Pizza Muffins Recipe
Category: Appetizers
Serves: 12 Muffins
Pizza muffins are a delightful and creative take on traditional pizza, transformed into bite-sized, oven-baked perfection. With their soft, fluffy dough and delicious pizza filling, these pizza muffins are perfect as an appetizer for any occasion or even a fun snack to enjoy with the family. Here’s how to make them from scratch with simple ingredients.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water | 240g |
| All-purpose flour (00 type) | 380g |
| Fine salt | 8g |
| Instant yeast (for savory preparations) | 16g |
| Mozzarella cheese | 220g |
| Tomato puree (passata di pomodoro) | 130g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | To taste |
| Oregano | To taste |
Nutritional Information (per muffin):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 26g |
| Fats | 7g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 250mg |
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by making the dough for the pizza muffins. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and instant yeast. Add the fine salt and mix everything together evenly. Slowly pour in the water, little by little, while mixing the ingredients with your hands. Continue to knead the dough until it forms a smooth and elastic consistency. Be sure to work the dough by hand to ensure it’s perfectly blended. Once the dough is ready, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
While the dough is resting, it’s time to prepare the pizza filling. Begin by cutting the mozzarella cheese into small cubes and setting it aside. In a separate bowl, pour in the tomato puree and season with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and a sprinkle of oregano. Mix everything together to create a flavorful pizza sauce.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
After the dough has rested, lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough into a thin, oval-shaped sheet. Use a rolling pin to stretch the dough to about 1 cm thick. This will create a thin, pliable base for your pizza muffins.
Step 4: Assemble the Pizza Muffins
Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the entire surface of the dough using a spoon, but leave about two tablespoons of sauce aside for later use. Next, sprinkle the mozzarella cubes over the sauce. Once the dough is fully topped, gently fold the dough in half, bringing the edge closest to you over to the far edge, sealing the filling inside. This step helps form a roll that will make the pizza muffins deliciously gooey in the center.
Step 5: Shape the Muffins
Now, transfer the rolled dough onto a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces, creating small rolls. Place the rolls into a muffin tin, ensuring the cut sides face upward. This will allow the cheesy filling to melt and bubble up beautifully while baking.
Step 6: Add the Final Touch
Before baking, drizzle the remaining tomato sauce over the top of each pizza muffin. This will help enhance the flavor and create a lovely tomato coating on the top of the muffins. If desired, add a little extra sprinkle of oregano for a burst of herby flavor.
Step 7: Bake the Pizza Muffins
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the pizza muffins for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and the cheese has melted. You can check by gently pressing the muffins – they should feel light and soft, and the top should be slightly crispy.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Once your pizza muffins are baked to perfection, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Serve these tasty, savory muffins warm as a snack, appetizer, or even as a fun addition to any meal. These pizza muffins can also be paired with a side salad or some dipping sauces for added flavor.
Tips and Variations:
- Add some extra toppings: Feel free to add extra toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, or olives to the filling for a more customized pizza flavor.
- Make them ahead: If you’re short on time, you can prepare the dough and filling ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and assemble the muffins later for a quick meal.
- Cheese options: Swap the mozzarella for other melty cheeses like cheddar or provolone to create a different flavor profile.
- Herb variations: Experiment with different herbs like basil or thyme to personalize your pizza muffins.
These pizza muffins are sure to be a crowd-pleaser, offering all the flavors of pizza in a convenient, bite-sized form. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, for a party, or simply as a snack, they will be a hit every time!
