Favorite Pizza Bites – Yummy Toddler Food

Fluffy Pizza Bites are a seriously delicious lunch or dinner option—and you can customize the filling to please your kids! We like these with a little side of warmed marinara sauce for dipping. (Holy moly, they’re so yummy.)

Pizza Bites

Wrapping up pizza toppings inside the dough is such a fun take on pizza—and it’s a much more convenient way to pack up pizza for lunch. (They also work as a snack or appetizer.) These little bites are super versatile and store so well.

We like to fill them with broccoli, carrots, and pepperoni, but you could use any pizza topping your kids like—including sausage, peppers, or chicken—to customize them for your family.

You can make them right before serving or you can make them ahead and warm them up. They’re so good dipped in warmed pizza sauce. I love them as much as my kiddos do!

(You may also like my Pizza Rolls, which are made in a muffin tin, and my Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough.)

Ingredients You Need

To make this pizza recipe, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.

• Pizza dough: You can use homemade dough or purchased pizza dough according to what you prefer.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Buy it already shredded or shred it yourself for the classic flavor and texture of pizza.
• Broccoli, carrots, and/or pepperoni: You can use one filling or a mix. The veggies are raw.
• Parmesan cheese: I typically buy grated Parmesan, but shredded works, too.
• Pizza or Italian seasoning: This adds classic pizza flavor and should be available in the spice aisle.
• Pizza sauce or marinara sauce: This is optional for dipping and tastes best if you warm it before serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at how to make this recipe. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full information.

1. Break up your dough into pieces.
2. Flatten into rounds.
3. Add your chosen filling and cheese.
4. Tuck the dough around the filling and press to seal. Place into the pan, seam-side down, and bake.

TIP: You can brush the tops of the bites with olive oil, pizza seasoning, and Parmesan cheese for a little extra flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store

To make ahead (or to store): Make the recipe and let them cool. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the bites to an airtight container. You can store in the fridge for 3-5 days (or in the freezer for up to 3 months).

Best Tips for Success

• To reheat, warm in a 375-degree-F oven for 5-8 minutes or in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warmed through.
• Use homemade pizza dough or a purchased ball of dough from the supermarket in these mini pizza bites.
• Use any other pizza topping you prefer in place of the ones I used. You can also just use cheese for the filling.
• Try variations including pepperoni pizza bites, or adding ham or cooked bell peppers to the filling.
• Serve with warmed pizza sauce or marinara, if desired, for dipping.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below!

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and grease a 9-inch pie plate (or 9×9-inch square baking pan) with nonstick spray.

• Divide the dough into 16 pieces.

• Flatten each dough piece into a round circle. Add about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese and broccoli, carrot, OR pepperoni. (Do one option per bite.)

• Fold the dough around the filling, making a little ball. Place, seam sides down, into the prepared baking dish. Repeat to make the rest of the bites. They should fit tightly into the dish.

• Brush the tops of the bites with olive oil. Sprinkle on the Parmesan and pizza seasoning (or Italian seasoning). Let rest for 10 minutes. Poke the top of each bite with a fork. (This allows steam to escape and helps prevent the cheese from running out.)

• Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, and serve warm with slightly warmed pizza sauce, if desired.

• To make ahead: Make the recipe and let them cool. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm in a 375-degree-F oven for 5-8 minutes or in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warmed through.
• You can also freeze them in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• Use homemade pizza dough or a purchased ball of dough from the supermarket.
• Use any other pizza topping you prefer in place of the ones I used. You can also just use cheese for the filling.
• Serve with warmed pizza sauce or marinara, if desired, for dipping.

Calories: 259kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 682mg, Potassium: 74mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 242IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 124mg, Iron: 3mg

This post was first published May 2020.