Sourdough Pizza Bombs are like little pockets of joy filled with cheesy goodness and your favorite pizza toppings. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat!
I love how they bake up nice and golden, creating a crispy outside with a soft, warm center. Perfect for a snack while watching a movie or sharing with friends on game day! 🍕✨
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Sourdough Starter: Make sure your starter is active and bubbly for the best rise. If you’re out, you can use store-bought pizza dough or a quick version with yeast, but it won’t have the unique tangy flavor of sourdough.
Cheese: I love using 100% mozzarella for that perfect melt. For the cheddar, feel free to replace it with provolone or a blend for extra flavor. Add in some pepper jack if you like a little heat!
Pepperoni: This is my go-to for flavor! You can swap it with cooked sausage, ham, or even a veggie option like mushrooms or bell peppers for a meatless version.
Pizza Sauce: If you’re short on time, bottled pizza sauce works great! Alternatively, use marinara or tomato sauce. Just spice it up with some extra Italian herbs if you want!
How Can You Achieve a Perfect Rise with Sourdough?
Getting that perfect rise is crucial for light and fluffy pizza bombs. Here’s how to do it:
- After mixing, knead the dough well; this helps develop gluten, which is vital for structure.
- Place the dough in a warm area, covering it to keep it moist. If you have an oven with a light, that works well!
- Be patient! The rise takes about 3-4 hours, but you can speed it up with instant yeast. Just keep an eye on it!
How to Make Sourdough Pizza Bombs
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 2 cups sourdough starter (active and bubbly)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp instant yeast (optional for faster rise)
For the Filling:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup pepperoni, diced
- ½ cup pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnishing:
- Fresh parsley or dried parsley for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 4 hours considering the dough rising time, plus an additional 25-30 minutes for prep and baking. The time is mostly waiting while your delicious dough rises, making it super easy to prepare!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine your active and bubbly sourdough starter with the flour, salt, sugar, olive oil, and instant yeast (if you’re using it). Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth and elastic dough. This should take about 8-10 minutes if you’re doing it by hand, or about 5 minutes with a stand mixer and dough hook.
2. Let it Rise:
Once your dough is ready, place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth or some plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it’s doubled in size. This will typically take about 3-4 hours unless you’ve opted for instant yeast, which may speed things up a bit!
3. Preheat and Prepare:
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your pizza bombs won’t stick.
4. Shape the Bombs:
When the dough is ready, punch it down gently and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a circle that’s about 4-5 inches in diameter.
5. Fill with Goodness:
Put a spoonful of pizza sauce in the center of each dough circle, then sprinkle on a delightful mix of mozzarella, cheddar, and your diced pepperoni.
6. Seal It Up:
Carefully pinch the dough around the filling, making sure to seal it completely. It’s important to form a tight ball with no gaps so that none of that tasty filling leaks out!
7. Arrange on Baking Sheet:
Place your dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, giving them a little space for rising during baking.
8. Add Flavor:
Brush the tops of the dough balls lightly with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix together the dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, and grated Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle this flavorful mix over each dough ball.
9. Bake to Perfection:
Pop the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pizza bombs are golden brown and the cheese inside is all melted and gooey.
10. Cool and Garnish:
Once baked, take them out of the oven and let them cool slightly. To make them look extra special, sprinkle with fresh or dried parsley.
11. Ready to Serve:
Serve these warm with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping. They’re sure to be a hit!
Enjoy your delicious, cheesy, and savory sourdough pizza bombs!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Absolutely! You can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but keep in mind that it may result in a denser texture. You might need to add a little extra liquid to achieve the right dough consistency.
What Should I Do If My Sourdough Starter Isn’t Bubbly?
If your starter isn’t bubbly and active, it’s best to feed it and wait a few hours before using it. Make sure it’s at peak activity for the best rise and flavor in your pizza bombs.
Can I Freeze the Pizza Bombs Before Baking?
Yes, you can freeze them! After shaping and sealing the bombs, place them on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What Other Fillings Can I Use?
You can get creative with the fillings! Some great alternatives include cooked sausage, mushrooms, olives, or even vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. Just be sure not to overfill them!
