These Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Poppers are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that combines the flavors of pizza with bite-sized poppers. The recipe calls for stuffing dough balls with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese before baking them until golden brown and crispy. These poppers are perfect for parties, after school snack and are sure to be a hit with pizza lovers.
This fun party appetizer is one of our favorites. Who doesn't love easy recipes and these homemade pizza poppers is one that is always a huge hit.
Why you'll love these pepperoni pizza bites
- perfect finger food snack for game day
- this pizza appetizer is one of those fun recipes
- great for a hungry crowd
- great way to use leftover pizza dough from pizza night
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Refrigerated pizza dough - we used Pillsbury pizza crust, or you can use your favorite brand or homemade pizza dough.
- Pizza sauce - alternatively, you could use marinara sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese - we shredded mozzarella cheese, or you can use a block of cheese and cut it into cubes.
- Pepperoni - if you're using large pepperoni slices, you may want to cut them into smaller pieces. Mini pepperoni slices make it easier to place in the center. Substitute your favorite toppings for the pepperoni.
- Butter
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Garlic powder (or garlic salt)
- Parmesan cheese
Step by step instructions
You can find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Remove the pizza dough from the package and roll out onto a lightly floured surface.
Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the pizza dough into 20 to 24 small squares. (approximately 2 to 2 and ½" square).
To each square, add 1 and ½ teaspoons of pizza sauce, 2 teaspoons mozarella cheese and a pepperoni slice or two. Pinch together the corners of the dough and create a ball.
Turn it into a main dish by serving it with caesar salad or garden salad.
Place the dough balls, seam side down in casserole dish or baking sheet so that they are touching each other (Note, I place an oven-proof bowl in the center for dipping sauce.
If you are not using the bowl in the centre, place the dough balls so that they are all touching each other.
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, salt, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush generously onto the pizza dough balls. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in 425°F for 15 to 17 minutes or until the mini pizza bites are golden brown and cooked through.
Serve with warmed pizza sauce for dipping. Ranch dip is also delicious for dipping.
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until pizza bites are golden brown and cooked through.
Serve these mini pizza bites with warmed pizza sauce or marinara sauce for dipping.
Variations
Substitute your favorite pizza toppings for the filling in place of pepperoni. Mushrooms, bell peppers, crumbled bacon, Canadian bacon or sausage, onions or black olives. This is one of those fun recipes that can be adapted to so many different tastes.
Storage instructions
Store pizza bites in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. The best part is that you can pop them into the air fryer to reheat them!
Frequently Asked Questions
To make pizza poppers, you will need refrigerated pizza dough, pepperoni, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, italian seasoning. butter, salt.
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Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 20 pizza bites
Description
These Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Poppers are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that combines the flavors of pizza with bite-sized poppers. The recipe calls for stuffing dough balls with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese before baking them until golden brown and crispy. These poppers are perfect for parties, after school snack and are sure to be a hit with pizza lovers.
Ingredients
1 pkg of refrigerated pizza dough
1 and ¼ cups pizza sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded cheese
¾ cup pepperoni, sliced
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Remove the pizza dough from the package and roll out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the pizza dough into 20 to 24 small squares. (approximately 2 to 2 and ½" square).
- To each square, add 1 and ½ teaspoons of pizza sauce, 2 teaspoons mozarella cheese and a pepperoni slice or two. Pinch together the corners of the dough and create a ball.
- Place the dough balls, seam side down in casserole dish so that they are touching each other (Note, I place an oven-proof bowl in the center for dipping sauce. If you are not using the bowl in the centre, place the dough balls so that they are all touching each other.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, salt, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush generously onto the pizza dough balls. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until pizza bites are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve with warmed pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
Store pizza bites in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. The best part is that you can pop them into the air fryer to reheat them!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 pizza poppers
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Sodium: 746.1 mg
- Fat: 8.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.3 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g
- Protein: 13.2 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg
Keywords: pizza poppers, pull apart pizza bites
Tim
These pizza poppers are such a fun treat the whole family loved them! The kids kept popping them in their mouths until they were all gone and asked for more!!
★★★★★