Creative Ways to Serve Pretzel Crust Pizza

At Taste of Home, we are enthusiastic about the creation of imitations of the most popular brand-name dishes. This recipe is an at-home variant of the Little Caesar’s pretzel crust pizza, and we believe it’s fairly close to the real deal!

We will guide you through the process of preparing a pizza crust and transforming it into a pretzel variation. Subsequently, we will assemble the pizza with the sauce, grated cheese, and pepperoni topping triumvirate that Little Caesar's employs.

Do you appreciate this pizza with a pretzel crust? Our Pizza Hut replica recipes offer an additional selection of counterfeit pizzas.

Pizza with a Pretzel Crust: Ingredients

• Yeast is a critical component of a successful pizza dough recipe. Therefore, it is imperative that you become acquainted with our guide on the proper use of yeast.

• Baking soda: The pretzel-like flavor and color of this pizza crust are derived from a combination of heated water and baking soda.

• Salt: Coarse salt is the final touch on every exceptional pretzel.

• Salsa con queso dip: To simplify the process, we suggest purchasing Tostito's brand or one of our top-rated quesos at the store. You can also make your own chile con queso if you’re feeling up to it!

• Mexican cheese blend, shredded: We appreciate the way in which the salsa con queso complements the Mexican cheese blend. It also tastes the most like Little Caesar’s pretzel crust pizza cheese topping!

• Pepperoni: Slices of pepperoni are almost essential on a pizza, particularly if you’re attempting to create a replica Little Caesar’s pretzel crust pizza. Use tiny or large segments, or omit them completely!

Directions

Step 1: Activate the yeast

In a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the tepid water (about 110° to 115°F). Let the mixture stand until it’s frothing and boiling, about five minutes.

Editor’s Tip: When yeast activates, it will rise up into a tan froth. If your yeast does not do that, it’s not activated correctly. Do not use it, or your bread won’t rise! Discard the mixture, and make sure your yeast hasn’t expired.

Step 2: Mix the mixture

Add the all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon table salt to the yeast mixture. Using a dough hook, knead everything together on low speed just until the dough comes together, one to two minutes. Increase the speed to medium, and knead for five more minutes.

Step 3: Proof the mixture

Place the dough in a basin that’s greased with olive oil, rotating the dough once in the bowl to lubricate the surface of the dough. Cover the basin with a clean tea towel, and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Step 4: Shape the dough

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Punch down the dough, and flatten it into a 12-inch circle onto an ungreased 14-inch pizza pan. Let it stand 10 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: One of our favorite homemade pizza techniques is not using a rolling implement to roll out the dough. The rolling pin will force out way too much air, resulting in a paper-thin crust.

Step 5: Turn the pizza pastry into a pretzel one!

In a small basin, carefully whisk together the heated water and baking soda until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Immediately brush the mixture over the outer 1 inch of the pizza dough (where the crust will be). Let the dough stand for five minutes, then repeat the process once. Sprinkle the unrefined salt over outer edge.

Step 6: Build with your garnishes

Spread the queso sauce on top of the pastry, remaining inside the crust. Sprinkle with cheese, and arrange the pepperoni on top.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t use too much sauce or too many garnishes. Too much can make your pizza spongy and damp. You should still be able to see some of the pastry after spooning on the sauce. As for the cheese, only use at most 1 cup.

Step 7: Bake

Bake the pizza until the crust is dark golden brown (the color of a soft pretzel!) and the cheese is melted, 16 to 18 minutes. Gently cover the crust with melted butter before serving, being careful to not scrape off any salt.

Read Also: Effortless Strawberry Shortcake Recipe for Summer

How to Store Pretzel Crust Pizza

Allow the cooked pizza to settle to room temperature. Cut the pizza into segments, and store them in a hermetic container in the fridge for up to three or four days.

Pretzel Crust Pizza Tips

Does this recipe taste like Little Caesar’s pretzel crust pizza?

One of the mysteries of the corporate world is when a company discontinues a much-loved item. The Little Caesar’s pretzel crust pizza was one of those items. It has become a cult classic and is coveted by many. While Little Caesar’s doesn’t reveal the recipe, we believe this pretzel crust pizza recipe comes fairly close. We’re not sure if this is the same method they use to accomplish that characteristically dark, salted exterior you look for in a delectable soft pretzel, but our Test Kitchen went bananas over it.

Can you create pretzel crust pizza with prepared pizza dough?

We feel homemade pizza dough always tastes better than store-bought, but we entirely understand not everyone has the time to mix, verify and shape their own dough every time they want pizza. If you’re short on time, go ahead and use prefabricated pizza crust. Just follow the product directions. When ready, proceed with the pizza recipe as directed.