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How to Make Perfect Pepperoni Bread with Easy Homemade Dough

This Pepperoni Bread with Homemade Dough recipe is a budget-friendly and delicious pepperoni bread recipe. Imagine soft Italian dough stuffed with gooey mozzarella, savory parmesan, and tasty pepperoni.

It’s also a hit with kids and perfect for taking on the go, making it an ideal choice for potlucks and parties. And the best part? This recipe includes making the dough from scratch. Trust me, it’s a family favorite and so worth it!

3 slices of pepperoni bread

Pepperoni Bread with Homemade Dough

A super simple Italian bread dough is filled with parmesan, mozzarella, and pepperoni.   Very popular with kids!
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
rising time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Serving Size 12 servings

Equipment

Ingredients 

Bread Dough

  • 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons water
  • 3 cups flour (all purpose or bread flour are both fine)
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1½ teaspoons yeast
  • ½ teaspoon sugar

Filling

  • ½ cup shredded or grated parmesan cheese
  • 1½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 ounces sliced pepperoni (about half a package)

Topping

  • 1 egg

Instructions 

  • Prepare the dough. Combine all dough ingredients in a stand mixer or bread machine on the dough cycle. Then, knead until smooth or allow the bread machine to complete its cycle. If using a stand mixer, turn the dough out into an oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for one hour or until doubled in bulk.
  • Prepare the baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. After that, place the dough on top and stretch it into a 10 x 10-inch square. Let it rest for ten minutes.
  • Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Shape the dough. Stretch the dough out to the full size of the baking sheet. Evenly distribute the fillings in this order: parmesan, mozzarella, pepperoni, leaving a 1-inch border on each side.
  • Roll and seal the dough. Carefully roll up the dough, pinching all around the loaf to seal in the filling. Flip the loaf over so the seal is on the bottom. Brush with the beaten egg and make slashes on top.
  • Bake. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. Allow it to cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

Video

Notes

Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. If it’s old, the dough might not rise properly.
Don’t forget to choose good quality pepperoni and cheese for the best flavor. Parmesan cheese adds flavor, so don’t reduce or leave it out.
Use the recommended amount of cheese and pepperoni to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
Make sure to seal the roll completely to keep the fillings from coming out. If a little bit does come out during baking, just remove it after the cheese has firmed up.
If you don’t want to make the dough from scratch, using frozen dough is okay. Just make sure it’s fully defrosted before you start.
Let the dough rest for ten minutes after the initial stretching to help it relax and make it easier to shape without tearing.
Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 571mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 2mg

More Tips:

Make sure to measure your flour and water accurately using a kitchen scale for consistent results.

If your kitchen is cold, you can create a warm rising environment by placing the dough in an oven with only the light on or on top of a warm appliance.

Remember to make a few slashes on the top of the loaf before baking. This allows steam to escape and stops the bread from bursting.

Let the bread cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling to set and makes slicing easier.

You can serve the pepperoni bread with marinara sauce for dipping or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

If you’re new to bread making, don’t get disheartened by imperfect results. Each try will help you improve your skills.

pepperoni bread slices on wooden board, hand picking up piece

Serving Suggestions

Pepperoni Bread pairs well with marinara sauce for dipping, fresh green salad, antipasto platter, roasted vegetables, or garlic butter.

Here are some ingredient alternatives for this recipe:

  • Bread flour: You can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour.
  • Instant yeast: If you don’t have instant yeast, you can use active dry yeast, but dissolve it in warm water first. Look in the baking aisle near the flour and baking powder.
  • Parmesan cheese: Instead of Parmesan cheese, you can use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
  • Mozzarella cheese: You can substitute with provolone or Monterey Jack for mozzarella cheese.
  • Pepperoni: If you don’t have pepperoni, you can use salami or cooked sausage slices. If you can’t find pre-sliced pepperoni, buy a whole pepperoni stick and slice it thinly yourself. Look for it in the deli section or near the packaged meats.
flour, salt, yeast, pepperoni, mozzarella, and parmesan on marble counter

These substitutions may slightly alter the outcome, but feel free to experiment and find what you like best.

Storage Instructions

Once you’ve made your pepperoni bread, store any leftovers properly. You can keep it in an airtight container or tightly wrap it in plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature for no more than 2 days.

If you’d like to store it for longer, place the wrapped bread in the refrigerator, which will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

To freeze the pepperoni bread, wrap it in plastic and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Then, place the wrapped bread in a freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.

To thaw, just leave the bread in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

To reheat, simply warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

close up view of bread with cheese and pepperoni

Pepperoni bread is a simple, delicious recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. With these tips and instructions, you can easily make it at home.

Enjoy baking and sharing this flavorful bread with your family and friends!

picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  3. 5 stars
    We used to get this from a bakery in South Philly! Your recipe was perfect and helped us satisfy the craving at home.

    Reply

  7. We do a couple variations of this…pizza rolls and pizza sticks. They are a huge hit! Perfect for busy basketball nights when we need portable car food. Thanks for another one to try!

    Reply