Easy Cheesy Pepperoni Bread (Perfect Party Appetizer)

Name: Easy Cheesy Pepperoni Bread (Perfect Party Appetizer)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 12 ounce pizza dough; 2-3 ounces of sliced and quartered pepperoni; 8 ounces of shredded mozzarella; 1 tablespoon of olive oil; ½ teaspoon of garlic powder; ½ teaspoon of sea salt; ½ teaspoon of cracked black pepper

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This pepperoni bread is a fantastic appetizer for your holiday get-together or your football party, and kids love it too! This easy recipe comes together quickly in only 40 minutes from start to finish. You are in for a delicious cheese and pepperoni bread that’s a guaranteed hit and makes a great make ahead meal for busy families or college students.

Pepperoni Bread Cleveland Cooking

Why You’ll Love This Easy Appetizer

Ready in 40 Minutes: Using store-bought (or pre-made) pizza dough makes this lightning fast. It’s the perfect last-minute party snack.
Freezer Friendly: You can assemble and freeze these loaves uncooked, then just bake them fresh for your party. No thawing required!
Crowd Pleaser: It’s essentially a rolled-up pepperoni pizza—kids and adults both love it. It’s always the first thing to disappear at a potluck.

What You Will Need:

12 ounce pizza dough
2-3 ounces of sliced and quartered pepperoni
8 ounces of shredded mozzarella
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Dough for the Pepperoni Bread

The dough for the pepperoni bread can be purchased at stores such as Trader Joe’s or you can make your own. Here is a link to my pizza dough recipe. Either way you get your dough, all you need to do is to roll the dough out to 12 inches by 10 inches. Just make sure that when you roll it out that it is not sticking to the surface it is on. I roll it out on a piece of parchment paper greased with a touch of olive oil. You can look in the video posted above that it makes it easier to flip onto your pizza stone or baking sheet.

Filling and Folding the Dough

The pepperoni and mozzarella cheese need to be sprinkled on the dough evenly. This will ensure that each piece is nice and tasty. After taking care of the pepperoni and cheese, it is time to fold the dough. The dough needs to be folded in thirds and one tip is to use the parchment paper to help you. The first fold is to take one-third of the dough and fold it over. The parchment paper can be used to fold or roll the dough so everything is tucked inside.

Once you get the dough folded over you can flip it over onto your pizza stone or baking sheet. Fold in the ends and pinch them close. Also pinch the seam made from rolling the dough so nothing escapes. I would watch the video to see how this is all done. Brush the olive oil on the pepperoni bread and sprinkle with the garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.

Tips for Pepperoni Bread Success

Seal the Seams: Pinch the dough tightly closed and always bake seam-side down. This ensures the cheese stays inside the bread, not on your baking sheet.
Use Parchment Paper: Rolling the dough out on the parchment paper makes it incredibly easy to lift and flip onto your baking sheet without tearing.
Let it Rest: Let the baked bread rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the cheese to set slightly so it doesn’t run out when you cut it.

Freezing the Pepperoni Bread

I froze a pepperoni bread that was not cooked, oiled, or seasoned. Place it uncovered on a parchment lined baking tray and place it in the freezer for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, wrap it well and place it back in the freezer. This is flash freezing. To cook a frozen loaf just thaw completely, brush on the olive oil, sprinkle with spices, and bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes. I kept one in the freezer for two months. I am sure they will be good for up to three months.

Try my garlic cream sauce as a dip for the pepperoni bread. The sauce is ready in only 8 minutes!

Pepperoni Bread is also a great pairing with my buffalo meatball recipe for your football parties!

Your kids will love this recipe. Try my Easy Sloppy Joe recipe for another kid friendly meal!

FAQ’s:

How long does this Simple Pepperoni Bread Recipe take to make?

This recipe is incredibly quick, taking only 40 minutes from start to finish, making it a perfect last-minute appetizer for parties or family meals.

Can I freeze pepperoni bread for later?

Yes, absolutely! You can flash freeze an uncooked, unoiled, and unseasoned loaf for 40 minutes, then wrap it well and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

What kind of pizza dough should I use for this recipe?

You can either purchase pre-made pizza dough from stores like Trader Joe’s for convenience, or you can use your own homemade pizza dough recipe.

How do I ensure the pepperoni and cheese stay inside the bread?

When folding the dough, use the parchment paper to help you fold it in thirds. Make sure to pinch the ends and the seam made from rolling the dough very tightly to keep all the filling tucked inside.

What are good serving suggestions for pepperoni bread?

Pepperoni bread is great on its own as an appetizer. You can also serve it with a dipping sauce, such as your garlic cream sauce, for added flavor.

Is this recipe suitable for kids?

Yes! This cheese and pepperoni bread is a great kid-friendly recipe. Kids often love the familiar flavors of pepperoni and cheese in a fun, easy-to-eat format.