White Banana Pepper Pizza (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Pizza Base
01 -
1 pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
02 -
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
03 -
¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
04 -
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
→ For the Toppings
05 -
Pickled banana peppers, to taste (about ¼-½ cup, drained and patted dry)
06 -
1½-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or an Italian blend)
07 -
Salami slices (optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating. If using a baking sheet, you can lightly grease it or line with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
02 -
If using refrigerated pizza dough, allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before working with it, as this makes it easier to stretch. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out your pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape (typically 12-14 inches in diameter for a medium pizza).
03 -
Carefully transfer the stretched dough to your prepared baking sheet or a pizza peel if using a stone. If the dough springs back or is difficult to work with, let it rest for 5-10 minutes and try again.
04 -
Drizzle the teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil over the surface of the dough. Using your fingers or a pastry brush, spread the oil evenly across the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges for the crust to form.
05 -
Remove pickled banana peppers from their jar and place them on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Gently pat them dry to remove excess moisture, which will help prevent a soggy pizza. Slice them if they are whole, or leave them as rings if already sliced.
06 -
Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and garlic powder evenly over the olive oil base. Distribute the banana peppers across the pizza. If using salami, arrange the slices evenly among the banana peppers.
07 -
Spread the shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian blend) evenly over the toppings, making sure to cover them completely. The cheese will help hold everything in place as it melts.
08 -
Place the pizza in the preheated oven on the middle rack. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown in spots. Cooking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your crust.
09 -
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for about 2 minutes. This short rest allows the cheese to set slightly, making the pizza easier to slice. Cut into slices and serve hot.
# Notes:
01 -
If you prefer a spicier pizza, add a few red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
02 -
For a flavorful finish, you can drizzle a little honey over the pizza right after it comes out of the oven – the sweet and tangy combination works wonderfully.
03 -
The 'additional time' listed accounts for letting pizza dough come to room temperature or rise, depending on whether you're using store-bought or homemade dough.
04 -
For the crispiest crust, bake your pizza on a preheated pizza stone or steel.