These adorable Pizza Cupcakes take everything you love about classic pizza—melty cheese, zesty sauce, pepperoni, and golden crust—and bundle it up into the ultimate handheld snack. If you’re craving pizza with a fun twist that’s perfect for parties, game nights, or after-school treats, Pizza Cupcakes are about to steal your heart (and your taste buds!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and Portable: Each Pizza Cupcake is a self-contained bundle of deliciousness, making it easy to eat and perfect for sharing at gatherings or lunchboxes.
- Customizable Toppings: Whether you’re a veggie-lover, a cheese fanatic, or all about the pepperoni, these cupcakes adapt to any craving or dietary need with ease.
- Quick and Easy: The simple prep and store-bought dough mean you can have fresh, gooey Pizza Cupcakes on the table in just over 30 minutes, no fancy equipment required.
- Crowd-Pleaser: From picky eaters to pizza connoisseurs, everyone reaches for seconds—so make a double batch!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Pizza Cupcakes is how they transform simple pantry staples into something extra special. Each ingredient plays a starring role, giving you that irresistible pizza flavor packed into every bite-sized cup.
- Cooking spray: Ensures your Pizza Cupcakes pop out of the muffin tin golden and intact (no sticking, no mess!).
- Cherry tomatoes: These are finely chopped for juicy bursts of freshness in every bite—don’t forget to drain them for that perfect texture.
- Refrigerated pizza crust: The classic shortcut for busy nights; it gives you a soft-yet-crispy crust without any proofing or kneading.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Ultimate meltiness, both under and over the sauce for that classic gooey layer effect.
- Pizza sauce (such as Classico): Adds tangy, herbed flavor that’s key to making these taste like true mini pizzas.
- Finely chopped red onion: A crisp, sweet contrast that brings a little crunch and color.
- Pepperoni (sliced and quartered): Mini pieces mean every Pizza Cupcake gets plenty of bold flavor in every bite.
- Italian seasoning: Just a sprinkle for that warm, herby finish.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional, but I highly recommend for a gentle kick!
- Garlic salt: Rounds out the flavor with a savory, aromatic touch.
Variations
The real magic of Pizza Cupcakes is how flexible they are—think of these as your blank, doughy canvas. Don’t be shy about swapping in your favorite toppings, experimenting with sauces, or making them meatless. Anything goes!
- Veggie Deluxe: Add tiny bell pepper dice, sliced mushrooms, or a few pieces of spinach for a garden-fresh vibe.
- Meaty Supreme: Swap in cooked sausage crumbles or bacon bits for even more savory, hearty flavor.
- Cheese Lovers: Try a blend of mozzarella and provolone, or sprinkle in some Parmesan for sharpness.
- Hawaiian Style: Add finely chopped ham and pineapple tidbits if you’re a fan of this sweet-meets-savory twist.
- Gluten-Free or Vegan: Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough and vegan cheese to make Pizza Cupcakes fit your needs beautifully.
How to Make Pizza Cupcakes
Step 1: Prep the Muffin Tin & Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) for that perfect, golden finish. Give eight cups of your muffin tin a generous coat with cooking spray—this is what promises easy removal later. Chop your cherry tomatoes and red onion super-fine so you get a bit of fresh flavor in every bite. Drain those tomatoes well to keep your crust crisp.
Step 2: Shape the Pizza Crust
Unroll your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface, then roll it out a bit thinner for delicate layers. Use a 4-inch biscuit cutter to stamp out eight rounds—press any scraps together to get the full eight if needed. Nestle each round into a greased muffin cup, gently pressing to line the bottom and sides. This step is where the “cupcake” magic begins!
Step 3: Layer the Fillings
Drop a teaspoon of mozzarella cheese into each dough cup for a melty base. Top with a generous tablespoon of pizza sauce, followed by your chopped cherry tomatoes and red onion. Layer on another big spoonful of mozzarella, then scatter the pepperoni quarters over the top. Trust me, double cheese makes every bite dreamy!
Step 4: Season and Bake
Finish with dashes of Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if you like it spicy), and a pinch of garlic salt. Slide your creation into the oven and bake for 14–15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the crust edges look golden and crisp—your kitchen will smell incredible!
Step 5: Cool, Remove, and Serve
Let your Pizza Cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes. This helps the cheese set and makes removal a breeze. Use a small offset spatula or butter knife to loosen each one, then pop them out and serve hot—each one is a melty, savory individual pizza!
