Easy and Delicious Pizza Twists Recipe
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What’s Up, Hungry People!
When we settled into our new nest, my kitchen game was all about speedy recipes. Quick fixes to tame those hunger pangs while the house was still in chaos from the move. That’s when I stumbled upon these viral ‘twisted’ recipes, starring our favorite – the dough sheet! Naturally, I put my spin on it and birthed my very own pizza twists.
Dough Dilemma!
During my first venture, a teeny oversight had me buying both a can of sheet dough and a can of crescent dough. Wait, aren’t they the same? Almost, but there’s a catch. The crescent dough comes with those pesky perforations, meant for tearing apart crescents. Though either variety does the trick, the plain sheet dough is way more twist-friendly. Crescent dough? It sometimes betrays you with twists that snap halfway.
Here’s What You Need:
- Pizza sheet dough: Provides the base and top layer, offering that classic pizza crust texture.
- Pizza sauce: Adds the tangy flavor and moisture, essential for any pizza-inspired treat.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts to give creamy, gooey goodness, binding toppings and dough.
- Pepperonis: Brings in spicy and savory notes, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Fresh basil: Delivers a burst of herbaceous freshness, elevating the traditional pizza flavor.
Start by spreading a thin, smooth layer of pizza sauce all across the pizza dough. I added the pepperonis in strips where I intended to cut the dough, so each twist was packed with pepperonis!
Layer up with cheese next. Just a heads up, don’t get too cheese-happy. Too much, and your twists might get a bit damp.
Double Dough Action
Lay the second sheet of dough over your pizza masterpiece. It’s slicing time! Turn that dough into strips. And if you’re on team crescent dough, don’t forget to seal those seams. The twisting bit? Simply grip both ends of a strip and twirl in opposite directions.
Baking Bliss
Pop those twists in the oven and let them bake their hearts out for around fifteen minutes. You’re gunning for that perfect golden-brown hue.
Pizza Twists Tips and Tricks:
- Stretching the Dough: Ensure both sheets match in size. A rolling pin can help get a consistent thickness.
- Choosing Pepperonis: Opt for thin-sliced pepperonis; they’ll twist more easily and cook evenly.
- Fresh vs. Dried Basil: While fresh basil offers a lively touch, dried basil can be used in a pinch. Just reduce the quantity.
- Cutting Strips: Use a pizza cutter for cleaner, quicker cuts through layers of dough and toppings.
- Twisting Technique: Twist gently but firmly. Over-twisting can cause fillings to spill out; under-twisting might not give the desired look.
- Serving Suggestion: While ranch and pizza sauce are great, try garlic butter or a spicy aioli for a fun twist on dipping sauces!
I’ve always believed that the best recipes are those that combine simplicity with flavor, and these pizza twists are no exception. With just a handful of ingredients and a pinch of patience, you can transform classic pizza ingredients into a twisty, turny treat perfect for snacking or serving at parties. The best part? You can customize them to fit your palate, adding in your favorite toppings or switching up the dipping sauce. Hungry People, grab that dough and let’s turn the traditional slice on its head!
Pizza Twists
Ingredients
- 2 cans pizza sheet dough
- ¼ cup pizza sauce
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
- 20 pepperonis
- 4 tablespoons fresh basil roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Open one of the canned dough sheets and unroll. Stretch it until it achieves an even thickness. Do the same with the second can of dough, ensuring it's the same size as the first. Once stretched, set the second sheet aside while you prep the first.
- Using the back of a spoon, spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
- Arrange the pepperonis in rows, each slightly overlapping. Maintain about a half-inch gap between each row – you should aim for roughly 6 rows of pepperoni.
- Evenly sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the pepperonis, followed by the roughly chopped fresh basil.
- Place the second sheet of dough on top. Cut the combined dough into strips, aligning your cuts with the spaces between the pepperoni rows.
- Take each strip by its ends and twist in opposite directions 1-2 times. Place these twists onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pizza twists achieve a golden-brown color and are thoroughly cooked.
- Serve with ranch or additional pizza sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
