated parmesan 2 tablespoons
Grated pecorino optional 1 tablespoon
For the pan
Olive oil 2 to 3 tablespoons for brushing the pan so the crust fries and becomes crispy
How to Make NY NJ Tavern Style Bar Pizza Step by Step
Step 1 Prepare the dough
Bar pizza dough is different from Neapolitan or New York style pizza dough. It is softer easier to stretch and intentionally made for pan baking. The goal is a dough that is thin and flexible with enough strength to crisp up under high heat.
Add warm water yeast and sugar to a bowl. Mix and let it rest 5 minutes until the yeast dissolves.
Add flour salt and olive oil.
Mix until a rough dough forms then knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth.
Lightly oil a bowl place the dough inside cover and let it rise for 60 to 90 minutes until almost doubled.
This dough does not need a thirty six hour ferment like classic pizza. One hour is enough because bar pizza is not supposed to be airy or bubbly. It is supposed to be thin and crisp.
Step 2 Prepare the sauce
Tavern style pizza sauce is very simple and does not need cooking on the stove. Mix everything in a bowl until smooth. The garlic oregano and small amount of sugar give it that old school pizzeria taste.
Taste the sauce. It should be slightly tangy salty and full of flavor because the crust is thin and you want enough sauce to balance the cheese.
Step 3 Prepare the pan
This is one of the secrets to a perfect bar pie.
Take a round metal pan. A ten to twelve inch pan is perfect.
Brush the entire bottom and sides with a generous layer of olive oil. Do not be shy with the oil. The oil helps the crust fry against the pan which creates the signature crispy bottom and caramelized edges.
Step 4 Shape the dough
Punch down the risen dough.
Place the ball inside the oiled pan.
Use your fingers to push the dough from the center to the edges.
Keep pushing and stretching until the dough reaches the rim.
If it snaps back let it rest ten minutes then continue.
The goal is an even thin layer with no thick parts.
Step 5 Add the sauce
Spread a light thin layer of sauce. Bar pizza does not use too much sauce. It should be just enough to cover the dough without making it soggy.
Step 6 Add the cheese
This is the most important part of bar pizza.
Spread the mozzarella all the way to the very edge. Do not leave a crust border.
The cheese at the edges will melt then caramelize and create the famous crispy cheese ring.
Sprinkle parmesan and pecorino over the top.
Optionally add your toppings but remember bar style pizzas are usually simple. Cheese pizza pepperoni pizza and sausage pizza are the classic versions.
Step 7 Bake the pizza
Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible. Most home ovens reach between 475 and 550 degrees.
Place the pan on the lowest rack to help the bottom become crisp.
Bake for 12 to 16 minutes depending on your oven.
The cheese should be bubbling with brown spots and the edges should look fried and golden.
Let the pizza rest for five minutes before slicing so the cheese settles and the crust firms up.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Bar Pizza
Use plenty of oil in the pan The crust needs to fry
Do not stretch the dough outside the pan Always stretch inside the pan
Use low moisture mozzarella for the best melt
Spread cheese to the very edge no crust border
Bake on the lowest oven rack for a crisp bottom
Let the pizza cool slightly before cutting
Use a pizza cutter to slice into squares or diamonds for true bar style
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a pizza stone or pizza oven
No. Bar pizza is made in a pan so a regular home oven works perfectly.
Why so much oil
The oil helps the dough fry and creates the crispy edges that define bar pizza.
Can I use fresh mozzarella
No. Fresh mozzarella has too much moisture. Only low moisture mozzarella gives the correct bar pie texture.
Can I make the dough ahead of time
Yes you can refrigerate it overnight. It will become even easier to stretch.
What size pan works best
A ten or twelve inch pan gives the perfect balance of thin crust and crispy edges.
Final Thoughts
Bar pizza is one of the easiest and most satisfying styles of homemade pizza. It requires no special equipment and no advanced techniques. Everything happens inside one simple pan yet the flavor is bold nostalgic and incredibly comforting. The thin dough the cheese to the edge the crispy fried bottom and the rich old school sauce all work together to create a pizza that feels like it came straight from a New Jersey tavern.
Once you try making bar pizza at home you will want to make it again and again. It is the perfect weeknight pizza and the perfect party pizza. You can customize it add any topping or keep it classic with cheese.
See Also: Best Authentic Pizza Sauce Recipe for Homemade Italian Pizza