Pro Tips for Making Pizza Cupcakes
- Mastering the Dough Press: Gently press dough rounds into each cup, making sure you press them up the sides for a sturdy “crust bowl”—this helps hold all that cheesy, saucy goodness inside.
- Double-Drain the Tomatoes: Squeeze out extra moisture from chopped tomatoes with a paper towel to ensure your Pizza Cupcakes stay crisp and not soggy.
- Go Generous with Cheese: Don’t skimp on the mozzarella! A layer below and above gives you maximum melt factor and the stringy bite everyone loves in pizza.
- Let Them Cool Briefly: Five minutes of cooling in the tin gives the cheese time to set and guarantees your Pizza Cupcakes pop out perfectly intact.
How to Serve Pizza Cupcakes
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra Italian seasoning, fresh basil ribbons, or a dash of grated Parmesan over the warm Pizza Cupcakes to give them a pop of color and even more pizza-shop flavor. If you love a little heat, serve with extra red pepper flakes on the side for your spice-loving friends!
Side Dishes
Pair your Pizza Cupcakes with a simple green salad, crunchy veggie sticks, or even a bowl of minestrone soup for a well-rounded meal. These also go perfectly with dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or garlic butter for that pizza-parlor experience at home.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, pile your Pizza Cupcakes onto a big platter lined with parchment, or arrange them in a tiered cupcake stand for a wow-factor display. Add fun picks or mini flags for a festive touch, or pack them into lunchboxes with little dipping pots for the ultimate lunchtime surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Pizza Cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Pop a paper towel in the container to absorb any condensation so the crust stays tender, not soggy.
Freezing
To freeze, let Pizza Cupcakes cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer to a resealable freezer bag or container—they’ll keep well for up to 2 months. They make excellent make-ahead snacks or quick lunches!
Reheating
Reheat Pizza Cupcakes in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F for about 7–8 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. For a crispier crust, avoid the microwave—or if you must, do so in short bursts and wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel to keep them tender.
FAQs
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Can I make Pizza Cupcakes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the Pizza Cupcakes up to a day in advance, cover the muffin tray with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, simply remove the tray from the fridge and bake as directed—just add 1–2 extra minutes to the time as needed for best results.
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Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of canned?
Definitely! Homemade pizza dough works beautifully—just roll it thin and cut as directed. You may need to slightly adjust the baking time depending on the thickness of your dough, so keep a close eye for that golden, cooked-through finish.
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What toppings work well in Pizza Cupcakes?
You can use classic pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, cooked sausage, olives, cooked bacon, or even pineapple (for Hawaiian fans!). Just remember to chop everything small and avoid very wet ingredients to keep the crust crispy and the cupcakes neat.
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How do I prevent Pizza Cupcakes from sticking to the muffin tin?
A thorough mist of cooking spray is key, especially around the edges. If your muffin tin tends to stick, you can also use parchment cupcake liners. Letting the cupcakes cool for about 5 minutes before removing also helps them come out cleanly and easily.
Final Thoughts
Once you try making Pizza Cupcakes, you’ll understand why they’re an instant hit with both kids and adults. With big pizza flavor and endless possibilities for customizing, they’re bound to show up at every get-together, picnic, or Netflix night. Give them a try—you might just find yourself reaching for another before your plate is empty!
Print
Pizza Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 8 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Pizza Cupcakes are a fun twist on traditional pizza, baked in individual muffin cups for a cute and delicious appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Dough:
- cooking spray
- 1 (11 ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust
Toppings:
- 8 medium cherry tomatoes, finely chopped and drained
- 8 teaspoons shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 tablespoons pizza sauce (such as Classico)
- 8 teaspoons finely chopped red onion
- 8 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 slices pepperoni, quartered
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Gather ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 8 cups of a muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Finely chop cherry tomatoes and drain any liquid; set aside.
- Unroll pizza crust on a floured work surface and roll out thinly into a large rectangle. Using a 4-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out 8 circles in dough.
- Place dough circles in the prepared muffin cups, pressing dough into the bottom and up the sides of each cup.
- Drop 1 teaspoon mozzarella into each cup. Top with 1 tablespoon pizza sauce, then add tomatoes and red onions.
- Add 1 tablespoon mozzarella to each cup and top with pepperoni. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and garlic salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbling and melted, 14 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in the tins, about 5 minutes.
- Remove pizzas from the tin and serve hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
