Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (2024)

Please take a look at this pizza bread's photos: isn't it gorgeous? Presentation: 10/10. Flavour: 10/10 (you can trust me!). This pizza star bread is the perfect pull-apart bread, to eat as an appetiser or instead of bread at lunch! And to serve to your guests, of course!

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Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (1)

It's December 27 while I'm writing this post and I-AM-SO-CONFUSED. What day is it? Monday, Tuesday...? This is a common perception after the holidays I think, it's like a Christmas hangover. Am I right?

We're all stuffed with food that we can't even reason, and the last thing we want to talk about is...food. But hey, I own a food blog guys, so here we go again: talking about food for the umpteenth time this week! I beg your pardon, lol

I won't bore you with a long post today, promise!

How to make pizza bread

First of all, I hear you saying "why is this called pizza bread?".

I'll be honest: because it was the easiest name to use for a stuffed bread-like dough with tomato, oregano and mozzarella.
And of course because it tastes like pizza (duh)

Secondly, you know that I always like to share the steps to take to make a recipe, right? Then let's see how simple it is to make this star shaped pizza bread!

  1. Prepare the dough (or buy a good one!)
    To make this gorgeous pizza star I've used mom's recipe: combine all the ingredients, let proof for a couple of hours (ideal temperature is 28-30°C / 82-86° F) until doubled.
    Are you feeling lazy? Buy a good pizza dough (bakeries sell it sometimes).
  2. In the meantime, let tomato reduce
    This step is important: let your tomato sauce thicken a little bit, at low heat. This will help you while assembling.
    I've made this recipe a few times and at the beginning I had some problems because my sauce released too many liquids.
    To avoid that, let it simmer so it reduces.
  3. Assemble pizza bread
    When the dough has doubled in volume: divide it into 3 pieces, then - on a floured surface - roll each into a 23 cm (9 inches) disc.
    Put the first disk on parchment paper.
    Top with sauce and mozzarella, then another disc, repeat, add the last disc.
    Cut into 16 "slices" and twist (follow the video!).
    Gently brush the surface with oil and Parmesan (optional).
  4. Bake
    Well, just bake! 200°C (390° F) for about 30-35 minutes.
    Better if eaten immediately.

Note: while the dough is proofing, remember to cut your mozzarella and let it drain on a colander. We don't want extra moistness.

P.S. don't worry: it gets messy. Even if we made our tomato sauce reduce, it'll probably lose some liquids. When baked, it won't look messy!

Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (2)

About the filling: substitutions

I love the filling of this stuffed pizza bread (it's just like Pizza Margherita)!
Let's see, though, if you can substitute or omit something.

Flour

I've tried this recipe using organic all purpose (00 flour here), bread and spelt flour. All of them were amazing, feel free to choose what you like/already have at home.

Mozzarella

I've tested it both with and without mozzarella. If you don't use it, it will be a delicious vegan appetizer.

Want to change cheese? Feel free to try scamorza, provola, or something like that.

Tomato

I've used both San Marzano peeled tomatoes (in a can), then made my own sauce (quick), and also datterini tomato sauce.
You can use your favorite.

Parmesan cheese

I've used parmesan to get a beautiful golden brown crust.

I normally HATE Parmigiano (and I live in Parma, Italy lol), but in this case you can't taste it when cooked, so it's ok.
Is it optional? Totally.

Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (3)

The ideal appetiser

The idea to share my quick pizza recipe on the blog came a few weeks ago, when I remembered I posted something similar last year on December 24, just in another shape(see the link).

Then, at the beginning of this month, I saw @zoebakes' stories on Instagram: she was making holiday star bread with raspberry jam and it dumbfounded me! It was just BEAUTIFUL.

So I thought 'Why not making a savory version using my quick pizza recipe?'
And TADAAAN!

Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (4)

Look at it, it's perfection.

In my opinion, this pizza bread is the ideal appetizer.
You can put it on a cute serving plate in the center of your table and your guests can take a piece (with clean hands!).

