Description
This crusty no-knead pizza bread combines the bold flavors of your favorite pizza with the rustic charm of homemade bread. Easy to make, loaded with cheese, pepperoni, and herbs, and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- Bread Flour: 3 ½ cups – Provides chewiness and structure to the loaf
- Instant Yeast: 1 teaspoon – Helps the dough rise with minimal effort
- Salt: 1 ½ teaspoons – Enhances flavor throughout the bread
- Warm Water: 1 ½ cups – Activates the yeast and brings the dough together
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup – Melts into gooey pockets inside the bread
- Mini Pepperoni or Chopped Regular: ½ cup – Brings that familiar savory pizza flavor
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes (chopped): ⅓ cup – Adds sweetness and a burst of umami
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon – Gives it that classic pizza aroma
- Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon – Adds depth and a hint of savory punch
- Cornmeal or Flour (for dusting): As needed – Prevents sticking and helps form the crust
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Place your Dutch oven (with lid) into your oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C) about 30 minutes before baking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the flour, yeast, and salt. Add water and mix until a sticky dough forms. Fold in mozzarella, pepperoni, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and garlic powder until evenly distributed.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Line a clean bowl or surface with parchment paper and dust it with flour or cornmeal. Turn out the dough, form into a round loaf, and cover loosely. Let rise at room temperature for 1½ to 2 hours or until puffy.
- Assemble the Dish: Carefully transfer the dough (with parchment) into the preheated Dutch oven.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake for another 15–20 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing to let the flavors settle and the steam escape.
- Serve and Enjoy: Tear it apart while warm or slice and dip into marinara sauce. It’s heavenly any way you serve it.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to make transferring the dough easier
- Letting the dough rise overnight in the fridge deepens flavor
- Sprinkle cheese on top before baking for an extra cheesy crust
- Swap pepperoni with mushrooms or olives for a vegetarian version
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: no-knead bread, pizza bread, homemade bread, crusty loaf, savory baking