appetizer essentials: awesome pizza bites

Name: Appetizer Essentials: Awesome Pizza Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: ## PLAN/PURCHASE; 24 large pepperoni; ## THE SPICE MIX; 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) dried oregano; 1 teaspoon(s) dried marjoram; 1 teaspoon(s) dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon(s) dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon(s) dried sage; ## THE PIZZA BATTER; 3/4 cup(s) flour, all-purpose variety; 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder; 1 teaspoon(s) premade spice mix, or to taste; 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt, kosher variety; 1/2 cup(s) parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 3/4 cup(s) whole milk; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup(s) mozzarella cheese, freshly grated; ## OPTIONAL ITEMS; marinara sauce for dipping

28 Pinches 18 Photos

Andy Anderson !

Wichita, KS

Updated on Aug 17, 2019

I have seen pizza bites that use a pepperoni as a cup to hold the cheese and sauce, and I have seen them made with all the ingredients mixed into a batter, and cooked up as pizza muffins. So, I thought that I would combine both techniques: A pepperoni cup with a muffin-like batter filling… The best of both worlds. The fillings can be switched around to suit your own tastes; these are just what I used on this batch. FYI: These can be frozen, and reheated on a later date. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

Rate

prep time 10 Min

cook time 15 Min

method Bake

yield Several

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
24 large pepperoni
THE SPICE MIX
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
THE PIZZA BATTER
3/4 cup flour, all-purpose variety
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon premade spice mix, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt, kosher variety
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
3/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
OPTIONAL ITEMS
marinara sauce for dipping

How To Make appetizer essentials: awesome pizza bites

Step 1

PREP/PREPARE

Step 2

The spice mix will make more than you need for this one recipe. If you do not wish to make this much (it is a pretty good, all-round, Italian spice mix), just add pinch or two of each one of the herbs into the flour and combine. Or, if you have a good store-bought Italian spice mix, use it.
Step 3

I am using, what are called, sandwich-style pepperonis, and measure 3-inches (7.6cm) in diameter; which is twice as big as a normal pepperoni. That size is perfect for this recipe.
Step 4

For this recipe, you will need a mini muffin tin. Mine is a Wilton mini-muffin pan that can bake 24 at a time.
Step 5

Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
Step 6

Place a rack in the bottom position, and preheat the oven to 375 (190c).
Step 7

Cut in to the large pepperonis on the left, right, top, and bottom. You want to go in about 1/2-inch (1/2cm).
Step 8

Add them to the muffin pan. The cuts fold over each other, and form the walls for the pizza bites.
Step 9

Chef’s Note: If the pepperoni slices are real thin, you might want to use two per cup… that is what I did.
Step 10

Mix the dry batter ingredients (flour, baking powder, spice mix, salt, parmesan cheese), in a large bowl.
Step 11

Whisk the milk and egg together in another bowl. I just use a measuring cup.
Step 12

Add the wet ingredients to the dry.
Step 13

Mix together with a fork, or wooden spoon until combined.
Step 14

Add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the batter to each of the pepperoni cups.
Step 15

Sprinkle a bit of mozzarella on the tops.
Step 16

Place in the oven, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, and beginning to turn brown in spots, about 12 – 14 minutes.
Step 17

PLATE/PRESENT
Step 18

Serve while nice and warm, with a bit of marinara sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy.
Step 19

Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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