Description
Savory pizza puffs bring classic Italian flavors into bite-sized appetizers perfect for parties. Cheesy, herby, and crisp puffs deliver quick comfort with minimal preparation, delighting guests who crave simple yet delicious snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) pizza dough
- 2 cups (480 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 8 oz (226 g) turkey pepperoni
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsps parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Garlic Butter Preparation: Whisk softened butter with parsley, garlic, parmesan, salt, black pepper, and oregano until thoroughly combined and fragrant.
- Cupcake Tin Preparation: Lavishly coat each cavity of a 12-cup cupcake tin with the prepared garlic butter, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Dough Shaping: Form pizza dough into uniform, ping pong-sized balls, then nestle each into the buttered cupcake tin cavities, allowing space for rising.
- Proofing Process: Drape a clean kitchen towel over the tin and position in a warm environment for 30-45 minutes, allowing dough to expand and double in volume. Simultaneously, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Dough Manipulation: Gently deflate the center of each risen dough ball, pressing edges upward to create cup-like formations. Brush interior with additional garlic butter.
- Filling Assembly: Layer marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning systematically within each dough cup, creating a multi-dimensional flavor profile.
- Baking Technique: Transfer tin to preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, monitoring until crusts turn golden-brown and cheese becomes effervescent.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow pizza puffs to rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm alongside ranch dressing for an irresistible culinary experience.
Notes
- Prepare Perfectly: Use room temperature butter and softened dough for smoother mixing and easier shaping.
- Butter Brilliance: Generously grease cupcake tin to prevent sticking and add extra flavor to the pizza puffs.
- Proofing Perfection: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot to ensure optimal rising and soft, fluffy texture.
- Filling Finesse: Layer ingredients carefully and avoid overfilling to prevent messy overflow during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg