Heart Shaped Halal Pepperoni (Printable)
Savory halal pepperoni atop a golden crust with tomato sauce and melted cheese in a charming heart shape.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Dough
01 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
02 - 1 tsp sugar
03 - ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F)
04 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1 tsp salt
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ For the Sauce
07 - 1 cup tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
08 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1 garlic clove, minced
12 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ For the Toppings
13 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 100 g halal beef pepperoni, sliced
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine active dry yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes foamy and activated.
02 - Add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.
03 - Cover the dough with a clean towel and place in a warm area. Allow to rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
04 - Preheat oven to 475°F. Place a pizza stone or baking tray inside to heat thoroughly while preparing other components.
05 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine tomato passata, tomato paste, oregano, basil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
06 - Punch down risen dough and divide into two equal portions. On a floured surface, roll each half into a heart shape approximately ¼ inch thick.
07 - Transfer shaped dough onto parchment paper. Spread a thin layer of sauce over each pizza, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly, then arrange halal pepperoni slices in a decorative pattern.
08 - Lightly brush the outer crust edges with olive oil to achieve a golden, crispy finish during baking.
09 - Carefully transfer pizzas with parchment onto the preheated stone or baking tray. Bake for 12–15 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
10 - Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Slice into wedges and serve immediately while warm.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The homemade dough comes together faster than delivery would arrive, and the taste is infinitely better
- Shaping pizzas into hearts turns an ordinary dinner into something that makes everyone smile
- Halal beef pepperoni means nobody has to miss out on the classic pepperoni pizza experience
02 -
- Hot oven temperature is non-negotiable—475°F might seem aggressive, but it's the difference between sad, soggy crust and the crispy, chewy crust that makes pizza worth eating
- Parchment paper is your best friend here because transferring floppy heart-shaped dough onto a hot stone without it is a disaster waiting to happen
03 -
- If your dough keeps bouncing back when you try to roll it, let it rest for five minutes and try again—sometimes the gluten just needs a moment to relax
- The trickiest part of heart-shaped pizza is the bottom point where it gets too thin—roll that section slightly thicker to prevent burning or breaking