Hi Bold Bakers! WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: Indulge in our Easy Pizza Cupcakes Recipe—a fusion of timeless pizza taste in a delightful, effortless-to-whip-up manner. Whether you’re throwing a bash, craving a swift bite, or crafting a kid-approved feast, these savory treats guarantee to steal the show! Already have an account?
Quick and Easy: With a prep and cook time of just 20 minutes, these pizza cupcakes are an ideal option for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. Versatile and Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to include your favorite pizza toppings, making it perfect for any palate. Perfect for All Ages: Kids and adults alike will enjoy these bite-sized treats, making them a great addition to any meal or event.
You’ve seen our variety of pizza recipes, from 15-Minute Pizza Dough Recipe, Pizza Scones, Pizza Savory Pop-Tarts, to The Simplest Sourdough Pizza, Deep Dish Pizza, Pizza Monkey Bread, or even Dessert Pizza and Microwave Mug Pizza. But get ready for a twist: Pizza Cupcakes! Yep, pizza in kids’ favorite form—it’s a delicious surprise! IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 6/12/2024, to include explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, answers to the most asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Table of Contents
What are Pizza Cupcakes?
Tools You Need
Measuring cups and measuring spoons Measuring jugs Mixing bowls Whisk or fork 12-well muffin tin (or cupcake pan)
Key Ingredients
All-purpose flour All-purpose flour has a protein content of 9%-11% to provide structure and texture to the cupcake batter. You can substitute whole wheat flour for up to 50% of all-purpose flour for a healthier option, but it may result in a denser texture. Or, experiment with store-bought dough such as crescent roll dough. Baking powder Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, helping the cupcakes rise and become fluffy. There’s no direct substitute, but you can use baking soda with an acidic ingredient like buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream. For every 1 teaspoon of baking powder required, use ¼ tsp of baking soda. Dried Italian seasoning Dried Italian seasoning adds flavor to the cupcakes, providing the characteristic Italian herb blend taste. You can substitute a combination of dried oregano, basil, and thyme. Salt Salt enhances the flavor of the cupcakes and balances the sweetness. You can reduce the amount of salt or omit it if you’re watching your sodium intake. Eggs Eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cupcakes. You can use substitutes such as flax eggs from our Egg Substitute Chart. Whole milk Pizza Sauce Pizza sauce adds flavor and moisture to the cupcakes, infusing them with a classic pizza taste. Check out our 5 Minute Pizza Sauce for the easiest yet freshest taste. Mozzarella cheese It melts and creates a gooey, cheesy texture in the cupcakes. You can substitute any shredded cheese of your choice, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack. or, try our Homemade Mozzarella. Mini pepperonis Mini Pepperonis add a savory and slightly spicy flavor to the cupcakes. You can substitute sliced sausage, diced ham, or your favorite pizza toppings for pepperonis.
How to Make Pizza Cupcakes
Prep
Make the Pizza Cupcake Batter
Bake the Pizza Cupcakes
They typically consist of a savory cupcake base filled with pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings such as pepperoni or vegetables. They’re perfect for parties, snacks, or anytime you’re craving a taste of pizza in a fun and portable format.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
Instead of tomato sauce, you can use pesto, olive tapenade or any other sauce you normally like on your pizza. If you like pizza with a little kick of heat, add about a ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to either the sauce or the cupcake batter. Pay careful attention to the layering order for the cupcake filling. The cheese layered around the sauce helps keep it suspended in the center of the cupcake. You can replace some of the mozzarella with another cheese like goat or feta. Make dessert pizza cupcakes: First, use cupcake liners instead of greasing the tin. Then, for the batter, leave out the Italian seasoning and reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. Add your first layer of batter to the cups. For the filling, cut a large marshmallow in half. Layer on one marshmallow half, 2 teaspoons of Nutella, two slices of banana and the remaining marshmallow half. Top with the remaining batter and bake until set.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Can I make Pizza Cupcakes gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free flour or Almond Flour Baking Mix to make Pizza Cupcakes.
Can I make Pizza Cupcakes in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make them in an air fryer. An air fryer works like a convection oven which is fan-assisted with heating elements on the ceiling inside the baking chamber. You should lower your temperature by about 25°F(15°C) compared to the recipe, bake for a shorter time, or follow the manual instructions.
What other toppings can I add?
You can also add black olives, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, diced sausage, or pesto.
More Pizza Recipes
15-Minute Pizza Dough Recipe, Pizza Scones Pizza Savory Pop-Tarts The Simplest Sourdough Pizza Pizza Monkey Bread
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 6/12/2024, to include explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, answers to the most asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
