Candy Cane Pizza Breadsticks
These Candy Cane Pizza Breadsticks are a festive and cheesy holiday appetizer shaped like candy canes. Made with pizza dough, marinara, and mozzarella, they bake up golden and bubbly in under 30 minutes perfect for parties, kids, and cozy nights in.
Equipment
- Oven Preheated to 400°F (200°C)
- baking sheet Lined with parchment or greased
- Pastry brush For olive oil and herbs
- Knife or pizza cutter For slicing dough strips
Ingredients
- 1 (13.8 oz) can refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or fresh mozzarella slices
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- fresh basil or thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it for a crispier bottom.
- Unroll the pizza dough on a floured surface. Cut into 1-inch strips, twist each gently, and curve the top to form the classic candy cane hook.
- Spoon thin lines of marinara sauce along each dough strip. Layer mozzarella between the red sauce lines for that perfect candy cane swirl.
- Brush exposed dough with olive oil, sprinkle oregano, and bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
- Let cool slightly, then add fresh basil or thyme. Serve warm with extra marinara on the side for dipping.
Notes
For a crispier crust, bake directly on the baking sheet instead of parchment paper. Add garlic powder or red pepper flakes for a flavor boost. These can be prepped ahead — shape, cover, and chill until baking time.