Stuffed Pizza Bites with Garlic Butter Recipe

Introduction

These stuffed pizza bites are a delightful twist on classic pizza, featuring gooey mozzarella and pepperoni wrapped in soft, golden dough. They’re perfect as a snack or appetizer for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 pound frozen pizza dough, thawed and at room temperature
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz. pepperoni, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Marinara or pizza sauce for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Spray an 8 × 8 or 9 × 9 inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prepare for baking.
2. Step 2: Cut the pizza dough into 16 equally-sized pieces to ensure even bites.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped pepperoni. In a separate dish, combine the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
4. Step 4: Stretch each dough piece into a roughly 3-inch round. Fill with one heaping tablespoon of the cheese and pepperoni mixture. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges firmly to seal. Place each bite seam side down in the prepared pan.
5. Step 5: Brush the tops of the bites with the seasoned butter mixture, then sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese over them.
6. Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes or until the bites turn golden brown. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Stretch the dough gently to avoid tearing; it doesn’t need to be perfectly round.
• For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture.
• Try swapping pepperoni for cooked sausage or vegetables like mushrooms for variety.
• Brush with garlic butter after baking for an extra-rich flavor.

Storage

Store leftover pizza bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through to maintain their crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pizza dough instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh pizza dough works just as well. Just make sure it’s at room temperature before shaping and filling.

Can I prepare the bites ahead of time?

You can assemble the bites and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just cover tightly to prevent drying out, then bake as directed when ready.

Stuffed Pizza Bites with Garlic Butter Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 63 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 stuffed pizza bites 1x

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Description

These Stuffed Pizza Bites with Garlic Butter are a delicious and easy appetizer that combines gooey melted mozzarella and savory pepperoni stuffed inside soft pizza dough, topped with a flavorful garlic butter and Parmesan crust. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings, they are baked until golden and served with marinara sauce for dipping.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pizza Dough

• 1 pound frozen pizza dough, thawed and at room temperature

Filling

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz. pepperoni, chopped

Garlic Butter Topping

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Serving

• Marinara or pizza sauce for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Lightly spray an 8 × 8 or 9 × 9 inch baking dish or pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
2. Cut Dough: Cut the thawed pizza dough into 16 equally sized pieces to ensure uniform pizza bites.
3. Mix Filling: In a small bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped pepperoni evenly. In a separate small dish, mix the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
4. Form Bites: Stretch each piece of dough into approximately a 3-inch round. It doesn’t need to be perfectly shaped. Place one heaping tablespoon of the mozzarella and pepperoni mixture in the center of each round. Bring the dough edges up around the filling, pinching firmly to seal and enclose the filling completely. Place each sealed bite seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
5. Add Topping: Brush the tops of the dough bites with the garlic butter mixture for flavor and moisture. Then sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
6. Bake: Bake the stuffed pizza bites in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until they turn golden brown and the cheese inside is melted. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes to set before serving.
7. Serve: Serve your warm stuffed pizza bites with marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping and enjoy!

Notes

• Make sure your pizza dough is fully thawed and at room temperature for easier stretching and forming.
• Sealing the dough edges tightly is important to prevent filling leakage during baking.
• You can customize the filling by adding sautéed vegetables or different cheeses if desired.
• Letting the bites cool slightly after baking improves handling and avoids burns from hot cheese.
• For crispier bottoms, you can place the bites on a preheated baking sheet instead of a dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Stuffed Pizza Bites, Garlic Butter Pizza Bites, appetizers, finger food, party snacks, pepperoni snacks, homemade pizza bites