Detroit-Style Crispy Pan Pizza with Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

A thick, square pan pizza featuring a golden, crispy crust topped with sweet caramelized onions and melted mozzarella, inspired by Detroit’s iconic pizza style. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 38 minutes, pairs bread flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp plus 2 tbsp for pan olive oil
• 2 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 12 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• 20 pepperoni slices
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups bread flour, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 thinly sliced yellow onions and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized; set aside.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 475°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch rectangular pan with 2 tbsp olive oil.
6. Step 6: Transfer risen dough to the pan and gently stretch it to fill the corners. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 12 oz shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then arrange 20 pepperoni slices on top. Scatter the caramelized onions over the pepperoni.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp dried oregano over the toppings. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and edges of the crust are crispy and golden brown.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.