Description
These Slam Dunk Basketball Pizza Bites are a fun, bite-sized twist on classic pizza, perfect for game day or a tasty snack. Soft and golden dough pockets filled with gooey mozzarella, pizza sauce, and pepperoni, baked to perfection and decorated to look like mini basketballs. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough and Cheese
- 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24 slices pepperoni (optional)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus additional for dipping
Toppings and Seasoning
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Black food coloring or black olives for decorative lines
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the refrigerated pizza dough into an even 1/4-inch thickness to ensure even cooking and manageable bite-size pieces.
- Cut Dough Circles: Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 24 dough circles from the rolled dough, which will serve as the base for each pizza bite.
- Add Filling: Place a small spoonful of pizza sauce on each dough circle, then sprinkle with some shredded mozzarella cheese. Add a slice of pepperoni on top if desired to enhance flavor.
- Shape Pizza Bites: Carefully fold up the edges of each circle around the filling and pinch the dough to seal it into a ball, placing each sealed dough ball seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Apply Toppings: Brush the tops of each dough ball with the beaten egg to promote browning. Then evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and dried oregano over them for added flavor and texture.
- Bake: Bake the pizza bites in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the dough turns golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Draw Basketball Lines: After baking, allow the pizza bites to cool slightly, then use a fine brush dipped in black food coloring or thin strips of black olive to draw basketball-like lines on the surface, giving them a fun decorative touch.
- Serve: Serve the pizza bites warm alongside extra pizza sauce for dipping, making them perfect party snacks or appetizers.
Notes
- Using black food coloring is optional; black olives can be a tasty and edible alternative for basketball lines.
- Ensure the edges are tightly sealed to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Customize fillings by adding cooked sausage, veggies, or different cheeses as preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.
- These bites freeze well before baking—just add extra baking time if baking from frozen.
