What is Roma Crust? - Explained!

Pizza is one of the dishes that has traveled around the globe. So the toppings and crust both change according to which place the pizza belongs.

So you may have heard about Roma pizza or Roma crust. But you don’t know what that is or how it is different from the regular crust.

So you’re thinking, what is Roma crust?

Well, Roma crust is popular in Rome and now in other parts of the world. The main feature of it is its ultra-thin crust. That seems less doughy and more like a cracker. But the thinness complements the toppings. Thus, it has a unique taste.

However, there are classifications regarding Roma crust as well. To know about them, just keep reading.

What is Roma Crust? – Detailed Explanation

Well, roman style pizza is known as Roma pizza. It’s mainly the short form of the Roman word. Now pizza toppings are based on personal preference. But the main difference is on the crust.

Though the difference is not that significant, natives identify it without any effort. It’s almost like how you remember the taste of your favorite pizza crust.

What is Roma Crust — Source: youtube.com

Talking about taste, if they bring any change to the crust, you’ll identify instantly. So the difference between pizza crusts is like that.

So let’s be more specific on that. The major thing about Roma pizza is its crust. It is very thin and that’s why it turns out to be crunchy and crispy. To be more exact about the texture, think about a cracker.

Because of this, the Roma pizza is also known as scrocchiarella. The name means that it’s the crunchiest one amongst the others. So you may know Roma crust by this name as well.

Types of Roma Crust And Their Classifications

As we’ve mentioned the definition now, let’s tell you the types of it. So Roma pizza has three types to be more specific.

Traditional Roma

The first one is the traditional Roma pizza. The crust of it is as thin as we mentioned. The crust is stiffer than the others. It’s because the dough has low moisture. So it makes the crust crunchy and a bit hard.

But you can always soften the pizza crust if it gets hard.

Roma Al Taglio

Here comes the second style, which is Roma Al Taglio. So these pizzas are larger in size. The average size of the crust is 4-5 feet.

So this pizza is often made in large blue steel pans. It has medium crispiness compared to the other styles.

Romana Tonda

Finally, the last one is Romana Tonda. The crust of this pizza is the thinnest among the three. But it’s also similar to the traditional one. To make it thinnest, roller pins are used. So that maximum thinness is achieved.

The texture also becomes airy and with every bite, you’ll feel the crispiness.

That’s it on the types as well. But now you might want to know the basic recipe for Roma crust.

Roma Crust Recipe – 4 Easy Steps to Follow

Although all the crusts are more or less the same, there’s always a slight difference. And in pizza crust, even the slightest difference can change the flavor.

For example, you might have tried jiffy pizza. If you did, you’re most likely wondering how to improve jiffy pizza crust’s taste.

Add just a bit of butter can change the whole flavor. The same way it works for Roma pizza crust as well.

So without further delay, let’s look into the ingredients:

2.5 cups of all-purpose flour
1.5 teaspoons of yeast
2 teaspoons of granulated sugar
2.5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of kosher salt

Well, these are the ingredients that you’ll need. Instead of white sugar, you can always use unrefined brown sugar. Because brown sugar is considered healthier especially if it’s unrefined.

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Well, once you have the ingredients, start with the steps. Make sure to keep an eye on your recipe!

Step 1: Mix The Ingredients

To make the dough, first, you’ve to combine yeast, sugar, and 3/4th cup of warm water. After that, give them a good mix. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes. By that time, the mixture will get spongy.

After that mix the flour, salt, and 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir them all together so that they get mixed well.

Step 2: Knead The Dough

Now that you’ve mixed them, it’s time to knead the dough. So prepare your workstation by sprinkling flour on it. Then put the dough on the station.

After that, start kneading and keep doing so for 10 minutes. Within this time, the dough should be smooth and elastic. While kneading, see if the dough is becoming sticky. If yes, then add more loose flour to adjust the stickiness. Otherwise, you’ll see that the dough is sticking to the pan.

And once you’re done kneading, grease a bowl with 1 tablespoon of oil. After that, place the dough in it. Then cover it with a plastic wrapper and wait for 1.5 hours. When you check it back, the dough should be doubled in size.

Then knead the dough again and move to the next step.

Step 3: Cut And Refrigerate The Dough

Now cut the large dough into two equal pieces. Because it’ll make 2 pizzas. And then wrap the 2 dough balls into separate plastic wrappers.

Keep it inside a box or plate. Now store it in the refrigerator for at least 3 days before you make the pizza. This way, you can store the dough for up to a month.

Step 4: Make The Pizza Dough

Now after waiting for 3 days, take out the dough. Then flour your surface and roll the dough there. Roll it as thin as possible. Because the thinner it is, the crunchier it will be. So we prefer a 0.6 cm thin crust. The pizza shape should be rectangular with rounded corners.

You can make it round but that’s not how Roma pizza crust looks. Now once you’re done with the rolling, fold the crust in half. Press the corners and try to maintain the shape while doing so. Then cut out parchment paper and place the dough on it.

Make The Pizza Dough — Source: pizzatoday.com

After that, cover it with a towel and wait for 15-20 minutes.

Finally, garnish and add toppings to it. Bake it in the oven for 8 minutes. The oven should be preheated to 260 degrees celsius.

Once the pizza crust is brown and crispy, enjoy it to our fullest. This Roma crust will be unlike any other pizza you’ve tried before.

FAQs

Question: Can I make Roma crust at home?

Answer: Yes you can make Roma crust at home. But you’ll need some practice to make it perfect. Because it’s harder to make than other crusts.

Question: What does Roma crust tastes like?

Answer: All pizza crust tastes the same more or less. But Roma crust tastes floury, buttery, and crispy. And the combination with the toppings makes it more appetizing.

Question: Should I add water to the Roma crust?

Answer: Well, while mixing the dough, you need to add water. But be careful and strictly stick to the recipe for this. Because a lot depends on how much water you add to the dough. It can completely change the crust’s texture and taste.

Endnote

Now, you know “what is Roma crust?”. So why don’t you share the knowledge with your friends and try to make some?

If you end up making Roma crust, we’d love to see the pictures. Do share them in the comment section.

Thank you!

Author
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Leah Greenstein

Leah Greenstein is a passionate food blogger who has dedicated her life to sharing her love for cooking with the world. Growing up in a family of foodies, Leah was introduced to the joys of cooking at a very young age. Her mother, a professional chef, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of using high-quality ingredients.

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