Classic Pepperoni Pizza Recipe by Ooni

The Pepperoni Pizza may have been invented in Italy, but there’s a strong argument to make about it being perfected in America. This classic “Cheat Day” dish can be done a hundred ways, and every way is usually delicious, filling and easy to make. The great thing about this recipe is, when you pair it with an Ooni Pizza Oven, once it’s ready to cook, you’ll get it finished and ready to eat in less than two minutes! Ooni excels at the Neapolitan style pizza that features crispy, charred thin crust and a simple garlic-accented sauce. This recipe will make a single pepperoni pizza about 12 – 16 inches in size. Big enough to share, but small and done quick enough where everyone can have their own. Let’s fire up the oven!

Classic Pepperoni Pizza Ingredients

• Classic Pizza Dough Balls (250 – 330g)
• 4 – 6 tbsp Classic Pizza Sauce
• 2.5 – 3.5 oz Mozzarella Cheese, balls or chunks are better than shredded
• 8 – 10 Slices of Pepperoni Sausage
• 10 – 15 whole basil leaves
• Tsp of Ground Black Pepper

Important Tip #1: Prepare your pizza dough well ahead of time. You will need at least 3 hours to let it proof.

Here’s Ooni’s Classic Pizza Dough How-To

With a hint of garlic, salt and basil, Ooni’s Classic Pizza Sauce is the ideal sauce that will help to bring out the flavors in the other ingredients used here. Obviously your favorite jar of pizza sauce would do just fine if you wish to save some prep time and get right to the eats.

Here’s Ooni’s Classic Pizza Sauce How-To

In a bowl or stand mixer, add the warm water and yeast. Stir until dissolved.

Combine the flour and salt together in a bowl or stand mixer. Mix on low using a dough hook for 5-10 minutes until smooth, but elastic.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. The dough should rest and rise for 2 hours.

Divide the dough into equal sizes and roll the dough into smooth balls, then set on a tray and cover for another half-to-full hour.

Put flour on a smooth surface or cutting board, then press each ball into flat discs, using more flour to keep them from sticking to the surface. Continue to push outwards until the disc is 12 inches are larger. When you can see light through the center, it’s done.

Fire up your oven and let it heat to 932˚F (500˚C). Use an infrared thermometer to test the temp on the stone baking board inside.

Using a small amount of flour, dust your Ooni pizza peel.

Stretch the pizza dough ball out to 12″/16″ and lay it out on your pizza peel. Using a large spoon or ladle, spread the sauce evenly across the pizza base. Top with the pepperoni, then the mozzarella. Slide the pizza off the peel and into your Ooni pizza oven, making sure to rotate the pizza regularly.

Here’s how to use your pizza peel to turn your pepperoni pizza in the oven so it doesn’t burn.

Once your Classic Pepperoni Pizza is out of the oven, pull the whole basil leaves into smaller pieces and put them on the top, then add the pepper. Serve quickly for the best texture and taste, then wish your friends and family, “Goditi la mia cucina Italiana!”

Click to Shop Ooni Pizza Ovens at Ace Hardware