California style pizza is a unique, innovative, and trend-setting approach to pizza that has become a defining feature of the West Coast’s culinary landscape. This pizza style is known for its fresh, diverse toppings and creative combinations that emphasize lighter, healthier ingredients without sacrificing bold flavors. While traditional pizza styles—like the New York thin crust or the deep-dish pizzas of Chicago—are based on established techniques and ingredients, California style pizza offers a more flexible, adventurous approach, fusing different cuisines and local produce into one flavorful experience.
In this professional guide, we will explore what makes California style pizza distinct, how it originated, and what ingredients and methods are typically used. We will also provide insights on how you can make your own California style pizza at home, the variations within this pizza style, and its impact on the American pizza scene.
See Also: What Is Ohio Style Pizza?
The Origin of California Style Pizza
The birth of California style pizza can be traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States. This pizza revolution started with two key figures: Chef Ed LaDou and Chef Wolfgang Puck, both of whom contributed significantly to its creation and popularization.
Ed LaDou’s Influence
Ed LaDou, a highly creative pizza chef, was pivotal in shaping the foundation of California style pizza. He worked at Prego, an Italian restaurant in San Francisco, where he began experimenting with non-traditional pizza toppings, including ingredients like duck sausage, ricotta cheese, and mustard. His daring approach to pizza quickly caught the attention of many.
In 1980, LaDou’s experimental style gained traction when he met Wolfgang Puck, the Austrian-born chef who would eventually become one of California’s most famous culinary figures. Puck recognized the potential of LaDou’s inventive pizza toppings and hired him to develop the pizza menu for his renowned restaurant, Spago, in Los Angeles.
Wolfgang Puck and the Rise of California Style Pizza
Wolfgang Puck played a crucial role in elevating California style pizza to mainstream recognition. At Spago, Puck took LaDou’s creative ideas and integrated them into his fine-dining restaurant, where they gained immediate popularity. One of the most iconic creations from Spago was the smoked salmon pizza, which featured dill cream, salmon, and caviar—far from the typical mozzarella and tomato sauce combination. This opened the doors to endless possibilities, and chefs around California began experimenting with global ingredients to create unique pizza flavors.
By the mid-1980s, California style pizza had cemented its place as a culinary trend, and it expanded further when LaDou helped develop the menu for the first California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) in 1985. CPK, with its casual dining approach, made California style pizza accessible to a broader audience and helped spread its influence across the U.S. and beyond.
What Defines California Style Pizza?
While California style pizza is known for its creativity and variety, there are a few key characteristics that define it:
1. Crust
The crust of a California style pizza is typically a hybrid between the chewy, soft dough of traditional Italian pizza and the thin, crisp crust of New York style pizza. It’s not as thick and doughy as Chicago’s deep-dish, but also not as paper-thin as some Neapolitan pizzas. The California crust is generally thin and light, offering the perfect balance between softness and crispiness. This makes it an ideal base for the array of toppings that California style pizzas are known for.
The use of quality, fresh dough is essential for a good California pizza crust, often made with high-gluten flour to achieve the right amount of chewiness. Some versions use sourdough or whole-wheat dough to add depth of flavor or to accommodate health-conscious diners.
2. Toppings
Perhaps the most defining feature of California style pizza is its toppings. These pizzas are known for their unconventional, gourmet toppings, and the use of fresh, often locally sourced ingredients. While traditional pizzas rely on classic toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or olives, California style pizzas push boundaries with innovative combinations.
Common toppings found on California style pizzas include:
Fresh Vegetables: California pizzas often emphasize fresh, seasonal vegetables like arugula, artichokes, bell peppers, spinach, and roasted eggplant.
Artisanal Cheeses: Instead of just using mozzarella, California pizzas might incorporate goat cheese, gorgonzola, ricotta, or even vegan cheese options.
Seafood: From smoked salmon to shrimp or clams, seafood toppings are a common feature on California pizzas.
Meats: While pepperoni and sausage are still welcome, California pizzas often include gourmet meats like prosciutto, duck, or pancetta.
