Description
This Banana Pepper Pizza recipe offers a deliciously spicy twist on traditional pizza with a flavorful combination of soppressata, banana pepper rings, red onions, and a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Featuring an easy homemade pizza dough and a perfectly crispy crust dusted with cornmeal, this pizza is baked to golden-brown perfection in just under half an hour—ideal for a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough
- 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup lukewarm water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 cups + 1-2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
For the Pizza
- Cornmeal (for dusting pan)
- 1 batch pizza dough (store-bought or homemade with recipe below)
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce (use more if you like it saucier)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1 1/2 oz. soppressata (spicy or regular)
- 3/4 cup banana pepper rings (hot or regular)
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion (from 1/2 small onion)
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly dust a round baking pan with cornmeal to prevent sticking and add a slight crunch to the crust.
- Shape and Sauce the Dough: Stretch your pizza dough out to fit the prepared pan. Use a spoon or spatula to spoon the pizza sauce over the dough and gently spread it evenly to cover the surface.
- Add Toppings: Pat the banana pepper rings dry with a paper towel to avoid sogginess. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and provolone cheese evenly over the sauce. Then layer on the soppressata slices, banana pepper rings, and sliced red onion. Finish with a sprinkle of dried basil and red pepper flakes if using.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10-14 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Make the Dough (if homemade): In a large bowl, mix the active dry yeast with lukewarm water and let it rest for 2 minutes to activate.
- Add Flavorings to Dough: Stir in salt, extra-virgin olive oil, and honey into the yeast mixture.
- Incorporate Flour and Knead: Add 1 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour gradually to the mixture. If the dough feels too wet, add one more tablespoon of flour. Form the dough into a ball and knead gently a few times within the bowl.
- Let Dough Rise: Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm spot for about 2 hours to allow the dough to rise and double in size before shaping for the pizza.
Notes
- You can use store-bought pizza dough as a shortcut if you prefer.
- Patting the banana peppers dry improves the texture and prevents soggy toppings.
- If you prefer a less spicy pizza, use regular soppressata and banana peppers instead of hot varieties.
- Adjust the amount of pizza sauce to your liking; add more if you enjoy a saucier pizza.
- Letting the dough rise properly is key for a light and airy crust.
- Using cornmeal on the pan adds a nice texture and prevents sticking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (including dough rising time of 2 hours, mostly inactive)
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American