While the classic American pepperoni pizza is well-loved worldwide, it doesn’t make its appearance in traditional Italian pizzerias.

If you’re anticipating biting into a slice of pepperoni pizza in Italy, you might be in for a surprise, unless you want to eat a pizza with bell peppers.

Key Takeaways:

In Italy, you won’t find the U.S.-style pepperoni pizza, but try the “pizza alla diavola” for a similar taste – you’ll love it!
Pepperoni, as Americans know it, came from Italian immigrants in the U.S.; you won’t find this exact salami in Italy.
Fun fact: “Peperoni” in Italian means bell peppers, not the spicy meat we’re used to on pizzas!

Source: www.ilpanificiodicamillo.it

pepperoni-pizza-and-pizza-diavola — On the left is a Pepperoni Pizza. On the right is a Pizza alla Diavola (Pizza with Spicy Salami). As you can see Italian spicy salami is distinguishable from pepperoni, it has a less clear-cut and precise shape.

Before you feel too disappointed, let’s understand why and find out how you can still enjoy a pizza reminiscent of the beloved pepperoni flavor.

When you’re scanning the menu in an Italian restaurant, puzzled over the absence of “pepperoni pizza,” here’s what you should ask for: “pizza con salame piccante” or “pizza alla diavola.” This pizza, adorned with tomato, mozzarella, and spicy salami, might be the closest you can get to the familiar taste of pepperoni.

Some spicy salamis hung to mature are brown/red in color and have a rustic and irregular appearance. — These are the spicy salamis you’ll find sliced on your pizza alla diavola; in fact, it’s the closest thing to a pepperoni salami. A kind of “Italian pepperoni”.

Remember that the pizza you get will likely be thinner and lighter pizza than the classic American pizza. Follow the links to understand why.

Why Can’t You Find Pepperoni Pizza in Italy?

The mystery behind the absence of pepperoni pizza in Italy lies in the main ingredient. You might wonder, “Is pepperoni Italian?” The truth is, pepperoni salami isn’t an authentic Italian cured meat. Instead, its roots trace back to the U.S., likely emerging in the late 1800s.

Comparative Table: American Pepperoni vs. Italian Spicy Salami

Feature	American Pepperoni	Italian Spicy Salami
Origin	USA and Canada	Italy
Date of Invention	Late 1800s/Early 1900s	Ancient times
Main Ingredients	Pork and beef	Varies, often just pork
Texture	Soft	Varies, typically firmer
Spiciness Level	Mildly spicy	Typically very spicy
Smoked	Yes	Rarely
Grain	Fine	Varies, often thicker
Color	Bright red	Can vary, often less bright

Note: While American pepperoni has a specific formulation, Italian spicy salami can greatly vary from one region to another or between producers in Italy.

Many of the foods you associate with Italy, such as the pepperoni pizza, stem from Italian immigrants adapting their recipes using local American ingredients. The term “pepperoni” in Italian translates to “bell peppers” and is written peperoni with just one “p”.

Thus what we called peperoncino here in Italy, translated into English with small peppers, for mispronunciation came to be called pepperoni in America.

Linguistic mix-ups between Italian immigrants and their new American neighbors led to the birth of the pepperoni salami we know today. So, when you ponder “is there pepperoni in Italy?,” remember it’s an American twist on Italian flavors.

Now, while you won’t find a pizza labeled “pepperoni pizza” in Italian, you can always savor the spicy and delicious “diavola pizza” and make your own thoughts about “diavola pizza vs pepperoni.” The experience might even introduce you to a new favorite!

From Pepperoni to Diavola: Italy’s Spicy Pizza Deception!

But if you are in Italy, precisely in a local ristorante or pizzeria, how to order a pepperoni pizza from the waiter?

Even if pepperoni doesn’t exist in Italy you can still have a very comparable pizza, just ask for a “pizza con salame piccante” or ask for a “pizza alla diavola” with tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami, and added pepper.

And you will see that you will be served a pizza quite similar to the pepperoni pizza you are used to eating, maybe even better! And if you’re unsure whether to eat it with your hands or utensils, check out the link.

Do we eat Pepperoni Salami in Italy?

No, in Italy we do not eat pepperoni, mainly because importing it is not convenient and in fact, it is not found for sale. Then in Italy, we make several pepperoni-like cured meats, which we also use to season diavola pizza, which is quite similar to pepperoni pizza.

What Salami do Italians put on Pizza?

So many pizza recipes in Italy call for the use of sausages and cured meats as toppings. If you like American pepperoni pizza, then in Italy you should try these pizzas, all of which have some kind of cured meat on top:

Pizza alla diavola: with hot salami, pepper and mozzarella cheese.
Pizza capricciosa: with mozzarella, mushrooms, ham, olives and artichokes.
Pizza boscaiola: with mozzarella, champignon mushrooms and sausage.
Pizza salsiccia e friarielli: with sausages, smoked provolone, chili and garlic