Method

Dough & Assembly

Prep oven and dough

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust with 1 tablespoon flour. On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the pizza dough into a roughly 12x8-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.

Trim edges so rectangle is even. Brush the surface of the dough lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil to create a base barrier for the filling.

White Sauce

Make white sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook 30–60 seconds until bubbly (do not brown). Gradually whisk in 1 cup whole milk, then bring to a gentle simmer, whisking until thickened, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup ricotta, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until smooth and spreadable. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Let the sauce cool 3–5 minutes so it’s warm but not hot before spreading on dough.

Cheese & Fillings

Assemble filling

Evenly spread the warm white sauce over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar over the sauce. Dollop the additional 1/2 cup ricotta in small spoonfuls across the cheese layer. Scatter the chopped pickled jalapeños and the chopped crisp bacon evenly over the top.

Fold the long side of the dough over the filling so the dough becomes a single-layer rectangle with the filling inside, or leave open and roll into a log — choose whichever yields 'sticks' when sliced. If folding/rolling, press edges to seal with a little water. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the filled dough crosswise into 10–12 equal sticks (about 1 to 1.25 inches wide).

Topping & Finish

Brush and season

Place the sticks cut-side up (or seam-side down if sealed) on the prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart. Mix the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil with 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Brush this garlic oil over the tops of each stick. Lightly dust each stick with 1/2 teaspoon pink salt (total across all sticks), sprinkle shaved Parmesan evenly, and finish with 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes distributed across the batch.

Bake

Bake in the preheated 425°F (220°C) oven for 12–16 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden and crisp. If you prefer extra browning, broil on high for 1–2 minutes while watching closely.

Rest and serve

Remove from oven and let sticks rest 3–4 minutes to set. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with 1/2 cup ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Sticks Recipe