Italian Pepper Biscuits Recipe – Easy Kitchen Guide

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on July 15, 2023 | Last Updated on August 19, 2023

Are you craving a tasty Italian snack? Look no further than Italian pepper biscuits! These delicious little treats have a crunchy exterior and a soft, buttery interior. The combination of unique ingredients, gives them their signature flavor – perfect for snacking or accompanying a hot cup of coffee!

So, are you interested to learn how to make Italian pepper biscuits? Keep reading to find out!

What are Italian Pepper Biscuits?

Italian pepper biscuits (or taralli) are a traditional Italian snack. They’re made with flour, sugar, black pepper, baking powder, salt, water, and olive oil. The dough is rolled into small balls and then flattened before being baked in the oven. 

Once cooked, the biscuits have a crunchy exterior and a soft interior. They’re incredibly addictive and perfect for snacking!

Where Did I First Try Italian pepper biscuits? 

I first tried Italian pepper biscuits on a trip to Italy many years ago. I was visiting the coastal city of Naples and stopped into a small bakery for lunch. The baker recommended these tasty little treats as an accompaniment to my meal, and I couldn’t resist giving them a try.

The minute I bit into one of those crunchy, flavorful biscuits, I was hooked. The combination of black pepper and olive oil was unlike anything else I had ever tasted before. I asked the baker about the recipe and she graciously shared her secrets with me.

Back home in the US, I quickly set out to recreate this delicious snack. After a few attempts, I was able to perfect my version of the Italian pepper biscuits and I’ve been making them ever since. Every time I bite into one of these little treats, it takes me back to my first taste in Naples.

The recipe below is a collection of my tips and tricks to help you make the best Italian pepper biscuits. Whenever I’m in the mood for a taste of Italy, these biscuits always do the trick! My friends and family can’t get enough of them. I shared this recipe with some of my closest friends, and now they make them for their families too.

For any kind of baked goods, having the right ingredients and tools is key. If you’re looking to make Italian pepper biscuits like a pro, make sure to follow step-by-step instructions and pay close attention to measurements.

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Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: This is the foundation of the biscuit dough. It provides structure and helps to bind all the other ingredients together.
• Granulated sugar: Adding a bit of sugar to the dough gives these biscuits a slight sweetness which complements the black pepper nicely.
• Black pepper: The key flavor in these biscuits is, black pepper provides a unique savory and slightly spicy flavor. Make sure to use coarsely ground pepper for the best results!
• Baking powder: Baking powder helps these biscuits rise while baking and gives them that perfect crunchy exterior.
• Salt: A small amount of salt will help to enhance all of the other flavors in this recipe.
• Water: This is used to bind all of the ingredients together to form the dough.
• Olive oil: Olive oil adds flavor and moisture to these biscuits and helps to create that perfect buttery texture.

Cooking Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, pepper, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 2

Add in water and olive oil and mix until everything is fully incorporated. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky. If it is too dry, add a bit more water and mix until everything comes together.

Step 3

Roll the dough into small (1-inch diameter) balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers. Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Cooking Tips

• Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin this will help everything come together more easily.
• When forming the biscuit dough into balls, make sure they are all the same size. This will ensure even baking and a consistent texture.
• Once baked, these biscuits will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature.

What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?

If you don’t have olive oil on hand, you can use melted butter instead. You can also replace the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a more nutritious snack. Furthermore, you can omit the sugar from the recipe if desired.

Nutrition Information

One Italian pepper biscuit contains approximately 

• 70 calories, 
• 4g of fat, 
• 8g of carbohydrates and 
• 1g of protein. 

How to Store Leftover Italian Pepper Biscuits?

Leftover Italian pepper biscuits can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Baked biscuits can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply transfer the frozen biscuits to the refrigerator overnight and allow them to come back to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

Thanks for reading this recipe on how to make Italian pepper biscuits! These crunchy little treats are perfect for snacking and will quickly become a favorite. All you need is some flour, sugar, black pepper, baking powder, salt, water, and olive oil (plus an oven!) and you’re ready to go. So what are you waiting for?

Try making these delicious Italian pepper biscuits today! And if you do, make sure you share this recipe with your friends and family.

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