Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Adorable & Fun – Heart-shaped pizzas make any meal more exciting!
- Customizable – Use your favorite toppings for a personalized touch.
- Easy to Make – Perfect for beginners or a fun cooking activity with kids.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat for a healthier option)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup chopped canned tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Toppings:
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (or dairy-free alternative)
- Pepperoni slices (cut into hearts for extra fun!)
- Optional toppings: Bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, onions, pineapple, basil
Directions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, kneading for 5-7 minutes until a soft dough forms.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
2. Make the Pizza Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, mix chopped tomatoes, oregano, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
3. Shape the Pizzas
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the dough to ⅛-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut mini pizzas. (If you don’t have one, carefully cut heart shapes with a knife.)
- Place dough hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Assemble the Pizzas
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each heart.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Add pepperoni and any additional toppings.
5. Bake
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese melts and the edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 mini pizzas
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Rising time: 1 hour
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Variations
- Gluten-Free – Use a gluten-free pizza dough alternative.
- Vegan Option – Swap cheese for dairy-free mozzarella and use vegan toppings.
- Cheesy Crust – Brush the edges with garlic butter and sprinkle Parmesan before baking.
- BBQ Chicken Pizzas – Use BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, and red onions instead of tomato sauce.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in an oven at 350°F for 5 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds.
- Freeze: Freeze uncooked pizzas and bake from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough, cut the hearts, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
What’s the best size for mini pizzas?
A 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter works best, but you can adjust the size.
Can I freeze mini pizzas?
Absolutely! Freeze before baking and bake directly from frozen when needed.
How do I keep the dough from losing its heart shape?
Chill the cut dough for 10 minutes before adding toppings to help it hold its shape.
What’s the best way to serve these?
Pair with garlic bread, salad, tomato soup, or a glass of sparkling juice or wine for a romantic touch.
Conclusion
These Heart-Shaped Mini Pizzas are a fun, delicious way to celebrate special occasions or make an ordinary meal extra special. Whether you make them for Valentine’s Day, date night, or a fun family dinner, they’re sure to bring smiles to the table. Try them today and enjoy a delicious, heartwarming treat!
Heart-Shaped Mini Pizzas
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 Servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Heart-Shaped Mini Pizzas are a fun and easy way to make any meal extra special! Perfect for Valentine’s Day, date night, or family dinners, these adorable mini pizzas are customizable with your favorite toppings and bake in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup chopped canned tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Toppings:
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (or dairy-free alternative)
- Pepperoni slices (cut into heart shapes)
- Optional: Bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, onions, pineapple, basil
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Knead for 5-7 minutes until a soft dough forms. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Make the Pizza Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, mix chopped tomatoes, oregano, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Shape the Pizzas:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out dough to ⅛-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter (or a knife) to cut out mini pizzas.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Assemble the Pizzas:
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each heart.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and add toppings.
- Bake:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and edges are golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pizza dough.
- Vegan Option: Use dairy-free cheese and vegan toppings.
- Cheesy Crust: Brush edges with garlic butter and sprinkle Parmesan before baking.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza: Use BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, and red onions instead of tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
