Pin It Cheesy, bite-sized pizza snacks shaped like basketballs—perfect for game day or parties!
I first served this...
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 pound (450 g) refrigerated pizza dough
- Filling: 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 24 slices pepperoni (optional omit for vegetarian), 1/2 cup (120 ml) pizza sauce plus more for dipping
- Topping: 1 large egg beaten, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, Black food coloring or black olives for basketball lines
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll Dough:
- Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) thickness.
- Cut Circles:
- Using a 2-inch (5 cm) round cutter, cut out 24 circles from the dough.
- Assemble Bites:
- Place a small spoonful of pizza sauce, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and a slice of pepperoni (if using) onto the center of each dough circle.
- Seal:
- Fold the edges up and pinch to seal forming a ball. Place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush Topping:
- Brush each ball with beaten egg. Sprinkle with Parmesan and oregano.
- Bake:
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Decorate:
- Let cool slightly. Using a fine brush dipped in black food coloring or a thin strip of black olive, draw basketball lines onto each bite.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Pin It I love sharing these with my family during game nights they enjoy the fun basketball theme and cheesy flavor.
Notes
Serve with ranch dressing or garlic butter for dipping. Food-safe markers may also be used for basketball lines.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, Parchment paper, Rolling pin, Round cookie cutter (2-inch/5 cm), Pastry brush, Small brush or food-safe marker
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and egg. Pepperoni may contain additional allergens—check labels. Always verify store-bought ingredient labels for allergens.
Pin It These pizza bites bring fun and flavor together in a perfect snack.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I shape the pizza bites to resemble basketballs?
After sealing the dough balls, use a small brush with black food coloring or thin olive strips to draw basketball lines on the baked bites for an authentic look.
- → Can I make these bites vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the pepperoni or use vegetarian pepperoni alternatives to keep them meat-free.
- → What dipping sauces pair well with these pizza bites?
Classic pizza sauce works great, as do ranch dressing and garlic butter for added flavor.
- → What is the best way to prevent the dough from sticking while rolling out?
Lightly flour your surface before rolling out the dough to maintain easy handling and prevent sticking.
- → How do I store leftovers for freshness?
Keep leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain their texture and flavor.