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Vegetarian, Italy

Neapolitan fried pizza with salad

Neapolitan fried pizza, or montanara, is a small fried pizza topped with tomato sauce, parmesan, and basil, served with a side salad. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes and medium difficulty, at a cost of €1.80 per person. Success comes down to keeping the oil at 170°C, which puffs up the dough without making it greasy.

Montanara, Naples' little fried pizzas, puffed up and topped with tomato sauce, parmesan, and basil.

Neapolitan fried pizza with salad
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€1.80
Calories per person
740 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Before oven pizza, there was fried pizza, the kind sold on the streets of Naples. The dough drops into hot oil and puffs up in seconds, turning into a golden cushion that's crisp outside and soft inside. Warm tomato sauce, melting parmesan, and fresh basil bring back the familiar taste of pizza, but in a completely different texture.

This is a good recipe for a night when you want a break from the oven routine, or a Sunday when kids can watch the dough balloon up in the pot. Everyone can top their own fried pizza however they like, which makes it a fun dish to share around a small table, balanced out by a simple green salad.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Fresh pizza dough 2
  • Grated parmesan 60 g

Pantry

  • Tomato coulisoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 50 cl
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Basil 10 sprigs
  • Green salad 1

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Divide the dough into 8 small balls and roll them into 12 cm rounds on a floured surface. 8 min

    Let them rest 10 minutes, they'll stretch more easily.

  2. Heat the oil to 170°C in a large pot. 5 min

    Test with a small piece of dough, it should rise back up and sizzle.

  3. Drop the rounds in one at a time and fry until golden, about 1 minute per side. 8 min

    Flip them with tongs, without piercing the dough.

  4. Drain on paper towels and top with a spoonful of salted tomato sauce. 3 min

    Warm the sauce first, fried pizza should be served hot.

  5. Sprinkle with parmesan and basil, and serve with the dressed salad. 2 min

    A bit of ground black pepper on top brings out the tomato flavor.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't crowd the pot, fry two or three rounds at a time so the oil stays hot and the cooking stays even.
  • Roll the dough thinner in the center, that's where it puffs up most during frying.
  • Serve the fried pizzas right after topping them, the dough loses its crispness if it sits too long.

The variations

  • Swap the parmesan for small diced mozzarella, it melts and stretches more on the hot pizza.
  • For a quicker version, use a store bought tomato sauce instead of the coulis, the result stays close.
  • For kids, offer a simple version with just cheese, skipping the basil and black pepper.

What to serve it with

  • Dressed green salad, already part of the recipe
  • A glass of cold sparkling water
  • Cherry tomatoes marinated in olive oil

Storage

Plain fried dough doesn't keep well, it's best enjoyed right after topping. If needed, store the fried rounds without topping for 1 day in the fridge in a closed container, then warm them in the oven for a few minutes before topping. Freezing isn't recommended, the puffy texture doesn't come back after thawing.

Questions about this dish

Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of store bought fresh dough?

Yes, a classic homemade pizza dough works well, as long as it has risen enough to puff up properly when fried. Give it a similar resting time before rolling it out.

How do I check the oil temperature without a thermometer?

Drop in a small piece of dough, it should rise to the surface and sizzle gently within a few seconds. If the oil is smoking, it's too hot and needs to cool down a bit.

Can I shape the dough balls ahead of time?

You can shape and roll them a few hours ahead, keeping them under a damp towel in the fridge. Take them out a bit before frying so they come back to room temperature.

Why isn't my fried pizza puffing up as expected?

This usually happens when the oil isn't hot enough or the dough is rolled too thick in the center. Check the oil temperature and roll the center of each round thin before frying.

How long does it take to make Neapolitan fried pizzas with a side salad?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in Neapolitan fried pizzas with a side salad?

About 740 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does Neapolitan fried pizzas with a side salad cost?

About €1.80 per serving, or €7.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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