Domino’s is my go-to pizza chain if I’m too lazy to bake my pizza. However, it might be challenging to choose from all the options offered, particularly with all the excellent Domino’s crust varieties.
It’s difficult to decide between Domino’s hand-tossed and pan pizza, so how do you decide?
The crust-making technique of Domino’s hand-tossed and pan pizza crust differs, but not the toppings.
Pan pizza is created by pressing the dough into a pan and baking it. On the other hand, hand-tossed pizza is made by tossing and spinning the dough in the air.
Because of this, pan pizza has a thick, fluffy crust, whereas hand-tossed pizza is considerably thinner.
Continue reading to learn more about how Domino’s manufactures such excellent crusts and which one tastes the best.
What are the main differences between Domino’s Hand Tossed and Pan Pizza?
| Differences | Hand Tossed Pizza | Pan Pizza |
| Dough | Softer dough | Little harder than hand tossed pizza |
| Texture | Bubbly and lighter | Bread like texture |
| Crust | Thin crust | Thick crust |
| Size | 3 sizes(small, medium, large) | 12’’ medium sized |
| Cooking Temperature | 500F | 700F-800F |
| Cooking Time | Less | More |
| Price | Cheaper | Expensive for some toppings |
Domino’s offers five distinct varieties of pizza crust:
- Brooklyn style
- Hand-tossed
- Gluten-free
- Handmade pan
- Crunchy thin
Depending on my mood, I generally go for pan and hand-tossed pizzas. However, consider that they have radically distinct mouthfeels due to their manufacturing processes.
Both crust styles employ dough materials, such as wheat, yeast, oil, salt, and water. What happens with the pizza dough after that is what matters today.
Because the dough has to be softer for the hand-tossed crust, it is kneaded for a bit longer. When the correct texture is achieved, the hand-tossed pizza dough is tossed and spun in the air until it becomes the required form.
Making Domino’s pan pizza is much easier; all required is hand-pressing the dough onto a cast iron or cake pan (which is ultimately responsible for its shape). To underline that its pizzas are not manufactured from the frozen, pre-made dough, Domino’s advertises that they are handcrafted.
Fluffy vs. Thin Crust
Different manufacturing techniques are to blame for various crust textures. Always thin, the crust is made by hand (but not as much as the crunchy thin type).
It’s because all the air bubbles break during the tossing and spinning procedure, preventing the dough from rising in the oven. This pizza dough is cooked with a mixture of oil and garlic, which gives it an even richer flavor.
Contrarily, the dough expands when baking in a pan, giving the finished product a thick and fluffy texture similar to bread.
Pan pizza’s soft and wet texture might make it appear a bit less crunchy, even though this crust type doesn’t necessarily lose crispiness (hand-tossed pizza is a lot drier).
Hand-tossed pizza, which is typically baked at 500 degrees Fahrenheit. And pan pizza must be baked at a higher temperature (between 700 and 800 degrees) due to a thicker crust.
Additionally, hand-tossed pizza often bakes faster, which is one of the possible explanations for why Domino’s uses it as their standard style of crust.
Hand Tossed pizza has softer dough
The dough must be lighter for the hand-tossed to operate. The thick dough is more difficult to work with, resulting in a worse crust.
To accomplish this, the hand-tossed mixture is kneaded for a more extended time than the pan-tossed dough. It takes less time to prepare the pan tossed. They knead it by hand for a few minutes to thoroughly incorporate everything in the dough before placing it in the pan.
Are There Any Differences in Topping?
Remember that a different crust does not always mean a different topping. Almost all of Domino’s pizzas, from plain cheese to Deluxe, come with various crust options.
I usually believe that pan-style pizza toppings are a little bit richer. It could be because a thick crust makes adding more toppings, cheese, and sauces simpler than a thin one.
You can only imagine how greasy paradise it gets when you consider the fact that pizza makers grease the bottom of the pan to prevent the dough from sticking to it.
Because of this, I’ll always choose a pan-crust Domino’s pizza (of any variety) if I’m hungry. Other crusts seldom enter my mind while my stomach is grumbling.
You can make your own Domino’s style pizza by following our Dominos Meat Lovers Pizza recipe. Also check out Pizza Hut Thin Crust recipe if you prefer thin crust.
Cooking Time
The cooking time for the pan pizza is longer than the cooking time for the hand-tossed. Furthermore, the pan pizza must be cooked at a higher temperature. Dominos cooks their pan pizza at about 700F-800F, while their hand-toss is lower at around 500F.
Of course, owing to the crust’s thickness, it takes longer. Anything less would result in neither a wet crust nor a limp pizza, which is desirable.
Domino’s Pan and Hand-Tossed Pizza Sizes and Prices
First, remember that Domino’s only offers medium (12″)-sized handcrafted pan pizza. But hand-tossed variants come in all three sizes (small, medium, and large).
The size and form of a handmade pan pizza are dictated by the size and shape of the pan, which makes sense when you think about it. Naturally, hand-tossed may be fashioned whatever you desire.
There is no difference in pricing when ordering a medium standard or specialty pizza if you want a pan- or hand-tossed crust. However, a Domino’s feast pizza’s price varies depending on the dough.
See the table below for pricing information on several varieties of crust for Domino’s pizza:
| Pizza type | Handmade pan (medium size) | Hand-tossed (medium size) |
| Spinach & Feta | 13.99 USD | 13.99 USD |
| Cheese pizza | 7.99 USD | 7.99 USD |
| Philly Cheese Steak Pizza | 13.99 USD | 13.99 USD |
| Honolulu Hawaiian | 13.99 USD | 13.99 USD |
| America’s Favorite Feast | 15.49 USD | 13.99 USD |
| Cali Chicken Bacon Ranch | 13.99 USD | 13.99 USD |
| Deluxe Feast | 15.49 USD | 13.99 USD |
| Bacon Cheeseburger Feast | 15.49 USD | 13.99 USD |
So, Which Crust Type Is the Best?
You must respect the abilities Domino’s employees’ display since it is much simpler to select the greatest pizza pan for the oven than it is to master the art of crafting a hand-tossed pizza.
However, Domino’s pizza cooked in a pan is unbeatable in terms of flavor and texture.
The fact that it is not available in bigger sizes is the only thing I dislike about it. I could never get weary of it since it was deliciously soft on the inside with a crispy crust.
But ultimately, it all boils down to personal preference. Go for it if you like drier and thinner crust. Whatever you decide, Domino’s is recognized for its tasty food, so be sure to order one.
