Viral Crown Pizza with Braided Stuffed Crust Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before you begin, make sure your pizza dough is at room temperature for easier rolling. Preheat your oven to 420°F (215°C) and position a rack in the middle. Have all your ingredients measured and ready: shredded cheeses, sliced pepperoni, bell pepper, and marinara.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats and transfer the assembled pizza on parchment directly onto the stone for an extra-crisp bottom.

Instructions

Shaping the Crown

1. 1Roll and Shape the Dough
   On a lightly floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a large circle about 14 inches across. Transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper. Place a small bowl upside down in the center of the dough and press gently to create an indent. Using a sharp knife, cut eight star-burst slits radiating outward from the inner circle, spacing them evenly.
   Look for The dough is a flat circle with a clear center indent and eight slits fanning out like sun rays.
   Tip Keep the slits about 1 inch apart at the center so the crown holds together.
2. 2Spread the Sauce
   Spread the garlic tomato marinara sauce over the outer ring of dough, leaving the inner circle and the cut points clean. The sauce should cover the dough between the center and the outer edge, but not spill into the center.
   Look for The sauce is evenly distributed in a ring around the center.
   Tip Use the back of a spoon to spread the sauce without tearing the dough.
3. 3Layer the Fillings
   Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the sauce. Arrange the sliced beef pepperoni on top of the cheese. Scatter the bell pepper slices over the pepperoni.
   Look for The ring is covered with a colorful layer of cheese, pepperoni, and peppers.
   Tip Don't overload the center or the edges—keep the filling within the sauce ring.

At this point, you have a flat circle of dough with a clear center indent and eight evenly spaced slits radiating outward. The sauce is spread in a ring, and the cheeses, pepperoni, and bell peppers are layered on top.

The dough points are still loose, ready to be pulled over the filling. The surface looks colorful and inviting, with the cheese and toppings visible between the dough sections.

Baking to Golden Perfection

4. 4Form the Crown
   Lift each of the eight dough points and pull them outward to the outer edge of the dough. Pinch the points firmly to the outer crust to seal, creating a crown-like wreath with the filling enclosed in the braided edge.
   Look for The dough forms a ring with eight distinct peaks, enclosing the filling.
   Tip Pinch well to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
5. 5Brush and Sprinkle
   Brush the entire surface of the dough with olive oil, making sure to coat the braided edges. Sprinkle the sesame seeds evenly over the oiled dough.
   Look for The dough glistens with oil and is dotted with sesame seeds.
   Tip Use a pastry brush for an even, light coating.
6. 6Bake the Crown
   Bake the crown pizza in a preheated oven at 420°F (215°C) for 18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. The internal temperature of the pepperoni should reach 160°F (71°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
   Look for The crust is deep golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (ground meat)
   Tip Rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even browning.

The dough points have been pulled to the outer edge and pinched to form a crown. The surface is brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with sesame seeds, giving it a glossy, speckled look. As it bakes, the kitchen fills with the aroma of garlic, cheese, and toasting sesame. The crust turns a rich golden brown, and the cheese melts into a bubbly, molten layer.

Finishing and Serving

7. 7Add the Dipping Sauce
   After removing the crown pizza from the oven, place a small bowl of warm marinara sauce in the center of the crown. Let the pizza rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
   Look for The center bowl is filled with warm marinara, ready for dipping.
   Tip Warm the marinara while the pizza bakes so it's ready to serve.
8. 8Slice and Serve
   Use a pizza cutter to slice between the braided sections, creating individual pieces. Serve immediately, pulling each slice to show the cheesy stretch and dunking into the warm marinara.
   Look for The slices separate cleanly with long cheese pulls.
   Tip For the best cheese pull, serve while hot.

The crown pizza emerges from the oven with a beautifully browned, sesame-crusted edge. A small bowl of warm marinara sits in the center, ready for dipping. When you pull a slice, the cheese stretches in long, gooey strands. The crust is crisp, the filling is hot and flavorful, and the marinara adds a bright, tangy contrast. The pizza is visually stunning and deliciously inviting.

Common mistakes

One common mistake is overfilling the crown, which can cause the dough to tear or the filling to leak out. Keep the filling within the sauce ring and don't pile it too high. Another pitfall is not sealing the dough points firmly enough—pinch them well to the outer crust to prevent the filling from escaping during baking.

Also, avoid rolling the dough too thin; a 1/4-inch thickness is ideal for holding the filling. Finally, don't skip the rest after baking—it helps the cheese set and makes slicing cleaner.

How to tell it’s done

The crown pizza is done when the crust is deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned in spots. The internal temperature of the pepperoni should reach 160°F (71°C) to ensure it's fully cooked.

If you're unsure, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of a pepperoni slice; it should read at least 160°F (71°C). Let the pizza rest for 2–3 minutes before serving so the cheese sets slightly and the slices hold together.

• Ground meat: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part