Skip to content
LumaxisLumaxis
All recipes

American·Main Course

Detroit-Style Bread & Butter Pizza

A clever no-dough pizza hack that uses sliced bread, plenty of butter, and a Parmesan cheese crust to mimic the crispy, caramelized edges of a Detroit-style pie.

Prep

10m

Cook

24m

Total

34m

Serves

3

Method

  1. 01

    Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, using a few dots of butter to secure the paper. Generously butter both sides of the bread slices.

    Step 1
    Watch · 1:02
  2. 02

    Grate a generous layer of Parmesan cheese over the top of each bread slice. Press the cheese down firmly into the butter, then flip each slice over so the cheese side is facing down against the parchment.

    Step 2
    Watch · 1:35
  3. 03

    Spoon your favorite pizza sauce over the top of the bread slices, spreading it all the way to the edges, but being careful not to over-sauce.

    Step 3
    Watch · 2:23
  4. 04

    Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. This pre-baking phase allows the bottom cheese crust to caramelize and the sauce to slightly dry out.

    Step 4
    Watch · 2:58
  5. 05

    Remove from the oven and top with diced mozzarella cheese and pepperoni (or your preferred toppings). Dicing the cheese helps control the portion and prevents overloading.

    Step 5
    Watch · 3:40
  6. 06

    Return the pan to the 450°F oven for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and browned and the bottom crust is perfectly crisp.

    Step 6
    Watch · 4:25
  7. 07

    Transfer the pizza slices immediately to a cooling rack to prevent the bottoms from steaming on the pan. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

    Step 7
    Watch · 4:45

From Chef John

  • “A man has to know his limitations.”
  • “You are, after all, the Chef John of how to put your cheese on.”
  • “I'm way too modest to call myself a genius, but if somehow you've already figured out this trick... you, my friend, are a genius.”