Dinner · Part 3 of 3: Tips & recipe card

Crown Pizza with Sesame Braided Crust Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Name: Crown Pizza with Sesame Braided Crust
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 48 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb homemade pizza dough; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp sesame seeds; 1 1/2 cups warm marinara sauce

By Clara Weller · Oct 26, 2026

Golden crown pizza with sesame crust and marinara sauce in the center

Prep: 30 min
Cook: 18 min
Total: 48 min
Serves: 6

Tips for success

For the crispiest crust, bake the crown pizza directly on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel. If using a regular baking sheet, preheat it in the oven for a few minutes before placing the dough on it. This helps the bottom cook evenly and become golden and crisp.

To keep the crown pizza warm for serving, place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a low oven (200°F/95°C) until ready to serve.

This prevents the bottom from becoming soggy. If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it over the dough before baking for a molten center that pulls apart with the crust.

Variations

Cheesy Crown Pizza: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella over the dough after brushing with oil, before adding sesame seeds. The cheese will melt and bubble in the oven, creating a gooey center. Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
Herb and Garlic Crown: Mix 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder into the olive oil before brushing. Omit the sesame seeds and instead sprinkle with fresh rosemary or thyme leaves. This adds an aromatic, savory note to the crust.
Spicy Crown Pizza: Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the olive oil and brush over the dough. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake as directed. Serve with a spicy arrabbiata sauce for dipping. The heat pairs well with the nutty sesame crust.
Everything Bagel Crown: Replace sesame seeds with 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning. Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle generously. The crust will have a savory, salty flavor reminiscent of a bagel. Serve with warm marinara or cream cheese dip.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge: Store leftover crown pizza in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness.
Freezer: Freeze the unbaked shaped crown pizza on a parchment-lined baking sheet until firm, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Reheat leftover crown pizza in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving.

Store leftover crown pizza in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes until crisp.

Avoid microwaving, as it will make the crust soggy. The marinara sauce can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can prepare the crown pizza dough and shape it ahead of time. After shaping, cover the pizza with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then brush with oil and seeds and bake as directed. The marinara sauce can also be made ahead and reheated.

Serving ideas

Serve the crown pizza hot from the oven with warm marinara sauce in the center. The pizza is meant to be pulled apart, so place it on a large cutting board or platter. Each person can tear off a slice and dunk it into the sauce. This is perfect for parties, game nights, or a fun family dinner.

For a complete meal, pair the crown pizza with a simple green salad. The pizza is rich and satisfying on its own, but the salad adds freshness.

You can also serve it with additional dipping sauces like garlic butter or ranch, though the marinara is classic. Enjoy it while it's warm and crispy.

Frequently asked questions

Can the crown pizza be made without a stand mixer?

Yes, the dough can be made by hand. Mix the ingredients in a large bowl with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough can also be made in a food processor.

What is the best way to roll the dough into a perfect circle?

Start with the dough at room temperature. On a lightly floured surface, press the dough into a disk, then roll from the center outward, rotating the dough a quarter turn after each roll. This helps maintain an even thickness and round shape.

Can the crown pizza be baked on a pizza stone?

Yes, a preheated pizza stone or baking steel will give the bottom a crisper crust. Slide the parchment paper with the shaped dough onto the hot stone and bake as directed. The baking time may be slightly shorter, so check for golden brown color.

How do you keep the crown pizza from sticking to the parchment?

Make sure the dough is well-floured before rolling and use a good quality parchment paper. If the dough sticks, gently slide a spatula underneath. You can also lightly oil the parchment before placing the dough on it.

Why did your crown points collapse during baking?

This can happen if the dough was too soft or the points were not pinched firmly enough. Make sure to pinch the points tightly to the outer edge and use a dough that is not over-proofed. Chilling the shaped crown for 15 minutes before baking can help it hold its shape.

Recipe card

Crown Pizza with Sesame Braided Crust

Prep 30 minCook 18 minTotal 48 minServes 6

Ingredients

1 lb homemade pizza dough
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1 1/2 cups warm marinara sauce

Instructions

On a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper, roll the pizza dough into a large circle, about 14 inches across. Place a small bowl upside down in the center of the dough and press gently to create an indentation. Use a pizza cutter to cut eight star-burst slits inside the inner circle, radiating from the center to the edge of the bowl indent.
Lift each of the eight dough points from the center and pinch them to the outer edge of the circle, creating a wreath-like crown with pointed tips. Press the pinched ends firmly to seal. The result should look like a sunburst or crown with eight distinct points.
Preheat the oven to 420°F (215°C). Brush the entire surface of the crown pizza with olive oil, making sure to coat the braided points and the inner ring. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the oiled dough, pressing them gently so they adhere.
Transfer the parchment paper with the crown pizza onto a baking sheet. Bake at 420°F (215°C) for 18 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown and the sesame seeds are toasted. The braided points should be crisp and the center slightly puffed.
Place a small bowl of warm marinara sauce in the center of the crown pizza. Pull apart a slice from the wreath and dunk it into the sauce. Serve immediately while the crust is crispy and the cheese (if added) is molten.

Contains: gluten, sesame, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories: 320
Protein: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fat: 12 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.

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This recipe is based on a short cooking video and is published under the pen name Clara Weller. It was checked before publication, but errors can slip through. Nutrition, when shown, is an estimate. Read more in our editorial policy and on our food safety page.