Need more pepperoni in your life? Check out these Pepperoni Bread Knots, Pepperoni Pizza Bites, and this One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta!
Dinnertime is always fun in the Gomez household.
I feel lucky that the kids have my husband’s tastebuds and are willing to try just about anything, while I still slowly work on overcoming my aversion to things like mushrooms, custards, and puddings (it’s a texture thing, folks). This gives me a chance to experiment with foods and flavors without fear of the kids poo-pooing it right off the bat, which is such a relief to me and my wallet, ha!
I knew, though, when I decided to combine the girls’ love for pizza and waffles into these super amazing Pepperoni Pizza Waffles, that I wouldn’t have any problems with the girls gobbling these right up. You gotta have some love for Hormel Pepperoni, they make these waffles super delish!
When I first thought about making waffles that weren’t exactly…waffles, I spent a lot of time struggling with the notion that I needed to make a waffle batter for the recipe to be a success, which was a total waste of time, because you can use pizza dough, no problem!
I took a very basic dough recipe and added some fun spices to give it a flavor boost, then stuffed it full of tomato sauce, Hormel Pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, then covered it with a sprinkling of extra spices and cheese before putting it in the best damn waffle iron to cook!
This dinner can be on the table in less than an hour, the longest time being devoted to the dough rising, which, if you’re scared of a yeast dough, don’t be! This recipe is so foolproof, you’ll feel like a pro when you’re done!
Get ready to make a meal your family is sure to enjoy!
Ingredients
For the Dough
- ¾ C Warm Water 110 degrees
- 1 ½ tsp Active Dry Yeast
- 1 ¾ C All-Purpose Flour + extra for kneading
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Basil
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
For the Sauce
- 1 Can Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
For the Waffles
- 8 Slices Fresh Mozzarella
- ½ C Grated Parmesan
- 24 Pepperoni Slices
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add the warm water, then gently sprinkle the yeast over the top. Allow to sit for a few minutes, or until the yeast has dissolved into the water.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, then pour the yeast water over it. Using a spatula, mix the water and flour just until everything is wet, then add the olive oil and seasonings and continue to mix until a sticky ball forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a few minutes, adding a little flour as needed until the dough is no longer sticky, but not dry and cracking. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and allow to sit in a warm spot to rise for 25 minutes.
- While the dough rises, place the tomatoes and seasoning in a food processor and pulse until smooth, then transfer to a bowl and set aside. Prep the remaining ingredients for the waffles.
- Once the dough is ready, cut it in half, then again, to create four balls. Cut each ball in half and stretch into round discs around 5 inches in diameter. Add a couple tablespoons of sauce and spread it around, leaving an inch around the edge clean. Add six pepperonis, followed by two slices of fresh mozzarella and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan. Cover with the second stretched piece of dough, pinch the edges together, then place in a waffle iron to cook, on high, for around 4 minutes. Serve with the remaining tomato sauce for dipping.
Share your photo and tag @asimplepantry or #asimplepantry!
Looking for more recipes inspired by Hormel Pepperoni? Then check out these amazing Pepperoni Knots, or these Pepperoni Bites! What kind of dish do you love to use Hormel Pepperoni in? Tell me in the comments!
Gustavo says
This is a great recipe it looks good????
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party! I would love to get a waffle iron & try this it looks amazing. You were one of the Inspiration Spotlight Shout outs Pinned & shared! Thanks for joining in the party and hope to see you again soon. Feel free to share this week too if you like.
Matt says
Trying this knowing realizing maybe you need a waffle maker that has a hinge that allows it to rise. My waffles are coming our wedged since the part to the rear gets more pressure.
Cydnee/Tampa Cake Girl says
What an awesome idea! Brilliant! I love these Pepperoni Pizza Waffles! Yum! Thank you very much for joining in the celebration of #purebloglove, we enjoy having you each week. I hope to see you on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Felissa says
Oh, my, yum! I have to try this!
I would love to have you hop over and share with us at Inspire Us Tuesday!
{http://twolittlecavaliers.com/2015/03/inspire-us-tuesdays-starting-from-the-beginning.html}
Heaven says
What a fantastic idea. I never would have thought to put pizza dough in my waffle iron. Pinned!
Brittany says
SO creative! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom says
I am going to pin this, never thought to make pizzas in the waffle maker. Brilliant and I am sure my picky kids will love!
Mila says
Oh my, that sounds like a best thing eva!
Inviting you to share your recipe with our Link Up Party – Idea Box:
http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/03/idea-box-thursday-link-party-3.html
xx
Mila
Christine says
I don’t think I’ve ever loved the idea of eating waffles…or pizzas as much as I do at this very instant. It is great to have a family who will eat anything – I’m rooting for you to get over your mushroom aversions…the world needs more mushroom lovers;) (whatever that means) Anyway…Thank you for linking up at #FoodieFriDIY this week!
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
Good grief my mouth is watering! Thanks for sharing on Found & Foraged!
Kristin says
This recipe is awesome!! I can’t wait to try it! Do you think regular refrigerated pizza dough would work?? Like Pillsbury?
Karly says
I’m not sure, but it’s worth a try! Let me know if you do it!
Jaime says
Holy cow, these look amazing! We just had homemade pizza last night, but this will have to be on the menu for next week!
Courtney @ FitCakes says
This seriously looks amazing! I will be trying this one for sure! BTW I just tried to pin it, but it keeps taking me to a page with just the pic? Not sure why it didn’t work! Thanks for the recipe, though!
Karly says
Hi Courtney! It might just be a temporary glitch, it did it to me a couple times before it worked as well! I usually pin from the bookmarklet instead!
Shannon says
Oh My! Those look so good!! Pinning this!! (Found you on the blog hop))
cathy says
Yum, yum what a creative and yummy idea! 🙂 I would love for you to share this over at my new link party Making Memories Mondays going on now!
Cathy
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Oh my goodness … this recipe is such a tease right now!
I just said to my husband that I fancied a cheese and tomato toastie, but you can’t imagine how much I wish I had one of these instead! Mmmm!
Linda Omura says
Love this idea. I probably have all the ingredients right now. I think I’ll make it tomorrow night for dinner.!
Christine @ A Sprinkle of This and That says
Genius idea! I need to make these! Pinning!!!!
K. Elizabeth (YUMMommy) says
This looks so delicious! The perfect way to have pizza for breakfast.
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
These are genius!! Absolutely love them! 🙂
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
This makes dinner fun for sure! Glad to hear dinner always sounds fun at your house!!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
Wow – what an awesome idea Karly! My daughter would LOVE this!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
This is so fun!!! It would make a great lunch/dinner for my pizza loving family!
Julie says
Yum! I am so making these for our next breakfast dinner!!