Pepperoni Pizza Bites are the kind of homemade appetizer that disappears fast—perfect for game day, parties, or an easy snack. Just toss pizza dough or biscuits with melty cheese and bake in a muffin tin until golden brown!
For more delicious appetizers, try my Meat Lovers Pizza Sliders, Hot Dog Burnt Ends, and Greek Chicken Meatballs next!
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Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Bites
These homemade pizza bites are always a hit in my house. They’re crispy on the outside, gooey in the center, and packed with bite-sized pieces of pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of parmesan.
My kids love them, but let’s be real—adults do too. They’re quick and easy to throw together, baked until golden brown, and way better than frozen pizza rolls. Plus, they’re super versatile, so you can switch up the toppings and make this shareable treat your own.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough or biscuits: I’ve used both and they work great—just cut them into bite-sized pieces so they bake up soft in the middle with those crispy edges everyone loves. Store-bought keeps things quick and easy, especially when you're making these for a crowd.
- Pepperoni: Mini pepperoni or chopped regular ones both bring that classic, savory punch. It crisps up around the edges and adds that perfect salty bite.
- Mozzarella cheese: This gives you that gooey, stretchy center that makes each bite taste like pizza in snack form. Don’t skip it—melty cheese is the best part.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a little sharpness and helps create a golden brown, slightly crispy top. I toss it in for extra flavor and texture.
- Italian seasoning (optional): If you want that extra herb flavor, this brings in a nice blend of oregano, basil, and thyme. Totally optional but a good touch if you’ve got it on hand.
- Garlic powder: Just a little sprinkle brings so much flavor and makes the bites taste like garlic bread meets pizza. Always a win.
- Melted butter: Helps everything stick together and adds that rich, buttery taste while the dough bakes. It also gives the edges a golden, slightly crisp finish.
- Ranch or spaghetti sauce (for dipping): I like to serve both and let people pick their fave. The cool ranch or warm marinara takes these over the top, especially if you're a dipper like me.
How to Make Pizza Bites
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Then grab your pizza dough or biscuits and cut them into bite-sized pieces using kitchen shears or a knife—whichever is easier.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the dough with the pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning if you're using it. Once everything’s mixed, pour in the melted butter and toss again until the dough is evenly coated.
Grease a muffin tin with nonstick spray and scoop the mixture into each cup. You want the pieces packed in, but not too tight—they’ll puff up as they bake.
Pop the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve your pizza bites with ranch or warm marinara on the side and watch them disappear fast!
Pro Tips
- Cut the dough into even pieces. This helps everything bake at the same rate, so you don’t end up with some bites doughy and others overdone.
- Use mini pepperoni if you can. They mix in more evenly and save you the extra step of chopping.
- Toss the ingredients well before adding to the muffin tin. You want each bite to have a little bit of everything: cheese, pepperoni, and seasoning in every mouthful.
- Don’t overpack the muffin cups. Leave a little room so the dough can rise and bake through without getting too dense.
- Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. They come out hot and bubbly, and cooling helps the cheese set just enough to keep things less messy.
- Serve with both ranch and marinara. Some folks love a creamy dip, others go for the classic. Offering both keeps everyone happy!
Storage
Once they’ve cooled completely, store leftover pizza bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through and crisp on the outside.
How to Freeze Pizza Bites
Place the cooled bites on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you're ready to eat, bake straight from frozen at 350°F for about 10–12 minutes.
Recipe Variations
- Switch up the sauce. Try BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or pesto for a twist on the classic pizza flavor.
- Add veggies. Chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach mix in easily and add extra texture.
- Use different cheese. Swap mozzarella for cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack for a new flavor combo.
- Make them spicy. Add crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños for a kick.
- Try a dessert version. Use biscuit dough with cinnamon sugar and chocolate chips, then serve with a drizzle of icing or Nutella.
- Mix up the meat. Swap the pepperoni for cooked sausage, crumbled bacon, or even chopped ham for a different flavor in every batch.
FAQ
How long do you cook pizza bites for?
Bake them at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes. They’re ready when the tops are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
Can I use crescent rolls instead of pizza dough?
Yes, crescent roll dough works too! Just pinch the seams together before cutting it into pieces so it holds up during mixing and baking.
Can I prep these ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix everything together and refrigerate it a few hours before baking. Just bring the mixture to room temp before putting it in the oven so it bakes evenly.
What if I don’t have a muffin tin?
You can bake them in a greased casserole dish or cake pan instead. Just spread the mixture evenly and add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
More Pizza Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
After you try this Pizza Bites recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 roll refrigerated Pizza dough or biscuits cut into bite size pieces
- 1 cup Pepperoni mini pepperoni or pepperoni cut into bite size pieces
- 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese shedded
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning optional
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup Ranch or marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F.
- Open the package of pizza dough and cut it into bite size pieces using kitchen shears or a knife.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut biscuit pieces, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Toss the ingredients together until the pizza dough is evenly mixed with the cheeses and seasonings.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and toss again until the dough pieces are evenly coated.
- Grease a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Now add the mixture into each muffin spot, arranging the pieces so they’re packed in together but not too tightly.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pizza bites are golden brown and fully cooked.
- Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve them with warm marinara sauce or ranch dipping. Enjoy!
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