Most people think of pizza in terms of the mainstream Italian traditions, with thin, crispy Neapolitan pies or very foldable New York slices. Greek pizza, however, could be considered a new spin on a ubiquitous dish, with its toppings, style of preparation, and deliciously different texture.

Greek Pizza Defined

Greek pizza is an American style created by waves of Greek immigrants who brought their techniques with them. Rather than cooking directly in the stone or oven, the thick and airy Greek pizza is cooked in a well-oiled pan, creating a golden crust that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Notable Features of Greek Pizza

1. Pan-Cooked Crust—Greek pizza dough is normally stretched and pressed into a heavily oiled pan, ensuring a crispy bottom crust and a heftier-textured crust than a typical Italian pie.
2. Tangy Tomato Sauce—Greek pizza sauce tends to have a stronger oregano and garlic flavor, sometimes with more than a hint of sweetness.
3. The blend of Cheeses—Greek pizza uses a blend of cheeses instead of just mozzarella, offering a richer flavor, which can include cheddar and provolone, and thus ends with a much richer taste.
4. Toppings—Some traditional Greek ingredients, such as feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, onions, and spinach, can be used as toppings on pizza, as can more orthodox toppings. 

The Unique Qualities of Greek Pizza

• Cooking Technique: While Greek pizza is baked in a pan, it offers a buttery undertone with both crisp and fluffy texture, unlike wood-fired or stone-baked pizza.
• Exclusive Flavor of Sauce: Sauces that are Greek-style emphasize Mediterranean herbs, which render a contrast to Italian-style tomato sauces through their little sweetness.
• Cheese Variety: While Italian pizza mainly incorporates mozzarella, Greek pizza blends different cheeses giving its taste.

Popular Greek Pizza Varieties

1. Classic Greek Pizza – A blend of feta cheese, mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, and oregano.
2. Spinach and Feta Pizza – This pizza is baked with fresh spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and a sauce made from garlic-infused tomato.
3. Greek Meat Lovers – Contains gyro meat, sausage, and a variety of Mediterranean spices.

Why One Should Try Greek Pizza

Greek pizza could be a great alternative for those who like to enjoy pizza but want something with a slightly different texture and flavor. Because of its pan-cooked crust, flavorful sauce, and a blend of cheeses, it is certainly very appetizing—merging Mediterranean nature with traditional American pizza.

Another great twist on tradition that you’ve been missing if you haven’t had Greek pizza whether from a Greek pizzeria or made from home, is bound to find its place as a new favorite.