Easy Pizza Cupcakes Muffin

Category: Fast and Simple Recipes for Busy Days

These mini pizza cupcakes use refrigerated crescent dough pressed into muffin tins as crusts, filled with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and your choice of toppings such as mini pepperoni or mushrooms. The bites bake quickly at 190°C until golden and bubbly, offering crisp edges and gooey cheese. Perfect for parties or lunchboxes, they can be customized and made ahead for convenience. Simple seasoning with garlic powder and Italian herbs adds flavor depth, making these a fun and easy treat.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Created By Sarah
Last updated on Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:49:25 GMT
A plate of mini pizzas with pepperoni and cheese. Save
A plate of mini pizzas with pepperoni and cheese. | sarahmeal.com

This recipe makes mini pizzas baked right in muffin tins using crescent dough cheese and your favorite toppings perfect for gatherings or kid-friendly snacks.

I discovered this recipe when I needed a fun party snack and now it is a go-to whenever I want something quick and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

  • 226 grams refrigerated crescent roll dough: for a flaky buttery crust choose a high quality dough for best texture
  • Non-stick cooking spray: to ensure the crust releases easily from the muffin tin
  • 120 milliliters pizza sauce: adds classic tangy flavor use your favorite brand or homemade sauce
  • 60 grams shredded mozzarella cheese: melts beautifully for gooey cheesy bites
  • 30 to 40 mini pepperoni slices: or substitute with diced mushrooms cooked sausage or sliced olives for variety
  • 0.5 grams garlic powder: adds a subtle aromatic note
  • 0.5 grams Italian seasoning: brings a blend of herbs that elevate the taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Muffin Tins:
Generously coat eight muffin tin cups with non-stick cooking spray to promote easy removal and create crisp edges on the crust.
Shape Crusts:
Separate the crescent roll dough into eight triangles then flatten each piece before pressing it into the muffin cups making sure the dough rises up the sides to hold toppings.
Add Base Seasoning and Cheese:
Sprinkle a small pinch of garlic powder inside each dough-lined cup then add a modest layer of shredded mozzarella to form the cheesy base.
Add Sauce:
Spoon one tablespoon of pizza sauce over the cheese in each cup spreading gently to cover evenly without soaking the crust.
Top and Season:
Add another layer of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce then sprinkle Italian seasoning and arrange pepperoni slices or your chosen toppings evenly on each pizza cup.
Bake:
Place the muffin tin in a preheated oven at 190 degrees Celsius bake for 10 minutes or until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Rest:
Allow the mini pizzas to rest in the tin for 2 to 3 minutes so they set slightly then remove carefully using a spoon or offset spatula.
Serve:
Enjoy immediately while warm to savor the perfect combination of melted cheese and crisp crust.
A plate of pepperoni and cheese muffins. Save
A plate of pepperoni and cheese muffins. | sarahmeal.com

My favorite part is the crispy crust which holds all the gooey toppings together just right. This dish always reminds me of fun family get-togethers where everyone grabs one and smiles instantly.

Storage Tips

Store leftover mini pizzas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven at 175 degrees Celsius for about five minutes to regain crispness rather than microwaving which softens the crust.

Ingredient Substitutions

For a dairy-free option swap mozzarella for a plant-based cheese alternative and use vegan crescent dough if available. You can also experiment with toppings like grilled vegetables or vegan sausage to keep the flavors exciting.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these with a simple green salad or a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal. They also pair well with a tangy dipping sauce like ranch or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for extra flavor.

Cultural Context

Mini pizza cupcakes are a fun twist on traditional pizza originating from Italian-American cuisine transforming a classic into bite-sized party food perfect for casual gatherings or kid-friendly treats.

A plate of pepperoni and cheese bites. Save
A plate of pepperoni and cheese bites. | sarahmeal.com

Common Recipe Questions

→ What dough works best for these pizza cupcakes?

Refrigerated crescent roll dough is ideal for a flaky, golden crust that fits perfectly in muffin tins.

→ Can I use other toppings besides pepperoni?

Yes, you can add diced mushrooms, cooked sausage, sliced olives, or any preferred toppings to suit your taste.

→ How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Sprinkle garlic powder and a bit of cheese at the base before adding sauce to create a barrier that keeps the crust crisp.

→ What oven temperature and time are recommended for baking?

Bake at 190°C for about 10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.

→ Can these be made ahead and reheated?

Yes, prepare and bake them ahead, then reheat before serving to enjoy warm, gooey pizza cupcakes.

Easy Pizza Cupcakes Muffin

Mini pizzas in muffin tins with cheese, sauce, and favorite toppings for tasty, kid-friendly bites.

Preparation Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Duration
25 minutes
Created By: Sarah

Recipe Category: Quick & Easy

Level of Difficulty: Simple

Cuisine Style: Italian-American

Servings Yield: 8 Portion Size (8 mini pizza cupcakes)

Diet Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Crust Base

Ingredient 01 226 grams refrigerated crescent roll dough
Ingredient 02 Non-stick cooking spray

→ Sauce and Cheese

Ingredient 03 120 milliliters pizza sauce
Ingredient 04 60 grams shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Toppings

Ingredient 05 30 to 40 mini pepperoni slices or preferred toppings such as diced mushrooms, cooked sausage, or sliced olives

→ Seasonings

Ingredient 06 0.5 grams garlic powder
Ingredient 07 0.5 grams Italian seasoning

How to Make It

Instruction 01

Generously grease eight muffin tin cups with non-stick spray to ensure easy release and crisp edges.

Instruction 02

Separate the crescent dough into eight triangles, flatten each piece, and press into prepared muffin tin cups, forming mini crusts that rise up the sides.

Instruction 03

Sprinkle a pinch of garlic powder into each dough-lined cup, then add a small amount of shredded mozzarella to the base of each.

Instruction 04

Spoon one tablespoon of pizza sauce over the cheese in each cup, spreading gently to cover the surface evenly and avoid a soggy base.

Instruction 05

Sprinkle additional mozzarella over the sauce, season with Italian seasoning, and arrange mini pepperoni slices or chosen toppings evenly on each cup.

Instruction 06

Place the muffin tin in a preheated oven at 190°C and bake for 10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and melted.

Instruction 07

Let the pizza cupcakes rest in the tin for 2 to 3 minutes to set, then remove carefully using a spoon or offset spatula.

Instruction 08

Serve immediately while warm to enjoy optimal gooey cheese and crisp crust.

Additional Tips

  1. Customize toppings according to preference, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or plant-based options to accommodate dietary needs.
  2. Avoid overfilling with sauce to prevent soggy crust and ensure each cupcake holds its shape.
  3. Ideal for parties, lunchboxes, and can be made ahead and reheated for convenience.

Essential Tools

  • Muffin tin
  • Oven
  • Spoon or offset spatula

Allergy Details

Always review ingredient labels for allergens, and consult a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy and gluten.