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Pepperoni Pizza Bites (Kid Friendly Recipe)

Recipe by Evelyn Marcella Rivera

Soft, cheesy pepperoni pizza bites made in a muffin tin with a two-ingredient Greek yogurt dough. Ready in under 40 minutes, lighter than traditional pizza, and a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.

  • Total Time38 minutes
  • Yield4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

Greek Yogurt Dough

  • olive oil spray, for the pan
  • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, whole wheat or gluten-free mix (5 oz by weight)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder (check it's not expired)
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, Diamond Crystal (use less if using table salt or Morton's)
  • 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt (not regular yogurt — Stonyfield recommended)

Toppings

  • 2/3 cup marinara or pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1 ounce turkey pepperoni, chopped
  • crushed red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep the Pan: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray two 12-cup standard muffin tins thoroughly with olive oil spray, coating the cups and rims.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Form the Dough: Add the Greek yogurt and mix with a fork or spatula until the dough comes together in small crumbles. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 15 turns until smooth and tacky but not sticky. The dough should not leave residue on your hand when pulled away.
  4. Divide and Press: Divide the dough into 16 equal balls (about 25 grams each). Press each ball into the bottom of a muffin cup, letting the dough come up the sides slightly to form a small cup shape.
  5. First Bake and Press-Down: Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully press down the centre of each ball with a small spoon or thumb to create a shallow well for the toppings.
  6. Add Toppings and Finish Baking: Top each well with 2 teaspoons of marinara sauce, 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella, and a pinch of chopped turkey pepperoni. Return to oven and bake for 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
  7. Release and Repeat: Remove from oven and cool for 2 minutes. Use a paring knife or offset spatula to carefully release each bite, cutting around any cheese that stuck to the pan. Spray the pan again and repeat with remaining dough and toppings for the second batch.

Notes

Always use non-fat Greek yogurt — regular yogurt makes the dough too sticky to work with. Check that your baking powder is not expired before starting. Press the dough wells down immediately after the first bake while still hot. Use exactly 2 teaspoons of sauce per bite to avoid a soggy base. Re-spray the muffin tin between batches. Leftovers reheat in 60 seconds in the microwave.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Snack
  • Cuisine: American, Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 190
  • Sodium: 480
  • Saturated Fat: 2
  • Protein: 13
  • Cholesterol: 20

Find it online: https://blesseddish.com/pepperoni-pizza-bites-kids-go-absolutely-wild-for/