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Home » Pizza Puffs

Pizza Puffs

October 4, 2021 by Debi 18 Comments

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Pizza Puffs are cute little bite sized treats that are perfect for happy hour, appetizers, lunch, or game day nibbles while watching football! They’d also be great for a pot luck or after school snacks!

These bites are a great change from regular pizza, but with all the pizza flavor. We love pizza in our house including pizza tarts, pizza tortellini casserole, pizza pinwheels, pizza pull apart bread, and pizza snacks.

looking down on a tray filled with pizza puffs and a small dish of pizza sauce to dip them in.

We appreciate your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

a fall leaf with text overlay for Tailgating Snacks Month.

Tailgating snacks month

Welcome to the 8th annual October is tailgating snacks month for 2021! This is an event I look forward to every year. It’s so much for me to make these delicious snacks and treats for you.

This year, in keeping with my goals of remaking some of the older recipes on Life Currents, I’m starting the month with these little nuggets of pizza goodness. This is a recipe I first shared in 2013, and is adapted from Rachel Ray. I have updated the pictures, information, and recipe itself for a better reader experience.

I have some great recipes lined up for you this year! And, at the end of the month I’ll share a roundup of all the tasty treats that have been collected, so be sure to keep an eye out for that!

Easy appetizers

These appetizers are super quick and easy to make, and you probably have all the ingredients on hand to make them. It’ll only take you minutes to whip up a batch.  

Where did pizza puffs originate?

After doing some research into “What are pizza puffs”, I quickly learned about the Chicago pizza puff, which is very similar to a calzone, only it’s typically deep fried.

My version is not Chicago style. In fact, mine are much more like fluffy savory mini pizza muffins. 

a stack of pizza snacks on a white background.

What should I serve them with?

Serve these pizza bites with your favorite sauce for dipping.

Easy and quick, but best of all, this Homemade Pizza Sauce is Delicious, and is my recommendation for what to serve these with. You can thin the pizza sauce with a little water to make it easier to dip the puffs into if you want.

Marinara would be lovely as well! Or, simply use your favorite jarred spaghetti sauce.

Garlic butter dipping sauce is another house favorite for these morsels.

Happy hour appetizer ideas

Looking for more great happy hour snacks? Try my Crock pot herbed almonds, Mac & Cheese appetizer bites, Pesto puff pastry pinwheels, and Air Fryer Mozzarella bites.

How to cook pizza puffs

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card below for ingredients amounts and detailed instructions.

These little nuggets of pizza goodness are super easy to make! You’ll love being able to whip them up quickly.

how to make pizza appetizers, making the batter.

Whisk together the flour and baking powder, and whisk in the milk and beaten egg. Note, I like to whisk small batters with a fork.

making the batter for these appetizers.

Stir in the remaining ingredients (mozzarella, bell pepper, shallot, herbs and spices, and pepperoni). Let stand for 10 minutes.

filling the muffn cups and baking them.

Place the muffin pans on a large cookie sheet to provide some stability. Stir the batter and divide evenly among the mini-muffin cups. Bake up until nice and golden.

a bite taken out of the pizza appetizer so you can see the inside.

Serve pizza puffs with your favorite pizza sauce for dipping.

Changes to the recipe

When I make these, I make a half batch vegetarian with Red Pepper and Shallot Pizza Puffs.

And I make half the batch pepperoni pizza for my husband. When I do it this way, I use 2 ounces pepperoni. If you want to make a whole pepperoni pizza puffs batch, use 4 ounces. Or, just leave the pepperoni out entirely. Personally, I don’t think it needs the pepperoni at all!

You can substitute any cheese for the mozzarella if you want

Add in cooked and crumbled sausage

Switch up the veggies to your favorite. If you use veggies with a high-water content like mushrooms, be sure to sauté them first, to cook out all the extra moisture.

Spice it up a bit and add in ¼ – ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

You can use 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning instead of the basil and oregano

Want to bake these in paper muffin cups? You sure can, just be sure to lightly spray each paper cup with non-stick spray before filling so they release from the paper after being baked.

Pro tips

Note: this section includes affiliate links

Be sure to lightly beat the egg in a small bowl before adding to the mixture. This helps to incorporate the egg into the batter.

I like to fill the muffin cups using cookie dough scoops. It makes it easy to get a similar amount into each cup, also it makes for easy clean up.

I bake these in silicon mini muffin pans. Place the pans on a cookie sheet for baking for more stability. Once baked, the Pizza Puffs should pop right out of the pan, and there’s no need for oiling the pan at all. If your Puffs need a little encouragement to release from the pan, I’ve found it’s best to run an offset spatula around the outside of the puff. After that, it should release.

If you don’t have a silicone muffin pan, be sure to grease your pan well, or they will stick!  To help release them from the pan, run an offset spatula around the outside of the puff and gently lift them out.

You can test for doneness by sticking a toothpick into the center of one of them. If it comes out clean, they are ready.

Can these be made ahead?

These can be made ahead and frozen. Freeze the baked puffs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. To reheat, bake the frozen puffs on a baking sheet in a 350° F degrees oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

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a serving tray filled with appetizer pizza puffs and red sauce to dip them in.
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Recipe

square crop of a white serving tray loaded with appetizers and pizza sauce to dip them in.

