Introduction

Oh, the memories! Remember those classic pizza nights, the smell filling the house, everyone gathered around? Well, get ready to bring that cozy feeling back, but in a super fun and portable way! I’ve got a recipe for Pizza Muffins that’s so incredibly easy, it’ll make you feel like a kitchen superstar, even if you’re a total beginner. These little flavor bombs are perfect for busy weeknights, school lunches, or just when that pizza craving hits hard and you don’t want to deal with a whole pie. Seriously, you’re going to love these!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: From start to finish, you can whip these up in no time!
Easy: No fancy skills required, just simple steps.
Giftable: Pack them up for a friend or a potluck – they’re a guaranteed hit!
Crowd-pleasing: Kids and adults alike will devour these cheesy delights.

Ingredients

1 pound prepared pizza dough: This is your secret shortcut! Grab a tube from the grocery store – it’s a lifesaver.
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided: Because you can never have too much cheese, right?
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning: This little blend adds that authentic pizza flavor.
½ cup pizza sauce: Your favorite jarred sauce will work perfectly.
2 tablespoons black olive slices: For that classic pizza punch!
Avocado oil cooking spray: A lighter option that works wonderfully for greasing.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get these pizza party starters in the oven!

Preheat and Prep: First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, grab your muffin tin and give each cup a little spritz with that avocado oil cooking spray. This ensures your little pizza treasures won’t stick.
Dough Division: Take your pound of pizza dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. I like to eyeball it, but if you’re feeling precise, use a kitchen scale!
Muffin Liner Love: Now, take each piece of dough and gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of each greased muffin cup. You’re essentially making little dough cups ready to be filled.
Saucy Centers: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of your favorite pizza sauce into the bottom of each dough-lined cup. Don’t overfill, or it might get messy!
Seasoning Sprinkle: Over the sauce in each cup, sprinkle about ½ tablespoon of Italian seasoning. It’s like a little flavor boost!
Cheesy Goodness: Now for the cheese! Top the sauce and seasoning with about 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella in each muffin.
Olive Addition: Scatter a few black olive slices over the cheese in each cup. If olives aren’t your jam, no worries, you can skip this step!
More Cheese, Please! Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese generously over the top of each muffin. We want that gooey, bubbly cheese topping!
Bake to Perfection: Pop the muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for that crust to be golden brown and the cheese to be all melted and gloriously bubbly.
Cool Down: Once they’re ready, let them cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before you try to remove them. This helps them set up a bit. Then, carefully lift them out and let them cool a little more before diving in!

Substitutions & Additions

Want to make these pizza muffins even more you? Here are some ideas:

Veggies Galore: Feel free to add finely chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, or even some spinach. Just sauté them briefly before adding to the muffins to remove excess moisture.
Meaty Marvels: Cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, mini pepperoni, or even some diced ham are fantastic additions.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little kick.
Cheese Please: Mix in some cheddar, provolone, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor.
Dipping Sauce: Serve with extra pizza sauce or even a ranch dip for dipping!

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make your pizza muffins absolutely perfect:

Don’t Overfill: Resist the urge to cram too much sauce or cheese into each cup. It can lead to overflow and a less pretty muffin.
Press Dough Evenly: Make sure the dough is pressed relatively evenly into the cups. This helps them bake uniformly.
Prep Ahead: You can assemble the muffins a few hours ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Muffin Tin Matters: A good non-stick muffin tin is your best friend here. If yours isn’t non-stick, be sure to grease it well!

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! Store your cooled pizza muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re delicious cold, but I highly recommend reheating them gently in a toaster oven or microwave for that freshly baked gooeyness!

FAQs

Q: Can I freeze these pizza muffins?
A: Yes, you can! Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat them in the oven or toaster oven until warmed through.

Q: What if I don’t have pizza dough?
A: You can use refrigerated biscuit dough or even crescent roll dough in a pinch. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly.

Q: Are these good for lunchboxes?
A: Absolutely! They’re a fun and tasty alternative to a regular sandwich. Just make sure they’ve cooled completely before packing them.

Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: You could try using a gluten-free pizza dough or a gluten-free biscuit dough as a substitute, though results may vary.

Easy Cheesy Pizza Muffins

These easy and portable pizza muffins are a fun twist on classic pizza, perfect for snacks, lunches, or busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Servings 12 muffins

Equipment

Muffin tin
Kitchen scale optional for precise dough division

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 pound prepared pizza dough tube from grocery store
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
0.5 cup pizza sauce your favorite jarred sauce
2 tablespoons black olive slices
Avocado oil cooking spray for greasing muffin tin

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease muffin tin cups with avocado oil cooking spray.
Divide pizza dough into 12 equal pieces.
Press each piece of dough into the bottom and up the sides of each muffin cup to form little dough cups.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce into the bottom of each dough-lined cup.
Sprinkle about ½ tablespoon of Italian seasoning over the sauce in each cup.
Top the sauce and seasoning with about 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella in each muffin.
Scatter a few black olive slices over the cheese in each cup.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese generously over the top of each muffin.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before carefully removing and letting cool further before serving.

Notes

Feel free to add other toppings like finely chopped vegetables, cooked meats, or different cheeses. Serve with extra pizza sauce or ranch for dipping.