Hungry Kids' Pizza (8") Recipe
The perfect size for a hungry kid. Pizza sauce, pizza mozzarella, and any two toppings you want.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Dough
Sauce
Cheese & Toppings
Method
Dough
- 1
Activate and mix
In a medium bowl, combine warm water (about 100–110°F / 38–43°C) and sugar. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the water, stir lightly, and let sit 2–3 minutes until slightly foamy. Stir in olive oil.
- 2
Form dough
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and stir with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
- 3
Knead
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4–6 minutes until smooth and elastic. If dough is very sticky, add up to 1 tablespoon more flour; if too dry, add up to 1 tablespoon water.
- 4
Rest
Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough ball inside, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place for 20–30 minutes until slightly puffed (dough need not double for an 8" kid-sized pizza).
Sauce
- 5
While the dough rests, stir the pizza sauce with dried oregano and dried basil in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired (add a pinch of salt or a dash of sugar only if necessary).
Assemble & Bake
- 6
Preheat oven
Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 475°F (245°C) for at least 20 minutes so the surface is very hot. If you have a convection setting, use it to help bake evenly.
- 7
Shape crust
On a lightly floured surface, press the rested dough into a flat disc. Use your fingers or a rolling pin to shape into an 8-inch (20 cm) circle about 1/4" thick, leaving a slightly thicker edge for the crust. Transfer to a piece of parchment paper or a well-floured pizza peel.
- 8
- 9
Add cheese and toppings
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauced dough. Arrange the two chosen toppings evenly: e.g., 12 pepperoni slices and 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms or 1/4 cup thin bell pepper strips. Sprinkle the optional Parmesan over the top if using.
- 10
Bake
Slide the parchment with the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8–11 minutes until the crust is golden at the edges and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Rotate once halfway through baking for even color if needed.
- 11
