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These Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes put a playful spin on a favorite classic. Each little cupcake stashes loads of gooey pizza toppings inside soft, pillowy dough. Perfect if you want something easy to snack on or serve at a party. Craving pizza but want a new way to eat it? These will totally surprise your taste buds.
What Makes These Stand Out
You'll find Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes super tasty and easy to switch up. All the best pizza flavors are packed into a handheld snack that's super tidy and mess-free. They're a hit for family dinners, game night, or just grabbing a quick bite. Toss on your favorite toppings to fit everyone's cravings—they usually disappear fast!
Key Things You'll Need
- Dough Base: Use a chilled (40°F/4°C) crescent dough sheet, 8 oz (227g). It should feel bendy but not soft. Lay it out to about 12 by 8 inches.
- Sauce Components: Go for pizza sauce measured at 1 cup (240ml), room temp (70°F/21°C). You want it thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. A pH between 4.0 and 4.4 brings out the best taste.
- Cheese Elements: Grab 2 cups (226g) of shredded mozzarella, stick with the whole milk, low-moisture style. It should be at 40°F (4°C), and the moisture range is 45-52%.
- Seasonings: Measure out 1 teaspoon (3g) garlic powder for a big pop of flavor, 1 teaspoon (2g) Italian seasoning (crush it a bit for more punch), and ½ teaspoon (3g) fine sea salt.
- Suggested Toppings (all at 70°F/21°C): Finely chopped onions (¼ cup/30g), bell peppers diced small (¼ cup/30g), 4 oz (113g) of cooked, crumbled Italian sausage, and of course 24 slices of pepperoni (each about 2 inches wide).
Easy-To-Follow Steps
- Cooling Down
- When they're done, let the cupcakes stay in the muffin tin for 5 minutes. You want the inside to drop down to 145-150°F (63-66°C). Slide them onto a wire rack. For the ultimate cheese pull, dig in once they're at 135°F (57°C) inside.
- Baking Time
- Bake them for 15-18 minutes. You're looking for that lovely golden crust (think Pantone 7509 C) and melted, slightly browned cheese. Make sure the inside gets up to 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Topping Magic
- Toss on your choice of extras: add a tablespoon each of meat or veggies, another spoonful (7g) of mozzarella, then a dash (⅛ teaspoon) of the seasonings. Leave about ¼ inch at the top so it doesn't overflow once it bakes.
- Base Filling
- Drop a tablespoon (7g) of mozzarella in the bottom of each cup. Add a tablespoon (15ml) of pizza sauce next, spreading it around gently.
- Dough Shaping
- Slice the dough into 8 squares about 3 inches each way. Place them inside the muffin tin, pressing so the bottom stays around ⅛ inch thick and the sides reach the top.
- Getting Set Up
- Start by heating your oven up to 375°F (190°C)—double check with a thermometer if you can. Keep your oven rack in the middle. Spray the muffin pan so nothing sticks. The best kitchen temp for this is 68-72°F (20-22°C) and shoot for less than 60% humidity, so the dough stays firm.
How To Serve Them
These pizza cupcakes are best eaten hot and fresh, straight from the pan. Dunk 'em in warm marinara on the side or pair with a crisp salad for a full-out meal. Toss a little fresh basil or a sprinkle of salty Parmesan right on top if you're feeling fancy. They're made for groups, movie nights, or just a fun family dinner.
How To Keep Them Fresh
Pop leftovers into a lidded container and store in your fridge up to 3 days. For reheating, put them in the oven at 350ºF until they're hot and the cheese is melty again—this helps keep the crusts nice and crunchy.
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Fun Ways To Change It Up
Mix things up by swapping in barbecue sauce, trying out different cheeses, or adding toppings like olives or sun-dried tomatoes. Want to lighten things up? Use gluten-free dough or try making them with a cauliflower crust for a different base. Feel free to get creative and make it yours!
Recipe FAQs
- → Is it okay to get these ready beforehand?
You can prep stuff in advance, but they're best straight out of the oven. Warm leftovers back up in the oven so the crust stays nice and crispy.
- → How do I keep the bottoms from turning soggy?
To help the crust stay crisp, put cheese down first, then the sauce. Try not to pile on too much sauce.
- → Could I swap in pizza dough instead of crescent dough?
Sure thing, pizza dough works fine! Just roll it out enough so it's easy to tuck into the muffin pan. The texture's a little different but still super tasty.
- → What's the best way to store leftover cups?
Pop them in a sealed container in the fridge, good for three days. Reheat in an oven or toaster oven so they crisp back up.
- → Can you freeze these pizza bites?
Yep! After baking and cooling down, wrap them up and freeze for up to two months. Heat them in the oven when you're ready to eat—they'll taste fresh and crispy again.