Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Chips Recipe
Introduction
Pizza chips are a fun and easy snack that captures the classic flavors of pizza in a crispy, bite-sized form. With melted mozzarella and savory pepperoni, these chips make a perfect appetizer or party treat. They come together quickly and can be enjoyed with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 50 mini pepperoni slices
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning mix
- Marinara sauce (optional)
- Mini muffin pan
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease the mini muffin pan to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: Add 2 to 2.5 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese into each cup of the muffin pan.
- Step 3: Place 3 to 4 mini pepperoni slices on top of the cheese in each cup and sprinkle with Italian seasoning mix. Feel free to add other herbs or spices for extra flavor.
- Step 4: Bake in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crispy.
- Step 5: Remove the pan from the oven and let the pizza chips cool for about 5 minutes at room temperature to firm up.
- Step 6: Carefully remove the chips from the pan and serve them on a tray. Enjoy them plain or with marinara, Alfredo, or ranch dressing as a dip.
Tips & Variations
- Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best crispy texture; other cheeses with higher moisture may not crisp well.
- Try adding different toppings such as sliced olives, chopped bell peppers, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for variation.
- For extra crispiness, bake a minute or two longer but watch carefully to prevent burning.
Storage
Store leftover pizza chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for best crispness. Reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 325 degrees F for 3-4 minutes to restore crunchiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can substitute other cheeses, but low-moisture mozzarella works best to achieve a crispy texture. Higher moisture cheeses may result in a softer chip.
Do I have to use a mini muffin pan?
The mini muffin pan helps shape the pizza chips and keep the cheese contained while baking. If you don’t have one, you can experiment with baking small mounds of cheese on parchment paper, but the shape may be less uniform.
Print
Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Chips Recipe
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 pizza chips 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Pizza Chips recipe offers a quick and delicious snack combining crispy low-moisture mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni slices baked to golden perfection. Enhanced with Italian seasoning, these cheesy pepperoni bites are ideal for serving with marinara sauce or your favorite dip, making them perfect for game days or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 50 slices mini pepperoni
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning mix
- Marinara sauce (optional, for serving)
Equipment
- Mini muffin pan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the pizza chips.
- Prepare Muffin Pan: Grease each cup of the mini muffin pan lightly to prevent sticking. Then, spoon 2 to 2.5 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese into each cup, spreading it evenly.
- Add Pepperoni and Seasoning: Place 3 to 4 mini pepperoni slices on top of the cheese in each muffin cup. Sprinkle Italian seasoning mix evenly over the pepperoni to infuse flavor. You can also add other seasonings if desired for extra taste.
- Bake: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the chips turn golden brown and crispy.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the pizza chips to cool at room temperature for about 5 minutes. This helps them firm up for easy removal and eating.
- Serve: Carefully pop the pizza chips out from the muffin pan onto a serving tray. Serve them warm with marinara sauce, or alternatively, pair with alfredo or ranch dressing, or enjoy them plain to savor the blend of pepperoni and cheese flavors.
Notes
- Use low-moisture cheese for the best crispy texture; higher moisture cheeses may result in softer chips.
- You can customize the cheese variety based on your preference, though low-moisture mozzarella is ideal.
- For extra crispiness, consider allowing the chips to cool completely so they firm up more.
- Feel free to experiment with different seasoning blends alongside or instead of the Italian seasoning to personalize the flavor.
- If you don’t have a mini muffin pan, you can try baking spoonful-sized cheese mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, though shapes will vary.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: pizza chips, mozzarella chips, pepperoni snacks, easy snack recipe, baked snacks, Italian seasoning, keto snack, low-carb snack
