Description
Celebrate the festive season with these delightful Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Pizza Bites. Featuring soft pizza dough balls filled with a savory blend of diced red pepper, jalapeno, and mozzarella, seasoned with Italian herbs, then baked and topped with garlic, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese. Perfect as an appetizer, these bite-sized treats combine the flavors of a classic pizza in a fun and shareable Christmas tree shape.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough and Filling
- 1 lb pizza dough
- ½ red pepper, diced into ¼” pieces
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced into ¼” pieces
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded or torn into ½” size pieces
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning mix
- Salt, to taste
Toppings and Sauce
- ½ cup pizza sauce (plus more for dipping)
- 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
- ⅓ cup basil leaves, chopped (or more as desired)
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (or more as desired)
Instructions
- Prepare the Veggie Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the diced red pepper and jalapeno. Add the Italian seasoning mix along with salt to taste. Mix thoroughly and set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to preheat at 425°F (220°C) to ensure optimal baking temperature for the pizza bites.
- Form Dough Bases: Divide the pizza dough into 33 equal portions. Using your fingertips, gently press each dough ball to form a roughly 3-inch flat round base.
- Fill and Shape Dough Balls: Place a spoonful of the pepper and herb mixture along with a small piece of mozzarella cheese in the center of each flattened dough circle. Carefully wrap all sides of the dough around the filling, sealing it tightly to form a ball.
- Arrange the Tree Shape: Place each stuffed dough ball seam side down onto a lined baking sheet. Arrange them systematically to form the shape of a Christmas tree.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce evenly over the arranged dough balls. Sprinkle chopped garlic, basil leaves, and parmesan cheese over the top for added flavor and aroma.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is cooked through and lightly golden on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your festive pull-apart Christmas tree pizza bites with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- These bite-sized pizzas are perfect for holiday appetizers or party snacks, bringing festive cheer to any gathering.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno to control the spice level to your preference.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses or additional toppings like olives or pepperoni for variety.
- Ensure dough balls are sealed well to prevent filling leakage during baking.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 3 pieces)
- Calories: 126 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
