Description

Pull-Apart Pepperoni Pizza Bites are a delicious, bite-sized appetizer perfect for parties or casual snacking. These mini dough balls are stuffed with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, baked to golden perfection, and served warm with a side of pizza sauce for dipping. Easy to make and irresistibly cheesy, they bring all the flavors of pizza in a fun, shareable form.

Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Bites

1 can refrigerated pizza dough (16 oz)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping

Optional Topping

Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch round baking pan or a cast-iron skillet to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Divide Dough: Open the refrigerated pizza dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces for uniform bite-size servings.
Fill Dough Circles: Flatten each dough piece into a small circle. Place a pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese and a few mini pepperoni slices in the center to create a flavorful filling.
Seal Dough Balls: Pinch the edges of each dough circle together tightly to seal in the filling, then roll into smooth balls, ensuring no cheese or pepperoni escapes during baking.
Arrange in Pan: Place the dough balls seam-side down in the prepared pan, arranging them close but not touching each other to allow space for expansion while baking.
Add Toppings: Brush the tops of the dough balls evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan cheese, if using, to add extra flavor and color.
Bake: Bake the pizza bites in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, ensuring the cheese inside is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm with pizza sauce on the side for dipping, enhancing the bite-sized pizza experience.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the Italian seasoning mixture.
You can substitute mini pepperoni slices with mini sausage pieces or chopped vegetables for a different flavor.
Make sure to seal the dough balls tightly to prevent any cheese leakage during baking.
Serve immediately for best taste and texture, as these bites are best enjoyed warm.