Golden Garlic Pizza Recipe: Irresistibly Crispy & Flavorful

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this crispy garlic pizza recipe delivers pure comfort with its golden, herb-infused crust.

Artisan pizza makers know that crispy garlic pizza unlocks incredible flavor in every single bite.

The aroma of roasted garlic and melted cheese will tantalize your senses and draw you straight to the kitchen.

Freshly minced garlic adds a robust punch that transforms a simple pizza into a gourmet experience.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of crispy edges and tender center, making every mouthful irresistible.

Homemade pizzas beat takeout any day, especially when you can craft something this delicious from scratch.

Prepare to savor a slice of pure culinary bliss that will become your new favorite dinner tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 12 hours rising time)

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 12 hours 32 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Buttery Garlic Pizza

• Warm Water: Activates yeast and helps develop gluten structure for a perfect pizza crust.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and accelerates fermentation process for a light, airy texture.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial for creating rise and developing complex bread flavors.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the foundation of the pizza dough with ideal protein content.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth for balanced dough development.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness, improves texture, and prevents dough from drying out.

• Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic punch that transforms ordinary pizza into a gourmet experience.
• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy undertones and creates a golden, crispy crust surface.

• Cornmeal or Semolina (Optional): Creates a crispy bottom and prevents sticking when transferring pizza.

Tools to Pull Off Buttery Garlic Pizza Night

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and kneading dough.
• Small bowl: Perfect for activating yeast with warm water and sugar.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for flour, water, sugar, and salt.
• Kitchen scale: Optional but helpful for accurate ingredient weights.
• Clean work surface: Floured countertop or board for kneading dough.
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap: Covers dough during rising process.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients together smoothly.
• Baking sheet or pizza stone: Final surface for baking pizza.

Make Your Own Buttery Garlic Pizza From Scratch

• Activate Yeast Brew a magical potion of warm water, sugar, and yeast. Watch as the mixture transforms into a bubbly, living concoction that'll bring your pizza dough to life.
• Create Dough Playground Dump flour and salt into a big mixing bowl. Pour in your yeast magic and a splash of olive oil. Mix until a messy, wonderful dough starts to form.
• Knead and Massage Work that dough like you're giving it a spa treatment. Press, fold, and stretch on a flour-dusted surface until it becomes smooth and bouncy.
• Let Dough Rise Tuck your dough baby into a cozy, greased bowl. Cover it gently and let it take a long, lazy nap. It'll double in size, getting ready to become pizza perfection.

Tweak Buttery Garlic Pizza to Match Your Cravings

• Dough Rising Hack: Place the covered dough in a warm, draft-free spot like inside an unheated oven with the light on to ensure perfect rising conditions.
• Garlic Intensity Control: Adjust garlic levels by roasting whole cloves for a mellow, sweet flavor or using fresh minced garlic for a sharper punch.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to make the pizza suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Topping Flexibility: Experiment with different cheese combinations like mozzarella and parmesan, or add fresh herbs like basil and oregano for extra flavor depth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor development and convenient meal planning.

How to Plate and Pair Buttery Garlic Pizza

• Cheesy Side Delight: Sprinkle extra mozzarella and parmesan on top right before serving to add a rich, creamy finish that melts beautifully.
• Herb Garden Fresh: Garnish with chopped fresh basil, oregano, or parsley to bring vibrant green color and a burst of aromatic flavor that complements the buttery garlic base.
• Dipping Sauce Dream: Prepare a quick garlic aioli or marinara sauce on the side for guests who love extra dipping options, enhancing the pizza's taste and providing a personalized touch.
• Crisp Companion: Serve alongside a light mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the pizza's richness and create a complete, satisfying meal.

Store and Reheat Buttery Garlic Pizza Like a Pro

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freezing Hack: Wrap individual pizza slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag for convenient storage up to 2 months, perfect for future quick meals.
• Dough Preparation Tip: Keep unbaked pizza dough refrigerated for 24 hours before use, allowing complex flavor development and easier handling during cooking.
• Room Temperature Guidelines: Allow refrigerated pizza to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before reheating, helping restore original texture and taste smoothness.

Crispy Garlic Pizza Recipe

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4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 12 hours 32 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade buttery garlic pizza delivers a delightful blend of crispy crust and rich, aromatic flavors. Melted cheese and fresh herbs create a perfect balance that will transport diners straight to Italy’s culinary heart.

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Ingredients

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• 3 ½ cups (440 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) warm water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Whisk yeast into lukewarm water with sugar, letting the mixture transform into a frothy, bubbling elixir that signals readiness after about 7 minutes.
2. Dough Formation: Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a central well to receive the activated yeast and olive oil, then blend ingredients into a cohesive, slightly tacky dough with smooth, consistent texture.
3. Kneading and Proofing: Transfer dough onto a floured surface, employing rhythmic kneading techniques to develop gluten, then place in a lightly oiled ceramic bowl covered with a clean towel, allowing it to rise in a warm, undisturbed location until volume doubles (approximately 1-1.5 hours).
4. Dough Preparation: Gently deflate the risen dough, stretching and shaping it into a canvas ready for garlic-infused butter and toppings, ensuring an even, thin base that promises crispy, golden edges.
5. Flavor Infusion: Melt butter with minced garlic, creating an aromatic spread that will be generously brushed across the pizza dough, imparting a rich, savory essence to every bite.
6. Topping and Baking: Arrange selected toppings with artistic precision, then slide the pizza into a preheated oven set at 475°F (245°C), baking until the crust achieves a golden-brown perfection and cheese melts into a molten, bubbling landscape.
7. Serving: Remove pizza from the oven, let it rest briefly, then slice into wedges, revealing the enticing layers of crisp crust, melted cheese, and garlic-butter brilliance.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Precision: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F (37-43°C) for optimal yeast performance, preventing kill or under-activation.
• Dough Hydration Secret: Keep dough slightly sticky but not overly wet; add flour gradually during kneading to achieve perfect elastic consistency.
• Rising Environment Control: Position dough in a warm, draft-free spot like inside an unheated oven with a pan of hot water to maintain consistent temperature and humidity.
• Gluten Development Technique: Knead systematically using heel-of-hand pushing motions, rotating dough quarter-turns to develop strong, stretchy gluten network evenly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 12 hours rising time)
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg