What Is Mozzarella di Bufala? Buffalo Mozzarella for Pizza

Buffalo mozzarella, known in Italian as Mozzarella di Bufala, is a fresh mozzarella made from buffalo milk. It is richer, creamier and usually more delicate than cow's-milk mozzarella, with a softer texture and a noticeably fuller flavour.

Buffalo mozzarella can be brilliant on pizza, but it needs a little more care because it generally contains more moisture than the low-moisture cheeses many people are used to using at home.

Quick answer: Mozzarella di Bufala is buffalo-milk mozzarella. For pizza, drain it well, tear it into small pieces and use it sparingly so you get the creamy flavour without making the centre of the pizza wet.

What Is Buffalo Mozzarella (Mozzarella di Bufala)?

Mozzarella di Bufala is a fresh stretched-curd cheese made from buffalo milk. It is soft, milky and creamy, with a delicate tang and a tender texture.

The famous protected cheese Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP is produced under a specific protected-origin specification in designated parts of Italy. Not every buffalo mozzarella sold in the UK is DOP, so it is worth checking the individual product label if that certification matters to you.

For pizza, the most important qualities are flavour, moisture and how the cheese behaves in the oven.

Is Buffalo Mozzarella Good on Pizza?

Yes — especially if you want a softer, creamier finish than Fior di Latte.

Buffalo mozzarella works particularly well on:

• Margherita pizza
• Prosciutto pizzas
• tomato and basil pizzas
• simple Neapolitan-style pizzas where the cheese is one of the main flavours

The key is not to overload the pizza. Buffalo mozzarella has a luxurious flavour, so a little goes a long way.

The Buffalo Mozzarella We Sell

We stock buffalo mozzarella for pizza from Fattorie Vittoria. It is a fresh Italian buffalo-milk mozzarella that works beautifully on homemade pizza.

Shop Buffalo Mozzarella – Fattorie Vittoria Mozzarella di Bufala →

Mozzarella di Bufala vs Fior di Latte

Both are fresh mozzarella cheeses, but the milk makes a noticeable difference.

Feature	Mozzarella di Bufala	Fior di Latte
Milk	Buffalo milk	Cow's milk
Flavour	Richer, creamier, slightly tangier	Clean, milky, mild
Texture	Softer and more delicate	Usually a little firmer
Moisture	Often higher	Usually easier to manage on pizza
Best use	Premium simple pizzas	Reliable everyday pizza cheese

If you want a cheese that is straightforward to use for pizza night, Fior di Latte is often the easier option. If you want a richer, more luxurious mozzarella flavour, buffalo mozzarella is excellent.

For a deeper comparison, read our guide to Fior di Latte.

How to Use Buffalo Mozzarella on Pizza

1. Drain it properly

Take the mozzarella out of its liquid and allow it to drain before using it. If it is very wet, place it on clean kitchen paper for a short time to remove excess surface moisture.

2. Tear rather than slice

Tear the cheese into small pieces rather than placing large thick slices across the pizza. Smaller pieces distribute the moisture more evenly and melt more predictably.

3. Use less than you think

With buffalo mozzarella, more is not necessarily better. Too much cheese can release enough liquid to make the centre of the pizza soft or soupy.

For a 12-inch pizza, start modestly and add more next time if you want a heavier cheese layer.

4. Keep the toppings simple

Mozzarella di Bufala is best when you can actually taste it. A simple combination of tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil and extra virgin olive oil lets the cheese do the work.

Why Can Buffalo Mozzarella Make Pizza Soggy?

Fresh buffalo mozzarella contains a significant amount of water. In a very hot pizza oven the pizza cooks quickly, but the cheese can still release moisture before all of it has time to evaporate.

The usual causes of a wet centre are:

• using too much cheese
• not draining the mozzarella
• using too much tomato sauce
• crowding the pizza with other wet toppings
• cooking at a temperature that is too low for the style of pizza

The solution is simple: drain the cheese, use sensible amounts and keep the topping load under control.

Should Buffalo Mozzarella Go on Before or After Baking?

For a classic Neapolitan-style pizza, buffalo mozzarella can go on before baking so it softens and melts in the oven.

Some people also add a small amount after baking for an even fresher, milkier flavour. Both approaches can work; it depends on the result you want.

If you are cooking in a very hot pizza oven, small pieces added before baking are usually enough.

Does Buffalo Mozzarella Melt Like Normal Mozzarella?

It melts, but not in quite the same way as low-moisture mozzarella. Instead of creating a dry, stretchy blanket of cheese, fresh buffalo mozzarella tends to soften into creamy pools.

That is exactly what many people want on a Neapolitan-style pizza.

What Does Buffalo Mozzarella Taste Like?

Compared with cow's-milk Fior di Latte, buffalo mozzarella is generally richer and more expressive. It has a fuller dairy flavour, gentle acidity and a creamy finish.

Because the flavour is relatively delicate, it is especially good with simple ingredients rather than heavily spiced or heavily smoked toppings.

A Simple Buffalo Mozzarella Margherita

For a very simple pizza, use:

• Dough Dorks 48-hour fermented pizza dough
• 70–90g of simple tomato sauce
• well-drained buffalo mozzarella
• fresh basil
• extra virgin olive oil

If you want to make the tomato sauce from scratch, use our Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Sauce Recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is buffalo mozzarella?

Buffalo mozzarella is fresh mozzarella made from buffalo milk. In Italian it is commonly called Mozzarella di Bufala.

Is Mozzarella di Bufala the same as buffalo mozzarella?

In everyday use, yes. Mozzarella di Bufala refers to mozzarella made from buffalo milk. However, the protected name Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP has a specific geographic and production specification.

Is buffalo mozzarella better than Fior di Latte for pizza?

Not necessarily better — just different. Buffalo mozzarella is richer and creamier, while Fior di Latte is usually easier to handle and more predictable on pizza.

Do I need to drain buffalo mozzarella before using it?

Yes. Draining it helps reduce the amount of moisture released onto the pizza during cooking.

Can I use buffalo mozzarella in an Ooni or Gozney?

Yes. It works very well in high-temperature pizza ovens. Use small pieces, drain it well and avoid overloading the centre of the pizza.

How much buffalo mozzarella should I use on a 12-inch pizza?

There is no single correct amount, but start with a relatively light covering. Buffalo mozzarella has plenty of flavour and moisture, so using less usually gives a better-balanced result.

Try Buffalo Mozzarella on Your Next Pizza

If you want a richer, creamier alternative to Fior di Latte, buffalo mozzarella is one of the easiest ways to change the character of a simple pizza.

Shop Buffalo Mozzarella – Mozzarella di Bufala →

Pair it with our 48-hour fermented Neapolitan pizza dough balls and a simple tomato sauce for a proper pizza night.