CopycatSpices
Copycat Pizza Hut Original Pan Pizza
Make Pizza Hut's iconic pan pizza at home — thick, buttery crust with crispy edges, tangy sauce, and bubbly cheese. Better than delivery.
pizza-hut · pizza · copycat · pan-pizza
🕑Prep30 min
🍳Cook18 min
⏱Total48 min
🍽Serves4
⭐DifficultyMedium
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 8 oz low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 20 pepperoni slices
- Cornmeal for dusting
Instructions
- 1.Let pizza dough come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
- 2.Pour 2 tbsp olive oil into a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Spread to coat bottom and sides evenly.
- 3.Stretch dough into a 10-inch round and place in the skillet. Press dough into edges and slightly up the sides.
- 4.Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes.
- 5.Preheat oven to 425°F.
- 6.Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough, leaving 1/2-inch border for the crust edge.
- 7.Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over sauce. Arrange pepperoni on top. Sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- 8.Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp olive oil around the edge of the crust for extra crispiness.
- 9.Bake on the middle rack for 15-18 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- 10.Let cool 3 minutes, then run a spatula around the edge. Slide pizza out onto a cutting board.
- 11.Brush crust edge with melted butter. Slice into 8 pieces and serve.
Pizza Hut’s Original Pan Pizza is legendary for its thick, airy crust with a crispy, buttery edge. This copycat version nails the texture — a cast iron skillet creates that signature golden-brown crust that deep-fries in oil as it bakes.
The Cast Iron Secret
A cast iron skillet is essential for the pan pizza effect. The oil pools in the pan and fries the bottom of the dough, creating that crispy, almost fried crust that Pizza Hut is known for. A cake pan works in a pinch, but cast iron gives the best heat distribution.
Let the Dough Rise
Don’t skip the second rise in the skillet. That extra 30-45 minutes gives the dough the airy, thick texture that defines pan pizza. Press the dough into the corners and slightly up the sides for that signature edge.
Butter Finish
Brushing the baked crust edge with melted butter is what gives Pizza Hut crust that unmistakable rich flavor and sheen. Don’t skip this step — it’s the secret finishing touch.
