How to Fix an Excessively Greasy/Oily Pizza [Causes & Solutions]
“While some people love it, excessively greasy pizza can be unpleasant for others to eat, resulting in a soggy crust and an overly rich/heavy flavor profile. This problem is mostly a result of high-fat cheese or meat toppings releasing too much fat during baking. This page details the exact causes and provides actionable solutions for minimizing oiling-off of the cheese and achieving a less-greasy pizza
This page is part of PizzaBlab’s Pizza Making Troubleshooting Guide. It provides a practical overview of the most common causes for this problem, each with a brief explanation, actionable solution, and links to related articles for deeper understanding.
The sections are listed from most to least likely, meaning the first cause typically represents the most common reason for this issue, with likelihood decreasing as you move down the list. That said, several causes can often overlap or share similar likelihoods – it’s ultimately up to your process to identify which factors are at play.
Cause 1: Cheese Is Cut or Grated Too Thinly
Explanation:
The thinner or more finely grated the cheese is, the faster it melts and oils off.
Solution:
Use coarsely or thicker-cut cheese. The thicker or coarser the cheese is cut, the slower it will exhibit fat separation.
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Cause 2: Cheese Has Too High Fat Content
Explanation:
The higher the fat content of the cheese, the more fat will separate during baking, potentially resulting in a greasier pizza.
Solution:
Use cheese with moderate fat content (such as part-skim mozzarella).
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Cause 3: Using Low-Quality Cheese
Explanation:
Lower-quality cheeses tend to release more oil during baking, making the pizza greasier.
Solution:
Use higher-quality cheese, or experiment with different cheese types or brands.
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Cause 4: Improper Baking Settings
Explanation:
Baking settings such as temperature, oven position, baking mode, or baking time directly affect browning of the cheese. Finding the ideal settings for your equipment is key to achieving even, balanced baking.
Solution:
Find the ideal baking conditions in your oven to balance the top and bottom heat. This can be achieved by:
- Placing the pizza on a lower rack, farther from the top heating element (if your oven has one) to slow down top browning.
- Adjusting the oven settings – avoid using convection mode or the broiler, as they promote cheese cooking and oil separation.
- Baking for a shorter time.
- Baking at a lower temperature.
Additional Notes / Information
Fat separation or oiling off isn’t necessarily a “problem” – it depends on personal preference. On the one hand, the melted fat mixed with the sauce is full of flavor; On the other hand, too much fat separation can make the pizza overly greasy. Some people enjoy it, while others don’t.
For additional tips on using cheese and controlling its texture and how it bakes, see: How to Control Cheese Baking, Melting and Oil Separation.
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