After my third failed attempt at making Sicilian pizza, I was ready to throw in the towel and swear off making it forever. No matter what I did, the result was the same – an undercooked and doughy crust that left me feeling defeated.
However, the next day I realized I had been using the wrong bakeware all along – my old, gifted cake pan.
So, I searched through countless products online until I found the perfect purpose-made Sicilian pan. With this new dark bakeware, I effortlessly achieved a pizzeria-quality Sicilian pizza that had everyone begging for seconds.
I still remember the surprised looks on my friends’ faces, but anyway;
In this review, I will share my personal experience with the best Sicilian pizza pans I personally find game-changing. Plus, I’ll lay it all out bare: the tips and tricks that helped me (which you can use as well to) achieve the perfect crust and toppings every time.
🥇 Best Sicilian Pizza Pans
- Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans: (Top-quality cold rolled steel)
- LloydPans inch Sicilian Style Pizza Pan: (Best aluminum Sicilian pizza pan)
- Allied Metal Nonstick Sicilian Pizza Pan: (Coated with PTFE)
💡 What Makes Sicilian Pizza Different?
Sicilian pizza, traditionally called sfincione, is characterized by a rectangular, thick crust. This Sicilian-originated type of pizza is made with a Focaccia-like dough. This means it’s thicker and takes longer to cook than the classic Neapolitan counterpart. Typically, it’s at least 1 inch thick.
Additionally, the thicker dough is usually brushed with olive oil. Thus, enhancing its unique and distinctive flavor profile.
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Also, it’s topped chiefly with simple ingredients such as fresh herbs, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, etc. Plus, there’s no bordered crust. The simple ingredients and rich, tasty sauce cover the spongy bread’s edge.
For these reasons, Sicilian pie is popular among those who prefer a more indulgent and filling pizza experience.
⚖️ Sicilian Pizza Vs Regular Pizza Pan
Both pizza pans are made from the same materials – steel, cast iron, or aluminum. However, they do not come in similar shapes. The Sicilian-style pizza pan comes in either square or rectangle, while the regular version is usually round.
Another distinct difference between Sicilian pizza and regular pizza pan is the thickness. The formal is thicker with at least 1-inch depth. This is perfect for a spongy crust. Traditional pans, on the other hand, are thinner and best used for Neapolitan-style pies.
Consequently, the thicker pizza pan holds more dough and a more robust topping profile than traditional pans.
⭐ Reviews – Top Sicilian Pizza Pan of 2023
1. Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans
When it comes to baking savory Sicily at home, no product comes close to the Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans.
Made with sturdy, heavyweight cold rolled steel, this pan withstands extreme baking temperatures without warping. Its exceptional durability guarantees it stands up to the rigors of frequent use.
In addition to its incredible durability, this pizza pan has a superior heat performance. This means better heat retention to guarantee crispy Sicilian pie, even on your first trial.
And there’s more.
This pan’s one-of-a-kind nonstick coating helps distribute heat evenly for a perfect crust every time. I love how my grandma’s pizza slides off the pan with almost ZERO effort. Besides, this feature makes cleaning up after hours of baking a breeze.
Talking of ease of use;
This best Sicilian pizza pan goes above and beyond. Its innovative tapered and fully nesting design takes convenience to the next level. These features support easy food release and smart storage, especially for limited kitchen space.
Even better;
This baking tool boasts a generous 12 x 18-inch cooking space. This is plenty of room to bake the ultimate filling Sicily pie for a crowd. Despite its one-inch thickness, this pan delivers outstanding results.
My only concern is the sticker on the cooking surface. It takes more effort and lots of warm water to get it off.
Notwithstanding, the Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans are the ultimate budget-friendly choice for baking authentic Sicilian pizza. Finally, upgrade your homemade pizza game without breaking the bank!
2. LloydPans inch Sicilian Style Pizza Pan
Looking to bake a thicker and perfectly crafted Sicilian-style pizza? Your search ends here with the pre-seasoned aluminum pans from the reputable LloydPans.
It’s the best aluminum pizza pan on the market – and hundreds of customers agree.
One of the hallmarks of the LloydPans Sicilian Style Pizza Pan is its impressive 1.5-inch depth. Thus, it provides more space than the Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans and is perfect for crafting the most indulgent Sicily pie.
Boasting a world-class anodized aluminum construction, this pan is tough and super durable. No more worries about your pans warping or bending after repeated use.
Not to mention;
This material is known for its unbeatable heat transfer and distribution. You can start baking your culinary masterpiece perfectly every time – without hotspots.
And, of course, it comes pre-seasoned with tuff-kite (PSTK) to allow you to use it immediately. But that’s not the best thing about this feature. It enhances the flavors of your pizza for mouthwatering results with NO sticky experience.
