Crispy Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs Recipe for Game Day

Pizza puffs bursting with sausage and pepperoni offer a mouthwatering twist on traditional appetizers that will instantly spark excitement at any gathering.

These crispy, golden bites pack an incredible flavor punch that revamps ordinary snacking into a memorable experience.

Compact yet loaded with savory ingredients, these appetizers blend the classic pizza taste into convenient, handheld morsels that everyone craves.

Perfectly seasoned and surprisingly easy to create, the recipe combines familiar ingredients in a clever, unexpected format.

Crisp exterior shells give way to a molten center filled with robust, zesty goodness that keeps people coming back for more.

Ideal for game nights, family gatherings, or casual weekend munching, these pizza puffs elevate simple ingredients into something truly spectacular.

Quick to assemble and even faster to disappear, you’ll want to make a double batch.

Why Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs Are a Fun Snack

• Burst with Pizza Flavors: These puffs pack all the classic pizza taste into a bite-sized treat, combining pepperoni, sausage, and melted mozzarella in a compact, irresistible package.
• Speedy Kitchen Magic: Perfect for busy families, these pizza puffs come together in under 40 minutes from start to finish, making them an ideal quick snack or appetizer for unexpected guests.
• Customize Your Comfort: The recipe offers incredible flexibility- swap meats, adjust cheese, or add extra spices to match your personal pizza preferences, creating a truly personalized experience.
• Kid and Party-Friendly: Mini-sized and easy to eat, these puffs are perfect for children's parties, game nights, or casual gatherings where finger foods reign supreme.

What You Need for Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

• Flour: Provides the fundamental structure for the pizza puffs, choose all-purpose flour for consistent texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and fluffy texture, helps the puffs rise evenly.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Whole Milk, Egg: Create a smooth, rich batter that binds ingredients together, use fresh eggs for best results.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers creamy, stretchy texture and classic pizza flavor, opt for freshly shredded cheese.
• Sausage, Mini Pepperoni: Bring savory, meaty depth to the pizza puffs, use pre-cooked or cook before adding.

• Pizza Sauce: Perfect dipping companion with tangy tomato base, choose a high-quality marinara or pizza sauce for best taste.

How to Make Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs in the Oven

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Batter Base

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Garlic powder

Whisk ingredients together until well blended.

Step 3: Add Liquid Ingredients

• Milk
• Egg

Whisk continuously until mixture becomes smooth and free of lumps.

Step 4: Fold In Savory Elements

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Mini pepperoni slices
• Crumbled sausage

Stir ingredients until evenly distributed throughout batter.

Step 5: Rest The Mixture

Let batter sit for 10 minutes. This allows flavors to develop and ingredients to settle.

Step 6: Fill Muffin Cups

Spoon batter into mini-muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.

Step 7: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place pan in preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until puffs rise and turn golden brown.

Step 8: Warm Pizza Sauce

While puffs cool, heat pizza sauce in microwave or on stovetop until warm.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer puffs to serving plate. Serve immediately with warm pizza sauce for dipping.

Tips for Getting Crispy and Cheesy Pizza Puffs

• Maximize Flavor Fusion: Let the batter rest for 10 minutes to allow ingredients to blend and intensify their taste profiles, creating a more robust and harmonious bite.
• Perfect Portion Control: Fill mini-muffin cups three-quarters full to ensure each puff rises evenly and develops a beautiful golden-brown top without overflowing.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Use freshly shredded mozzarella instead of pre-packaged cheese for better melting and a more authentic, gooey texture in your pizza puffs.
• Crisp Exterior Technique: Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a light, airy texture while ensuring ingredients are just combined for the ultimate tender puff.
• Serving Suggestion Hack: Warm the pizza sauce just before serving to enhance the overall eating experience and recreate that fresh-from-the-oven pizza feel.

How to Store and Reheat Pizza Puffs for Later

• Refrigerate: Store cooled pizza puffs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep them refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat in Oven: Restore crispiness by spreading puffs on a baking sheet and warming at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. This method helps retain their original texture and prevents sogginess.
• Microwave Option: For quick reheating, place puffs on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 15-second intervals until warmed through. While convenient, this method might slightly soften the crispy exterior.

What to Serve with Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

• Pair with Zesty Marinara: Serve these pizza puffs alongside a warm, herb-infused marinara sauce for a classic Italian-inspired dipping experience that enhances the sausage and pepperoni flavors.
• Craft the Perfect Beverage Companion: Choose a crisp, light beer like a pilsner or a refreshing red wine such as Chianti to cut through the richness of the cheesy, meaty puffs and cleanse the palate.
• Create a Balanced Side Salad: Toss together a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to provide a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich and savory pizza puffs, balancing the overall meal.
• Elevate with Garlic Aioli: Whip up a quick garlic aioli dip that adds a creamy, zesty kick to complement the sausage and pepperoni, bringing an extra layer of flavor to these delightful bite-sized treats.

Flavor Add-Ins for Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

• Veggie Pizza Puffs: Swap pepperoni and sausage with diced bell peppers, spinach, and mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Add Italian herbs to boost flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Pizza Puffs: Replace traditional meats with crumbled feta cheese, diced kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle fresh oregano for authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Spicy Jalapeño Pizza Puffs: Incorporate finely chopped jalapeños and pepper jack cheese into the batter. Serve with a zesty sriracha-based dipping sauce for extra heat.
• Breakfast Pizza Puffs: Mix in scrambled bacon bits and cheddar cheese. Top with chives and serve alongside a quick salsa or hollandaise sauce for morning enjoyment.

Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Puffs deliver classic Italian comfort in portable, crispy bites. Cheesy, spicy morsels packed with zesty marinara sauce will satisfy pizza cravings without the traditional slice, making you feel like a true culinary explorer.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 4 ounces (113 grams) sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup mini pepperoni

Pizza Base Ingredients:

• 0.75 cup flour
• 0.75 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.75 cup whole milk

Sauce:

• 0.5 cup pizza sauce for dipping

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly coat a 24-cup mini-muffin pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and garlic powder in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a dry ingredient foundation.
3. Whisk milk and egg into the dry ingredients until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency.
4. Gently incorporate mozzarella cheese, mini pepperoni slices, and crumbled sausage into the batter, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
5. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes, enabling flavors to intermingle and develop depth.
6. Carefully spoon the batter into mini-muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full to promote optimal rising.
7. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior and slight puffiness.
8. Remove from the oven and let the puffs cool slightly in the pan for a few minutes.
9. Meanwhile, heat pizza sauce in a small saucepan or microwave until warm and ready for dipping.
10. Gently remove puffs from the muffin pan and serve immediately with the warm pizza sauce alongside.

Notes

• Quick snack adventure starts in your kitchen with these pizza-inspired mini bites that pack serious flavor.
• Prepping ingredients ahead lets you blend cheese, meat, and dough into irresistible handheld morsels perfect for parties or sudden hunger attacks.
• Cooling time allows puffs to set perfectly, creating crispy exteriors with molten cheese centers that’ll make everyone reach for seconds.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 183
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 34 mg