Description
These Pizza Cupcakes are a fun and delicious twist on traditional pizza, combining pizza flavors into a convenient, handheld muffin form. Perfect for parties, snacks, or a creative meal, they feature a soft dough filled with cheese and pepperoni, baked until golden and bubbly.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (plus extra for topping)
Fillings and Toppings
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (divided)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 small cubes (about 1/2 inch) of mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the pizza cupcakes.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to evenly distribute the seasonings and leavening agents.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, whole milk, olive oil, and pizza sauce together until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating the batter base.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the texture.
- Add cheese and pepperoni: Fold in 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella, the grated Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of the mini pepperoni to incorporate flavorful bits throughout the batter.
- Fill muffin cups halfway: Spoon batter into each muffin cup until half full, preparing a space for the mozzarella cheese cubes in the center.
- Add mozzarella center and top: Place a small cube of mozzarella cheese in the center of each cup, then cover with the remaining batter ensuring the cheese cube is completely covered. Sprinkle the top of each cup with the remaining shredded mozzarella and mini pepperoni for extra flavor and a melty topping.
- Bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes at 375°F, or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This baking step cooks the batter through and melts the cheese beautifully.
- Cool and serve: Let the pizza cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes to set before carefully removing them. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure muffin tins are well greased or lined with cups to prevent sticking.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the batter or use spicy pepperoni.
- You can substitute whole milk with a lower-fat milk to reduce fat content.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to preserve crispiness.
- This recipe serves 12 pizza cupcakes, perfect for parties or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
