How To Make Pepperoni Cheese Sticks Recipe With Step By Step
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound refrigerated or homemade pizza dough.
- 6 ounces sliced pepperoni.
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese sticks or low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into strips.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional.
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce, for serving.
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for heat.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for topping.
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano for extra Italian flavor.
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pizza dough: Refrigerated pizza dough makes this recipe quick and convenient. You can also use homemade pizza dough.
- Mozzarella: Low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella melts beautifully. Part-skim mozzarella works too. String cheese can also be used for easy cheese-filled sticks.
- Pepperoni: Regular sliced pepperoni works best, but turkey pepperoni can be substituted for a lighter option.
- Butter: Olive oil can replace melted butter if preferred.
- Marinara sauce: Pizza sauce is an easy substitute. You can also use ranch dressing for a different dipping option.
Equipment Needed
- Large baking sheet.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Rolling pin.
- Small mixing bowl.
- Pastry brush.
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Cutting board.
- Measuring spoons.
- Measuring cups.
- Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for melting butter.
- Cooling rack.
- Small serving bowl for marinara sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This helps prevent the dough from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Give the oven enough time to fully preheat before baking. A properly heated oven helps the dough puff and brown evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Dough
Place the pizza dough on a lightly floured work surface.
If the dough is cold and difficult to stretch, let it rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This makes it easier to roll without pulling back.
Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 12 x 16 inches and about 1/4 inch thick.
Try to keep the thickness fairly even. Dough that is too thick can make the cheese sticks heavy, while dough that is extremely thin can split during baking.
Step 3: Add the Pepperoni and Cheese
Arrange the pepperoni slices over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Place the mozzarella strips evenly across the dough.
Do not overload the dough with filling. Too much cheese or pepperoni can make the sticks difficult to seal and may cause melted cheese to leak onto the baking sheet.
Step 4: Cut and Shape the Cheese Sticks
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the filled dough into approximately 12 equal strips.
Carefully fold or roll each strip so the pepperoni and cheese are enclosed inside the dough.
Pinch the seams firmly closed with your fingers.
Place each stick seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between them.
The dough should completely cover the filling, with no large openings where the cheese can easily escape.
Step 5: Prepare the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine.
2 tablespoons melted butter.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
1/4 teaspoon salt.
Stir until evenly combined.
Brush the garlic butter generously over the tops of the prepared cheese sticks.
Step 6: Add Parmesan
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the tops.
For extra flavor, you can also add a small amount of dried oregano or crushed red pepper flakes.
Avoid adding too much topping because Parmesan can brown quickly in a hot oven.
Step 7: Bake the Pepperoni Cheese Sticks
Place the baking sheet in the 425°F oven.
Bake for approximately 12–16 minutes, or until the dough is puffed and golden brown.
Visual cues: The tops should be golden, the edges should look baked and slightly crisp, and the mozzarella should be completely melted inside.
Start checking around the 12-minute mark, because ovens and dough brands can vary.
If the tops are browning too quickly while the dough still needs more time, loosely cover the sticks with foil for the final few minutes.
Step 8: Let Them Rest
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the pepperoni cheese sticks rest for about 3–5 minutes.
This short resting period allows the melted cheese to settle slightly and makes the sticks easier to handle.
Be careful when biting into them immediately after baking because the melted cheese can be extremely hot.
Step 9: Serve With Marinara Sauce
Transfer the warm cheese sticks to a serving plate.
Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
For an extra pizza-style presentation, sprinkle a little Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley over the finished sticks.
These are best served warm while the mozzarella is still soft and stretchy.
Nutrition Facts
Cost To Make This Recipe
Item – Estimated Cost (USD).
Pizza dough – $3.00.
Pepperoni – $3.50.
Mozzarella cheese – $3.50.
Butter, Parmesan & seasonings – $1.25.
Marinara sauce – $1.25.
Estimated Total Recipe Cost
Approximately $12.50 USD.
Estimated Cost Per Serving
Approximately $2.08 USD per serving.