It’s hard to find a pan that can beat LloydPan’s pre-seasoned aluminum pans, especially considering their high-quality construction, superior heat transfer, and added depth. Well, not at such an affordable price, so good luck finding one!
3. Allied Metal Nonstick Sicilian Pizza Pan
If you love getting great value for your money, then the Allied Metal Pan is the perfect choice for you, just like it is for me.
To start with;
Its cutting-edge fiberglass construction makes it lighter than other brands like Winco and LloydPans, so you won’t experience fatigue while maneuvering it.
But that’s not all;
This pizza pan has a superior PTFE coating that offers easy food release and effortless cleanup. Unlike its competitors, this pan is perfect for baking pies with delicate crusts, ensuring your masterpiece remains intact.
What’s more, this pan can handle heat up to 500 degrees F, making it suitable for various cooking methods. I find myself using it in both the microwave and oven to cook and reheat various dishes.
Cleaning up after cooking can be a hassle, but the Allied Metal Sicilian Pizza Pan makes it easy. You won’t have to spend more time than necessary cleaning up, and that’s something that I know many people will appreciate. Well, I do!
4. LLAYYC Sicilian Pizza Pans
The LLAYYC Sicilian Pizza Pans are a close competitor to the top-rated Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans, with the only significant difference being the price.
This top-quality pan boasts a 12 x 18-inch cooking surface, which provides ample space for making hearty nonna pizzas. Although only 1 inch deep, it still provides an authentic deep-dish pizza-making experience.
Wait, there’s more;
The LLAYYC Sicilian Pizza Pans are large. Luckily, these pans feature a tapered design for easy stacking and storage. This is one feature most diminutive kitchen owners rave about.
This pan is made from durable heavyweight cold rolled steel like the Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans. It’s built to last many years, giving you a good run for your money.
Its sturdy steel construction, coupled with the latest nonstick coating, is a winning combo. The baking performance, by and large, is one of the best on the market. It holds temperature better and distributes heat evenly for perfectly baked grandma pies.
So, if you are tired of wrap-prone pans and their mediocre performance? LLAYYC Sicilian Pizza Pans are perfect for you. These high-in-demand pans never wrap under extreme temperatures necessary for browning your thick Sicily crust.
🧾 Buying Guide: How I Picked the Best Pan for Sicilian Pizza?
Baking an authentic Italian classic Sicilian pizza is easier with the right pan. Here are key factors to keep in mind when shopping for this baking tool:
Material
When picking the best pan for Sicilian pizza, you should focus on the build material. While there are many confusing variations, there are three popular options: aluminum, steel, and cast iron.
The cast iron pan is your best bet if you want a durable one to pass on to the next generation. It handles extreme temperatures better. This makes it an easy choice for baking deep-dish Sicilian pizza. However, it’s heavy, which might make handling and cleaning challenging. Also, it requires seasoning to prolong its lifespan.
On the lighter side are the aluminum and steel pans. They deliver unparalleled heat distribution and preheat quickly. But for people on a tight budget, the more affordable aluminum pans are the way to go. Keep in mind that they scratch easily. Steel pans offer the best of both worlds – cast iron and aluminum. With time, they also tend to warp.
Size
The size of the pizza pan is another crucial deciding factor. This depends on your oven’s size and how many mouths you intend to feed at a time.
This purpose-built baking tool is available in a wide range of sizes. They come in different lengths and breaths. For example, the Winco Sicilian Pizza Pans measures a generous 12-Inch by 18-Inch.
The most important thing is to purchase a pan that fits in your oven.
Depth
Most customers overlook the depth of a Sicilian pizza pan. Funnily enough, it can significantly impact your overall baking experience.
Baking a filling and satisfying deep-dish Sicilian pizzas requires a pan with tall walls. Most Sicilian pizza pans are about 2 inches deep. This is enough depth to create pizzas hearty enough to be a meal on its own.
Durability
By now, you should know cast iron is the most durable square pizza pan. However, you can get many years of baking with a pan made with ruggedness in mind.
According to experts, deep dish pans with heavy-duty aluminum, anodized aluminum, or heavyweight cold-rolled steel can last several years.
Ease of Cleaning
After spending a considerable amount of time and effort baking a delicious pizza, the last thing you’d want is to struggle with cleaning the dishes. If that’s you, you’d love the ease of cleaning aluminum pans. The only shortcoming is they are not scratch resistant.
On the other hand, steel and cast iron pans need seasonings after each use. However, they produce the most flavorful Sicilian pizzas ever.
