Pizza Wreath: Easy Christmas Party Food! Recipe

Introduction

This Pizza Wreath is a festive and delicious twist on classic pizza, perfect for Christmas parties or any holiday gathering. Crispy, cheesy, and bursting with fresh flavors, it’s sure to impress your guests with its eye-catching presentation and irresistible taste.

Ingredients

• 1 can refrigerated pizza crust
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 10-12 small mozzarella balls
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup pesto sauce
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, shredded and divided

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Shape it into a large circle by gently stretching the dough, leaving an open center to resemble a wreath. Prebake for 8-9 minutes.
2. Step 2: Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the entire surface of the dough.
3. Step 3: Place the halved cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls evenly over the sauce, pressing them lightly into the dough so they stick during baking. Drizzle the pesto sauce across the wreath and sprinkle about half of the shredded basil leaves on top.
4. Step 4: Lightly brush the edges of the dough with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and let the wreath cool slightly. Garnish with the remaining fresh basil leaves before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes over the pizza wreath before baking.
• You can substitute mozzarella balls with shredded mozzarella if small balls are unavailable.
• Try adding other toppings like sliced olives or roasted red peppers for variety.
• If you prefer a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pizza dough instead of refrigerated crust.

Storage

Store any leftover pizza wreath in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes to maintain its crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this pizza wreath ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough and toppings in advance, but it’s best to assemble and bake the pizza wreath just before serving to keep it fresh and crispy.

What can I use if I don’t have pesto sauce?

If you don’t have pesto, you can substitute with basil olive oil or simply drizzle extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle fresh herbs like oregano or basil for a similar flavor.

Pizza Wreath: Easy Christmas Party Food! Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 50 reviews

This festive Pizza Wreath is a perfect and easy Christmas party appetizer, featuring a delicious combination of pizza sauce, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, pesto, and fresh basil baked on a crispy pizza crust shaped like a holiday wreath.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-24 minutes
• Total Time: 30-34 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base

• 1 can refrigerated pizza crust

Sauces

• ½ cup pizza sauce
• ¼ cup pesto sauce

Toppings

• 10–12 small mozzarella balls
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, shredded and divided

Instructions

1. Prepare and Precook the Dough: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Shape it into a large circle by gently stretching the dough, leaving an open center resembling a wreath. Prebake the dough for 8-9 minutes to set the shape.
2. Spread the Sauce: Evenly spread a layer of pizza sauce over the entire surface of the precooked dough, ensuring full coverage for balanced flavor.
3. Add the Toppings: Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes and small mozzarella balls evenly over the sauce, pressing them lightly into the dough so they adhere well during baking. Drizzle pesto sauce across the wreath. Sprinkle about half of the shredded basil leaves on top. Brush the folded dough edges lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste for added flavor and a golden finish.
4. Bake the Wreath: Return the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned on top.
5. Garnish and Serve: Remove the wreath from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Garnish with the remaining fresh basil leaves distributed around the wreath before serving to add a fresh, aromatic touch.

Notes

• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• You can substitute fresh mozzarella balls with shredded mozzarella if unavailable.
• The pesto drizzle can be adjusted to taste or replaced with garlic butter for variation.
• Ensure not to overbake the crust to keep it tender yet crisp.
• This recipe can be prepared ahead up to the prebaking step and topped just before baking.

Keywords: pizza wreath, Christmas party food, holiday appetizer, easy pizza recipe, festive appetizer, mozzarella, pesto, cherry tomatoes