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With this fun spin on a classic favorite, crescent dough becomes tiny deep-dish pizzas you can't stop eating. When I brought these to last week's family party, kids and grown-ups both swarmed the tray—they were gone before I blinked.
I whipped these up first for my grandkids, knowing they needed quick food that picky eaters would actually eat. Now, it's a must-have—they beg me for these "Grandma pizza cups" every single time.
Tasty Ingredients
- Pizza sauce: Lays down that familiar zesty tomato taste
- Mini pepperoni: Classic meaty bite-sized pieces for serious flavor
- Italian seasoning: A sprinkle goes a long way for that pizza joint kick
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Gives you gooey cheese pulls with each bite
- Crescent roll dough: That easy go-to for a golden, flaky outside
Simple How-To Steps
- Finish with herbs:
- Right after you pull them from the oven, scatter on Italian seasoning for big flavor, while they're still sizzling hot.
- Bake until bubbly:
- Slide the muffin tin into the hot oven and bake 12-15 minutes. Peek in near the end, since everyone's oven acts a little different. Look for melted cheese and golden brown edges.
- Add your fillings:
- Fill each dough cup with 2 teaspoons of pizza sauce—don’t pile it too high. Load it up with mozzarella and toss on those mini pepperonis (or whatever you like).
- Shape the dough:
- Unroll crescent dough and take it apart into triangles. Gently press one in each muffin cup, letting the corners stick up a little—those fold over as they bake.
- Get your pan ready:
- Crank the oven to 375°F and make sure each muffin cup is greased—this keeps the pizza bites from sticking when you're ready to dig in.
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What I love most is seeing everyone smile the second these show up. Bite-sized treats just have a way of sparking joy, no matter your age. There's just something fun about tiny food.
Easy Prep Ahead
You can set these up a full day before you need them. Just build them out until they're filled, wrap tight with cling wrap, and stash in the fridge. Bake an extra minute or two since they’re cold. This move totally saved my sanity when feeding a big group last time.
Topping Twists
Mix things up by changing the toppings. Try buffalo chicken and blue cheese, BBQ sauce with shredded chicken and some red onions, or even fill them breakfast-style using eggs and bacon. At our house, "pizza bars" are a hit—line up all sorts of toppings and let everyone build their own. Veggies like peppers and mushrooms are favorites, and the meat crowd loves piling on pepperoni and sausage.
How to Serve Them
Pair these with a crisp salad for a no-fuss meal, or set out a bunch for a crowd during game time. To take it up a notch, add little bowls of warm marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping. Lemonade is perfect for the kids, and a light glass of wine works for the adults.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Leftover cups go in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Warm in a 350°F oven for five minutes to get them crispy again, or just give 'em a quick 10–15 second zap in the microwave. If you want to freeze them, lay out cooled cups on a tray, freeze 'til solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap pepperoni for other toppings?
Of course! Pepperoni is a classic, but you can mix things up with diced veggies, mushrooms, sausage, ham, or even pineapple chunks. Just ensure everything is cut small enough to fit in the muffin cups.
- → What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Once cooled, keep leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- → Can tiny pizzas be frozen?
Yes, they freeze just fine! Let them cool down first, then freeze on a tray for an hour before transferring to a container or bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months and reheat in a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes.
- → What can I use if I don’t have crescent dough?
No crescent dough? No problem. You can use pizza dough, biscuit dough, or puff pastry as alternatives. They’ll each give a unique texture, so adjust your baking time accordingly.
- → Can I try making these in a mini muffin tray?
Definitely! Mini muffin trays work great for creating smaller bites. Cut the dough into tinier pieces and bake for around 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as the smaller size cooks faster.
- → Any tips for making them healthier?
Go light by using low-fat crescent rolls, part-skim cheese, and more veggies. For extra nutrition, layer some spinach between the dough and sauce. Making your own sauce will also let you control sodium levels.