Name: Valentine’s Heart Pizza Twists Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 2 h 43 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp instant yeast; 1 1/2 cups warm water (100-110°F); 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 1 tsp fine pink Himalayan sea salt; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 4 cups bread flour; 2 tbsp pesto; 3 tbsp pizza sauce; 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese; 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese

If you’re looking for a fun and delicious way to wow your sweetheart (or yourself!) this February, I’ve got just the thing. This Valentine’s Heart Pizza Twists Recipe is one of those delightful treats that’s equal parts charming and tasty—a heart-shaped pizza with twisted strips that look as cute as they taste. When I first tried making these, I was amazed at how simple the dough is and how much fun it is to shape and twist. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so your Valentine’s Day spread absolutely dazzles.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fun and Festive Presentation: The heart shape with twisted strips brings so much charm and makes for an Instagram-worthy appetizer or snack.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already, making it easy to pull together even last minute.
Customizable Toppings: Whether you love pesto, classic pizza sauce, or want to toss in a few extras, this recipe adapts beautifully.
Perfect for Sharing: These twists are easy to pull apart, so everyone gets to enjoy the cheesy goodness.

The image shows a large twisted bread shaped like a ring on brown parchment paper. The bread is golden brown with visible layers twisted around each other, sprinkled with seeds on top. The bread has a shiny and baked crust with some darker brown grilled lines on the surface. Nearby are wooden salad spoons and a small white bowl with some seeds or grains inside. A purple cloth and a red dish with a white interior holding strawberries are seen in the upper part of the image. The background surface is white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Valentine’s Heart Pizza Twists Recipe lies in its simple, quality ingredients — especially the dough, which turns out soft and airy every time. The combo of pesto and pizza sauce adds just the right amount of flavor, and of course, lots of cheesy mozzarella finishes it all off beautifully.

Instant yeast: This makes the dough rise beautifully and saves time compared to active dry yeast.
Warm water: Around 100-110°F to activate the yeast without killing it; I use a thermometer to nail this.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with browning.
Fine pink Himalayan sea salt: Adds a subtle, distinct flavor. You could swap for regular sea salt if needed.
Extra virgin olive oil: Keeps the dough tender and adds richness; also used for brushing the twists before baking.
Bread flour: Key for chewy, airy pizza dough—higher protein than all-purpose flour.
Pesto: Adds a fresh, herby punch; I love swirling it in with pizza sauce for taste balance.
Pizza sauce: Classic tomato flavor; I use a simple store-bought one, but homemade works great too.
Shredded mozzarella: The gooey, melty star of the pizza.
Shredded Parmesan: Adds a sharp, salty kick on top of the cheese mix and at the end.
Italian seasoning: A perfect blend of herbs that amps up the savory notes.
Grated Parmesan: For sprinkling right before serving—so good!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how this recipe lets you mix and match flavors to suit your mood or your Valentine’s taste buds. Over the years, I’ve experimented with a few twists (pun intended!), and it’s a blast to try new combos or make it friendly for different diets.

Meat Lovers: Adding finely chopped pepperoni or cooked crumbled sausage before the top dough layer makes these extra savory—just chop small so the twists slice easily.
Vegetarian: Swap the pesto for a sun-dried tomato spread, or add some chopped olives and mushrooms for an earthy vibe.
Gluten-Free: I’ve tried this with a gluten-free flour blend—just be gentle with the dough since it’s more delicate.
Vegan: Use vegan cheese and swap olive oil for a vegan-friendly alternative. The dough works just as well!

How to Make Valentine’s Heart Pizza Twists Recipe

Step 1: Make and Rise the Dough

Start by whisking together warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil in your stand mixer bowl with the dough hook attached. I love this part because it smells like the start of something wonderful! Slowly add the bread flour—2 cups first, then the rest one cup at a time—and mix until dough pulls away from the sides. Knead it on low for 5 minutes until soft but not sticky. Then oil the bowl, nestle your dough dough in it, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 to 1 ½ hours. It should double in size, which feels like a little victory every time.

Step 2: Shape the Dough into Hearts

After the rise, divide your dough into two equal parts. I use a kitchen scale to get it just right—about a pound each, but eyeballing works too. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece into a big heart about 12 inches wide/tall. I found drawing a heart template on parchment paper helps keep the shape symmetrical—it saved me from a few wonky attempts! Repeat with the second piece and cover them as you work.

