Description
This quick and easy Lunchbox Pizza Bread is a perfect homemade snack or meal for kids and adults alike. It features a soft bread base infused with cheese and topped with classic pizza favorites like pepperoni, olives, capsicum, and onion, all baked to golden perfection. Ready in under an hour, it’s great for lunchboxes, casual meals, or anytime you crave a simple, delicious pizza-inspired treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda / bi-carb soda, sifted
- 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg (60g / 2 oz)
- 1 cup milk (full or low fat)
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Colby, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Devondale “3 cheese blend”)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (same as above)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store bought or homemade)
- 1/4 red onion, finely sliced
- 1/2 green capsicum / bell pepper, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
- 50g / 2 oz pepperoni slices (about 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan). Spray a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13″) metal baking pan with oil and line it with baking or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking powder, sifted baking soda, and salt until well combined to distribute the leavening agents evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, sour cream (or yogurt), and olive oil together until fully combined to create a smooth wet batter base.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Using a rubber spatula, gently mix until the flour is mostly incorporated but some flour is still visible. Add 1 cup shredded cheese and continue stirring until the batter is smooth without visible flour. Leaving small lumps is okay as they will bake out.
- Assemble the Pizza Bread: Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Spread the surface evenly with pizza sauce. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese over the sauce. Then evenly top with finely sliced red onion, green capsicum, kalamata olives, and pepperoni slices in that order.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Then, cover the pan with a baking tray or foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is cooked through.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift or slide the pizza bread onto a cooling rack. Cool for an additional 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve: This pizza bread is delicious at room temperature. For a special touch, warm it briefly in the oven, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with oregano before serving.
Notes
- Note 1: Sifting the baking soda ensures even distribution and avoids clumps in the dough.
- Note 2: Use a blend of cheeses like Colby, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix to add rich flavor and good meltability.
- Note 3: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easier to remove the pizza bread after baking.
- For variation, you can customize toppings based on your preferences.
- This recipe is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pizza bread, quick pizza, lunchbox recipe, easy pizza, homemade pizza bread, cheesy pizza bread, pepperoni pizza bread
