Easy Pizza Muffins

Introducing the perfect snack - pizza muffins! They are super easy to make and have that delicious pizza flavor everyone loves. These mini pleasures are versatile and great for on-the-go snacking, party appetizers, or a quick pizza fix.

Why You'll Love This Pizza Muffin Recipe

Delicious- Pizza muffins are packed with classic pizza flavors like tomato, cheese, and herbs.

Family-Friendly- This is a great recipe for the whole family. Kids love pizza, so why not let them get creative and top their pizza muffins with their favorite pizza toppings?

Great For Parties- Pizza muffins are ideal for potlucks or game days. Make a big batch and watch them disappear!

What Is A Pizza Muffin?

A pizza muffin is a savory treat made using pizza dough, cheese, and your favorite toppings. They are usually baked in a muffin tin and have all the flavor of an authentic Italian-style pizza but with a fun twist. Serve them as appetizers, a quick snack, in lunch boxes, or as an easy dinner for a delicious meal.

Equipment Needed

• Large Bowl
• Whisk
• Plastic Wrap
• Mortar and Pestle
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Muffin Tin
• Paper Liners (Optional)
• Cooking Spray (Optional)
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

For The Dough-

• All-Purpose Flour- Used to create the pizza muffin batter.
• Semolina Flour- Adds flavor and texture to the pizza dough.
• Instant Yeast- Helps the dough to rise and creates air pockets in the dough to create a light texture.
• Sugar- Balances out all of the flavors in the pizza muffin dough.
• Salt- Enhances the flavor of the dough.
• Water- Activates the yeast and helps to bind the ingredients together.

For The Pizza Sauce

• Pelati Whole Peeled Canned Tomatoes- Used as the base of the pizza sauce.
• Garlic Cloves- Adds a rich, savory flavor.
• Dried Thyme or Italian Seasoning Blend- Gives a classic Italian flavor to your pizza muffins.
• Salt and Pepper- To taste.

For The Filling

• Coppa Ham- Adds a savory flavor and extra meaty texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese Balls- For that classic cheesy pizza flavor.
• Cherry Tomatoes- Adds a fresh, sweet, and juicy element.
• Olive Oil- Enhances the flavor of the cheese and other ingredients.

How To Make Pizza Muffins

Start by making the dough. Combine the dry ingredients of the dough in a large bowl and whisk together. Add water and continue to whisk until well combined.

Knead the dough until it comes together and there are no large bits of flour left. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it aside for 2 hours to allow it to rise.

Next, grind the Pelati tomatoes, garlic, and spices with a mortar and pestle until the mixture has a sauce-like consistency.

If you like your sauce chunky, grind less. If you like it very thin and smooth, grind more.

Once the dough has had time to rise, knead it again a few times to make sure everything is combined.

Divide it into 8 equal balls. Flatten each ball and press them into the muffin cups allowing the dough to work up the sides of the tin, creating a bowl shape.

Preheat the oven to 450F. Line the muffin tin with paper muffin cups or spray with cooking spray to keep the pizza muffins from sticking.

Then add sauce, ham, mozzarella, and tomatoes into each bowl of dough. Sprinkle each muffin tin with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Sprinkle each muffin tin with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Bake the pizza muffins in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.

Enjoy as desired.

Note- Use a mini muffin pan to make mini muffins.

Popular Substitutions And Additions

There are so many possibilities when it comes to making this pizza muffin recipe. Some popular substitutions and additions include:

• Prosciutto, sausage, or bacon for a different meat option. Chopped pepperoni or mini pepperoni can make easy pepperoni pizza muffins.
• Add bell pepper, shredded carrots, mushrooms, chopped broccoli, onions, and green or black olives, as a vegetable topping.
• Use different types of cheese such as Gouda, Monterey jack, cheddar, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepper jack, parmesan cheese, or smoked mozzarella for this pizza muffin recipe.
• Different herbs, such as oregano, basil, or rosemary, replace the thyme.
• You can substitute the dry yeast with baking powder or baking soda. Start by adding ½ teaspoon of baking powder or baking soda to the dry ingredients and slowly add more until you reach the desired consistency. This will help the dough rise slightly, but it won't create air pockets like the yeast would.
• Use whole wheat flour, oat flour, coconut flour, or gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
• When serving pizza muffins as an appetizer or a game day food, serve warm with a side of dipping sauce, such as ranch or blue cheese, or make extra tomato sauce for the side and top each pizza muffin with grated parmesan and red pepper flakes.

No matter what your favorite pizza toppings are, pizza muffins are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So get creative in the kitchen and whip up a batch of these delicious treats today!

Vegan Pizza Muffin FAQs

Can I make these muffins vegan?

Yes, you can easily make this recipe vegan by substituting the Coppa Ham for a plant-based alternative such as vegan pepperoni or crumbled tempeh. You can also use vegan cheese instead of regular mozzarella.

Do I need to pre-cook the fillings?

No, you do not need to pre-cook them, as they will cook while the muffins bake in the oven. However, if you are using something like onions that can become overpowering when cooked for too long, it is best to sauté them before adding them to the muffin tins.

What is the best way to store leftover pizza muffins?

Leftover pizza muffins can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.

Can I make this a gluten-free pizza muffin recipe?

Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative such as almond flour or oat flour. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid used if using a different type of flour.