Lab sheet

New York pizza

New York pizza is a supple, foldable dough with a thin rim, eaten as slices folded in the hand. It uses a strong flour (W 280–360), 58–66% hydration, a little oil (1.5–4%) and sugar (0.5–2.5%), and often matures in the cold.

Technical sheet

Every dimension is a window, not a single number: two doughs at 60% and 62% hydration are both Neapolitan. The marker shows the typical value.

Hydration
58–66%
Salt
1.7–2.4%
Oil
1.5–4%
Sugar
0.5–2.5%
Flour strength (W)
280–360
Dough ball
300–620 g
Diameter
33–46 cm
Oven deck
285–340 °C (545–645 °F)
Bake time
5.5–10 min
Fermentation load
6–22 h-eq

Confidence B · documented consensus

Source. Lehmann / pizzamaking consensus, several professional sources

Where this style comes from

It comes from the Italian-American pizzerias of New York, who adapted the Neapolitan to brick-deck ovens fired first with coal, then gas. Those ovens are cooler than a wood-fired one (around 285–340 °C (545–645 °F)), which calls for a longer bake: 5.5–10 min.

Fornello rates it confidence B: several consistent professional sources exist, notably those documenting the so-called "Lehmann" dough, but no standard.

The dough

The flour must be strong, more than an ordinary 00. Oil (1.5–4%) and sugar (0.5–2.5%) are not details: sugar colours the crust in a gentler oven, oil softens the crumb. Salt stays at 1.7–2.4%.

A ball weighs 300–620 g for a diameter of 33–46 cm. Much of the flavour comes from the cold: the calculator starts at 48 hours, but the style forgives shorter schedules.

Experiment

The calculator, set to this style

The calculator below is already set to this style, with a starting schedule. Change hydration, salt, oil or the fermentation schedule: the yeast is recalculated, and the indicator tells you whether you are still inside the style’s window.

Farine

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g

Eau

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g

Levure

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Style

Farine

Ajouts

Levée

Horaire

Pesée

Garnitures

Sauvegarde

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The bake

At 285–340 °C (545–645 °F), the pizza bakes 5.5–10 min. It is a long bake that dries the crust and makes it crisp to the bite while keeping the suppleness needed to fold. A home oven with a preheated stone or steel is the best approximation.

Variants to try

Three ways to play with this style

Each variant moves one parameter inside the style’s window. The engine recalculates the yeast so the fermentation load follows the schedule. The button loads the variant into the calculator above.

Reference

Hydration
63%
Oil
2.5%
Load
10.6 h-eq
Instant dry yeast
0.147%

2 h at 21 °C, then 48 h in the fridge (4 °C), then 2 h proofing at 21 °C

Instant dry yeast 0.48 g for a 551 g dough ball

Firmer dough

Hydration at the bottom of the window: easier to stretch and toss, a slightly tighter crust.

Hydration
58%
Oil
2.5%
Load
10.6 h-eq
Instant dry yeast
0.147%

2 h at 21 °C, then 48 h in the fridge (4 °C), then 2 h proofing at 21 °C

Instant dry yeast 0.49 g for a 551 g dough ball

Wetter dough

Toward the top of the window: a lighter crumb, more delicate handling.

Hydration
66%
Oil
2.5%
Load
10.6 h-eq
Instant dry yeast
0.147%

2 h at 21 °C, then 48 h in the fridge (4 °C), then 2 h proofing at 21 °C

Instant dry yeast 0.47 g for a 551 g dough ball

More oil

Oil at the top of the window for a more tender, more golden crust.

Hydration
63%
Oil
4%
Load
10.6 h-eq
Instant dry yeast
0.147%

2 h at 21 °C, then 48 h in the fridge (4 °C), then 2 h proofing at 21 °C

Instant dry yeast 0.48 g for a 551 g dough ball

Common mistakes

  • Using a weak flour: the slice droops instead of folding.
  • Using fresh cheese: it gives off too much water for a seven-minute bake.
  • Leaving out sugar in a home oven: the crust stays pale.
  • Too much sauce: the slice becomes impossible to fold.

The main steps

  1. Combine all ingredients and knead to a smooth, elastic dough.
  2. Let it rise briefly, then divide into balls of 420 g.
  3. Oil the balls lightly, place them in containers and refrigerate following the schedule.
  4. Take them out one to two hours before baking.
  5. Open by hand, top to the edge, bake on a preheated deck.

Frequently asked questions

Why does New York pizza dough contain sugar?

To colour the crust in ovens cooler than a wood-fired one. The sugar caramelises, which makes up for the longer, gentler bake.

Can I use all-purpose flour?

You can, but the slice will be less sturdy. Aim for a high-protein flour.

How long in the fridge?

The calculator starts at 48 hours, a common compromise. Shortening it is possible: the engine recomputes the yeast so the load stays within the style’s window.

Related styles

Same family, or close in hydration and bake.