Craving a pizza experience that's both adorable and delicious? Get ready to revolutionize your snack game with Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes - the bite-sized sensation that combines the irresistible flavors of classic pizza in a cute, portable package! These mouthwatering mini-pizzas are about to become your new obsession, perfect for parties, game nights, or when you simply want to impress your friends with an innovative culinary creation that'll have everyone asking, "How did you make these?"
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can pizza dough
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Flour for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure that your Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes bake evenly and come out perfectly golden brown.
- Prepare a muffin tin by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or brushing it with olive oil. This will prevent the pizza cupcakes from sticking.
- Lightly dust a clean surface with flour. Open the can of pizza dough and roll it out on the floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. This will make it easier to cut out the dough for the cupcakes.
- Using a round cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough. Each circle should be large enough to fit into the muffin tin and cover the sides. You will need 12 circles.
- Gently press each dough circle into the muffin tin, ensuring that it covers the bottom and sides of each cup. This will create the crust for your pizza cupcakes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. This mixture will be the filling for your cupcakes.
- Evenly distribute the sauce mixture into each dough-lined muffin cup, filling each about halfway.
- Next, add a few slices of pepperoni on top of the sauce mixture in each cup. You can adjust the amount of pepperoni based on your preference.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each filled cup, ensuring a nice cheesy layer.
- Finish by sprinkling a little grated Parmesan cheese on top of each cupcake for added flavor and a golden finish.
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Once baked, remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the pizza cupcakes cool for a few minutes. This will make them easier to remove from the tin.
- Carefully use a spoon or a small spatula to lift each pizza cupcake out of the muffin tin. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
- Enjoy your delicious Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes as a fun appetizer or snack for any occasion!
Tips
- • For perfectly crispy edges, make sure to press the pizza dough firmly into the muffin tin's corners • Use room temperature ingredients for more even baking • Don't overfill the muffin cups - leave a little space for the cheese to bubble • If you want extra flavor, try adding some chopped fresh basil or oregano to the marinara mixture • For a crispier bottom, you can pre-bake the dough circles for 3-4 minutes before adding fillings • Experiment with different toppings like sausage, bell peppers, or different cheese blends • Let the cupcakes cool for a few minutes to set, which makes them easier to remove from the tin
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 30mg
