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Mini Pizza Cups
My family goes crazy for these little pizza cups. I started making them after my kids begged me to recreate their favorite Little Caesars snack. Now they're our go-to movie night treat. The dough gets so soft and buttery while the tops turn golden with melted cheese. That first bite with the warm marinara and crispy pepperoni edges it's pure pizza heaven in miniature form.
Pure Pizza Joy
These little bites never last long in our house. My teenage son can finish half a batch by himself. I love how easy they are to customize everyone gets their favorite toppings. Last weekend I made them for my daughter's sleepover party the girls couldn't believe they were homemade.
Shopping List
- Pizza Dough: 24 ounces grab extra if you have hungry teenagers
- Butter: Unsalted melted and slightly cooled
- Fresh Garlic: Mince it yourself so much better than the jarred stuff
- Parmesan: Get a block and grate it fresh
- Marinara: Your favorite jarred sauce works great
- Mozzarella: Low moisture shredded type melts beautifully
- Turkey Pepperoni: Regular pepperoni works too
- Italian Seasoning: A good sprinkle adds so much flavor
- Fresh Parsley: Chop some for the top makes them look fancy
Kitchen Magic Time
- Getting Started
- Heat your oven to 375°F and grab your muffin tin. Brush it with that amazing garlic butter you're about to make.
- Dough Love
- Split your dough into 12 balls let them get puffy and soft. This is my favorite part watching them double in size.
- Garlic Butter Heaven
- Mix melted butter fresh garlic grated parmesan and some parsley. The smell alone will make your mouth water.
- Building Your Cups
- Press those dough balls into the tin then layer in marinara cheese pepperoni and a sprinkle of seasoning.
- Baking Time
- Pop them in for about 15 minutes until they're golden and bubbly on top. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
- Worth the Wait
- Let them cool just a bit so they hold their shape and don't burn any tongues.
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Making Them Perfect
Give your dough plenty of time to get fluffy. Load up on that mozzarella it creates these incredible crispy edges everyone fights over. Sometimes I sprinkle extra cheese in the bottom of the tin before adding the dough pure genius.
Dough Talk
I usually make my own dough but when life gets busy Trader Joe's pizza dough saves the day. Frozen dinner rolls work too just give them extra time to wake up and get puffy.
Mix It Up
My vegetarian niece loves hers with bell peppers and mushrooms. Sometimes I use different cheese blends whatever's in the fridge. My husband adds extra pepperoni and my daughter loves pineapple yes we're that family.
More Cheesy Favorites
If you're loving these try our other family favorites. The stuffed garlic bread disappears just as fast. Those pizza rolls are amazing for packed lunches too. Don't forget your favorite dipping sauces ranch for my kids extra marinara for me.
Questions From My Kitchen
Yes you can prep the dough ahead just let it come back to room temp before using. If your cups collapse they probably need more cooling time. Any toppings work great just avoid the super wet ones nobody likes soggy bottoms. You'll know they're done when the edges are golden and that cheese is perfectly bubbly. They freeze beautifully just warm them up in the oven when you're ready.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough balls and let them rise ahead of time. Add toppings and bake just before serving for the best results.
- → What other toppings work well?
Try different meats like sausage or bacon, or vegetables like mushrooms and peppers. Just make sure not to overfill the cups.
- → How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
The dough balls should double in size and feel light and puffy. This usually takes about 30-45 minutes in a warm spot.
- → Can I freeze these pizza puffs?
Yes, you can freeze them after baking. Reheat in the oven until warm for best texture. They'll keep frozen for up to 2 months.
- → Why do they need to cool before serving?
The filling gets very hot during baking. Cooling for 5 minutes lets the cheese set slightly and prevents burning your mouth.
Conclusion
These mini pizza bites combine soft dough with garlic butter, marinara, cheese, and pepperoni for the perfect handheld snack. They're easy to make and great for parties.