Name: Pepperoni Pizza Sourdough Bread
Prep time: 90 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 150 g active sourdough starter (Use a strong, bubbly starter for best rise.); 325 g warm water (Use warm water to activate the starter; milk can be substituted.); 500 g bread flour (Unbleached flour preferred, all-purpose can be used in a pinch.); 10 g salt (Kosher salt is preferred; sea salt or table salt can be used.); 10 g pizza seasoning (Use a mix of oregano, basil, and garlic.); 150 g shredded mozzarella cheese (Fresh mozzarella or other cheeses like cheddar can be used.); 200 g pepperoni slices (Fresh or frozen pepperoni works well.)

This Pepperoni Pizza Sourdough Bread comes together in about 90 minutes, and it’s baked in a Dutch oven for a easy weekend meal that your family will love! Switch up the toppings to suit your taste or use it as a way to ‘clean out the fridge’ feel free to toss in some leftover veggies or different cheeses!

Ingredients You’ll Need

150g active sourdough starter
325g warm water
500g bread flour
10g salt
10g pizza seasoning
150g shredded mozzarella cheese
200g pepperoni slices

Let’s Get Cooking!

How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Sourdough Bread

Feed the Starter: Before you make your dough, feed your sourdough starter about 4-8 hours in advance to ensure it doubles in size. This gives you the best flavor and rise.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix your active sourdough starter with the warm water until it’s nicely dissolved. The smell of that bubbly yeast is simply divine!
Add Flour and Salt: Now, sprinkle in your bread flour and salt. Stir until no flour pockets remain, switching to a sturdy spatula or your hands to mix. You want that dough to start coming together.
Rest the Dough: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 1 hour. This is called the autolyse phase, basically letting the flour hydrate and come alive!
Stretch & Fold: About every 30 minutes, give the dough a stretch and fold, grab a corner of the dough, stretch it up, and fold it over itself. Do this 3-4 times. Trust me, this makes a huge difference in gluten strength and texture!
Bulk Fermentation: At this point, cover the bowl again and let it ferment until you see bubbles forming and the dough rises. This usually takes about 2-3 hours. The wait is so worth it, it’ll smell amazing!
Shaping the Dough: Lightly flour your countertop and transfer the dough onto it. Gently shape it into a ball, tucking the edges under to create surface tension. It should feel smooth and stretchy.
Final Proofing: Place your shaped dough in a floured banneton basket, cover it, and let it rest for 30 minutes to an hour. If you’re really serious about depth of flavor, pop it in the fridge for 4-24 hours for a cold fermentation.
Scoring and Baking: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside for at least 15 minutes. This step is important for that perfect crust!
Score the Dough: When it’s ready, carefully transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper. Score a large cut along one side of the dough with a razor or sharp knife, it helps the steam escape while baking.
Bake: Place the parchment paper and dough into the hot Dutch oven, cover it, and bake for 30 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until it’s golden brown and super aromatic.

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I really want to impress my family without spending an entire day in the kitchen. Honestly, who wouldn’t want warm, cheesy, and pepperoni-filled bread straight from the oven? I just love how versatile it is, you can use whatever toppings you’ve got on hand! Plus, it’s comfort food at its best, perfect for chilly nights or after a long day. It brings everyone together, and the best part is watching the kids devour it!

If you loved this Pepperoni Pizza Sourdough Bread, be sure to check out my Pickle Sourdough Bread, my Sun-Dried Tomato Sourdough Bread with Capers, or my Sourdough Apple Fritter Discard Loaf!

Why This Recipe Works

Crowd-Pleaser

Loaded with tons of flavor, this bread is a guaranteed hit with everyone! Expect happy faces all around the dinner table.

Customizable

You can switch out the toppings based on what you love or what’s in the fridge, ftover veggies, different cheeses, or even a spicy twist with jalapeños? Go wild!

Make-Ahead Friendly

With that fridge fermentation option, you can prep this bread in the evening and pop it in the oven the next day. It’s perfect for meal prep!

Comfort Food

There’s just something incredibly satisfying about fresh-baked bread. The combo of sourdough with pepperoni and cheese is something that warms your soul!

Serving and Storage Tips

What to Serve With This

This Pepperoni Pizza Sourdough Bread is perfect on its own, but pair it with a simple salad, some soup, or even a charcuterie board for a full meal. It makes an ideal appetizer at parties too!

Storage

You can keep this bread at room temperature for about 2-3 days in a bread bag or loosely wrapped in foil. For longer storage, consider wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating Instructions

The best way to reheat this bread is by popping it back in a warm oven (about 350°F) for about 10 minutes. It’ll regain that lovely crusty exterior and gooey cheese.

Freezer Friendly

Yes! This bread freezes beautifully. Just make sure to slice it before freezing so you can grab a piece whenever you crave that cheesy goodness!

There you have it the ultimate Pepperoni Pizza Sourdough Bread! So go ahead, gather those ingredients, and treat your family to something they’ll rave about. Happy baking, friends! Follow us on Pinterest for daily inspiration that brings warmth to your table!