Crispy Turkish Crown Pizza Ring with Sesame Crust

This Turkish crown pizza ring is a visual showstopper that tastes as good as it looks. A round of pizza dough is topped with spiced tomato sauce, melty mozzarella, and pepperoni, then folded into a golden sesame-crusted ring.

Slice it with a roller wheel and watch the cheese stretch in long, luxurious strands. It’s crispy on the outside, cheesy inside, and made for sharing.

This recipe turns a simple pizza into an edible crown. The dough is rolled into a large circle, topped with a ring of sauce and cheese, then folded into a braided ring that bakes up golden and crisp.

The sesame seeds add a nutty crunch, and the center is perfect for dipping sauce. It’s a fun, hands-on dinner that’s sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The method of folding the dough over the filling creates a self-contained crust that bakes up shatteringly crisp on the outside while staying tender inside.

The egg wash and sesame seeds form a golden, aromatic shell that adds texture and flavor. Baking the ring on a sheet pan allows hot air to circulate all around, ensuring even browning and a fully cooked center.

The ring shape means every slice has a perfect ratio of crust to filling. The inverted bowl in the center keeps the middle open, so the dough folds overlap neatly and seal in the cheese. This technique also makes the pizza easy to slice and serve — just roll the cutter through the seams and pull apart.

Notes and substitutions

Use a good-quality pizza dough, either store-bought or homemade. Let it come to room temperature before rolling so it stretches easily.

The sauce should be thick enough to hold its place on the dough; if it’s too watery, it can make the crust soggy. The pepperoni adds a salty, savory note, but you can swap it for cooked sausage or leave it out.

The egg wash is essential for that deep golden color and helps the sesame seeds adhere. Use white or black sesame seeds, or a mix. The baking sheet should be lined with parchment to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy. A pizza cutter with a sharp wheel makes slicing the crown effortless.

• pepperoni: Cooked Italian sausage or cooked ground beef, or omit for a vegetarian version.
• mozzarella: Provolone or a pizza cheese blend for a different melt and flavor.
• tomato sauce: Pizza sauce or marinara, if preferred; adjust seasoning to taste.
• pizza dough: Homemade pizza dough or thawed frozen bread dough.

Equipment

• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Small bowl (for egg wash)
• Pastry brush
• Pizza cutter or roller wheel
• Oven