Pepperoni Pizza Pumpkins are quick, easy pizza bites filled with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. These homemade mini pizzas work well for lunch boxes, snacks, or a casual dinner. Shaped like little pumpkins, they make charming appetizers for Halloween and Thanksgiving gatherings.
Fall Pepperoni Pizza Pumpkin Recipe
Mini pumpkin pizzas are both delicious and visually delightful. They’re ideal for parties or any occasion when you want a bite-sized treat that looks as good as it tastes.
These pepperoni pizza bites require only a few ingredients: refrigerated pizza crust, marinara sauce, sliced pepperoni, and mini mozzarella balls (or small mozzarella cubes). For a festive touch—perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving—tie kitchen twine around each dough ball before baking so the dough rises into a pumpkin-like shape.
Halloween-Themed Party Appetizer
Pepperoni Pizza Pumpkins are a fun, shareable snack at a Halloween party. Serve them at Thanksgiving and your guests will appreciate the playful presentation as much as the flavor.
Though they make a festive appetizer, these pizza bites are also a convenient dinner option for busy weeknights. They’re quick to assemble and bake, so you can have a satisfying meal without much effort.
Easy Pizza Bites Recipe
If you prefer a simpler version, skip the twine and bake the dough balls as regular mini pizza bites. Either way, soft, warm pockets of dough stuffed with pepperoni and plenty of melted cheese are ready in about 15–20 minutes.
Pepperoni Pizza Pumpkins are ideal for Pizza Friday, after-school snacks, or whenever the craving for pizza strikes. Kids and adults alike will enjoy these bite-sized favorites.
Pepperoni Pizza Pumpkins
3.6 from 5 reviews
- Author: Vera Z.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 pumpkins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Pepperoni Pizza Pumpkins are bite-sized pizza pockets packed with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni. They’re versatile enough for parties, lunches, or quick dinners. Make them plain for an easy snack, or shape them like pumpkins for a festive touch.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated pizza pie crust
- 2 tablespoons marinara sauce, plus extra for serving
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 8 mini mozzarella balls or 8 small mozzarella cubes
- 1 egg, slightly beaten with 2 teaspoons water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the pizza dough and use a 3½–4 inch cutter to cut 8 circles.
- Place a small spoonful of marinara in the center of each circle. Top with two pepperoni slices and a mozzarella ball or cube.
- Gather the edges of the dough up and pinch them together, sealing the filling inside so nothing leaks. Place the sealed dough balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- For pumpkin shapes, wrap a long piece of kitchen twine around each dough ball to divide it into sections. Bake the rolls with the string on; as the dough rises it will form the pumpkin ridges.
- Brush each ball with the egg wash. Bake 15–20 minutes, until the rolls are puffed and golden brown.
- Let the rolls cool briefly, then remove the twine and serve warm with extra marinara for dipping.
179 calories
0.4 g sugar
312.2 mg sodium
9.8 g fat
15.5 g carbs
6.9 g protein
29.8 mg cholesterol
