Copycat Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Pizza Dough Recipe
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| Bake up that buttery, garlic-brushed crust and pull into melty cheese with every slice in this cozy copycat Pizza Hut favorite. |
If you love that cheesy, golden, pull-apart crust from Pizza Hut, this easy copycat stuffed crust pizza dough recipe is for you. It gives you that soft, chewy bite with a buttery edge and gooey cheese tucked right inside the crust. The best part? You can make it at home with simple pantry staples and a little time.
This recipe is great for family pizza night, game day, or anytime you want a homemade pizza that feels a little extra special. I still remember the first time I made stuffed crust at home. I thought it would be tricky, but once I rolled the cheese into the edge, it all clicked. It felt like a fun kitchen win.
A Little Background on Pizza Hut and Why Stuffed Crust Is So Iconic
Pizza Hut has been a big name in American pizza for decades. It is known for its comforting, crowd-pleasing pizzas, red-roof nostalgia, and soft, satisfying crusts. For many families in the USA, Pizza Hut was part of birthdays, sleepovers, and Friday night takeout.
Stuffed Crust Pizza became especially famous because it turned the crust into something people actually fought over. Instead of leaving that last edge on the plate, you get a warm ring of melted cheese wrapped in soft baked dough. It is savory, stretchy, buttery, and rich. Every bite gives you that mix of tender crust and gooey mozzarella that makes stuffed crust pizza so memorable.
This recipe is inspired by that experience. It is not the original recipe and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pizza Hut. It is simply a homemade version made to capture the same cozy, cheesy feel.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Stuffed Crust Pizza Dough
- Easy to make with basic ingredients
- Soft and chewy dough with a golden finish
- Melty cheese baked right into the crust
- Perfect for homemade pizza night
- Works with your favorite pizza toppings
Ingredients
For the pizza dough:
- 1 1/4 cups warm water, about 105 to 110 degrees F
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 packet
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the stuffed crust:
- 6 to 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks
For brushing the crust:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, optional
For topping the pizza:
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your favorite toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers
Recipe Summary
- Servings: 8 slices
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Rise time: 1 to 1 1/2 hours
- Cook time: 14 to 18 minutes
- Total time: About 2 hours
Approximate nutrition per slice:
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 13g
- Carbs: 33g
- Fat: 13g
These numbers can change depending on the toppings you choose.
How to Make Copycat Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Pizza Dough
Step 1: Wake up the yeast.
Pour the warm water into a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast and sugar. Stir gently, then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You want it to look foamy on top. That foam means the yeast is alive and ready to work. If nothing happens, the water may have been too hot or too cool, or the yeast may be old.
Step 2: Make the dough.
Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Then knead it by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should become smooth, soft, and slightly tacky but not sticky like glue. If it sticks too much, add just a little flour at a time.
Step 3: Let it rise.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn it once so the top gets coated too. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size. If your kitchen runs cold, place the bowl in an off oven with the light on.
Step 4: Prep the oven and pan.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease a pizza pan or large baking sheet. If you have a pizza stone, you can use that too. Just make sure it is preheated if your manufacturer recommends it.
Step 5: Shape the dough larger than you think.
Punch down the risen dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a circle about 3 to 4 inches larger than your pizza pan. This extra dough is important because it needs to wrap around the cheese sticks to create the stuffed crust. Think of it like tucking a blanket around the edge.
Step 6: Add the cheese-filled crust.
Place the rolled dough over your pan. Arrange the string cheese sticks around the outer edge, trimming them if needed so they fit in a full circle. Fold the extra dough up and over the cheese sticks, pressing firmly to seal. Pinch the dough closed all the way around so the cheese stays tucked in while baking.
Step 7: Add sauce and toppings.
Spoon the pizza sauce over the center of the dough, leaving the stuffed crust edge bare. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, then add your toppings. Try not to overload the pizza. Too many toppings can make the center soggy and weigh down the dough.
Step 8: Bake until golden and bubbly.
Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese on top is melted and bubbling. The bottom should be lightly browned and the center should look set, not doughy.
Step 9: Brush the crust and rest.
Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush it over the hot crust right after the pizza comes out of the oven. Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese settle a bit so your slices hold together better.
Step 10: Serve safely.
If you are using meat toppings like sausage or chicken, make sure they are fully cooked before adding them to the pizza. Ground sausage should reach 160 degrees F, and chicken should reach 165 degrees F. Leftover pizza should be refrigerated within 2 hours.
Helpful Tips for the Best Stuffed Crust Pizza
- Use string cheese for the easiest crust. It melts well and fits nicely around the edge.
- Seal the dough tightly. If there are gaps, the cheese may leak out while baking.
- Do not overload the center. A balanced amount of toppings helps the pizza bake evenly.
- Let the dough rest if it snaps back. If it resists rolling, let it sit for 10 minutes, then try again.
- Brush with butter at the end. This gives the crust that flavorful pizza shop finish.
Easy Shortcuts for Busy Nights
Need to make this stuffed crust pizza dough recipe even easier? I get it. Some nights are just busy.
- Use store-bought pizza dough. Roll it out and follow the same stuffed crust method.
- Use pre-shredded cheese and jarred sauce. It saves time and still tastes great.
- Make the dough ahead. After kneading, refrigerate it overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping.
- Use a sheet pan. No pizza pan? A regular baking sheet works just fine.
Allergy-Friendly and Dietary Modifications
One of the best things about homemade pizza is how easy it is to adjust. If someone at your table has food allergies, sensitivities, or different food preferences, here are some smart swaps.
Gluten-free:
- Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough mix or a homemade gluten-free dough recipe.
- Be aware that gluten-free dough is often softer and harder to wrap around the cheese. Chilling it slightly can help.
- Check that your pizza sauce and toppings are certified gluten-free if needed.
Dairy-free:
- Use dairy-free mozzarella shreds for the topping.
- For the stuffed crust, try dairy-free cheese sticks if available, or use a thicker strip of dairy-free block cheese.
- Brush the crust with olive oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter.
Vegan:
- Use the dairy-free swaps above.
- Make sure your dough ingredients are vegan. This recipe is already egg-free.
- Top with veggies, vegan pepperoni, or plant-based sausage.
Lower-sodium:
- Use reduced-sodium cheese and sauce.
- Skip salty toppings like pepperoni and use vegetables instead.
- Cut back slightly on the added salt in the dough if needed.
Higher-protein:
- Add cooked chicken, turkey pepperoni, or lean sausage.
- Use part-skim mozzarella for a little more protein per bite.
Whole wheat option:
- Swap up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- You may need a touch more water since whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.
Vegetarian:
- Load it up with mushrooms, onions, olives, spinach, and bell peppers.
- A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick.
What to Serve with Stuffed Crust Pizza
This pizza is rich and cheesy, so simple sides work best.
- Caesar salad or garden salad
- Carrot and celery sticks with ranch
- Garlic knots or breadsticks
- Marinara sauce for dipping the crust
- Iced tea, lemonade, or soda for the full pizza night feel
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, reheat slices in a 350 degree F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, or in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. The microwave works too, but the crust will be softer.
If reheating leftovers, make sure they reach 165 degrees F for food safety.
Final Thoughts
This copycat Pizza Hut stuffed crust pizza dough is one of those recipes that feels impressive but is actually very doable. Once you make it once, it stops feeling like a restaurant trick and starts feeling like a regular part of homemade pizza night.
If you try this recipe, I would love to hear how it turned out. Did you go classic pepperoni, or did you make your own topping combo? Leave a comment and share your version. And if you know another stuffed crust fan, send this recipe their way too.
Disclaimer
This is a copycat recipe inspired by a popular restaurant dish. It is not the original recipe, and no knowledge of the actual proprietary recipe is implied. This post is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Pizza Hut.
Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. That means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links, at no extra cost to you.
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