Buttery Garlic Pizza Recipe

Creamiest Buttery Garlic Pizza Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Check out this garlic pizza that has completely transformed my weekend cooking routine.

Crispy edges and rich, aromatic flavors make this dish irresistible for casual gatherings.

Cheese melts perfectly across a golden crust that hints at pure comfort.

Simple ingredients come together in surprisingly delightful ways you’ll want to master.

Each bite promises a delectable journey through robust garlic and smooth butter undertones.

Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-worthy masterpiece with minimal kitchen skills.

Let’s unlock the secret to making this mouthwatering pizza that will impress everyone at your table.

Why Buttery Garlic Pizza Deserves a Spot on Your Table

  • This homemade pizza recipe is perfect for beginner bakers, requiring minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients.
  • Minimal prep time and simple steps make this garlic pizza ideal for relaxed family meals or spontaneous weekend cooking adventures.
  • Customizable with different toppings and suitable for kids and adults, ensuring everyone enjoys a delicious slice of homemade goodness.
  • Low-maintenance dough preparation and straightforward technique mean you can create restaurant-quality pizza without complicated techniques or expensive equipment.

What You’ll Need for Buttery Garlic Pizza

Pizza Base Ingredients:
  • Warm Water: Essential for activating the yeast and creating a soft, stretchy dough.
  • Sugar: Helps feed the yeast and promotes fermentation.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Key for making the dough rise and develop flavor.
Flour and Seasoning:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the pizza dough, creates a chewy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps control yeast growth.
Moisture and Binding Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Adds richness, helps with dough elasticity, and provides a subtle flavor.

Buttery Garlic Pizza Cooking Walkthrough

Step 1: Activate Yeast Mixture

Grab a small bowl and pour in warm water. Sprinkle sugar and add yeast. Stir gently and let the mixture sit quietly. Watch for tiny bubbles to form and the surface to become foamy, which signals your yeast is ready to work its magic.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Take a large mixing bowl and combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt

Create a small well in the center of the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the activated yeast mixture into the flour well. Add olive oil. Mix everything together using a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough starts to form.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Start kneading by pushing and folding the dough. Continue this motion for 8-10 minutes. The dough will transform from rough and sticky to smooth and stretchy.

Step 5: First Rise

Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the kneaded dough inside and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free spot for 1-2 hours. The dough will double in size, becoming puffy and soft.

Smart Suggestions for Buttery Garlic Pizza Success

  • Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast activation without killing the microorganisms.
  • Knead with Confidence: Use the heel of your hand to push and fold the dough, creating a smooth texture that develops gluten for a tender crust.
  • Rise in Warm Spots: Place the dough in a draft-free area like a turned-off oven or near a warm appliance to help it rise evenly and quickly.
  • Customize Your Crust: Experiment with whole wheat flour or add dried herbs to the dough for extra flavor and nutritional variety.
  • Prevent Sticky Situation: Lightly oil your hands when kneading to prevent the dough from sticking and make the process smoother.

Keep Buttery Garlic Pizza Tasting Great Later

  • Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring they're completely cooled before sealing.
  • Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to preserve freshness for up to 2 months.
  • Restore crispy crust by warming slices at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, returning them close to their original texture.
  • For a fast option, heat pizza on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds, but expect a softer crust compared to oven reheating.

Buttery Garlic Pizza Pairings You’ll Crave

  • Pair this buttery garlic pizza with a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, whose crisp acidity cuts through the rich, garlicky notes and cleanses the palate.
  • Create a complementary side of mixed greens with arugula, fresh basil, and a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the pizza's richness and add a refreshing contrast.
  • Serve a quick tzatziki or herb-infused yogurt sauce alongside the pizza, offering a cool, tangy counterpoint to the warm, buttery crust and intense garlic flavors.
  • Select a light pilsner or wheat beer with subtle hoppy undertones that will refresh the palate and harmonize with the pizza's garlic and butter profile.

Buttery Garlic Pizza Variations Worth Trying

  • Whole Wheat Wonder: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutty, healthier pizza crust packed with more fiber and nutrients.
  • Gluten-Free Delight: Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free blend made from rice flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum to accommodate gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Herb-Infused Crust: Mix dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme directly into the dough for an aromatic and flavorful pizza base that enhances the overall taste.
  • Vegan Friendly: Substitute olive oil with avocado oil and use plant-based sugar to create a completely vegan-friendly pizza crust that's suitable for dairy-free diets.

Buttery Garlic Pizza Q&A You Should Know

  • How do I know if my yeast is active?

Check for frothiness and bubbling after 5-10 minutes in warm water with sugar. If no activity occurs, your yeast might be expired or the water temperature was incorrect.

  • Can I make this pizza dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before using. This can actually enhance the flavor and make the dough easier to work with.

  • What if my dough isn't rising properly?

Ensure your environment is warm and draft-free. Ideal rising temperature is around 75-80°F. If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate effectively. Consider placing the dough in a slightly warm oven (turned off) or near a warm spot in your kitchen.

  • How do I get a crispy pizza crust?

Use a pizza stone or a preheated baking sheet, and roll the dough thin. Brush the edges with olive oil and bake at a high temperature (around 450-475°F) to achieve a crispy texture.

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Buttery Garlic Pizza Recipe

Buttery Garlic Pizza Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 12 hours 32 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Homemade Buttery Garlic Pizza delivers an irresistible symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with rich, comforting Italian charm. Melted cheese, golden crust, and robust garlic notes will make you crave another slice of this delectable culinary creation.


Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Dough:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) warm water
  • 3 ½ cups (440 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil

Garlic Butter Topping:

  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cheese Topping:

  • 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by whisking it into lukewarm water with a touch of sugar, allowing the mixture to bloom and become foamy for about 7 minutes.
  2. Create a flour foundation in a spacious mixing vessel, incorporating salt and forming a well in the center for the activated yeast and olive oil.
  3. Gently fold and press the ingredients together, transforming them into a cohesive, slightly sticky dough with a uniform texture.
  4. Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface, using rhythmic kneading motions to develop gluten and create a smooth, springy consistency.
  5. Nestle the dough into a lightly oiled ceramic bowl, draping a clean kitchen towel over the top to trap warmth and encourage rising.
  6. Allow the dough to rest and expand, roughly doubling in volume, which typically takes approximately 1-1.5 hours in a draft-free environment.
  7. After rising, softly deflate the dough with gentle pressing, preparing it for shaping and topping with garlicky, buttery goodness.

Notes

  • Keep water temperature between 100-110°F to activate yeast perfectly without killing it.
  • Add a pinch of extra sugar helps yeast bloom faster and creates more robust fermentation.
  • Use bread flour for chewier, more professional-style pizza crust with stronger gluten development.
  • Letting dough rise slowly in cool environment develops deeper, more complex flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 12 hours rising time)
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 420 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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