These heart-shaped pizzas are the perfect way to show a little extra love — whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a date night at home, or a fun family cooking project. With a fluffy, golden crust and your favorite toppings shaped into an adorable heart, this recipe turns a classic comfort food into something truly special. And the best part? I can easily customize it to fit any dietary needs or preferences.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Heart-shaped pizzas bring more than just flavor to the table. Here’s why I love making them:
-
They’re fun and festive, perfect for romantic dinners or playful meals with kids.
-
I can tailor them to any diet — from gluten-free to vegan.
-
They’re surprisingly simple, even for beginner cooks.
-
I love getting creative with toppings and designs.
-
They look impressive and make for a memorable meal.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
-
2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
-
1 cup warm water (110°F)
-
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1 tsp sugar
-
1 tsp salt
-
2 tbsp olive oil
For the Toppings:
-
Pizza sauce
-
Shredded mozzarella cheese
-
Pepperoni slices
-
Optional: bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or any veggies I prefer
Directions
1. Prepare the Dough
I start by dissolving the yeast in warm water and letting it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. Then, I mix in the sugar, salt, olive oil, and half the flour. I continue adding the rest of the flour slowly, kneading the dough until it turns smooth and elastic. I cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise for an hour in a warm spot.
2. Shape the Dough
I preheat my oven to 450°F (230°C). After the dough has risen, I divide it into tennis-ball-sized portions and roll each one into a circle. To make the heart shape, I pinch the bottom of the circle into a point and press the top center inward to form the curves of the heart.
3. Add the Toppings
I spread a layer of pizza sauce on each heart-shaped dough, then add a generous amount of mozzarella. I like to top mine with pepperoni or a mix of colorful veggies depending on my mood.
4. Bake
I place the pizzas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them for 8–10 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4 heart-shaped mini pizzas
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Variations
-
Gluten-Free: I substitute the dough with a gluten-free version.
-
Vegan: I swap out the cheese for a plant-based alternative and load up on vegetables.
-
Dairy-Free: I use dairy-free mozzarella or simply skip the cheese.
-
Meat Lover’s: I add crumbled cooked sausage or extra pepperoni.
-
Gourmet Style: I like experimenting with arugula, goat cheese, or a drizzle of truffle oil after baking.
Storage/Reheating
Storing: I store any leftover pizzas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: I reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes or warm them in a skillet to get the crust crispy again.
FAQs
Can I freeze heart-shaped pizzas?
Yes! I freeze the unbaked pizzas on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When I’m ready to bake, I pop them straight into the oven and just add a few extra minutes.
What if I don’t have a rolling pin?
No worries — I’ve used a clean wine bottle or even just my hands to press the dough into shape.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely. I often prepare and shape the pizzas a day in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
How do I avoid a soggy crust?
I recommend par-baking the crust for 2 minutes before adding the toppings and making sure veggies are patted dry to avoid extra moisture.
Can I use store-bought dough?
Absolutely. Store-bought dough works great and cuts down on prep time.
Conclusion
These heart-shaped pizzas are more than just a meal — they’re a fun and thoughtful way to show love. Whether I’m planning a romantic evening, surprising my kids with something special, or just indulging my creative side, this recipe always delivers. With a tender crust, melty cheese, and endless topping options, each heart is filled with flavor and joy.
Print
Heart-Shaped Pizzas
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 mini heart-shaped pizzas
Description
Heart-Shaped Pizzas are a festive and customizable twist on classic homemade pizza. With a fluffy crust, gooey cheese, and your choice of toppings shaped into hearts, they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, date nights, or family fun dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni slices
- Optional toppings: bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or any veggies
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit 5 minutes until frothy. Mix in sugar, salt, olive oil, and half the flour. Gradually add remaining flour, kneading until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Divide dough into portions and roll into circles. Pinch the bottom into a point and indent the top center to form hearts.
- Spread pizza sauce, add mozzarella, and top with pepperoni or vegetables as desired.
- Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 8–10 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbles.
Notes
- Par-bake crusts for 2 minutes before adding toppings to avoid soggy bottoms.
- Pat veggies dry to prevent excess moisture.
- Store-bought dough works perfectly if short on time.
- Use creative toppings like arugula, goat cheese, or truffle oil for a gourmet twist.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pizza
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 15mg