Pin it
Mini Pizza Cups offer a fun, bite-sized spin on an Italian favorite! These little treats pack layers of tasty toppings inside soft, puffy dough cups—making them ideal for quick bites or party platters. Whether you're throwing a shindig or just want something different than regular pizza, these little gems will definitely turn heads.
What Makes These Special
Mini Pizza Cups aren't just tasty—they're super adaptable too. They bring all those pizza flavors you love in a grab-and-go package without the messy fingers. Perfect for gatherings, afternoon snacks, or weeknight dinners. You can load them with whatever toppings your family likes, so there's something for even the pickiest eaters at your table.
Key Components You'll Need
- Base Material: Crescent dough sheet: 8 oz (227g) kept around 40°F (4°C), Should feel workable but cool to touch, Spreads to 12x8 inches when you roll it flat
- Sauce Elements: Pizza sauce: 1 cup (240ml) at room temp 70°F (21°C), Should stick nicely to your spoon, Has that perfect tanginess with pH 4.0-4.4
- Cheesy Stuff: Mozzarella shreds: 2 cups (226g) cold at 40°F (4°C), Go for the whole milk kind with less moisture, Water content between 45-52%
- Flavor Boosters: Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon (3g) smelling nice and strong, Italian herbs: 1 teaspoon (2g) rubbed between fingers first, Sea salt (fine): ½ teaspoon (3g)
- Optional Add-ins (at room temp): Pepperoni circles: 24 pieces (2 inches wide), Cooked Italian sausage: 4 oz (113g) broken into bits, Chopped bell peppers: ¼ cup (30g) cut to ¼-inch chunks, Diced onions: ¼ cup (30g) chopped small
Making Your Mini Cups
- Setting Up
- Get your oven hot at 375°F (190°C), double-check with a thermometer. Put your rack in the middle. Spray a regular muffin pan with cooking spray. Your kitchen should be comfortable, around 68-72°F (20-22°C) without too much humidity (under 60%).
- Working The Dough
- Slice dough into 8 equal chunks (about 3x3 inches each). Push them into muffin cups, making sure they're about 1/8-inch thick on the bottom and coming up to the edges.
- Starting The Layers
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (7g) of cheese in each cup. Add 1 tablespoon (15ml) of room-temp sauce on top, spreading it around evenly.
- Adding The Goodies
- Stack your toppings like this: 1. First meats/veggies (1 tablespoon per cup), 2. Next more cheese (another tablespoon/7g), 3. Finally a dash of seasonings (⅛ teaspoon) Leave about 1/4-inch space at the top so they can puff up.
- Cooking Them
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until they hit 165°F (74°C) inside. Look for a nice golden crust (think toast color) and melty cheese with slight browning.
- Letting Them Rest
- Keep them in the pan for 5 minutes until they cool down to about 145-150°F (63-66°C). Then move to a cooling rack. They're best when they reach 135°F (57°C)—that's when the cheese pulls just right.
Ways To Enjoy Them
These little pizza cups taste best right after they've cooled down a bit. Try them with some extra marinara for dipping or a simple green salad on the side. Add a few fresh basil leaves or a shake of grated Parmesan to make them extra fancy. They work great for watch parties, hangouts, or as a fun twist on family dinner night.
Keeping Them Fresh
Got leftovers? Pop them in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you want them again, warm them up in a 350ºF oven until they're heated through—this keeps the edges crispy and the cheese all melty and good.
Pin it
Tasty Twists To Try
Don't be afraid to play around with different flavors to match what you like. Swap in some BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, or throw in some olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or fancy cheeses. If you're watching what you eat, you might try using gluten-free dough or making a base from cauliflower instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Prep the ingredients early, but they’re best straight out of the oven. Warm them up in the oven for 5 minutes to keep the crust crispy.
- → How do I stop the bottoms from being soggy?
Layer some cheese before adding sauce to keep the crust from soaking. Go easy on the sauce to avoid making it too wet.
- → Can I swap crescent dough with pizza dough?
Absolutely, pizza dough works too! Roll it thin to fit your muffin tins. The texture will change slightly but still turns out tasty.
- → How should I store leftover cupcakes?
Pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat them in an oven or toaster to make the crust crunchy again.
- → Is freezing these possible?
Yes, you can freeze them after they’ve cooled. Wrap each one separately and store for up to 2 months. Heat in the oven when ready to eat.