Neapolitan Pizza

Neapolitan pizza is defined by extremes: 800-900°F heat, 60-90 second bake times, and an almost aggressive commitment to simplicity. The dough is made from just 00 flour, water, salt, and yeast — highly hydrated and cold-fermented for at least 24 hours. The result is a blistered, leopard-spotted cornicione (rim) with a soft, almost soupy center.

This style demands restraint. The crust can only support a light topping load, which means every ingredient has to justify its place. High-moisture cheeses like fior di latte and buffalo mozzarella are traditional — low-moisture cheese doesn't behave correctly in a 90-second bake. Sauces are applied raw. Post-bake finishes like fresh basil, prosciutto, and arugula are common.

Set the generator to Neapolitan below and explore what our pairing engine recommends within the style's constraints — you might be surprised by how many great combinations fit within a light topping load.

Quick Facts

Origin
Naples, Italy
Oven Temp
800–900°F
Bake Time
60–90 seconds
Topping Load
light

Highly hydrated 00-flour dough, wood-fired at 800°F+ for 60–90 seconds. Blistered, airy cornicione with a soft, pliable center. The delicate base works best with a light topping load.

Best Toppings for Neapolitan Pizza

Cheeses

Buffalo Mozzarella

Lush water-buffalo mozzarella with a richer tang and creamier bite than cow's-milk versions.

Burrata

A pouch of mozzarella filled with stracciatella cream, split open post-bake for maximum indulgence.

Provolone

Semi-hard Italian cheese with a sharp, slightly smoky tang that complements bold toppings.

Smoked Mozzarella

Naturally smoked mozzarella with a golden rind and a woodsy, campfire-like depth.

Sauces

Chimichurri

Bright, herby Argentinian sauce of parsley, oregano, garlic, and vinegar that cuts through rich toppings.

Ranch

Creamy, herb-loaded ranch dressing used as a pizza sauce base — a staple of American-style comfort pies.

San Marzano Tomato

Classic crushed San Marzano tomatoes with bright acidity and natural sweetness — the gold standard for pizza sauce.

Basil/Arugula Pesto

Vibrant basil and pine nut pesto with Parmigiano, delivering herbaceous richness as a sauce base.

Proteins

Chicken Tikka

Tandoori-marinated chicken pieces that bring warm spice and smoky char to fusion-style pizzas.

Build Your Own Neapolitan Pizza

The generator is set to Neapolitan Pizza mode. Customize your flavor preferences and let the engine handle the rest.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature is Neapolitan pizza cooked at? +
Traditional Neapolitan pizza is baked at 800-900°F (430-480°C) in a wood-fired oven for just 60-90 seconds. The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) specifies 905°F (485°C) as the target. Home ovens top out at 500-550°F, which is why pizza steels and stones are essential for approximating the result.
What flour is used for Neapolitan pizza dough? +
Tipo 00 flour, which is finely milled Italian flour with moderate protein content (11-12.5%). It produces a soft, extensible dough that blisters in high heat. Caputo Pizzeria is the most widely used brand. For more on dough formulation, check PizzaLogic's dough calculator.
What toppings go on Neapolitan pizza? +
Neapolitan pizza uses minimal toppings due to its light structural capacity. Classic options: Margherita (tomato, fior di latte, basil), Marinara (tomato, garlic, oregano, no cheese), or combinations with prosciutto, fresh vegetables, and high-moisture cheeses. Avoid heavy proteins and dense vegetables.
What's the difference between Neapolitan and New York pizza? +
Neapolitan uses 00 flour and bakes in 90 seconds at 900°F, producing a soft, pliable crust. New York uses high-gluten bread flour and bakes for 12-15 minutes at 550°F, creating a crispy, foldable crust. Neapolitan uses fresh mozzarella; New York uses low-moisture. They're fundamentally different approaches.

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