🍕 Pepperoni Pizza Recipe – My Cheesy, Crispy, Soul-Satisfying Favorite
Let me tell you something straight from the heart – there’s nothing in this world quite like a hot, homemade pepperoni pizza. That first bite, when the cheese stretches like a dream, the pepperoni edges curl into little cups of crispy joy, and the crust holds it all together like a buttery, blistered base of heaven? Pure magic.
I’ve made this pepperoni pizza recipe more times than I can count. Late nights, lazy Sundays, cheat days, celebrations – you name it. Every time, it hits the spot. And now, I’m sharing my personal go-to recipe with you. Because great pizza shouldn’t just be a restaurant thing – it should be a home thing. A your kitchen smells amazing kind of thing.
So tie that apron. Crank the oven. Let’s get into it.
🧾 Ingredients – The Good Stuff
This makes one 12–14 inch pizza (or two smaller ones if you’re feeling generous).
🍞 For the Dough:
- 3 cups bread flour (or all-purpose if that’s what you have)
- 1¼ cups warm water (not hot!)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (or one packet)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
🍅 For the Sauce:
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if you can find ‘em)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper – to taste
🧀 For the Toppings:
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella
- 20–25 slices of pepperoni (get the good stuff – thick cut if possible)
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan or pecorino
- Chili flakes, basil, garlic oil (optional but yum)
🔥 Step-by-Step – How I Make My Perfect Pepperoni Pizza
1. Make the dough (or buy it – I won’t judge)
Mix yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let it sit till it’s bubbly and frothy. That’s the yeast waking up – give it 5–7 mins.
In a big bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead it out on a floured surface for 8–10 mins till it’s smooth, stretchy, and kind of bouncy.
Oil the bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1–2 hours. It should double in size and look like a dough baby ready for greatness.
2. Sauce time!
In a small pan, heat olive oil, add garlic – just till fragrant. Add crushed tomatoes, paste, herbs, salt & pepper. Simmer for 10–12 mins till it thickens and smells like you wanna bathe in it.
Let it cool. (Sauce gets tastier as it sits.)
3. Dough, round two
Punch the dough gently, divide into one big or two medium balls. Rest under a cloth for 20 mins. Or wrap and cold-ferment in the fridge for 24–48 hours. (That’s flavor town right there.)
Bring back to room temp before using.
4. Shape that beauty
Preheat your oven to 500°F (or max!). Use a stone or steel if you have one.
Stretch the dough with your hands – no rolling pins here. Let gravity help. Form a nice rim – that’s your cheesy crust edge.
Place it on parchment or a floured pizza peel.
5. Top it right
Spread a thin layer of sauce – not too much. Cheese on top. Then pepperoni, edge to edge. I like to add parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil before baking.
6. Bake
Slide it onto the hot stone or tray. Bake 8–10 mins. Watch it puff, bubble, crisp.
When the cheese is golden and the pepperoni curls and crisps? Pull it. Let it rest 2 mins (torture, I know).
Slice. Fold. Crunch. Smile.
💡 Vinit’s Pizza Tips (Trust Me On These)
- Bread flour = better chew.
- Cold ferment = deeper flavor.
- Pepperoni under AND over cheese? Next-level.
- Add chili honey drizzle for sweet heat.
- Brush crust with garlic oil pre-bake.
❓ FAQ (Because You Might Be Wondering)
Can I use store dough? Yes! Let it rise at room temp first for 30 mins. Still delicious.
Why is my crust soggy? Too much sauce or not enough oven heat. Keep it thin. Get that oven HOT.
What if I don’t have a pizza stone? Use an inverted baking sheet preheated in oven. It works!
Best cheese? Low-moisture mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella is wetter – good, but a bit trickier.
🧡 Final Slice of Advice
This pepperoni pizza recipe isn’t just food. It’s comfort. Celebration. A slice of home, shared with friends, family – or just your hungry self at 11 PM.
You don’t need to be a pro. Just good ingredients, a hot oven, and a little heart. I promise, your kitchen is about to smell like a New York slice shop.
So next time you’re craving that perfect pepperoni pizza, skip the delivery app. Make it from scratch. Feel that cheesy pride when you pull it from the oven.
See Also: Authentic New York Pizza Dough Recipe – Crispy, Chewy, and Pizzeria-Perfect
