Description
Montanara Pizza is a classic Neapolitan street food featuring soft pizza dough fried until golden and airy, then topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil before a quick bake. Crispy outside and pillowy inside, it delivers authentic Italian flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
- 500 g pizza dough
- 350 ml tomato sauce
- 250 g fresh mozzarella, sliced and well drained
- 8–10 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 500–750 ml vegetable oil for frying
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Divide the pizza dough into 6 equal portions (about 80–85 g each). Shape into smooth balls, cover, and let rest for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 170–180°C, about 5 cm deep.
- Flatten each dough ball into a 10–12 cm round, keeping it slightly puffy.
- Fry each round for 1–2 minutes per side until golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels.
- Preheat oven to 200°C.
- Place fried rounds on a parchment-lined baking tray. Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of tomato sauce over each and season lightly with salt.
- Add sliced mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
- Bake for 5–7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil and drizzle with olive oil before serving.
Notes
- Ensure oil temperature stays between 170–180°C to prevent greasy dough.
- Drain mozzarella well to avoid excess moisture.
- Fried dough rounds can be prepared ahead and topped before serving.
- Fresh mozzarella is traditional, but low-moisture mozzarella can be used.
- Best enjoyed fresh for optimal crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 small pizza
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
