Description
Cheesy, bite-sized pizza poppers filled with pepperoni and mozzarella, perfect for parties or a fun snack!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (14.1 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus more for dipping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni, diced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Flour, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough and Filling: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Unroll the pizza dough onto the floured surface. If the dough is very cold, let it sit for a few minutes to warm up slightly. Cut the pizza dough into small squares, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in size. In a medium bowl, combine the pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, diced pepperoni, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix everything together until well combined.
- Assemble the Pizza Poppers: Take one of the dough squares and place a small spoonful of the cheese and pepperoni mixture in the center. Carefully bring the corners of the dough square together to form a small ball, pinching the edges tightly to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough squares and filling. Place the assembled poppers seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Pizza Poppers: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the pizza poppers with the egg wash. Sprinkle the tops of the poppers with a little extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Warm up some extra pizza sauce for dipping. Transfer the pizza poppers to a serving platter and serve them warm with the dipping sauce.
Notes
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a little extra heat.
- Add veggies: Mix in some chopped vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms, to the filling for a healthier twist.
- Use different cheeses: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as provolone, cheddar, or Monterey Jack.
- Make them ahead: Assemble the pizza poppers ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.
- Freeze them: Baked pizza poppers can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Air Fryer Option: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the assembled pizza poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garlic Butter Topping: For an extra layer of flavor, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 clove of minced garlic. Brush this garlic butter over the pizza poppers after they come out of the oven.
- Italian Herb Infusion: Mix 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning into the pizza sauce for a more pronounced herbal flavor.
- Different Dough Options: While refrigerated pizza dough is convenient, you can also use homemade pizza dough or even crescent roll dough for a different texture and flavor.
- Dipping Sauce Variety: Don’t limit yourself to just pizza sauce! Experiment with different dipping sauces like pesto, Alfredo sauce, or even a spicy sriracha mayo.
- Mini Calzones: If you prefer a larger, more substantial snack, you can make mini calzones instead of poppers. Simply use larger squares of dough and fold them over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Seal the edges tightly and bake as directed.
- Breakfast Pizza Poppers: For a fun breakfast treat, fill the poppers with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your favorite breakfast meats like bacon or sausage.
- Sweet Pizza Poppers: For a dessert option, fill the poppers with Nutella, chocolate chips, and marshmallows. Bake until golden brown and the chocolate is melted and gooey.
- Poppers are bursting open: Make sure you’re not overfilling the poppers and that you’re pinching the edges tightly to seal them.
- Poppers are not browning: Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature and that you’re brushing the poppers with egg wash.
- Poppers are sticking to the baking sheet: Use parchment paper to line the baking sheet.
- Filling is leaking out: Ensure the dough is properly sealed and that the filling isn’t too wet. Adding a little breadcrumbs to the filling can help absorb excess moisture.
- Refrigerating: Leftover pizza poppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven, microwave, or air fryer until warmed through.
- Freezing: To freeze pizza poppers, allow them to cool completely after baking. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 2 hours, or until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen pizza poppers can be stored for up to 2 months. Reheat them directly from frozen in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes