Pizza Dough Ideas

Pizza dough can be used to make quite a few things, not just pizza. These quick and easy crescents and stars are perfect as appetizers, main dish or snack, for get togethers or even family night.

Pizza ideas, crescents and starts in a basket and on a black plate.

One of the most versatile doughs, pizza dough can be made for so many different recipes, from Calzone, to Rollups to even as a topping for a Skillet Hamburger Pie. I thought another great idea would be these crescents and parmesan/herb stars.

Ingredients in the recipe

  • Pizza Dough – I have 2 really good homemade dough recipes, Best Pizza Dough and Easy Pizza Dough or you can use store bought to make it really quick and easy.
  • Pizza sauce – Homemade or store bought.
  • Chopped pancetta – or you could use chopped sausage or prosciutto or your favourite veggies chopped.
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese- use a firm mozzarella rather than fresh, which has too much moisture.
  • Parmesan cheese – always best to grate your own.
  • Oregano, basil or seeds – fresh or dried either work.

Choosing the best Parmesan Cheese for grating

The difference between them is that Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is authentic or DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta which means Protected Designation of Origin), and Parmesan cheese is just an imitation of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Reggiano is always made in Italy, while Parmesan can be made anywhere, there are no restrictions on using the name Parmesan. And don’t forget a less expensive but also a DOP choice is Parmigiano Grana Padano. This is why I always think it’s best to buy a chunk of good quality Parmesan and grate or shred it yourself. Remember ingredients can make or break your dish!

Pizza stars in a basket.

Recipe Steps

Either make the homemade pizza dough or use a good quality store bought. If you are making both the crescents and the stars you will need two rolled rectangles of dough.

Homemade pizza dough before and after rising.

To make the stars, roll out the dough, cut with round cookie cutters. Place a small shot glass in the middle of the circle and make 9 cuts in the dough around the glass. Join 2 of the cuts together, pinching to seal. Continue until all the circles are formed into stars.

Making circles with the dough and forming into stars.

Place on the prepared cookie sheet. You can brush with a little olive oil if desired, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese and oregano, rosemary or basil. Bake.

The pizza stars on a cookie sheet before and after baked.

To make the crescents, roll out the dough, cut into triangles, at the large end, spread a little sauce, top with chopped pancetta, shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Cutting out the crescents on a board & topping with filling.

Roll from the bottom to the top, form into a crescent and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Brush with a little olive oil if desired, then sprinkle with some parmesan cheese and bake.

Crescents on a cookie sheet ready for baking.

How to make Pizza Sauce

To make the sauce you can either use diced tomatoes, peeled tomatoes or Puree (passata/conserva). Depending on how many you make 1/2-1 cup would be enough, stir in a tablespoon or 2 of olive oil, fresh or dried oregano and basil, a pinch or two of salt and if you like it spicy, a little hot pepper flakes. No need to cook, just mix well and it is ready to use.

What is the difference between Pizza and Bread Dough?

The difference is that Pizza dough is made with a higher protein flour other than that they both use the same ingredients, yeast, flour, salt and water. 

What is the best flour for making Pizza Dough?

To tell the truth some people will swear by bread flour, but I always use all purpose (11% protein or higher). It’s not necessarily the flour but how you go about making the pizza that counts! Although if you prefer bread flour then by all means use it!

Crescents on a wire rack & stars in a basket.

Make sure your Yeast is active

  • To start make sure your yeast is active, 
  • In a small bowl add the water, make sure it is lukewarm (if it is too warm it will kill the yeast), then add a pinch of sugar to the water.
  • Sprinkle the yeast over the top, stir to combine, then let it rest for about 5 minutes.
  • If the yeast is active it will dissolve in the water and the mixture will bubble.

How to store them

Leftovers crescents should be stored in an air tight container and refrigerated, they will keep for up to 4 days. They can be warmed up in a microwave or low oven. The stars can be kept in a paper bag then placed in a plastic bag and stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Of course they are both best eaten when baked.

If you are looking for something new to make with your pizza dough for either a snack, main dish or appetizer then I hope you give these Pizza Dough Ideas a try and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Crescents & stars on a wire rack.
Stars & crescents in a basket with 2 crescents on a black plate.

Pizza Dough Ideas

Rosemary Molloy
Pizza dough can be used to make quite a few things, not just pizza. These quick and easy ideas are perfect as appetizers, main dish or snack.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 16 servings
Calories 128 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1-2 pizza dough rolls (either homemade* or store bought)

For homemade you can use Best Pizza Dough or Easy Pizza Dough.

    HOMEMADE PIZZA SAUCE (or ½-1 cup store bought if desired)

    • ½-1 cup tomato (diced, peeled or puree (passata/conserva)
    • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon oregano or basil (or a mixture)
    • 1-2 dashes hot pepper flakes (optional)

    FOR THE STARS

    • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
    • ¼-½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • 2-3 teaspoons oregano, basil, rosemary or your favourite seeds

    FOR THE CRESCENTS

    • ½-1 cup pizza sauce
    • ¼-½ cup chopped pancetta, sausage, prosciutto or veggies
    • ½ cup shredded firm mozzarella cheese
    • ¼-½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat oven to 400F (200C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
    • Either make the homemade pizza dough or use a good quality store bought. If you are making both the crescents and the stars you will need two rolled rectangles of dough.

    FOR THE STARS

    • Roll out the dough to approximately â…›- ¼ inch thick, cut with round cookie cutters (approximately 3"/7½cm size). Place a small shot glass in the middle of the circle and make 9 cuts in the dough around the glass. Join 2 of the cuts together, pinching to seal. Continue until all the circles are formed into stars.
    • Place on the prepared cookie sheet. You can brush with a little olive oil if desired, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese and oregano, rosemary, basil or seeds. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

    PIZZA SAUCE

    • In a large bowl mix together the tomatoes, olive oil and spices until combined well.

    FOR THE CRESCENTS

    • Roll out the dough to approximately â…›-¼ inch thick, cut into triangles, at the large end, spread a little sauce, top with chopped pancetta, shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
    • Roll from the bottom to the top, form into a crescent and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Brush with a little olive oil if desired, then sprinkle with some parmesan cheese and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and baked through. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Leftovers crescents should be stored in an air tight container and refrigerated, they will keep for up to 4 days. They can be warmed up in a microwave or low oven. The stars can be kept in a paper bag then placed in a plastic bag and stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Of course they are both best eaten when baked.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 363mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 134IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword pizza dough crescents, pizza dough ideas, pizza dough recipe
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