The Spices And Flavors That Make Indian-Style Pizza Unique

Simply exploring different types of pizza around the world can take you on the most marvelous culinary adventures. From its hometown in Italy, this dish has traveled all across the globe, taking on a new form with each destination. Local cuisine leaves its mark with every new ingredient introduced, and one twist after another reimagines this dish a thousand times over. India, in particular, is where you will find it cloaked in spices that define the cuisine itself, inspiring flavors that have you awestruck as you're sitting in an Indian pizzeria — and yes, Indian-Italian fusion pizzerias are absolutely a thing, and no less a growing niche in the U.S. dining scene. 

To understand Indian pizza is to know what quintessential Indian spice blends usually make up its taste profile. You will most likely find garam masala, consisting of sweet cinnamon, peppercorns, cardamom, cumin, and coriander. It brings the same aromatic warmth and earthy complexity to the pizza as it typically does to curry, chicken tikka masala, and many other classic Indian dishes. Similarly, chaat masala — a blend of dried mango powder, black salt powder, and various herb seeds — is also utilized in Indian pizzas that call for a unique tangy and sour edge.

Familiar staples such as curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and coriander are still included, often laced into tomato sauce for a new spin on an old classic. It would also be remiss not to consider Indian cuisine's penchant for spiciness, often brought on with Kashmiri chilli powder. Despite the intensely red hue, this spice made of crushed Kashmiri pepper generates only a gentle heat, leaving the pizza with a humming aftertaste.

Aside from the classic dough, certain Indian-Italian restaurants use naan as a more flavorful alternative to pizza crust. While both are flatbreads, tandoori naan is much more tender and pliable, with a butter-swept scent on the exterior. Conversely, roti (a type of unleavened Indian bread) pizza has a crispiness that holds up just about any topping. If you're making the pizza dough at home, you can also incorporate Indian spices in it for the flavor depth Indian food often has.

From any of these bases, Indian pizza takes on toppings and sauces that mirror many of the cuisine's classic dishes. Don't be too surprised when you find yogurt-marinated chicken that is grilled and spread all over an Indian spice-laced tomato sauce, embodying the infamous chicken tandoori. In a butter chicken pizza, it's the signature garam masala-infused cream gravy that coats the chicken and veggie cubes as it melds into the cheese. You can even find curry sauce as a base, where even the most common toppings can make for one-of-a-kind Indian pizzas.

As far as fresh produce is concerned, some of India's cuisine staples — such as cauliflower, tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro — are always utilized to the fullest on Indian pizza. Moreover, they can also include paneer, a non-melting Indian cheese prized for its milky mildness. Sometimes, the cheese can even be marinated in a spicy achar pickle brine, and of course, accompanied by the same pickled vegetables. Other times, it's chutney that brings a vibrant tang to this cheese. Sweet, spicy, and sour all at once, the chutney is a uniquely flavorful pizza sauce.