Applebee's Pizza

Applebee's Loaded Pizza Sticks

Marinara Dipping Sauce

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon diced onion
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried basil
Parmesan Pizza Sticks
1 10-ounce tube instant pizza dough (Pillsbury is good)
2 to 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
1 3/4 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Optional (for the "Loaded")
3 ounces pepperoni, diced
3 ounces Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Prepare the dipping sauce by combining all of the marinara ingredients in a small, uncovered
saucepan and bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer the sauce for
1/2 hour. (The sauce can be made ahead and kept, refrigerated, for several days.)
3. Prepare the pizza sticks by first proofing the dough. Unroll the dough onto a cutting board and
straighten the edges. It should form a rectangle that is longer from left to right than top to bottom.
With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice through the middle of the dough lengthwise. This will
divide the rectangle into two thinner rectangles that will measure 4 to 5 inches from top to bottom.
4. Slice the dough from top to bottom into 1 1/2-inch-wide pieces. You should have somewhere
between 20 and 24 dough slices.
5. Place the slices onto a greased cookie sheet about 1/2 inch apart and bake for 3 minutes. You
may have to use more than one cookie sheet. This will proof the dough so that it becomes stiff.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan or deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Oil should be at least 1/2 inch
deep if using a stovetop pan. You will want to use more oil with a deep fryer.
7. Fry pizza sticks 5 to 6 at a time for about 1 minute per side or until they are a dark golden
brown. Remove them from the oil onto a cloth or paper towel to drain.
8. When all al the pizza sticks are fried, arrange them once again on the cookie sheet(s). You
may want to line the cookie sheets with foil to make cleanup easier. Preheat the broiler.
9. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough.
10. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the mozzarella.
11. Combine the oregano, basil, caraway seeds, and garlic salt in a small bowl. If your oregano
and basil are fairly coarse you can use your thumb and first finger to crunch the spice up a little,
making it a finer blend.
12. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the cheese.
13. If you want to make the "loaded" variety, sprinkle the pepperoni and sausage ove rhte top of
the pizza sticks.
14. Broil the pizza sticks for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve hot with dipping sauce
on the side.