It’s no secret that we are a family of pizza lovers. We have pizza in some for at least once a week. When my son found out that Little Caesars introduced a soft pretzel crust pizza, he couldn’t get it out of his mind. It took us a couple of months before we finally made it to the pizza place to pick one up. And the verdict…it was everything he hoped it would be! So, of course I had to try making a homemade pretzel pizza and you guys…it is the BEST pizza I’ve ever made!
Well, first of all, the crust is a giant soft pretzel, which is amazing all on its own. But then, instead of the traditional pizza sauce, this pizza has cheese sauce!
Start with an easy soft pretzel dough recipe. Anyone can make this dough! Even my kids have made this dough, all by themselves.
I made this pretzel dough in my Kitchen Aid mixer, using the dough hook. First, dissolve the yeast, sugar and salt in warm water. Stir in the flour and knead until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover and let it rise for one hour. You can find step-by-step images of this soft pretzel dough in my blog post for Auntie Anne’s Inspired Soft Pretzel Nuggets.
Mix together warm water and baking soda. Dump the whole ball of dough onto a lightly floured surface. Then, gather up the whole ball of dough and dunk it in the warm water/baking soda mixture. This is what will give the dough that “pretzel” flavor.
Spread the dough out into a large circle. Brush with additional water/baking soda mixture and sprinkle with kosher salt (or pretzel salt).
Bake at 425 degrees for 6-8 minutes.
Spread cheese sauce over the crust within about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches of the edge. You want to have a delicious soft pretzel border! I used Ragu Double Cheddar, a store bought cheese sauce that comes in a jar. I found near the alfredo sauces in the pasta aisle. Or if you are feeling ambitious, you can make your own cheese sauce.
Sprinkle on some finely shredded cheddar cheese.
Add some pepperoni. I used extra large slices of pepperoni (Applegate Uncured Pepperoni) which makes the pizza look like it is a mini but never fear, it is full size.
Top with a little shredded Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of oregano.
Return to the oven and bake at 425 degrees for an additional 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden. Brush the edges of the pizza with melted butter and sprinkle with additional kosher salt. You are going to love this homemade Pretzel Pizza and your family will be requesting it often, just like mine does.
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups warm water
- 4 cups flour
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 cups warm water
- Kosher salt
- 1 cup cheddar cheese sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 extra large or 20 regular size pepperoni
- 1/8 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Oregano
- 1 tbsp butter melted
- Dissolve yeast, sugar and salt in 1½ cups warm water.
- Stir in flour and knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a well oiled bowl and turn to coat.
- Cover and let rise for one hour.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Dissolve baking soda in 2 cups warm water.
- Dump the whole ball of dough onto a lightly floured surface. Then, gather up the whole ball of dough and dunk it in the warm water/baking soda mixture. This is what will give the dough that “pretzel” flavor.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
- Spread cheese sauce over the crust within about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches of the edge.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese, pepperoni, shredded parmesan and oregano.
- Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Brush edges with melted butter and sprinkle with kosher salt.
Pretzel crust adapted from Mall Pretzels
Here are a few more pizza recipes to try:
Stan says
Can this recipe be made using whole wheat flour.
Virginia says
Can you make the dough and freeze fr later.
Tonia says
Hi Virgina, I don’t have any experience with freezing soft pretzel dough. If you know how to freeze bread dough, I’m guessing this could be frozen in a similar manner. Best of luck! ~Tonia
Christy says
What did you bake your pizza on? We tried this (before finding your blog post) and used a pizza stone, but the bottom was a bit mushy. It was otherwise amazing. 😀
Tonia says
I baked it on a pizza stone. I think it helps to bake the crust before adding toppings like I did in this recipe. Enjoy! ~Tonia
Sharon says
Do you think the dough can be made in a bread machine?
Hillary says
So I am making this right now, though I am gonna use a homemade cheese sauce from SBA, but I am a little confused. In the picture part, you say to bake the crust alone for 6-8 minutes then add sauce and toppings, but in the written instructions you say to spread cheese sauce on and then bake, then add other toppings and bake 3-5 more. Which one is correct and also do you think jot would be ok to put sauce and toppings on the unbaked dough and bake it all together? Thanks!! Looks Delicious!!
Tonia says
Sorry about that! Somehow I put the cheese sauce instruction one space above where it was supposed to go. I’ve never tried putting all the topping and the sauce on first but I think that it would work just fine. I wanted the whole crust to me more “pretzel like” so I baked it first.
Amy Hague says
How long do you keep the dough in the water/baking soda mixture? I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Tonia says
Hi Amy,
Just a quick dunk, making sure all sides get wet! Enjoy!
~Tonia
brianna says
I’m wondering if you would double the amount of baking soda water mixture if you doubled, the recipe for the crust? Making this right now!
Tonia says
There might be enough of the baking soda water mixture for two batches of dough. If not, it’s pretty easy to quickly mix up more. I hope you enjoyed the pizza as much as we did!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I had been trying to figure out how to make a full sized pretzel crust pizza! I was going to brush the dough with hot baking soda-water but glad to see this works!
Lisa says
This is so great! I always make pizza with naan and flat-bread and standard crust just doesn’t taste the same when you switch to alternative flavors. Pretzel crust sounds like a fabulous alternative!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
We love that pizza from Little Ceasar’s too! Love the easy homemade version here!! I see pretzel pizza in our future!!!
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats says
We’re huge pizza lovers! This would be perfect for a football party!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
We love homemade pizza too, and I must try to make this crust for everyone!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Love this idea! Two of my fave savory craving foods in one 🙂
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
I WANT THIS WHOLE PIZZA!!! Pretzel crust with cheese sauce….genius! I have to make this ASAP, love it! 🙂
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I’ve never heard of pretzel pizza crust before. I am so intrigued by this!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I am swooning over this pizza, Tonia! Pretzel crust and cheese sauce? Be still my heart. You outdid yourself on this one! <3
Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do says
Oh wow! I love this! I’ve never made pretzels at home. I need to!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
We just made a pretzel pizza the other day and loved it! Can’t wait to try yours!
Susan@LunaCafe says
I’m intrigued by this recipe. I’ve never made pretzels and have always wondered where the marvelous flavor comes from. Now I know, thank you. 🙂
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
This is such a great pizza recipe! I love thin crust and pretzels, so I know I’d love this too!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
I seriously want all of this pizza in my mouth!
Kelley says
Oh this looks heavenly! I love a good thin crust pizza and this fits the bill!
heather @french press says
greaat minds think alike 🙂 I just made a pretzel pizza, and it has quickly become our favorite for pizza Fridays
Arlene @FlourOnMyFace says
What a great idea for a pizza!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
What a perfect pizza to kick off a long weekend, Tonia!
Rhonda says
I am going to have to try this!!