Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pizza puffs are the ideal fusion of pizza and muffin-style comfort. They are quick to assemble and bake, offering the same classic pizza flavors but in a much more portable and fun form. You can load them up with your favorite toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, or vegetables, or keep them simple with just cheese and sauce. These pizza puffs are soft on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior, making them both irresistible and convenient. Whether you’re serving them for a snack or as a main dish, these pizza puffs are guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni (or your choice of toppings)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or use muffin liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni until evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the milk, olive oil, and pizza sauce until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Top each muffin puff with a little grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the pizza puffs to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the muffin pan. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 pizza puffs
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15-18 minutes
- Total time: 25-30 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian: Skip the pepperoni and use a variety of vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives, for a vegetarian version of these pizza puffs.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the batter or top the puffs with jalapeño slices for a spicy kick.
- Bacon: Add crumbled cooked bacon to the batter for extra savory flavor.
- Cheesy: For extra gooey goodness, add extra cheese into the batter or on top before baking.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover pizza puffs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, until heated through. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Can I make these pizza puffs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the batter and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just scoop and bake as usual when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze muffin pan pizza puffs?
Absolutely! Once baked, let the pizza puffs cool completely and then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Can I use regular-sized pepperoni instead of mini pepperoni?
Yes, you can cut regular pepperoni slices into smaller pieces to make them fit better in the muffin cups.
How can I make these pizza puffs gluten-free?
To make these pizza puffs gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Be sure to check that your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Can I use other types of cheese in these pizza puffs?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or even a blend of your favorites.
How do I know when the pizza puffs are done baking?
The tops should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. If it’s still wet or batter-coated, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Can I make these pizza puffs without cheese?
Cheese helps bind the puffs together and adds flavor, but you can omit it if needed. However, the texture and flavor will be different without the cheese.
Can I add sauce inside the pizza puffs?
Yes, you can spoon a small amount of pizza sauce into the batter before baking, but it may make the puffs slightly more moist. You can also drizzle sauce on top after baking.
Are these pizza puffs suitable for kids?
Yes, these pizza puffs are perfect for kids! They’re small, easy to handle, and customizable to suit picky eaters.
How can I make these pizza puffs more “pizza-like”?
Top the puffs with extra pizza sauce and cheese once they come out of the oven, or serve with a side of dipping sauce for an extra pizza experience.
Conclusion
Muffin pan pizza puffs are a deliciously creative way to enjoy all the flavors of pizza in a fun, bite-sized form. They’re quick and easy to make, customizable to suit your taste, and perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a casual family snack, a party appetizer, or a unique dinner option. With endless possibilities for fillings and toppings, these pizza puffs are sure to become a regular favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven with your favorite pizza sauce for dipping!
PrintMuffin Pan Pizza Puffs
Muffin pan pizza puffs combine all the flavors of pizza in a bite-sized, portable form. These fluffy, savory puffs are filled with cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce, making them perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 12 pizza puffs
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the pizza puffs:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni (or your choice of toppings)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or use muffin liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni until evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the milk, olive oil, and pizza sauce until combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Top each muffin puff with a little grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the pizza puffs to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the muffin pan. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives instead of pepperoni.
- For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the batter or top the puffs with jalapeño slices.
- Feel free to add extra cheese for a gooey center, or try adding bacon or sausage for a more savory option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza puff
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg