Deep Dish Pizza Bites
Chicago’s deep dish pizza is legendary for its buttery, thick crust and rich tomato sauce. But what if you crave that iconic flavor in a fun, finger-food form? Enter deep dish pizza bites! These bite-sized delights offer all the deliciousness of the original, condensed into a perfect poppable package.
While deep dish pizza bites are fantastic for game days and potlucks, their versatility goes further. They’re ideal for quick lunches, after-school snacks, or anytime you need a satisfying savory treat.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Using store-bought pizza dough cuts down on prep time, while a muffin tin creates perfectly portioned pockets for all your favorite deep dish ingredients.
While pepperoni is a classic deep dish topping, these pizza bites welcome customization. Diced sausage, crumbled Italian beef, or a medley of roasted vegetables add variety and cater to different preferences. Experiment with different cheeses too! Fontina or provolone cheese bring a touch of nuttiness, while crumbled goat cheese adds a tangy surprise.
Questions I often get asked about this recipe:
Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of store-bought?
Yes, absolutely! You can find many recipes online.
What size of muffin tin should I use?
A standard 12-cup muffin tin works perfectly.
How long do the leftovers stay good for?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they should last up to 2 days.
Can I freeze these pizza bites?
Yes! Let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until warmed through.
What you need to make Deep Dish Pizza Bites:
1 (14-ounce) package refrigerated pizza dough
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese (optional)
12 pepperoni slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
Italian seasoning, to taste (optional)
Freshly torn basil (optional)
How to make it:
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease the muffin tin.
Prepare the dough: Unroll the pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a thin sheet, about 1/8 inch thick.
Cut out the dough circles: Use a round cookie cutter or a cup with a sharp rim to cut out 12 circles from the dough. You can re-roll the dough scraps to cut out a few more circles.
Form the pizza pockets: Gently stretch each dough circle to fit snugly into a muffin cup. Press the dough into the bottom and sides of the cup, forming a small well.
Add toppings: Drizzle a few drops of olive oil into the bottom of each dough cup. Place a pepperoni slice in the bottom of each cup.
Layer the flavors: Add 1/2 teaspoon of pizza sauce to each cup. Sprinkle with a mixture of mozzarella and Italian blend cheese (if using).
Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If the edges of the dough brown too quickly, you can tent the muffin tin with foil loosely for the last few minutes of baking.
Cool and serve: Let the pizza bites cool slightly in the muffin tin before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and freshly torn basil, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips:
You can use pre-made pizza sauce or your favorite marinara sauce.
If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can use a wine bottle to roll out the dough.Get creative with toppings!
You can add other vegetables like chopped peppers or onions, or different types of cheese.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
Latest Reviews:
Busy Mom on the Go – Let me tell you, these deep dish pizza bites were a lifesaver this week! Between soccer practice, ballet lessons, and endless homework battles, finding time to cook a decent meal felt impossible. These bites were SO easy to throw together – literally just popped some store-bought dough in the muffin tin, threw in some sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, and baked. My kids devoured them, and I felt a little less guilty about resorting to frozen food for the millionth time.
Deep Dish Devotee – Okay, I’m a HUGE Chicago deep dish fan. Like, borderline obsessed. So when I saw this recipe for mini deep dish bites, I had to try it. Let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint! These little guys captured all the goodness of the original – the buttery crust, the tangy sauce, the gooey cheese – in a bite-sized package.
Budget-Byte Foodie – Let’s be real, Chicago deep dish pizza can be pricey, especially when you’re feeding a crowd. These deep dish bites were a game-changer for my wallet! Super affordable to make, using store-bought dough and basic ingredients. Plus, you can totally customize them to your liking. I used leftover shredded chicken and some veggies I had on hand, and they turned out delicious.
Printable Recipe:
Deep Dish Pizza Bites
These mini pizzas are a delicious appetizer or game-day snack, offering the full flavor of Chicago deep dish in bite-sized form.
Ingredients
- 1 (14-ounce) package refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese (optional)
- 12 pepperoni slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Italian seasoning, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease the muffin tin.
- Prepare the dough: Unroll the pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a thin sheet, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut out the dough circles: Use a round cookie cutter or a cup with a sharp rim to cut out 12 circles from the dough. You can re-roll the dough scraps to cut out a few more circles.
- Form the pizza pockets: Gently stretch each dough circle to fit snugly into a muffin cup. Press the dough into the bottom and sides of the cup, forming a small well.
- Add toppings: Drizzle a few drops of olive oil into the bottom of each dough cup. Place a pepperoni slice in the bottom of each cup.
- Layer the flavors: Add 1/2 teaspoon of pizza sauce to each cup. Sprinkle with a mixture of mozzarella and Italian blend cheese (if using).
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If the edges of the dough brown too quickly, you can tent the muffin tin with foil loosely for the last few minutes of baking.
- Cool and serve: Let the pizza bites cool slightly in the muffin tin before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on your social media! I would love for more people to try this delicious and easy-to-make recipe. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you! Shhh… Join our secret foodie group on Facebook
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