Step 3: Add Your Sauces and Cheese

Place the bottom heart on parchment paper (it helps for moving later). Spread a thin, even layer of pesto on one half and pizza sauce on the other, or just pick one—both ways are delicious. Then sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly, being careful not to overload any one spot; it’ll make twisting easier. Feel free to add toppings like chopped olives or pepperoni, but keep them small!

Step 4: Layer, Cut, and Twist

Place the second heart dough on top, then position a heart-shaped cookie cutter in the center to guide your cuts. Start slicing from the bottom point of the heart, working right and left in strips about an inch wide. Don’t stress about exact measurements—part of the charm is in the handmade look! Next, start twisting each strip: right side moves counter-clockwise, left side clockwise, two full turns each. Twisting can get a bit messy but it’s worth it for that beautiful texture.

Step 5: Final Rise and Bake

Leave the cookie cutter in place, lightly cover your lovely heart creation, and let it rise for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F and move a rack to the center. Brush the top generously with olive oil mixed with Italian seasoning, then carefully transfer it (with parchment) to a full-size rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 28 minutes, rotating halfway for even browning. You’ll know it’s done when it’s golden and smelling like heaven!

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Pro Tips for Making Valentine’s Heart Pizza Twists Recipe

Use a Heart Template: I always cut a heart from parchment paper and lightly flour it to guide the shape—no uneven sides in sight!
Keep Dough Covered: When working on one dough ball, keep the other covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
Don’t Overload Toppings: Too much sauce or cheese makes the twists sloppy and harder to handle.
Use Parchment Paper for Easy Transfer: It’s easier to move the twisted heart from your cutting board to the baking sheet without losing any twists.

How to Serve Valentine’s Heart Pizza Twists Recipe

The image shows a beautiful twisted bread shaped like a sunburst with many layers of golden brown, flaky dough arranged in curved, twisted segments radiating from the center. The bread has a shiny, crispy crust with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top for texture. It is placed on brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with a woman's hand holding a small white bowl filled with sesame seeds near the top left. In the background, there are purple and red kitchen items slightly out of focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to finish these off with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a few flakes of red chili for a little kick. Sometimes I throw on chopped fresh basil or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze—it looks so pretty against the golden crust!

Side Dishes

Since the pizza twists are pretty filling, I usually serve them alongside a fresh green salad with lemon vinaigrette or a simple caprese salad. If it’s chilly outside, a warm bowl of tomato soup pairs perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve found that arranging the twists on a wooden heart-shaped serving board amps up the Valentine’s Day vibe. Adding a little bowl of extra sauce in the center makes for an adorable dip station, and little heart-shaped toothpicks help guests grab their favorite strip without messing up the design.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pizza twists are great refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating them in the oven for best texture—microwaving can make the dough rubbery.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough hearts before the second rise or freeze the fully assembled twists after baking (cool completely first). I usually wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. This helps when you want a quick deluxe snack later.

Reheating

To revive the pizza twists, I preheat the oven to 350°F, place them on a baking sheet, and warm for about 8-10 minutes until crisp on the outside and melty inside. This keeps that lovely twist texture intact.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it do a slow rise in the fridge overnight. Just take it out about an hour before shaping so it warms up and’s easier to work with.
What if I don’t have a heart cookie cutter?

No worries — just use a heart-shaped template made from parchment paper or freehand the cuts. The cutter just helps keep the strips even, but your hands and eyes will work just fine.
Can I use premade pizza dough instead of making my own?

For sure! Premade dough can save time, but keep in mind it may have a different texture or rise less. If using store-bought, let it come to room temp before shaping and keep it lightly floured.
How can I prevent the twists from sticking together during baking?

Make sure each twist has enough space on the baking sheet, and don’t overcrowd them. Also, brushing with olive oil before baking gives a nice barrier and crispy finish.

Final Thoughts

This Valentine’s Heart Pizza Twists Recipe has quickly become a Valentine’s Day tradition for me and my family. It’s playful, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make even if you’re new to bread baking. Plus, the smiles when everyone sees those cute twisted hearts? Priceless. I can’t recommend this recipe enough if you want to bake something that says “I love you” without a ton of fuss. Grab your rolling pin and dive in—I promise, you’ll love both the process and the result!