Name: Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups self-rising flour (or 2 cups all-purpose flour and 2 teaspoons baking powder); 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full fat, whole milk); 2 tablespoons olive oil; ½ teaspoon salt; ⅔ cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce or pesto); 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; Thinly sliced pepperoni; Thinly sliced bell peppers; Fresh basil leaves; Grated Parmesan cheese; Other toppings as desired (optional)

There’s just something magically simple and festive about making your own Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe anytime the holiday season rolls around. It’s the kind of dish that invites you to get a little creative with toppings while still being approachable enough for a weeknight dinner or a fun party snack. I love how this recipe blends the comforting flavors of classic pizza with a hint of holiday spirit — colorful veggies and cozy pepperoni always remind me of Christmas cheer on a plate.

This Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe is perfect for gatherings when you want something homemade but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen fussing over dough or complicated sauces. Plus, it’s forgiving — the creamy Greek yogurt dough is a game changer for quick prep and keeps the crust tender without needing yeast. Whether you’re cooking with kids or just craving that festive vibe, this pizza always feels special, inviting everyone to dig in and smile.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this pizza are straightforward but thoughtfully chosen to deliver great flavor and ease. I like how the yogurt in the dough adds moisture and tang, keeping things light, while the toppings offer that vibrant holiday palette we all love this time of year.

Self-rising flour: This saves you a step since it already includes baking powder and salt. If you don’t have it, all-purpose flour plus baking powder works just fine.
Greek yogurt: Full-fat yogurt makes the dough tender and gives it a lovely slight tang that balances the richness of the cheese and pepperoni.
Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity richness to the dough and helps with browning.
Salt: Essential to season your crust and bring out all the flavors.
Marinara sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce – pesto can be a fun twist too!
Shredded mozzarella: The gooey, melty classic you want on any pizza.
Pepperoni: For a festive pop of flavor and color.
Bell peppers: Thinly sliced, they add crunch and brightness—think red and green for Christmas vibes.
Fresh basil: A sprinkle at the end adds a lovely herbal freshness.
Grated Parmesan: Perfect for a salty, nutty finish.

Variations

One of the best parts about this Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak it depending on what I have on hand or the dietary needs of guests — feel free to make it your own!

Vegetarian version: Instead of pepperoni, I love piling on mushrooms, olives, and artichokes—still festive and colorful!
Gluten-free option: Try swapping the flour for a gluten-free blend and keep the yogurt dough method; it works surprisingly well.
Spicy twist: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or top with jalapeños for a little holiday heat.
Herb-heavy: Mix fresh rosemary and thyme into the olive oil before brushing on the crust—it smells amazing and makes the pizza feel even more special.

How to Make Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Whip up that dough

Start by mixing your self-rising flour, Greek yogurt, olive oil, and salt right in a large bowl. Use a spoon or your hands (I’m a hands-on kind of cook) to bring everything together until it forms a soft, slightly sticky dough. You might need to add a touch more flour if it’s too wet, but don’t overdo it—you want the dough to stay tender. Let it rest for about 5 minutes while you prep the toppings; this helps the dough relax and makes it easier to shape.

Step 2: Shape and sauce your crust

On a floured surface, roll or press the dough into a roughly 10-inch circle or rectangle, depending on your baking sheet. You can keep the edges a bit thicker for a nice crust. Transfer it to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the base—don’t drown it though, just a nice layer. This step sets the flavor stage, so I always taste my sauce beforehand to adjust seasoning, especially around the holidays when I want brightness and warmth.

Step 3: Top it festively and bake

Layer on the shredded mozzarella generously, then arrange your pepperoni slices and bell peppers. You’re creating a Christmas palette here, so feel free to get creative with other colorful veggies or toppings you love. Slide the pizza into a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) and bake for around 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the cheese—it should be bubbling and golden, and the crust nicely browned but not burnt. Remove when everything looks delicious and smells heavenly.

How to Serve Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe

The image shows a Christmas tree shaped mini pizza arrangement on a white tray. The pizza tree has five layers, each made of small round mini pizzas stacked in a triangular design. The base layer has four mini pizzas topped with melted cheese, red pepperoni slices, and scattered green basil leaves. The next above layer has three mini pizzas with the same toppings, followed by a two-mini pizza layer, then a single mini pizza forming the top of the tree. The top mini pizza is decorated with a star-shaped yellow cheese piece. Green basil strips act like garlands across the middle layers, and more grated cheese is sprinkled on top for a snow effect. The tray is on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped towel partly visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love scattering chopped fresh basil on top right out of the oven for a burst of freshness and color contrast. A little grated Parmesan sprinkled at the end never hurts, either. Sometimes I drizzle a bit of good quality olive oil or a balsamic glaze to make it taste extra special and festive.

Side Dishes

A simple green salad with cranberry vinaigrette balances the richness of this pizza perfectly, and garlic knots or cheesy breadsticks are always a welcome side for pizza night. Around Christmas, I like pairing it with roasted Brussels sprouts or a warm soup to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I sometimes cut the pizza into small squares and arrange them on a festive platter with sprigs of rosemary and holly nearby. You can also make mini Christmas pizzas using pre-made dough to create a fun appetizer spread that’s as joyful to look at as it is to eat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers go straight into an airtight container in the fridge where they’ll keep well for up to 3 days. I always make sure to cool the pizza completely before storing to avoid sogginess. The next day, the flavors actually meld together nicely, which is a happy surprise.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices of this Christmas pizza with great results. Just wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before popping them in the freezer. When I want pizza on a busy day, I pull a slice out and it defrosts quickly.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer the oven or a toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes—it crisps the crust back up without drying out the toppings. Microwaving works in a pinch but tends to make the crust a bit chewy, so I recommend the oven method if you have time.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of self-rising flour for this Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe?

Absolutely! If you don’t have self-rising flour on hand, just mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt to replace it. This will give you the same rise and texture in your dough without any issues.
Is Greek yogurt necessary in this recipe, or can I substitute something else?

Greek yogurt is key for the tender texture and slight tang in the dough, but if you need an alternative, sour cream can work similarly. Just avoid watery or low-fat yogurts, as they may make the dough too loose.
How do I make this Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe vegan or dairy-free?

You can easily swap out the mozzarella for a plant-based cheese and use a dairy-free yogurt for the dough. Just keep in mind that the dough texture might vary slightly depending on which yogurt substitute you choose.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can mix the dough and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just bring it to room temperature before rolling it out to make it easier to work with.
What’s the best way to get a crispy crust with this pizza?

Baking at a high temperature like 425°F (220°C) helps crisp the crust nicely. Also, rolling the dough on a well-floured surface and not overloading it with sauce or toppings keeps the base from getting soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Christmas Pizza Recipe has become a little holiday tradition in my kitchen—a way to bring festive flavors together while keeping things relaxed and fun. I hope it gives you the same joy whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something nostalgic and comforting. Trust me, once you try the yogurt dough and those bright, holiday-inspired toppings, you’ll want to make this year-round. So go on, roll up your sleeves, turn up the oven, and bake yourself some Christmas magic on a pizza!