Pizza Puffs

Debi
Pizza Puffs are cute little bite sized treats that areperfect for happy hour, appetizers, lunch, or game day nibbles while watchingfootball! They’d also be great for a pot luck!
4.67 from 3 votes
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Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Resting time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 24 pizza puffs
Calories 73 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded (about 1 cup)
  • ½ red bell pepper finely chopped
  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 – 4 ounces pepperoni cut into quarters, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375° F.
  • Oil a regular 24-cup mini-muffin pan. If you're using a silicone mini muffin pan, oiling isn’t necessary.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; whisk in the milk and beaten egg. Stir in the remaining ingredients (mozzarella, bell pepper, shallot, herbs and spices, and pepperoni). Let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Place the muffin pans on a large cookie sheet. Stir the batter and divide evenly among the mini-muffin cups. Bake at 375° F, until puffed and golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Serve pizza puffs with your favorite pizza sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 185mgPotassium: 63mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword muffins, pizza, puffs
Tried this recipe?Mention @LifeCurrents or tag #LifeCurrents!

three images of appetizer bits made into a collage for Pinterest, title in the middle.
I left the original pictures, if you followed a link with these images you know you’re in the right place. And, I always think it’s interesting how my photography has changed.
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Filed Under: Appetizers, Game Day Tagged With: appetizers, basil, Cooking, flour, Food, oregano, pepperoni, pizza, recipe, red pepper, shallot, Snacks, appetizers, tailgating, tailgating, vegetarian

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sophia @ NY Foodgasm

    October 17, 2013 at 9:23 am

    These are AMAZING! Yummmmmmm Debi! And they are so easy to make. I’m in love!

  2. Kayle (The Cooking Actress)

    October 17, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    These puffs are so cute and the perfect blend of sophistication and classic comfort food!! My family loved them. I made a double batch!

  3. Audra

    October 17, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    These are a perfect appetizer and especially with the holidays coming up! My family loved them as after school snacks. Thank you for sharing these 🙂

  4. Jill @ Living the Healthier Life

    October 18, 2013 at 6:19 pm

    These are great!!! I whipped these up for an upcoming game and froze them. wonderful! Thanks Debi!

  5. Shannon

    October 21, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    These are great, I made them for Friday Pizza night and it was a fun change.

  6. Leslie Lambert

    October 23, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea last week! I loved making these and my kiddos loved eating them!

  7. Mary Ellen

    October 23, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    These were awesome! Thanks for sharing them at Talking Tuesday! The littles really enjoyed every bite of them.

  8. Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

    October 24, 2013 at 9:57 am

    Your pizza puffs are delicious!! Thanks for sharing your pizza puffs at Four Seasons Blog Hop because they made my family really happy, and I love how easy they were to make ~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

  9. Krystal (@KrystalS)

    October 25, 2013 at 9:03 am

    WOW – these are awesome. I have to commend you on your food photography skills! I love your lighting and angles. I’m learning still, but I love this! The pictures made me want to make these puffs, and I’m so happy I did. They were delicious!

  10. Krystal (@KrystalS)

    October 25, 2013 at 9:03 am

    Also – Thanks for joining Click Chicks! Next week is Halloween. Hope to see you there!

  11. Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens

    October 26, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    I adore mini foods, and these look fantastic! So easy, yet just darling and filled with the pizza flavors that everybody always goes crazy over! They’d be perfect for any party – adults or kids. Who wouldn’t love ‘em!?!? Mmmmmmm … now I’ve gotta click over to check out your homemade pizza sauce! Bonus! 😀

  12. lydiaf1963

    October 30, 2013 at 5:35 am

    I love them! Wouldn’t they be fun to serve for a brunch or luncheon? I made them for happy hour, and they were perfect!

  13. Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!

    November 14, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    These are delicious and are so fun! They are be perfect for a holiday party or even an afternoon watching football with friends! Pinned and made! Nice and easy to make!

    I would love for you to come over and link up at Wine’d Down Wednesday if you get a chance. We party every week from Tuesday evening to late Friday night! Hope to see you there!

  14. Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!

    November 19, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Hi, stopping by to let you know that your Pizza Puffs are featured this week at Wine’d Down Wednesday! I hope you will stop by and check it out and also link up with us again! Have a great evening!

  15. Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder)

    February 15, 2014 at 1:58 am

    G’day! Another great party idea that was so easy to make!
    Thanks for sharing as they made my Snack Party a huge hit!
    Cheers! Joanne

  16. Platter Talk

    June 25, 2014 at 7:41 am

    These little puffs of pizza are perfect for any pizza craving my boys loved them! Thanks so much for sharing them so I could make them for our Pizza Party!

  17. mealplanmaven

    October 11, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    Love these little cuties! Not only are they great party nibbles, but they would make a great kids’ snack or a light lunch along with a salad and fruit. And as always, your photography is stunning!

  18. mohit verma

    March 12, 2018 at 12:25 am

    5 stars
    I LOVE these!!!! Because i love pizza recipe.

4.67 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hi! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents, where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes with some great desserts and other goodies mixed in! Read More >>>

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