This classic pepperoni pizza delivers the perfect blend of flavors in just 20 minutes from start to finish. With its irresistible combination of melted cheese, savory pepperoni, and crispy crust, you’ll master restaurant-quality pizza right in your own kitchen.
Ready in just 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking time, this quick and satisfying recipe proves that homemade pizza doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious.
Essential Ingredients
- Pizza Dough Base: Active dry yeast, sugar, warm water, olive oil, salt, vinegar, and bread flour for a perfect crust
- Savory Toppings: Classic pizza sauce, premium pepperoni, freshly shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and Italian seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Mix yeast with warm water and sugar, let it bloom for 5 minutes until foamy
- Create the Base: Add remaining water, oil, salt, and vinegar. Gradually incorporate flour while kneading for 7 minutes
- First Rise: Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours until doubled
- Shape Your Pizza: Divide dough into portions and roll to desired thickness, brush with olive oil
- Pre-bake: Heat oven to 450°F, pre-bake crust for 3-4 minutes
- Top and Finish: Add sauce, pepperoni, cheese blend, and seasonings
- Final Bake: Return to oven for 5-12 minutes until golden and bubbly
Cooking Method Options
This pizza recipe is super flexible with three great ways to cook it! You can use a regular oven with a pizza stone for that classic crispy crust, fire it up in a pizza oven for authentic Italian-style results, or take it outside to the grill for a fun summer cooking experience.
I love using the pizza stone method – it gives you that perfect balance of a crunchy bottom and chewy middle that makes homemade pizza so special.
Dough Tips
Making pizza dough from scratch is so rewarding! The key is watching for that slightly sticky texture – if it just barely sticks to your finger when you touch it, you’ve got it right. Don’t worry if you don’t use all the flour – different days and different kitchens need different amounts.
Let the dough tell you when it’s ready by looking for a smooth, elastic feel. And here’s a little secret: that tiny bit of vinegar in the recipe helps create a more tender crust!
Storage & Reheating
Got leftover pizza? Lucky you! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, skip the microwave – instead, pop it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a lid for about 5 minutes.
This keeps the crust crispy and the cheese melty. You can also freeze extra pizza dough! Just wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Quick Variations
While this classic pepperoni pizza is amazing as-is, you can easily mix things up! Try adding some fresh basil after baking, swapping the pepperoni for Italian sausage, or loading up with veggies like bell peppers and mushrooms.
Want a white pizza? Skip the red sauce and brush the crust with garlic-infused olive oil instead. The basic dough recipe stays the same – it’s your canvas for whatever toppings make you happy!
Pepperoni Pizza
Equipment
- Stand mixer
- Pizza Stone
- Pizza Peel
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
Toppings
- 1 cup pizza sauce homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups pepperoni
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Combine: In a large bowl of a stand mixer combine ½ cup of the warm water with the sugar and yeast. Stir to dissolve the yeast and let rest for 5 minutes. It should foam on the top.
- Knead Dough: Begin mixing on medium-low speed, gradually adding the flour a cup at a time, and knead the dough for about 7 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Rise: Transfer dough to a greased bowl and cover with a dry towel or greased plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has about doubled in volume.