Heat Transfer
Pans with excellent heat transfer deliver crispy crust with almost effort. Steel and cast iron pizza pans are known for their unmatched heat retention. They hold temperature better with little to no fluctuation for the crispiest result. For their third counterpart, it has a subpar performance. Still, this affordable pan knocks out delicious pies.
Versatility
If you need a pizza pan that can come in handy for preparing other dishes, purchase either cast iron or steel pan. They are great for preparing a variety of dishes. Aluminum pans, on the other hand, are not very versatile.
Nonstick Coating
Pans with a nonstick coating make cleaning effortless and are easier to use. Another benefit of the nonstick surface is swift food release. On the downside, they may not be safe at extreme temperatures and might wear off over time.
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Some steel and cast iron pans are pre-seasoned, creating a natural nonstick layer. However, it’s recommended to season them before use. Their nonstick coating surface only gets better with time and seasoning.
📖 How to Use a Sicilian Pizza Pan
Purchasing the best pan for Sicilian pizza does not guarantee an irresistible result.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to use this square pan for baking the most authentic homemade Sicilian pizza ever:
Step 1 – Add cooking spray or any vegetable oil like olive oil to the square pizza pan’s side and bottom to create an excellent nonstick coat.
Step 2 – preheat your kitchen or pizza oven up to 475-500°F (246-260°C). This is a crucial step to ensure a golden-brown, crispy crust.
Step 3 – Spread the thick, well-kneaded dough (based on the recipe) evenly into the coated square pan. The dough ball should be about 36 ounces for the standard 12 x 18 Sicilian pan. Remember to push up the sides for the classic thick crust Sicilian pizza is known for.
Step 4 – add the thick and flavorful tomato sauce, cheese, basil leaves, dried oregano, and other toppings of your choice. Spread them evenly to avoid rubbery soggy crust or toppings falling out.
Step 5: Place your masterpiece in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is bubbly and melted and the crust is golden brown. This usually takes about 25 – 30 minutes.
Step 6 – get the pizza out of the oven and allow it to cool for a few months before sliding the pie off onto the cutting board.
Ta-da! You can now bake and relish a Sicilian-style pizza with ALL the beloved signatures of this style of pizza. Enjoy the thick, chewy crust (crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) with a beautiful golden-brown result.
🧠 Three Essential Tips for Baking the Perfect Sicilian Pizza at Home
Tip 1 – Use the right flour type.
Most home bakers often overlook this vital ingredient. Using suitable flour is the key to building the perfect pizza base. This is the pizzaiolo’s secret to creating a thick, spongy crust with an airy and soft interior.
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While bread or all-purpose flour can yield a satisfactory pan-style pizza, for those who wish to astound their guests or loved ones, I recommend using high-protein flour. This type of flour is well-suited for long fermentation, ensuring a rich and intricate flavor formation.
Tip 2 – Pre-Cook the Dough
Sicilian pizza requires a longer cooking time than the Neapolitan style. This explains why most people undercook the dough or bake the toppings and cheese for too long. If you want to escape this dilemma, the secret is to par-bake the crust for 15 – 20 minutes. Afterward, add your preferred toppings and cook for the last 5 – 10 minutes for a delectable result.
Tip 3 – Add toppings carefully
Another important tip is how you layer your toppings on the crust. Doing it wrongly can lead to a soggy, unpalatable crust.
So, it’s best to start with cheese and then sauce before adding any desired toppings. Further, ingredients with high moisture content, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, etc., should be sauteed before adding them.
On top of that, don’t make the “beginner’s mistake” of overloading the dough with tons of toppings. Use moderate amounts and spread evenly to ensure the crust stays crisp and dry.
🙋 Sicilian Pizza Pan-Related FAQs
How to clean the Sicilian pizza pan?
After removing the piping hot pizza:
- Allow the pan to cool down.
- Get rid of any leftovers using a scraper or spatula.
- In case of stubborn ones, soak the pan in warm soapy water.
- Rinse and pat dry the Sicilian pizza pan before nesting in a cool and dry place.
Do I need to season the Sicilian pizza pan?
For cast iron pans, it’s important to season them after every baking session. Else, the pan loses its natural nonstick surface and starts to rust. To prevent this, add a thin coat of vegetable oil and bake at 375 degrees F for about an hour.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best Sicilian pizza pan for you depends on your baking needs and preference.
Thankfully, we’ve reviewed FOUR high-performing pans recommended by top pizzaiolos, which should simplify your decision-making process and significantly improve your baking results.
However, I highly recommend the Winco Sicilian Pizza Pan if you have not decided. It’s my personal favorite for producing consistently irresistible Sicilian pizzas.
Nonetheless, any pans on this list will be an excellent investment for anyone looking to up their Sicily-making game.
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