Description
These Pepperoni Pizza Bites are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring mini pockets of pizza dough filled with pepperoni and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and baked until golden and puffed, they make a great finger food served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Bites
- 1 cup pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 15 slices pepperoni
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Olive oil (optional, for brushing)
Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness, then cut it into approximately 3-inch squares for the perfect bite-sized portions.
- Add Fillings: Place one slice of pepperoni and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of each dough square, preparing them for folding.
- Seal Bites: Fold the corners of each square over the filling, pinching tightly to seal the edges and encase the filling completely.
- Season and Brush: Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly over the sealed bites and, if desired, brush lightly with olive oil to enhance browning and flavor.
- Bake: Arrange the bites on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until they are golden brown and puffed up, indicating the cheese inside has melted perfectly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza bites to cool slightly before serving them with the marinara sauce for dipping, offering a warm and tasty snack experience.
Notes
- You can substitute pepperoni with other cured meats or vegetables to suit dietary preferences.
- If you prefer crispier bites, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes while watching closely.
- These bites can be prepared ahead of time and baked right before serving for convenience.
- Use gluten-free pizza dough to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftover pizza bites can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispness.
