This loaf is what dreams are made of. If you're a pizza lover and enjoy experimenting with bread baking, then you're in for a treat with this pizza overnight loaf recipe. It's a simple yet delicious recipe that brings together the flavors of pizza in a bread loaf form. The best part is that the dough is prepared the night before, which means all you have to do is shape and bake it the next day.
How to Make it:
To start, combine flour, yeast, salt, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste in a mixing bowl. Gradually add in warm water, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with s towel or a silicone mat and let it rest in the fridge overnight.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (225°C) and grease a loaf pan. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and add some tomato sauce, herb olive oil mixture and sprinkle shredded vegan cheese. You can totally customize it with chopped plant-based pepperoni over the dough, veggies, and more! Roll the dough up tightly, tucking in the ends, and place it in the greased loaf pan. Brush the top of the loaf with olive oil and sprinkle more shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake the pizza overnight loaf for 30 minutes uncovered and 15 minutes covered until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This pizza overnight loaf is perfect for a weekend brunch or as a party appetizer. Try experimenting with different things like mushrooms, bell peppers, or sausage to customize the recipe to your liking.
Why an overnight loaf?
Overnight bread loaves are a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy freshly baked bread in the morning without having to wake up early to start the process. These bread loaves are easy to make and require only a few ingredients. The basic recipe typically involves combining flour, water, salt, and yeast, and then letting the dough rise overnight on the counter. The long fermentation period allows the bread to develop a deep, complex flavor and a chewy texture. In the morning, all you have to do is shape the dough and bake it in the oven. The result is a delicious loaf of bread that's perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Variations
Add toppings such as vegan pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, or olives to the top of the pizza.
Use different herbs and spices to make your own custom tomato sauce.
Instead of vegan cheese, try using a cashew cream or vegan pesto as a topping.
Experiment with different types of flour, such as whole wheat or spelt, to give the dough a different flavor and texture.
For a gluten-free version, try using a gluten-free flour blend and adding xanthan gum to help bind the dough together.
Ingredient Breakdown:
All-purpose flour: This is the base of the bread, providing the gluten that gives it structure.
Yeast: This is the leavening agent that helps the bread rise by converting the sugars in the dough into carbon dioxide gas.
Salt: Salt not only enhances the flavor of the bread, but it also helps to regulate the fermentation process and strengthens the gluten.
Water: Water is necessary to hydrate the flour and activate the yeast.
Tomato paste: Tomato paste adds flavor and color to the bread, and is a good source of vitamins C and A.
Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds flavor to the bread and is known for its immune-boosting properties.
Onion powder: Onion powder adds flavor and is a good source of antioxidants.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is used to grease the pan and adds a subtle coconut flavor. It is also a good source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a type of healthy fat.
Olive oil: Olive oil is used to flavor bread and is a good source of monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health.
Parsley: Parsley adds flavor and is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K.
Basil: Basil adds flavor and is a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Oregano: Oregano adds flavor and is a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Minced garlic: Minced garlic adds flavor to the bread and is known for its immune-boosting properties.
Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce adds moisture and flavor to the bread, and is a good source of vitamins C and A.
Vegan cheese: Vegan cheese is a dairy-free alternative that adds flavor and texture to the bread. It is typically made from plant-based ingredients such as nuts or soy.
Dough Texture:
When making bread dough, it's important to get the right consistency to ensure that the dough will rise properly and have the desired texture when baked. A common mistake when making bread is adding too much or too little liquid, which can result in a dough that's too dry and crumbly or too wet and sticky.
For this recipe, the dough should be slightly wet and sticky, but still firm enough to hold its shape when formed into a ball. This can be achieved by using the correct ratio of flour to water and mixing the dough thoroughly to fully hydrate the flour.
If the dough is too wet, you can add more flour a little at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. Conversely, if the dough is too dry, you can add more water a little at a time until it becomes slightly wet and sticky.
Overall, it's important to remember that the exact consistency of the dough can vary depending on factors such as humidity and altitude, so it's a good idea to use your judgment and adjust the dough as needed to get the desired texture.
Covered and Uncovered Baking:
The uncovered and covered parts of baking this bread serve different purposes and are both important for achieving the desired texture and crust.
During the first part of baking, the bread is covered either by a lid or a silicone mat. This is done to create a moist environment around the dough, which helps it to rise and develop a nice crust. The steam created from the moisture in the dough and from the water on the surface of the bread also helps to create a shiny, golden-brown crust.
After a certain amount of time, typically around 30 minutes, the lid or silicone mat is removed and the bread is left uncovered for the remainder of the baking time. This allows the crust to dry out and become crispy, creating a contrast between the soft, pillowy interior and the crunchy exterior. Leaving the bread uncovered also allows excess moisture to escape, which helps to prevent the bread from becoming soggy or doughy.
Overall, the combination of the covered and uncovered baking times helps to create bread with a light, airy texture and a crisp crust, making it a delicious and satisfying addition to any meal.
Folding Method:
The folding method is a technique used when making bread dough that helps to develop gluten, which is a protein in flour that gives bread its structure and chewy texture. The folding process involves taking the dough and gently stretching it out, then folding it back over itself, repeating this process a few times at regular intervals during the dough's resting period.
To fold the dough for an overnight loaf, you would start by mixing together the flour, yeast, salt, and water until a sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with a silicone mat or towel and let it rest for 8-12 hours. Once the dough has rested, you would then transfer it onto a floured surface and sprinkle the green onions, vegan cheddar cheese shreds, spinach, tofu bacon, and olives on top.
To fold the dough, you would start by pulling the dough from one end and stretching it out gently, then folding it over itself. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and repeat the process, pulling and folding the dough from each side until you have completed four folds in total. This process helps to distribute the ingredients throughout the dough and create a nice structure.
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