Pizza Bites

If you are looking for a fun appetizer or after-school snack for the kids, look no further. These pizza bites are perfect for almost any occasion. I had been wanting to make my own pizza dough for a while, and since I am in full procrastination mode, I figured there was no time like the present.  I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs (Annie's Eats). She raved about the pizza dough recipe so I clearly had to try it out for myself. 

Pizza dough is actually really easy to make as long as you have some patience and time. If you are looking for a quick 30 minute recipe, this isn't it. However, when you do have the time, I suggest making up a couple batches and freezing it for whenever you may be in need of the dough. This dough would be great for garlic dinner rolls or breadsticks as well. 

Pizza Bites (print recipe)

Serves 6-8

From Annie’s Eats

 

Basic Pizza Dough:

½ cup warm water (110 degrees)

1 envelope instant yeast, 

1 1/4 cup water, at room temperature

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray

For the Bites:

½ batch of basic pizza dough

4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed

Sliced pepperoni

Olive Oil

Italian Seasoning

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Start by making the pizza dough. Measure the warm water into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup.  Sprinkle in the yeast and let stand until the yeast dissolves and swells, about 5 minutes.  Add the room temperature water and oil and stir to combine.  

Place the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Briefly combine the dry ingredients at low speed.  Slowly add the liquid ingredients and continue to mix at low speed until a cohesive mass forms.  Stop the mixer and replace the paddle with the dough hook.  Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.  Form the dough into a ball, put it in a deep oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap.  Let rise until doubled in size, about 1 ½ to 2 hours.  Press the dough to deflate it.

Preheat the oven to 400˚ F.  Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate or cake pan.  Divide the pizza dough into 20-24 roughly equal sized pieces.  Take one of the dough pieces, top with a cube of cheese and a slice or two of pepperoni.  Pull the edges of the dough around the fillings and pinch closed.  Place seam-side down in the baking dish.  Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.

Lightly brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil.  Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan cheese.  

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.  Serve warm, with dipping sauce as desired.

Bite-sized pizza goodness. Awesome. 

I used pepperoni this time, but you can add whatever you like: peppers, sausage, mushrooms, etc. Anything you like eating on your pizza would taste great in this recipe as well. If you want to make them "gourmet," try using a combination of different cheeses such as gruyere and fontina. 

I made these for lunch over the weekend, and I had every intention of taking the leftovers for lunch. I should have known that there would be no leftovers. Oh well, I guess I will have to make them again...and again...and again...

Happy Eating!