Pizza Muffin Bites Recipe

This pizza muffin bites recipe is made in a cupcake or muffin tin. Ready to bake pizza dough, marinara and mozzarella— all from Trader Joe’s, makes these delicious pizza muffins an easy appetizer you can serve anytime.

Easy Appetizer Idea for Anytime

These easy pizza muffins are the perfect appetizer because they are loved by adults as much as kids.

Serve them at your children’s party. Make them as a toddler snack, or even pack them for lunch for the little ones.

Customize them for adults, by adding pepperoni or other pizza toppings you like.

These mini pizza bites are the best party finger foods.

Serve them at your super bowl party or make them as an anytime snack.

You can find all of the ingredients you need at Trader Joe’s.

I buy the ready to bake dough ( in the refrigerator section of the store), their marinara sauce and marinated  mozzarella balls.

I made this recipe with other mozzarella and it turns out well.

But, the mozzarella marinated balls are easy to handle and are a perfect size to just pop in  for this pizza muffin bites recipe.

I use the shredded cheese to top the muffins for an added cheesy crunch on top. But you could skip it and they would be just as delicious.

So Easy a Toddler Can Do It

I’ve made this recipe four times now. And each time I thought to myself, I have to share it.

These pizza cupcakes are also a fun way to get your toddler in the kitchen. Fernando and I made them together, twice.

I like keeping the ingredients simple for him. The pizza bites taste like deep dish pizza and the mozzarella and marinara make the perfect stuffing.

Your toddler can help  roll the dough into a long log.

Divide the dough into twelve sections,  and then roll each piece and place it gently into each designated muffin tin.

The easy pizza bites come out delicious with a gooey cheese middle and crispy edges.

 

Other  Appetizer Ideas  to Try

Mini Sweet Pepper Loaded Turkey Nachos

Best Little Crab Dip Recipe

Mini Brie Bites

Pizza Muffin Bites Recipe

Ingredients

• Trader Joe’s ready to bake pizza dough (refrigerated section) *
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 12 mozzarella slices or balls
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• 2-3 fresh basil leaves ( optional)

*crescent rolls or Pillsbury biscuits could also work. 

Directions

1. Take out the dough out of the plastic and let it rest for 20 minutes at room temperature.
2. Meanwhile turn on the oven to 425 degrees.
3. Sprinkle your working station with a little bit of flour and roll the dough into a long log.
4. Cut the dough into 12 even sections. Roll each section into a small circle.
5. Carefully place the dough circles inside each muffin cup. *
6. Add the mozzarella ball to each muffin cup.
7. Spoon 1/2 tablespoon of marinara sauce over each muffin.
8. Place in the over for 10 minutes.
9. Take out the muffins, sprinkle each with cheese and place back in the oven for another 2 minutes.

*If using a non-stick muffin pan you do not need to spray the pan before use. Spray the pan with oil or butter if your muffin pan is not non stick.

How Do You Cook Pizza Bites in the Oven?

If you don’t want to use pizza dough you could also make crescent roll mini muffins or you could do pizza muffins with pillsbury biscuits.

The concept is the same, except you would need to follow the directions for cooking on the respective labels. So, if the crescent rolls label requires 375 degree oven and cooking time of 18-20 minutes I recommend following that direction.

For the ready to bake dough the pizza bites will be ready in 10 minutes at 425 degrees.

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