Upgrade your leftover pizza into the ultimate girl dinner! This Pepperoni Pizza Caesar Salad features crispy pepperoni, a creamy Greek yogurt dressing, and air-fried pizza croutons.
1cupmini pepperonicooked, reserve 1 tbsp of the pepperoni oil
1slicecold pizzacut into small pieces
2tbspshaved Parmesan cheesefor topping, optional
Dressing
1/3cupgrated parmesan
1/3heaping cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1tsphoney
1/4cuplemon juice
2clovesgarlic
1tbspDijon mustard
3anchovy filets
1tbspoilreserved from the pepperoni
1/2tspblack pepper
Instructions
Cook your mini pepperoni in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are perfectly crispy and have rendered their fat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the crispy pepperoni to a paper towel-lined plate, making sure to reserve at least one tablespoon of the warm pepperoni oil from the pan to use later.
Cut your cold leftover slice of pizza into uniform small squares to create your croutons. Place the pizza pieces into your air fryer basket and air fry at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is completely melty and bubbly, then carefully remove them and set aside to cool down and firm up.
Add your grated parmesan, heaping nonfat Greek yogurt, honey, fresh lemon juice, garlic cloves, Dijon mustard, anchovy filets, black pepper, and the reserved tablespoon of savory pepperoni oil straight into the cup of a high-speed blender. Blend the dressing ingredients on high speed for about one minute until the mixture is completely smooth, uniform, and velvety.
Place your packed lettuce leaves into your largest salad mixing bowl. Pour the Caesar dressing generously over the greens and use salad tongs to toss thoroughly until every leaf is coated in the dressing. Scatter your cooled air-fried pizza croutons and the crispy mini pepperoni across the top of the salad, finish with some shaved Parmesan, and serve immediately.