Pizza and dumplings are both beloved comfort foods, so it’s only natural to wonder if you can combine them into one tasty dish. At first glance, a pizza crust may not seem like the ideal wrapper for juicy dumpling fillings. But with a bit of creativity and the right techniques, you can totally transform leftover pizza crust into delicious homemade dumplings.
What is pizza crust made of?
A basic pizza crust is made from just a few simple ingredients:
- Flour – Typically all-purpose or bread flour, provides structure
- Water – Helps hydrate the flour
- Yeast – Leavens the dough for a chewy, airy texture
- Salt – Enhances flavor
- Oil – Adds richness and helps keep the crust from getting too dry
Standard pizza crusts also often contain sugar to feed the yeast and promote rising. Some recipes may additionally include milk, eggs, or other ingredients to produce a softer or more complex dough. But the core components are generally flour, water, yeast, salt, and oil.
What are dumplings made of?
Dumplings encompass a wide range of recipes across cultures. But most dumpling wrappers contain:
- Flour – Typically wheat flour, sometimes enriched with eggs
- Water – Binds ingredients and hydrates the dough
- Salt – For flavor and structure
As well as minimal leavening like baking powder or baking soda. The wrappers are often unleavened and made from a stiff dough rolled thin. Popular examples include potsticker, gyoza, pierogi, and wonton wrappers.
So at their core, pizza and dumpling doughs share the same base ingredients – flour, water, and salt. This means pizza crust has the potential to be repurposed into dumplings.
How to make dumplings from pizza dough
Here is a simple method for transforming leftover pizza crust into dumplings:
Ingredients
- 1 pizza crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 cup water
- Filling of your choice (sautéed ground meat, vegetables, cheese, etc)
Instructions
- Cut the pizza crust into small 1-inch pieces and place in a food processor. Pulse to break down the crust into fine breadcrumbs.
- Transfer the breadcrumbs to a bowl. Add the flour and water and mix to form a cohesive dough ball.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
- Cut the dough ball in half. Roll out each half to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Use a 3-inch cookie cutter or the rim of a cup to cut dough circles out of the rolled out dough.
- Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each wrapper. Wet the edges with water and pinch closed into a crescent or pleated shape.
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the dumplings in batches and cook for 5-7 minutes until the wrappers are tender.
- Enjoy immediately!
Tips for making dumplings from pizza crust
Making dumplings out of old pizza dough opens up lots of possibilities, but here are some tips for best results:
- Use a thin crust or flatbread dough rather than a thick, bready crust. Thinner crusts grind down more easily.
- Make sure the recycled crust is fresh, not freezer-burned. Let frozen crusts thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
- Process the crust into very fine crumbs so they incorporate smoothly into the dough.
- Knead the dough thoroughly to distribute the crust crumbs evenly.
- Add flour as needed if the dough seems too wet or sticky.
- Roll out the dough very thin, around 1/8 inch, so the texture stays tender after cooking.
- Don’t overstuff the dumplings or they may fall apart. Use 1-2 tsp filling per dumpling.
- Pinch the edges tightly closed so the dumplings don’t open up during cooking.
What kind of fillings work well?
Some delicious fillings to try in your pizza crust dumplings:
- Ground pork, cabbage, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil
- Ground beef, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, parsley
- Chicken, mushrooms, garlic, scallions, hoisin sauce
- Spinach, feta, onion, dill
- Cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, scallions
- Ricotta, lemon zest, nutmeg
Really any favorite pizza toppings can be adapted into tasty dumpling fillings. Get creative with ingredients!
Are there any benefits to using pizza dough?
Repurposing pizza crust into dumplings gives the crust new life and keeps food waste to a minimum. But beyond sustainability, there are some advantages to using pizza dough as a dumpling wrapper:
- Convenient – Reduces time spent making dough from scratch
- Built-in flavor – Yeasty, aromatic pizza crust adds character
- Familiar texture – Pizza dough makes tender dumpling skins
- No special tools needed – Can be made without a pasta roller
With just a food processor and rolling pin, day-old crust can become fresh handmade dumplings.
What are some serving ideas?
Pizza crust dumplings open up all kinds of hearty and comforting meal possibilities. Here are some delicious ways to serve them:
- In soup – Float dumplings in chicken noodle soup or wonton soup
- Pan-fried – Crispy brown potstickers served with dipping sauce
- Steamed – Fluffy soft dumplings like dim sum style
- Baked – Top with sauce and cheese for pizza-inspired dumpling bites
- Sautéed – Cooked until crispy in oil like pan-fried gyoza
- In stew or hot pot – Add to simmering broth or sauce
Serve dusted with Parmesan, dipped in marinara, or drizzled with sesame oil and soy sauce. The possibilities are endless!
What are some tools that can help make the process easier?
While you can certainly make pizza crust dumplings with just basic kitchen tools, having the right equipment can streamline the process:
- Food processor – Quickly grind crust into fine crumbs for the dough
- Stand mixer – Kneads dough thoroughly and evenly
- Rolling pin – Roll out dough super thin without tearing
- Ravioli cutter – Creates perfect dumpling edges with crimped look
- Parchment paper – Provides nonstick surface for rolling dough
- Kitchen scissors – Cuts dough and wrappers cleanly
Items like a pizza cutter, biscuit cutters, and a dough scraper can also be handy for portioning and shaping the dumplings.
What are some common troubleshooting tips?
When making dumplings out of recycled pizza dough, here are some potential issues and ways to troubleshoot:
- Dough won’t come together – Try adding a tablespoon more water at a time until it forms a ball.
- Dough is too sticky – Add a bit more flour and knead until no longer tacky.
- Dough is tough or bready – Make sure crust is processed into very fine crumbs.
- Wrappers tear when rolling – Dust with flour and roll gently without applying too much pressure.
- Filling leaks during cooking – Pinch edges very tightly closed and use less filling per dumpling.
- Dumplings stick to pan – Ensure pan is well greased or non-stick.
Going slowly and handling the dough gently can prevent many issues when forming pizza crust into homemade dumplings.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts for a serving of 6 dumplings (using a pizza crust made with all-purpose flour):
| Calories | 250 |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Protein | 8g |
| Fat | 4g |
| Sodium | 400mg |
Nutrition will vary based on dumpling fillings and any added oils or sauces. But overall, dumplings made from pizza crust can be a nutritious meal when filled with healthy ingredients like lean proteins and vegetables.
Storing and Freezing Dumplings
Dumplings made from pizza dough can be stored:
- At room temperature for up to 4 hours
- In the refrigerator for 2-3 days
- In the freezer for up to 3 months
To freeze: Place dumplings in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers. Do not thaw before cooking frozen dumplings. Add a couple minutes to the cooking time.
Conclusion
Putting leftover pizza crust to use by transforming it into homemade dumplings is a tasty and crafty idea. With just a few simple ingredients and techniques like processing the crust into crumbs, any style of pizza dough can become potstickers, wontons, or other creative dumplings. Filled with cheesy, meaty, or veggie-packed fillings, pizza crust dumplings are a delicious way to reduce waste and make an old favorite new again.