Exotic Fruits: Ingredients like figs, pears, and pineapples (in more adventurous forms) are also common in California-style pizza.
The focus on fresh, often organic ingredients reflects California’s larger cultural trends toward health, sustainability, and farm-to-table dining. Many California pizzas are lighter than traditional pizzas, featuring toppings that are as much about texture and brightness as they are about flavor.
3. Sauces
While traditional pizza sauces are made from tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, California style pizza often takes creative liberties with the sauce base. Here are a few common alternatives:
Pesto: A bright green sauce made from basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
Alfredo or White Sauce: A creamy, garlic-based sauce that complements earthy toppings like mushrooms or spinach.
Barbecue Sauce: Popular on pizzas topped with chicken or pulled pork, offering a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
No Sauce: Some California pizzas skip the sauce altogether, opting for a “white pizza” approach where olive oil or infused oils are used as a base.
4. Presentation and Assembly
California pizzas are often known for their artful presentation. Because of the focus on fresh ingredients, toppings are often applied after the pizza comes out of the oven, which adds a fresh, bright quality to the pizza. Arugula, for example, might be sprinkled on top of the pizza after baking, giving the dish a vibrant color and crispness.
The assembly is also notable for its attention to detail—thinly sliced vegetables, beautifully arranged meats, and colorful ingredients all come together to create pizzas that are as visually appealing as they are delicious.
How to Make California Style Pizza at Home
Making California style pizza at home is a rewarding process that allows for endless customization. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making this gourmet pizza in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for a chewier texture)
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
For the Toppings (Examples):
- Fresh mozzarella or other artisanal cheeses
- Sliced fresh vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach)
- Gourmet meats (e.g., prosciutto, duck, grilled chicken)
- Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, or arugula
- Olive oil, pesto, or barbecue sauce for the base
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a small bowl, mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then knead until a smooth dough forms (about 10 minutes).
Let the dough rise in an oiled bowl, covered with a cloth, for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Toppings:
While the dough is rising, prepare your toppings. Slice vegetables, cook any meats you’ll be using, and gather your cheeses and sauces.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a thin circle or rectangle on a floured surface.
Transfer the dough onto a baking sheet or pizza stone.
Spread a light layer of sauce on the base (pesto, olive oil, or tomato sauce). Add cheese and arrange the toppings artfully.
4. Bake:
Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Add Fresh Ingredients:
Once out of the oven, add any fresh ingredients like arugula or herbs to finish the pizza.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Slice and serve your California style pizza hot.
Variations of California Style Pizza
1. BBQ Chicken Pizza
One of the most famous versions of California style pizza is the BBQ chicken pizza. It typically features a barbecue sauce base, grilled chicken, onions, cilantro, and mozzarella cheese. This combination of tangy, smoky, and savory flavors is a hallmark of California style pizza’s fusion of global tastes.
2. White Pizza with Fresh Herbs
Instead of tomato sauce, this version uses a garlic-infused olive oil or Alfredo sauce base. Topped with mozzarella, ricotta, and fresh herbs like basil and parsley, this pizza highlights lighter, fresher flavors.
3. Vegetarian Pesto Pizza
A green pesto sauce made from basil, garlic, and pine nuts replaces the tomato sauce in this vegetarian-friendly pizza. Toppings can include roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and artichokes, with a sprinkle of fresh goat cheese or Parmesan.
4. Seafood Pizza
For a more luxurious option, seafood like smoked salmon, shrimp, or even lobster can be featured. These toppings are usually paired with lighter sauces, such as olive oil or Alfredo, to enhance their natural flavors.
Conclusion
California style pizza is much more than a regional variation—it represents a philosophy of innovation and creativity in the world of pizza. With its roots in fresh, local ingredients and a willingness to break from tradition, this style has captured the imagination of food lovers across the globe. From its thin yet chewy crust to its gourmet toppings, California style pizza offers a culinary adventure that can be endlessly customized to suit individual tastes. Whether you enjoy a smoky BBQ chicken pizza, a light white pizza with herbs, or a veggie-packed creation, California style pizza invites you to explore bold new flavors while still celebrating the essence of pizza.