Description

These Pepperoni Pizza Bites are a delightful, bite-sized snack perfect for parties or a quick treat. Made with a simple dough of all-purpose flour and Greek yogurt, topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and turkey pepperoni, these bites combine classic pizza flavors in a convenient muffin tin format. They are baked to golden perfection, offering a crispy edge with a soft, cheesy center.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (5 oz in weight; whole wheat or gluten-free mix can be used)
2 teaspoons baking powder (ensure freshness for proper rising)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (use less if substituting with table salt)
1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt (preferably Stonyfield for best texture)

Toppings

2/3 cup marinara or pizza sauce
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 ounce turkey pepperoni, chopped

Others

Olive oil spray for greasing muffin tins
Crushed red pepper flakes for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375˚F. Spray two 12-cup standard muffin tins thoroughly with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
Add Yogurt: Add the non-fat Greek yogurt to the dry ingredients and mix using a fork or spatula until the mixture resembles small crumbles and is well combined.
Knead Dough: Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Transfer the dough from the bowl onto the surface and knead it gently but firmly about 15 times, until the dough is tacky yet not sticky. It shouldn’t stick to your hands.
Portion Dough: Divide the dough into 16 equal portions, each roughly 25 grams. Roll each portion into a small ball.
Shape Dough in Muffin Tins: Press each dough ball into the bottom of the muffin cups, spreading it slightly up the sides to form a shallow cup shape capable of holding toppings.
Initial Bake: Bake the dough cups in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This sets the dough and starts the browning process.
Create Wells: Remove the muffin tins from the oven and gently press down the center of each ball to create a small well for the toppings.
Add Toppings: Spoon approximately 2 teaspoons of marinara sauce into each well, then add about 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese, and top with a sprinkle of chopped turkey pepperoni.
Final Bake: Return the muffin tins to the oven and bake for an additional 3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the toppings are heated through.
Cool and Remove: Once baked, remove the bites from the oven and let them cool for 2 minutes. Use a paring knife or metal offset spatula to carefully loosen the pizza bites from the muffin tin, ensuring no cheese sticks to the pan.
Repeat: Spray the muffin tins again with olive oil and repeat the process with any remaining dough and toppings.

Notes

Using non-fat Greek yogurt is crucial to achieving the right consistency; regular yogurt will create a sticky dough.
Ensure your baking powder is fresh to allow the dough to rise properly.
You can substitute turkey pepperoni with vegetarian pepperoni for a vegetarian option, but note this recipe is not vegan due to dairy cheese.
Use crushed red pepper flakes as a garnish for added heat if desired.
For gluten-free variation, use a gluten-free flour mix in place of all-purpose flour.
These bites are best enjoyed warm but can be refrigerated and reheated.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 bites
Calories: 220
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 18mg