What’s your game time food? Wings? Nachos? Subs? Pizza? Oh yeah, pizza! These quick pizza bites come together in 30ish minutes, use fridge and pantry ingredients {so you can make them anytime} ~ and they are a great take-along if you’re going to a Super Bowl party!
quick pizza bites ~
1 refrigerated pizza crust {unbaked pizza dough or Pillsbury refrigerated crust)
8oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
sliced pepperoni
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch of red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
jarred marinara sauce
Bake at 400 degrees 16-18 minutes until golden brown
Shape pizza crust into a rectangle and cut into 20 squares ~ roughly 2.5″ square. This will fit perfectly in a 9″ round baking pan. Top each square with 3 or 4 small cheese cubes and then a pepperoni slice. The Pillsbury refrigerated crust bakes up a nice even golden brown, and fresh pizza dough {mine comes from the Publix deli} bakes a little less evenly, but has a great fresh pizza taste. Both work well, just mentioning a couple of differences. I use whichever is on hand!
I cut the mozzarella cheese into smallish 1/2″ cubes ~ that’s a SCBD {small change, big difference} tip. Using 3 or 4 small cubes in each bite vs. 1 larger cube makes it easier to wrap-up the dough bundles. Fold the corners under the pepperoni and pinch the edges to seal up the bundle. Prep a 9″ baking pan by brushing it with a light coating of olive oil.
Place the bundles edge to edge into the prepped 9″ baking pan, seam side down.
This is my next SCBD tip – Penzeys Frozen Pizza Seasoning ~ and it’s a must-have in the dried herb and spice drawer! A sprinkle of this will freshen up frozen pizza, jarred sauce, or a quick vinaigrette.
Mix the oil, seasoning, garlic powder and pepper flakes ~ brush over the rolls, and then sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes until golden brown. Serve with warm marinara source for dipping!
If I were taking this to a friend’s place, I might make in covered disposable baking pan ~ and then bake after arriving at the party. Love the smell of pepperoni and baking pizza dough! Add a small bowl of warm marinara sauce for dipping ~~~
These quick pizza bites are a fun easy dinner with a salad, or as finger food with couple of beers in front of a movie!
They’re also great for a party ~ they travel well in a warm dish, or you can bake on-site. You can easily bake multiple pans at once and feed a crowd ~ great for adults and kids. They hold up well and reheat as needed ~ though I’ve never seen them last long enough to need reheating!
I’m looking forward to the Super Bowl tomorrow, the game, the food and the commercials! You can even make these quick pizza bites at half-time. I’m not as invested in this game as I am during college season so it’s a chance to relax and enjoy. It’s game time y’all ~~~