NOTE: see update (sad) at the beginning of this post.

Do you have other questions?

It's not easy to answer all the questions you may have, so PLEASE leave a comment below and I'm glad to reply! Thank you.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a rating and leave a comment! It would make me so happy! 🙂

Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (5)

Remember: if you try one of my recipes, tag me onInstagramor DM me the photos!

Don’t forget to pin and share this easy and delicious recipe!

STUFFED PIZZA BREAD

A funny way to present pizza: quick and easy pizza star bread to eat as an appetizer (or however you prefer!)

Print Pin

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Let rise for: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 pizza bread

Ingredients

  • 500 gr Bread flour - (I've also tested this with spelt flour and all purpose)
  • 300 gr Lukewarm water - (Quantity varies depending on how the flour absorbs liquids)
  • 6 gr Brown sugar
  • a packet Dry yeast - ( 7 gr)
  • 12 gr Salt
  • 12 gr Extra virgin olive oil
For the filling:
  • About 300 gr Tomato sauce - You will have some leftovers
  • Salt (if sauce is unsalted) - to taste
  • A drop Extra virgin olive oil
  • Oregano - to taste
  • One mozzarella (120 gr) - (optional. I've tested both with and without mozzarella)
  • Parmigiano or pecorino - optional

Instructions

  • Combine lukewarm water and dry yeast (if it needs to activate, let it set aside for 5/10 minutes)

  • Using a stand mixer, combine flour and sugar. Activate the machine at low speed, with flat hook.

  • Pour the water + yeast mixture, and let absorb.

  • Add salt and let it incorporate, finally drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and let absorb.

  • Once the dough forms into a ball, let the mixerknead for approximately10/15 minutes (perform the windowpane test).

  • Put your dough into a deep bowl, cover with a lid or plastic and let it rise for 2 hours or until doubled in size (it depends on the room's temperature).

If you want to use mozzarella:
  • Cut your mozzarella into very little pieces and let the excess liquids drain.

For the tomato sauce: (you'll have some leftovers)
  • Put your tomato sauce into a pan with salt, oil and oregano and let "thicken" for about 10 minutes or until most of the water has evaporated.

  • IMPORTANT: the sauce must be as thick as possible, otherwise we will make a mess when assembling the pizza bread.

Let's make the star shaped pizza bread:
  • Preheat the oven at 200°C (400°F).

  • Divide the dough into three equal pieces.

  • Onto a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into 23 centimetersdisks.

  • Spread some tomato sauce (do not put too much) and mozzarella onto one disk then add another layer of dough.

    Add sauce and mozza and the last disk.

  • NOTE: it's very IMPORTANT that you add a bit of flour onto every disk, so it will absorb the excess liquids and the dough will be workable.

  • Place a round cutter (or a glass) in the center of the disk and cut the dough into 16 wedges.

  • Gently twist each piece one away from each other 2 or 3 times, then seal pinching the ends.

  • Brush with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle some parmigiano cheese on top (totally optional) and bake for 35 minutes.

Video

Tried this recipe?Mention @roberta.dallalba on Instagram or DM me!

Loved this recipe? Than I'm 100% you will LOVE this tomato galette!

Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (7)

©Healthy Little Cravings – Roberta Dall’Alba.
I own all content and photos’ copyright.

Before using my photos and recipes, please email me.
If you would like to republish a recipe, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.

Stuffed Pizza Bread Recipe / The Perfect Pull-Apart Bread (2024)

FAQs

What is cheesy pull apart bread made of? ›

If pulling apart slices of warm, cheesy, garlicky bread is your idea of a good time, do this: Slice crusty bread into a grid pattern, coat every nook and cranny with garlic butter, tuck in some shredded mozzarella and bake the whole thing. What was just a loaf of bread is now a worthy party centerpiece.

Can you use left over pizza dough for bread? ›

For the bread

Take some leftover pizza dough and on a lightly-floured work surface slice it in half using a dough scraper. Using your fingertips, push downwards on the dough and stretch it out to form two small rolls. Place the rolls onto a lightly-floured pizza peel. Slide the dough off the peel and into your oven.

Can I turn pizza dough into bread? ›

Yes. I work at a Neapolitan pizza place that serves NY style as well. We use the same dough and bake it at 900f and 650f and we bake bread at both those temps too using again the same dough. Cook it til it's done.

Who made pizza bread? ›

However, we know that the basic pizza form of seasoned flatbread can trace its history back to ancient Mediterranean civilizations. The Phoenicians and Greeks, as well as other cultures in the area, made flatbread from water and flour. They cooked this dough on a hot stone, then used herbs to add flavor.

What is hillbilly bread? ›

Description. A soft bread for those who like the smooth texture of a white bread and the health benefits of multigrain, Hillbilly Bread is the best of both worlds. This multigrain bread has 1.5 grams of whole grains in two slices! Make healthier sandwiches that your kids will love to eat, and you'll love to serve.

What is another name for pull apart bread? ›

Monkey bread (also known by other names including plucking cake, pull-apart bread, and bubble bread) is a soft, sweet, sticky pastry served in the United States for breakfast or as a treat.

What makes pizza dough different from bread dough? ›

While both pizza dough and bread dough contain similar ingredients, their proportions and preparation methods vary greatly to set them apart. Pizza dough is typically made to be thinner and softer than bread dough, which is often thicker and chewier.

Is pizza dough and focaccia dough the same? ›

Pizza vs Focaccia

The primary difference is how much yeast is added to the dough and therefore how much the dough is able to rise. Focaccias use more yeast, which gives it a lighter, fluffier texture than a traditional pizza dough and is more closely resembles leavened bread.

How long can pizza dough sit out before baking? ›

If you are planning to use your pizza dough soon, you can store it at room temperature for about four hours. Any longer than that and you will want to keep it in the fridge to avoid over-fermentation.

Is bread yeast OK for pizza dough? ›

If the pizza dough recipe calls for instant or active dry yeast, then yes, it can be used. Unless you're making pizza dough in commercial quantities, you probably aren't using wet yeast, but for large quantities of dough it's probably the best to use. Short answer: pretty much any yeast will work for pizza dough.

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose for pizza? ›

This makes bread flour higher in gluten, giving pizza dough a chewy texture. However, all-purpose flour will still work fine for pizza dough; you may just need to add a little more water to make the dough come together. The choice of which type of flour to use is really up to personal preference.

Can I use pizza flour instead of all-purpose flour? ›

All this said, it's generally fine to substitute all-purpose flour for “00” flour. You'll notice a texture difference if you grew up in Europe or are very familiar with with products made from “00” flour, but all your recipes will still come out just fine.

What is another name for pizza bread? ›

Focaccia is an oven-baked flatbread with a similar texture to pizza dough. It's believed that the Romans invented this style of bread – but they cooked theirs on the hearth, which produces a far crispier version than modern-day offerings.

What is pizza inside bread called? ›

A calzone is an Italian dish that features a circular piece of pizza or yeasted bread dough that's folded in half over a filling that includes ricotta, and often mozzarella and Parmesan, too, cured meats, vegetables and herbs, then sealed shut using a crimping technique.

What is 00 flour in USA? ›

So, what is 00 flour? 00 flour is the most finely sifted type of Italian flour, made only from the endosperm. A wheat kernel is made up of three key components – the germ, the bran, and the endosperm.

Why is pull apart bread called monkey bread? ›

Monkey bread gets its name by the method in which it is eaten: picking off chunks of buttery, gooey dough with your fingers not unlike a monkey grooming his buddy (which is actually a weird thing to name a food after, if you really think about it.)

What is Dutch Crunch bread made of? ›

The signature crunchy, crackly topping of a Dutch Crunch roll is the result of a special paste that's applied to rolled dough while it rises. The topping ingredients are rice flour, water, sugar, yeast, oil and salt. All of those things get mixed together and then sit for a few minutes to let the yeast develop.

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