Pinsa is a Roman-style pizza with a light, airy crust, usually made of soy, rice, and wheat flour. The dough is often compared to crispy focaccia.
Pinsa is traditional street food in Rome, frequently sold in bakeries by weight rather than by the slice, and usually prepared as pizza rossa (red pizza) or pizza bianca (white pizza).
It has become increasingly popular in other parts of the world for good reason – this tasty treat can be topped with almost anything and won’t weigh you down like many other styles of pizza.
Difference Between Pinsa and Pizza
Pinsa is more oval, whereas pizza is typically round.
Pinsa also has:
- up to 50% less sugar
- up to 85% less fat
- up to 30% fewer calories
- less gluten – making it easier to digest
If you are a pizza lover but are getting tired of the same old recipes, try some of these pinsa ideas for a delicious new twist!
1. Pinsa Romana Ricetta Originale (Original Recipe)
This is the perfect recipe for those who want to try their hand at pinsa while also impressing the “purists.” It is simple but delicious; light but satisfying.
If you can master this pinsa recipe, you will have a solid foundation for making other versions in the future. By giving the dough 24-48 hours of cold fermentation, you are allowing for slow gluten development.
This process leads to more flavor, a crispier crust, and better digestibility. We recommend trying the most basic toppings – just sea salt and a high-quality extra virgin olive oil – for your first bake. You’ll be stunned by how good this simple pinsa turns out.
Get the full recipe and directions from The Foodellers.
2. Pinsa Romana (Gluten-Free Option Available)
This is another traditional technique for pinsa dough – similar to the ‘ricetta originale’ but with a slightly lower hydration level (75% compared to 80%), which will make the dough a little easier to work with.
Although this recipe calls for a 24-hour fermentation, you can let it sit for up to 72 hours for even more flavor and chewiness.
We know that waiting 3 days for pizza is a lot to ask, but it could be fun to make 3 sets of dough and taste the differences after 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours.
This is mostly a technique recipe, but the site provides inspiration for a variety of different topping combinations, all of which are sure to keep your tastebuds satisfied.
Ge the full recipe and directions from All Our Way.
3. White Wine & Garlic Pinsa Romana
A great option for beginners, this Roman Pinsa recipe veers from tradition by omitting the soy flour which can be difficult to find. Because of the technique and fermentation time; however, you will still have a delicious, crunchy base.
This particular pinsa is a white pizza with a simple but delectable sauce composed of mushrooms, white wine, and garlic. After parbaking your crust, you’ll add the sauce as well as thinly sliced provolone cheese before putting it back into the oven for a final bake.
This is the traditional method for baking pinsa with toppings, and it ensures that the base and the toppings are cooked evenly.
Get the full recipe and directions at Italian Recipe Book.
4. Pinsa with Zucchini, Ricotta, and Lemon
The combination of zucchini, ricotta, and lemon makes for a light, refreshing taste that’s perfect for warm weather. This is a perfect pinsa for a cookout because you can grill the zucchini while you’re baking the dough.
The cool, creamy ricotta is mixed with lemon zest and then spread on the fresh, hot dough and garnished with mint and a drizzle of peppery olive oil. You can add some more interesting flavors and colors by using a variety summer squashes.
Don’t go overboard with this pinsa recipe; remember that the beauty of pinsa lies in its simplicity.
Get the full recipe and directions at Fine Cooking.
5. Classic Pinsa Romana
You’ll get a nuttier, earthier flavor out of this crust since it calls for spelt and rye flours instead of the more traditional soy flour. Other than that, the dough method is similar to the previous recipes.
You’ll notice that this pinsa recipe call for mixing by hand, but you can use a stand mixer if you prefer to bring the dough together more quickly (just don’t tell anyone in Italy).
Veteran bakers may be able to tell the difference, but you’ll end up with a great crust no matter which method you use. This pinsa is topped similarly to a margherita but uses parsley instead of basil, giving it a milder, earthier flavor.
Get the full recipe and directions at Today.com.
6. Robiola & Pear Pinsa
This pinsa brings an interesting depth of flavor by using a sourdough starter in place of yeast. You can choose a dry or wet starter, but if you are new to baking, we recommend using the dry sourdough (it is easier to work with).
This dough can ferment for up to a week, but it’ll carry a very strong flavor if you choose to go that route. However, it is ready to go after 24 hours and it will still taste delightful.
No matter how long you ferment it, you’ll notice that it is slightly chewier and tangier than a standard pinsa, but not overwhelmingly so. Like other pinsas, this can be topped with nearly anything, so get creative with it!
Get the full recipe and directions at Cook and Love.
7. Roman Pinsa
Here’s another simple, traditional Roman pinsa recipe that is sure to satisfy your hunger. Don’t be afraid of the anchovies in the sauce – they bring umami and depth to the overall flavor profile.
We love how the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes cuts through the saltiness of the fish. Unlike the previous recipes, top this pinsa before parbaking it. This allows the sauce seep into the dough as it cooks, making for a slightly more tender, chewier texture.
This is a perfectly balanced pinsa that can be served as a main course or as an appetizer. Despite its rich flavor, it is still airy and light.
Get the full recipe and directions at Giallo Zafferano.
We hope you enjoyed this list of pinsa recipes; they are a great alternative to pizza. Which one do you think you would like to try first? Let us know in the comments!
