In honor of the epic release of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM, we’ve whipped up a totally tubular TMNT-inspired recipe that will have you shouting “Cowabunga!” Get ready to chow down and prepare to be shell-shocked by the awesomeness of these Character Pizzas. Each pizza represents one of your favorite heroes in a half-shell, and they’re as delicious as they are fun to make.
History of the Dish:
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been a pop culture sensation since their comic book debut in 1984. These pizza-loving crime fighters quickly became beloved icons, inspiring a whole generation of fans. Character Pizzas pay homage to these heroes and are perfect for a TMNT-themed party or a family pizza night.
Cowabunga Character Pizzas
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup (240 ml) pizza sauce
- 8 ounces (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Candy eyes
- Assorted food items for creating your own TMNT character masks (orange bell pepper, blue tortilla chips, purple eggplant, red bell peppers, black licorice)
- Cornmeal and Flour for dusting
How to Make Cowabunga Character Pizzas
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Pizza Crusts:
- Roll out the refrigerated biscuit dough on a floured surface. This will be the base of your pizzas.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet:
- Sprinkle cornmeal on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Shape the Pizza Crusts:
- Lay down the rolled-out crusts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1-inch of space between them.
- Add the Sauce:
- Spread 1-2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each pizza crust, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle the Cheese:
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce on each pizza.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Slide the pizzas into the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Create TMNT Masks:
- While the pizzas are baking, channel your inner turtle creativity.
- Use the following ingredients to create the TMNT masks:
- Michelangelo (Mikey): Orange bell pepper slices.
- Leonardo (Leo): Blue tortilla chips.
- Donatello (Donnie): Purple eggplant with black licorice for glasses.
- Raphael (Ralph): Red bell pepper slices.
- Cut out eye holes from sliced mozzarella using a small round cookie cutter, and place candy eyes on top.
- Use thin slices of eggplant for eyebrows and smiles to complete the character masks.
Expert Tips:
- Feel free to customize your Character Pizzas with your favorite toppings, just like the Turtles would! Additional veggies, pepperoni, or even some grated Parmesan cheese can be excellent choices.
- To make these pizzas extra crispy, sprinkle a bit of cornmeal on the bottom of the crust before adding the sauce.
Storage and Leftovers:
- Character Pizzas are best enjoyed fresh from the oven. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for that perfect crispy texture.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of refrigerated biscuit dough? A: Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough can add a personal touch to your Character Pizzas. Just make sure to roll it out to a similar thickness as instructed.
Q: What can I use as a substitute for candy eyes? A: Mini marshmallows, olive slices, or small pieces of cheese can work as fun and edible eye substitutes.
Alternate Names:
- Ninja Turtle Character Pizzas
- TMNT Hero Pizzas
- Turtle Power Personal Pizzas
Make it a Family Night with Character Pizzas and TMNT Mutant Mayhem:
Epic TMNT Adventure Alert!
Get ready for the thrill of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM, available for Digital purchase or rent, from Paramount Home Entertainment.
97% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes®!
Critics call it “vibrant” and “hilarious” while fans rave it’s the Turtles movie of our dreams.
Bonus Content:
- Explore the making of the movie with 40+ minutes of behind-the-scenes magic!
- Meet the teenage voices behind the Turtles.
- Uncover the mutant antagonists led by Ice Cube’s Superfly.
- Dive into the visual world of MUTANT MAYHEM.
- Learn to draw Leonardo, the Turtle leader.
Synopsis:
The Turtles venture into the human world to win hearts as heroic teenagers. With April O’Neil by their side, they face a menacing crime syndicate and an army of mutants.
Rating: PG – Action, Language, Mutant Fun!
Don’t miss this shell-tastic adventure! #TMNTMutantMayhem