Description
Crispy Italian-inspired pizza puffs deliver portable comfort with cheesy, herby goodness. Golden-brown pillows packed with savory marinara and melted mozzarella make you crave another bite of this irresistible appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces (226 grams) turkey pepperoni
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Cheese and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Italian seasoning
Binding Ingredient:
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic garlic butter by whisking together softened butter, finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano in a small mixing bowl. Set the mixture aside momentarily.
- Thoroughly grease each cavity of a 12-cup cupcake tin with the prepared garlic butter, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Portion the pizza dough into uniform balls, approximately the size of a ping pong ball or slightly smaller, maintaining consistent proportions.
- Nestle each dough ball into the buttered cupcake tin, positioning them carefully to allow room for expansion.
- Cover the tin with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft-free location to proof, allowing the dough to rise and double in volume (approximately 30-45 minutes).
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) during the proofing process.
- Once the dough has doubled, gently deflate the center of each ball using your fingertips, simultaneously pressing the edges upward to create a cup-like formation.
- Generously brush the interior of each dough cup with additional garlic butter for enhanced flavor.
- Layer the fillings methodically: start with a spoonful of marinara sauce, followed by a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese, two pieces of pepperoni, another layer of marinara, a single pepperoni slice, and a final generous topping of mozzarella.
- Dust the tops with Italian seasoning for an extra burst of herbal complexity.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling cheese surface.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pizza puffs to cool for 5 minutes, permitting the filling to set and preventing potential burns.
- Serve warm alongside ranch dressing for a delightful dipping experience.
Notes
- Prep the garlic butter ahead of time to infuse rich, savory flavors into every bite of these pizza puffs.
- Use room temperature dough for optimal rising and ensure each puff is light and fluffy.
- Create uniform dough balls to guarantee even baking and consistent size in the cupcake tin.
- Proof the dough in a warm spot to help it rise perfectly, creating soft and airy pizza puffs.
- Press the dough edges up to form a cup shape, allowing space for delicious fillings like marinara and cheese.
- Cool the puffs for 5 minutes after baking to let the cheese set and prevent burning your mouth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg