These spookily delicious pizza bites are packed with all the flavors of a savory, cheesy pizza. But best of all, they come together in just 30 minutes: A simple one-bowl batter gets scooped into adorable skull-shaped molds, then filled with gooey pieces of string cheese, baked and served with a just-whipped pizza sauce for dipping.
We included pepperoni on our bites, but you can customize them using your own favorite pizza-topping ingredients, like peppers, onions or olives.
Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade)
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20-25 mini pepperoni slices (or regular size, cut into smaller pieces)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Olive oil for brushing
- Skull-shaped silicone mold (optional for spooky effect)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 190°C/375°F.
Lightly grease your skull mold or a baking sheet.
To make the dough, roll out the pizza dough over a flat surface.
Small circles of dough should be cut out using a round cookie cutter or glass, about 1/4 inch larger than the skull mold cavities.
Assemble the Pizza Bites:
Fill each of the skull mold cavities with a circle of dough, pressing it firmly into all the nooks and crannies.
Put a spoonful of marinara sauce into each cavity.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
Place a few mini pepperoni slices on the top of the cheese.
Sprinkle over that little Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder for even better flavor.
Seal the Bites:
Layer another dough circle on top of the pizza and pin the edges up to seal the pizza bite inside.
If you’re using a tray which is not covered by a mold, shape the dough into a half moon and compress its edges to seal.
Olive Oil Brush: Brush the tops with olive oil, which will enable it to crisp up and get golden brown.
Bake:
Place the mold or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
Cool and Serve:
Skull pizza bites will cool after some minutes before they are taken from the mold.
Serve with more marinara sauce for dipping.
Enjoy these Mini Skull Pepperoni Pizza Bites as a fun Halloween treat or anytime snack!
Contains proteins: It helps repair muscles and build up more muscles.
There’s a low-fat option for cheese: You could use part-skim mozzarella as an alternative to get lesser amounts of fat and calories.
Health benefits:
Pepperoni (in Moderation)
Protein: It helps in allowing the body to build tissues and repair them.
Iron and B vitamins: These help maintain energy-related production, supporting the immune system.
Health hint: Sub with turkey pepperoni or vegetarian alternative to reduce fat and sodium.
Pizza Sauce (Marinara):
Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, a compound linked to heart health and cancer prevention
Vitamins A and C: Supports immune function and skin health
Low-calorie: Adds flavor without adding extra calories
Pizza Dough-whole wheat option:
Whole grains: When you use the whole wheat dough, it is rich in fiber, which helps digestion and also helps regulate blood sugar.
Olive Oil:
High in monounsaturated fats, which help to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
Antioxidants: Compounds present which either have anti-inflammatory properties or might have anti-inflammatory effects.
Herbs and spices (Italian seasoning, garlic powder):
Anti-inflammatory activity: Garlic and herbs like oregano contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that are involved in reducing inflammation of the heart.
Increase flavor without sodium: These add depth to the flavors without any added salt, helping promote heart health.
Ways in which the recipe could be made healthier:
Cauliflower crust: the attempt to try something new and trendy, cut carbs but add fiber.
Minimize saturated fat using reduced fat cheese.
Add some vegetables: Add chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for more vitamins and minerals.