Here’s a recipe for homemade thin and crispy pepperoni pizza:
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup thinly sliced pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing the crust)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
- Dried oregano (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the olive oil and the yeast mixture. Stir until it forms a dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Pizza:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions for thinner crusts or keep it whole for a larger pizza.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface as thin as possible. The thinner the dough, the crispier the pizza will be.
- Transfer the rolled-out dough to a piece of parchment paper (this will make it easier to transfer to the oven).
3. Assemble the Pizza:
- Brush a little olive oil along the edges of the dough for a golden, crispy crust.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Arrange the sliced pepperoni evenly over the cheese. You can add more if you like extra pepperoni!
4. Bake the Pizza:
- Carefully slide the pizza (with the parchment paper) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- If you like extra crispiness, you can broil it for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it.
5. Serve:
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two.
- Optionally, sprinkle with red pepper flakes and dried oregano.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy your homemade thin crispy pepperoni pizza!
Tips for Extra Crispiness:
- Roll the dough as thin as possible to ensure a crispy texture.
- Use a pizza stone to get a crispier crust, as it absorbs moisture and helps with even cooking.
- Preheat your oven and stone before baking to get a hotter surface that will crisp up the dough.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade thin and crispy pepperoni pizza!