High and Soft Pizza Dough Ring – A Perfect Appetizer
Serves: 8
Category: Appetizers
This high and soft pizza dough ring, filled with fresh mozzarella and topped with a flavorful tomato sauce, is a delicious and creative twist on classic pizza. It’s ideal for any occasion, from family dinners to gatherings with friends. The preparation method we recommend here is by hand, but if you prefer, you can use a stand mixer for ease, following the same steps but using a medium-low speed setting with the dough hook.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Manitoba Flour | 200g |
| All-purpose Flour (00 type) | 300g |
| Fresh Brewer’s Yeast | 5g |
| Water (room temperature) | 300g |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 35g |
| Fine Salt | 10g |
| Fiordilatte (fresh mozzarella) | 125g |
| Tomato Passata | 320g |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for sauce) | q.b. |
| Fine Salt (for sauce) | q.b. |
| Oregano | q.b. |
Instructions
-
Start the Dough
Begin by dissolving the fresh brewer’s yeast into the water. The ideal water temperature is around 25°C, which helps activate the yeast without compromising its leavening power. You can also crumble the yeast directly into the flour if that’s more convenient for you. Alternatively, you can opt for 2g of dried brewer’s yeast if fresh yeast is unavailable. -
Mix the Flour
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Manitoba flour with the all-purpose flour (00). Pour in the water gradually while stirring to incorporate the ingredients. As the dough starts to form, add the extra virgin olive oil, again in small increments, until fully incorporated. -
Knead the Dough
Once you’ve added half of the liquid ingredients, sprinkle in the salt and continue mixing. Knead the dough on a clean surface until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you are using a stand mixer, this will take around 8 minutes at a medium-low speed. If you are kneading by hand, expect to work with the dough for approximately 10 minutes. -
Rest the Dough
Once the dough has formed into a smooth ball, cover it with a bowl or a damp cloth and let it rest for about 10 minutes on your work surface. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to shape. -
Shape the Dough
After the dough has rested, perform a small fold by dividing the dough into quarters. Gently stretch the edges of each section towards the center, folding them over to create a smooth, tight ball. -
Let the Dough Rise
Transfer the dough ball to a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. -
Prepare the Tomato Sauce
While the dough is rising, prepare the tomato sauce by combining the tomato passata with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and oregano. Stir well to evenly distribute the flavors. Set aside until ready to use. -
Shape the Pizza Ring
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to remove any air bubbles. Cut the dough into small portions (about 8-10 pieces), and roll each piece into a small ball. Using your fingers, gently flatten each ball into a disk. -
Add the Filling
In the center of each dough disk, place a teaspoon of the prepared tomato sauce and a small piece of mozzarella. Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the filling, sealing it inside to create a small stuffed dough ball. -
Assemble the Pizza Ring
Grease a 27.5 cm diameter ring mold with extra virgin olive oil. Place each stuffed dough ball in the mold, ensuring they are close together but not squished. Once all the dough balls are in place, lightly cover the mold with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for another hour. -
Bake the Pizza Ring
Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Once the dough has risen, place the pizza ring in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and bubbling. -
Serve and Enjoy
After baking, let the pizza ring cool for a few minutes before removing it from the mold. Serve warm as an appetizer, perfect for sharing with friends and family!
This High and Soft Pizza Dough Ring offers the perfect balance of fluffy dough, rich tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella. It’s a fun and flavorful appetizer that’s bound to impress. You can even customize the filling with your favorite pizza toppings, making it versatile for any palate. Whether you’re serving it at a party or enjoying it as a family meal, this pizza dough ring will be a hit every time.
