Easy Pepperoni Pizza
Easy homemade pepperoni pizza recipe with simple dough and fresh toppings. Make crispy, cheesy pizza at home in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2.25 teaspoons) instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2.5 cups whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 6 ounces natural pepperoni, sliced thin
- 1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal for dusting
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of sea salt for finishing
Instructions
- 1
Combine the warm water, honey, and yeast in a large mixing bowl, then let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and fragrant.
- 2
Stir the olive oil into the yeast mixture, blending thoroughly to incorporate.
- 3
Add the flour and sea salt to the wet ingredients, then mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
- 4
Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding small amounts of flour if it feels too sticky.
- 5
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes until roughly doubled in size.
- 6
Preheat your oven to 475°F while the dough rises, positioning the rack in the lower third of the oven.
- 7
Combine the tomato sauce, minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl, stirring to blend evenly.
- 8
Dust a 14-inch pizza pan or baking sheet with cornmeal, then gently stretch the risen dough over the surface, creating an even thickness throughout.
- 9
Spread the seasoned tomato sauce over the dough using the back of a spoon, leaving a half-inch border around the edges for the crust.
- 10
Distribute the sliced sweet onion evenly across the sauce layer.
- 11
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly over the onions, using about two-thirds of the total amount.
- 12
Arrange the pepperoni slices across the cheese in slightly overlapping circles, then top with the remaining mozzarella.
- 13
Transfer the assembled pizza to the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese bubbles vigorously at the edges.
- 14
Remove the pizza from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil leaves and a light sprinkle of sea salt.
- 15
Slice into 8 portions and serve immediately while the cheese is warm and melty.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| all-purpose flour | whole wheat flour or spelt flour (use 2 cups whole grain + 1 cup all-purpose) | whole grains provide more fiber, minerals, and a lower glycemic impact compared to refined flour |
| whole milk mozzarella cheese | part-skim mozzarella or a blend of part-skim mozzarella and ricotta | reduces saturated fat and calories while maintaining creamy texture and melting quality |
| regular pepperoni | uncured, nitrate-free pepperoni or turkey pepperoni | eliminates harmful nitrates and reduces sodium content while lowering saturated fat intake |
| honey as sweetener | 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 1.5 teaspoons coconut sugar | alternative sweeteners with a lower glycemic index that provide micronutrients without blood sugar spikes |
| tomato sauce (canned) | fresh tomato sauce made from 3-4 blended ripe tomatoes plus 2 tablespoons tomato paste | fresh tomatoes provide higher lycopene content and beneficial probiotics when uncooked, reducing processing |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 625 |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 38mg |
| Sodium | 945mg |
| Carbohydrates | 68g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Protein | 30g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
