Get ready to transform your ordinary pizza game into a festive culinary masterpiece! These adorable Pumpkin Shaped Pizza Bites are not just a treat for your taste buds, but a feast for your eyes. Imagine biting into a golden, crispy pumpkin-shaped pocket filled with gooey mozzarella and savory pepperoni - it's like Halloween and pizza had the most delicious love child. Whether you're hosting a Halloween party, looking for a fun family cooking project, or just want to impress your friends with Instagram-worthy appetizers, these pizza bites are guaranteed to be the star of any gathering!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 12 bites
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Flour (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your pizza bites will bake evenly and become golden brown.
- On a clean, flat surface, lightly dust with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Unroll the package of refrigerated pizza dough onto the floured surface.
- Using a rolling pin, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. This will make it easier to cut out the pumpkin shapes.
- Using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes from the rolled pizza dough. If you don’t have a pumpkin-shaped cutter, you can use a round cutter and create a pumpkin shape by pinching the top to form a stem.
- Place the cut-out dough shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each piece to allow for expansion during baking.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg to create an egg wash. Brush a thin layer of the egg wash over the top of each pumpkin-shaped pizza bite. This will give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
- On half of the pumpkin shapes, spoon about 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce, spreading it evenly but leaving a border around the edges to prevent spilling.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce on each of the half-shaped pizzas. Then, add a few slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese.
- Take the other half of the pumpkin shapes and carefully place them on top of the filled shapes, creating a sandwich. Press the edges gently to seal them. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch.
- Once all the pizza bites are assembled, place them in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the pumpkin-shaped pizza bites to cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help the cheese set slightly and make them easier to handle.
- Serve the pizza bites warm with additional pizza sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your festive, pumpkin-shaped treats!
Tips
- Dough Temperature Matters: Let your refrigerated pizza dough sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling. This makes it more pliable and easier to work with.
- Cookie Cutter Hack: No pumpkin-shaped cutter? Use a round cutter and pinch the top to create a stem, or trace a pumpkin shape with a knife.
- Seal Like a Pro: When crimping edges, ensure a tight seal to prevent filling from leaking. A fork works perfectly for creating a decorative edge.
- Cheese Distribution: Don't overload with cheese - too much can cause overflow and messy baking.
- Egg Wash Secrets: For an extra golden, glossy finish, mix a drop of water into your egg wash.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can assemble these pizza bites ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake, making party prep a breeze!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg
