Easy Pepperoni Pizza Bites Recipe

Looking for a fun and easy snack that everyone will love? Easy Pepperoni Pizza Bites are the perfect solution. Whether you’re hosting a game night, preparing after-school snacks for your kids, or craving pizza in a bite-sized form, these pizza bites are quick, flavorful, and satisfyingly cheesy.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil to prevent the pizza bites from sticking.

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2. Roll Out the Pizza Dough: Open the can of refrigerated pizza dough and unroll it onto a clean surface. If you’re using homemade dough, roll it out into a rectangle or circle about 1/4 inch thick. You want to make sure that the dough is spread out thin enough so the bites will cook through, but not too thin that they won’t hold up the fillings.

3. Cut the Dough: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into squares or circles, depending on the shape you prefer for your pizza bites. Each piece should be about 2 inches in size. If you’re cutting the dough into squares, you should get around 12 to 16 pieces depending on the size of your dough sheet.

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Step 2: Assemble the Pizza Bites

1. Add the Cheese: Place a spoonful of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of each dough piece. Be sure to leave some space on the edges of the dough to help seal the bites later.

2. Add the Pepperoni: Top the cheese with a few slices of chopped pepperoni (about 2-3 pieces per bite). If you’re using mini pepperonis, you can add a couple more slices per bite. For a more customized pizza bite, you can substitute the pepperoni with other toppings like cooked sausage, bacon, mushrooms, or even olives.

3. Add Sauce: Place a small dollop of marinara sauce over the cheese and pepperoni. You don’t need too much sauce, as too much liquid can make the pizza bites soggy.

4. Seal the Bites: Gently fold the dough edges over the filling, pressing the corners together to seal each pizza bite. You can pinch the dough together or fold it like a dumpling to ensure the filling is secure inside.

Step 3: Bake the Pizza Bites

1. Brush with Olive Oil: Place the stuffed pizza bites on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Brush the tops of the dough with olive oil to help them brown nicely. You can also sprinkle garlic powder and dried oregano on top for added flavor and aroma.

2. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the pizza bites for 10-12 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning. If you’re using thicker dough or a larger batch, it may take an additional minute or two.

3. Check for Doneness: When the pizza bites are done, they should be golden brown on the outside with a slightly crispy texture. You can check the inside by gently pressing on one of the bites. If it’s too soft, bake for another minute or so.

Step 4: Serve the Pizza Bites

1. Cool Slightly: Once baked, remove the pizza bites from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. They’ll be very hot straight out of the oven, so let them rest before serving.

2. Garnish: If desired, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pizza bites for extra flavor. You can also add fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and freshness.

3. Serve with Marinara Sauce: Serve the pizza bites warm with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping. You can also offer ranch or garlic dipping sauce if you prefer.

4. Enjoy: Your easy pepperoni pizza bites are ready to be devoured! Serve them as an appetizer, snack, or a fun party food option. They’re sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!

Tips and Variations

1. Customize the Fillings

• Meat Options: While pepperoni is the classic topping, you can easily switch it out with other meats such as cooked sausage, bacon, ham, or ground beef. Mini meatballs are also a great alternative.
• Vegetarian Options: For a vegetarian version, you can load the pizza bites with veggies like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, spinach, or artichokes. You can also use a mixture of mozzarella and ricotta cheese for a creamy filling.
• Cheese Options: If you prefer a different cheese or want to mix things up, try using cheddar, provolone, gouda, or even cream cheese for a creamier bite.

2. Use a Muffin Tin

If you want your pizza bites to have a more structured, uniform shape, consider using a muffin tin. Grease the muffin cups and press the dough into each cup, then fill with the cheese, pepperoni, and sauce before folding the dough over. Bake in the muffin tin for about 10-12 minutes for a perfectly rounded bite.

3. Make Your Own Pizza Dough

If you have more time, you can make your own pizza dough from scratch. A simple dough recipe includes flour, yeast, olive oil, water, and salt. Just let the dough rise for about an hour, roll it out, and proceed with the same assembly process as described in the recipe.

4. Air Fryer Option

For a faster, crispier option, you can use an air fryer to make these pizza bites. Simply preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), arrange the pizza bites in a single layer in the basket, and cook for 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t overcook. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

5. Use Pizza Rolls for a Shortcut

If you’re in a real rush and don’t have time to roll out dough, you can use pre-made pizza rolls (store-bought dough balls). Flatten them out and fill them with cheese, pepperoni, and sauce. These shortcuts can cut down on prep time without sacrificing flavor.

6. Freezing Pizza Bites

If you have leftovers or want to make a batch ahead of time, these pizza bites freeze well. Arrange the uncooked pizza bites on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours until they are solid. Then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake them, you can cook them straight from frozen. Just add an extra 3-5 minutes to the baking time.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect Pairings:

1. Salads: Pair these pizza bites with a simple side salad for a more balanced meal. A crisp Caesar salad or a fresh green salad with Italian dressing complements the richness of the pizza bites.
2. Dips: Serve with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara, ranch dressing, garlic butter, or buffalo sauce for added flavor.
3. Beverages: These pizza bites go perfectly with a cold drink, such as iced tea, soda, or even a glass of wine if you’re serving them as an appetizer for adults.

Conclusion

Easy Pepperoni Pizza Bites are an easy-to-make, delicious snack or appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a game night, a family dinner, or just want a fun treat to snack on, these mini pizza bites will hit the spot. They are simple to make with store-bought pizza dough, and the flavor combinations are endless. Customize them to suit your preferences and enjoy a cheesy, savory bite that’s sure to please everyone.

Yield: 12

Easy Pepperoni Pizza Bites Recipe

Print

Looking for a fun and easy snack that everyone will love? Easy Pepperoni Pizza Bites are the perfect solution. Whether you're hosting a game night, preparing after-school snacks for your kids, or craving pizza in a bite-sized form, these pizza bites are quick, flavorful, and satisfyingly cheesy.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands!)
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (about 20 slices)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line with muffin liners.
   
2. Prepare the Biscuit Dough:
   Open the biscuit dough and separate the biscuits. Flatten each biscuit with your fingers or a rolling pin until they’re about 3 inches in diameter.
   Place one flattened biscuit into each muffin tin cup.
   
3. Assemble the Pizza Bites:
   Spoon a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) of pizza sauce onto each biscuit.
   Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
   Place 1-2 slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese.
   (Optional) Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over each pizza bite and sprinkle with Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
   
4. Bake:
   Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
   
5. Serve:
   Let the pizza bites cool slightly, then remove from the muffin tin.
   Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Customizing Toppings: You can add any pizza toppings you like, such as cooked sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers.

Make it Spicy: Add a few red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for some heat!

Make-Ahead: You can assemble the pizza bites in advance and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they’re cold.