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Easy Pizza Cupcakes Recipe

4.6 from 111 reviews

These Easy Pizza Cupcakes are a fun and delicious twist on traditional pizza, perfect as a party appetizer or snack. Made with flaky biscuit dough, melty mozzarella, vibrant veggies, and savory pepperoni, these bite-sized treats bake in a muffin tin to golden perfection with bubbly cheese and a crispy crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 2 (8-count) cans refrigerated flaky layer biscuit dough

Sauce & Cheese

  • 1 cup pizza or marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Toppings

  • ½ cup mini pepperoni slices
  • ½ cup finely diced bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange)
  • ¼ cup finely diced red onion
  • ¼ cup sliced black olives
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or dried oregano

Optional Additions

  • Cooked & crumbled beef sausage
  • Pre-cooked diced beef ham
  • Sautéed mushrooms (ensure fully cooked/sautéed and drained)

Other

  • Non-stick cooking spray or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray or olive oil and place it on a large baking sheet for easy handling. Organize all your toppings, cheese, and sauce in separate bowls to streamline assembly.
  2. Flatten biscuit dough: Separate 16 biscuits from the 2 cans of refrigerated flaky biscuit dough. Using your hands or a rolling pin, gently flatten each biscuit into a rough 4-inch circle about ¼ to ⅛ inch thick in the center, keeping edges slightly thicker to hold shape.
  3. Form dough cups: Carefully press each flattened biscuit into a prepared muffin cup, lining the bottom and sides with a slight overhang to create a little dough cup that will hold all the delicious fillings.
  4. Add sauce and cheese base: Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of pizza or marinara sauce into the bottom of each dough-lined muffin cup. Then sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce to form a cheesy base layer.
  5. Distribute toppings: Evenly divide your prepared toppings such as mini pepperoni, diced bell peppers, red onion, and black olives among all 16 cups. Make sure all high-moisture vegetables or meats are fully cooked and drained to avoid sogginess.
  6. Top with cheese and Parmesan: Finish each cup with another generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese. If using, add a light dusting of grated Parmesan on top for extra flavor and a nice golden finish.
  7. Bake to perfection: Carefully place the filled muffin tin(s) in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the biscuit edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly with some golden spots. Rotate the tin halfway through baking if needed for even browning.
  8. Cool and loosen: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the pizza cupcakes rest for about 5 minutes to allow toppings to set. Use a small offset spatula or butter knife to gently loosen the edges of each cupcake, then lift them out and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
  9. Garnish and serve: For a fresh finish, sprinkle finely chopped fresh basil over the warm pizza cupcakes. Optionally, add a final dusting of Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes. Serve warm and enjoy your easy, handheld pizza treats!

Notes

  • Ensure that any meat toppings are pre-cooked and drained to avoid excess grease and sogginess.
  • The biscuit dough overhang helps form a sturdy cup that holds fillings well.
  • If you do not have mini pepperoni, you can cut regular pepperoni into smaller pieces.
  • Feel free to customize toppings based on your preferences or dietary needs.
  • These pizza cupcakes are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in a toaster oven to retain crispness.

Keywords: pizza cupcakes, easy pizza bites, party appetizers, biscuit dough pizza, mini pizza cups, kid-friendly snacks