Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Recipe

📝 Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp instant yeast

• ¾ cup warm water

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the sauce:

• ¾ cup canned tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes

• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp dried basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the topping:

• 200g (about 7 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced

• 20–30 slices of pepperoni

• Olive oil for brushing the crust

• Optional: red chili flakes or extra cheese

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

2. Let the Dough Rise:
   Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours or until it doubles in size.

3. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.

4. Make the Sauce:
   In a small pan, heat some olive oil. Add garlic, then stir in the tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5–10 minutes. Let cool slightly.

5. Shape the Dough:
   Punch down the dough and stretch it out into a 10–12 inch circle. Place it on a baking sheet or pizza peel dusted with flour or cornmeal.

6. Assemble the Pizza:
   Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the base. Sprinkle or lay the mozzarella cheese evenly. Arrange the pepperoni slices on top.

7. Bake the Pizza:
   Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For crispier pepperoni, bake until the edges curl slightly.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
   Remove from the oven, brush the crust with a little olive oil if desired, slice, and serve hot!