Braided Stuffed Pizza Bread

Elevate your pizza night with this show-stopping Braided Stuffed Pizza Bread! This homemade bread dough is skillfully braided around a savory filling of tangy marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella, and zesty pepperoni, delivering all the classic pizza flavors in a stunning presentation. Infused with Italian seasoning and a hint of garlic powder, every bite bursts with flavor. Topped with a glossy egg wash and a sprinkle of Parmesan, it bakes to golden perfection in just 25 minutes. Perfect as a shareable appetizer, party centerpiece, or hearty main dish, this braided bread is as fun to make as it is to eat. Serve it warm with extra marinara for dipping and garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.25 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup pepperoni slices
• 0.5 cup marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir to mix.

Step 2

Add the warm water and olive oil to the flour mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 3

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5-6 minutes.

Step 4

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 6

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle, approximately 15x10 inches.

Step 7

Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8

Spread the marinara sauce down the center third of the rectangle, leaving about 1 inch at the top and bottom for sealing.

Step 9

Layer the shredded mozzarella and pepperoni slices over the marinara sauce. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and garlic powder evenly over the fillings.

Step 10

Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, make slits along the two outer thirds of the dough (on both sides of the filling), cutting diagonally towards the filling. Each strip should be about 1 inch wide.

Step 11

Starting at the top, fold the short top edge over the filling, then alternate crossing the dough strips from each side over the filling to create a braided pattern. When you reach the end, fold the bottom edge of the dough up to seal the braid.

Step 12

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the braided bread.

Step 13

Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 14

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.

Step 15

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then slice and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1371.2 grams (1371.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3663

Total Fat 194.60g	249%
Saturated Fat 75.60g	378%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 644mg	215%
Sodium 9692mg	421%
Total Carbohydrate 300.00g	109%
Dietary Fiber 12.70g	45%
Total Sugars 3.30g
Protein 159.20g	318%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 1916mg	147%
Iron 23mg	129%
Potassium 1378mg	29%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.8%

Protein: 17.7%

Carbs: 33.4%