Lucy M. Craving authentic deep-dish pizza with a spicy kick but don’t want to order takeout? Jalapeño deep-dish pizza is your answer. This recipe features homemade dough that rises quickly, topped with classic pepperoni and melted cheese, then finished with pickled jalapeños for heat and tang. The deep-dish pan creates that signature crispy, golden crust while the generous toppings deliver satisfaction in every bite. Make it at home in under two hours with impressive results.
Why You’ll Love this Jalapeño Deep-dish Pizza
If you’re someone who actually enjoys a little heat in your food rather than playing it safe with plain cheese, you’re going to find this pizza speaks your language. I mean, why settle for boring when you can have jalapeños doing their thing alongside pepperoni and melted mozzarella.
The deep-dish format means you get this wonderfully crispy, golden crust that holds everything without getting soggy, which honestly feels like a miracle in pizza physics. Those pickled jalapeños aren’t just there for show either.
They bring a tangy punch that cuts through the richness of all that cheese, creating this balance that makes you want another slice. Plus, the heat builds gradually, so even people who claim they don’t like spicy food often find themselves pleasantly surprised.
This spicy deep-dish pizza is perfect for weekend indulgence, but Mary Berry’s Chicken Curry offers that same bold, satisfying flavor with aromatic spices. The tender chicken and rich curry sauce make it ideal for cozy weeknight dinners.
What Ingredients are in Jalapeño Deep-dish Pizza?
Making this jalapeño deep-dish pizza requires a thoughtful combination of ingredients that work together to create layers of flavor and texture. The foundation starts with a robust dough that needs time to rise and develop, while the toppings are carefully balanced to guarantee the heat from the jalapeños complements rather than overwhelms the savory elements. Each component plays a specific role, from the tangy tomato base to the creamy cheese and the star ingredient that gives this pizza its character.
Ingredients:
- 3½ cups bread flour
- 1 packet (¼ oz/7 g) fast-acting dried yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 can (14 oz/400 g) chopped tomatoes, drained
- 2 oz (60 g) sliced pepperoni
- 10 oz (300 g) grated mozzarella cheese
- 2 oz (60 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons sliced pickled jalapeños
Use whole milk mozzarella for better melting and stretch. Choose San Marzano tomatoes for superior flavor. Drain pickled jalapeños thoroughly to prevent a soggy crust. Ensure your deep-dish pan is well-greased to achieve that signature crispy, golden bottom.
How to Make this Jalapeño Deep-dish Pizza
- Begin making the dough: in a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and 2 tablespoons of oil, mixing well. Gradually add enough lukewarm water (approximately 1¼ cups) to form a soft, sticky dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–10 minutes, working it with your hands until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
- Place the kneaded dough into a large oiled bowl and turn it over to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with oiled plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 475°F (240°C). Lightly oil a 14 in (35 cm) pizza pan and set aside.
- Once the dough has risen, knock it back by punching it down gently to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a circle.
- Shape the dough into a 14 in (35 cm) round and carefully transfer it to the prepared pizza pan. Press and stretch the dough to fit the pan, then push the edges up slightly to form a raised rim around the perimeter.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza base, leaving the rim clear. Distribute the tomatoes and pepperoni slices evenly across the sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese generously over the toppings, then scatter the sliced jalapeños on top for a spicy kick.
- Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted and begun to bubble. Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot.
Jalapeno Deep-dish Pizza
Ingredients
Method
- Begin making the dough: in a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and 2 tablespoons of oil, mixing well. Gradually add enough lukewarm water (approximately 1¼ cups) to form a soft, sticky dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–10 minutes, working it with your hands until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
- Place the kneaded dough into a large oiled bowl and turn it over to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with oiled plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 475°F (240°C). Lightly oil a 14 in (35 cm) pizza pan and set aside.
- Once the dough has risen, knock it back by punching it down gently to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a circle.
- Shape the dough into a 14 in (35 cm) round and carefully transfer it to the prepared pizza pan. Press and stretch the dough to fit the pan, then push the edges up slightly to form a raised rim around the perimeter.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza base, leaving the rim clear. Distribute the tomatoes and pepperoni slices evenly across the sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese generously over the toppings, then scatter the sliced jalapeños on top for a spicy kick.
- Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted and begun to bubble. Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot.
Jalapeño Deep-dish Pizza Substitutions and Variations
Since deep-dish pizza is basically a canvas for whatever toppings you’re craving, you’ve got plenty of room to make this recipe your own. I’d swap the pepperoni for crispy bacon or Italian sausage if I wanted something meatier.
Not a pepperoni fan? No problem—go vegetarian with roasted red peppers, mushrooms, or caramelized onions instead. For cheese lovers, I’d layer in some fresh mozzarella on top before baking, which gets all melty and gorgeous.
Want to dial back the heat? Use fewer jalapeños or substitute milder banana peppers. Craving extra flavor? I’d drizzle hot honey over the finished pizza or sprinkle fresh basil on top. The beauty here is that you’re in control—make it exactly how you like it.
What to Serve with Jalapeño Deep-dish Pizza
What pairs better with a slice of spicy, cheesy, pepperoni-loaded deep-dish pizza than something cold and invigorating to balance all that heat? I’d suggest an ice-cold cola or lemonade—they cut through the richness like a champ.
Alternatively, I’d reach for a crisp pilsner or light beer if I’m feeling fancy. A simple green salad with vinaigrette offers a rejuvenating counterpoint to all that melted mozzarella and jalapeño kick. For dessert, I’d skip anything too heavy and opt for something cool instead: sorbet, gelato, or even a fruit-based popsicle works wonderfully.
The key is finding contrasting flavors and temperatures that won’t make your palate regret those fiery peppers you just devoured.
Final Thoughts
Making this jalapeño deep-dish pizza at home might seem intimidating at first—I mean, you’re working with yeast, managing oven temperatures, and layering flavors that need to work in harmony—but here’s the thing: once you’ve done it once, you’ll realize it’s way more forgiving than you’d think. The dough rises while you prep toppings, the cheese melts into golden perfection, and those jalapeños deliver exactly the kick you want. You’re not competing with pizzerias; you’re creating something personal, something tailored to your heat tolerance and taste preferences. That’s the real magic here. This recipe isn’t about perfection—it’s about confidence. So grab your pan, trust the process, and enjoy knowing you’ve made something genuinely delicious from scratch.
