Save to Pinterest Celebrate the season with these delightful Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites, a festive twist on classic mini pizzas. Each bite-sized treat is topped with gooey mozzarella cheese, a perfectly placed pepperoni belt, and an olive buckle, making them as charming as they are delicious. Ideal for holiday parties and kid-friendly gatherings, they bring a joyful spirit to any appetizer table.
Save to Pinterest These mini pizza bites are a fun way to add holiday cheer to your appetizer spread. Their bright pepperoni 'belts' and olive 'buckles' bring a playful twist and a taste that's both familiar and festive.
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 lb (450 g) refrigerated pizza dough
- Sauce: 1/2 cup (120 ml) pizza sauce
- Toppings: 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 24 slices pepperoni (or vegetarian pepperoni), 12 small black olives, pitted and sliced
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, 1 tablespoon (8 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick. Using a 2-inch (5 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out 24 circles. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- 3. Brush the dough circles lightly with olive oil.
- 4. Spread 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce onto each dough circle.
- 5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over each mini pizza.
- 6. Place a slice of pepperoni horizontally across the center of each pizza to resemble Santas belt.
- 7. Add a slice of black olive on the center of the pepperoni strip to mimic the belt buckle.
- 8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- 9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and dough is golden.
- 10. Let cool for 2 minutes before serving.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Use a rolling pin to achieve an even dough thickness of about 1/4 inch for uniform baking. Lightly brush olive oil on the dough circles before adding toppings to promote a golden, crispy crust. Cutting the dough circles with a 2-inch round cookie cutter ensures consistent bite-sized mini pizzas.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a vegetarian version, substitute regular pepperoni with meatless pepperoni slices. To add a festive touch, include small pieces of yellow bell pepper on top to mimic a gold buckle on the belt. Experiment with different cheeses or sauce varieties to suit your taste preferences.
Serviervorschläge
Serve these mini bites warm as a fun appetizer at holiday parties or family gatherings. They pair wonderfully with extra pizza sauce for dipping. These festive pizzas also make an engaging snack for kids’ events or casual get-togethers.
Save to Pinterest With these Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites, you can bring a bit of holiday magic to your kitchen with easy preparation and a festive look. Whether for family or friends, these mini pizzas will surely be a crowd-pleaser that captures the joyful spirit of the season.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I shape the pepperoni to resemble Santa's belt?
Place a pepperoni slice horizontally across the center of each dough round to mimic the belt strip, then top with a black olive slice representing the buckle.
- → Can I make a vegetarian version of these mini pizzas?
Yes, simply substitute regular pepperoni with vegetarian pepperoni for a meatless alternative without sacrificing flavor.
- → What type of dough works best for these bites?
Refrigerated pizza dough is ideal for easy handling and consistent results, but fresh dough can also be used if preferred.
- → How should I bake these mini pizzas for best results?
Bake on a parchment-lined sheet in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 10–12 minutes until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden brown.
- → Are there any suggested garnishes to enhance flavor?
Brushing dough with olive oil before baking and adding a light sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese after assembling adds extra richness and texture.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the mini pizzas ahead of time and refrigerate briefly before baking to maintain freshness and ease serving.