Make Little Caesars Pizza Puffs at Home: The Yummiest Recipe

Crispy, golden pizza puffs from Little Caesars have been making taste buds dance with delight.

These bite-sized snacks pack a serious flavor punch that leaves everyone craving more.

Cheesy, savory, and irresistibly light, the homemade version brings restaurant magic right to your kitchen.

Cheese melts perfectly inside each golden pocket, creating a mouthwatering treat that disappears in seconds.

The simple ingredients come together quickly, making these puffs an ideal snack for movie nights or unexpected guests.

Kids and adults alike will fall in love with these delectable Little bites.

Prepare to wow your crowd with this easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary appetizers.

Pizza Puffs Little Caesars Copycat: Batch Favorites

• Quick Pizza Party Starter: Whip up these bite-sized pizza puffs that deliver big flavor in a small package, perfect for satisfying sudden pizza cravings without full pizza preparation.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Simple enough for little hands to help make, these cheesy pockets transform mealtime into a fun, interactive cooking experience that children will love participating in.
• Versatile Entertaining Hero: Ideal for game nights, potlucks, or casual gatherings, these pizza puffs can be customized with different toppings to suit various taste preferences and dietary needs.
• No-Fuss Meal Solution: Requiring minimal ingredients and basic cooking skills, these pizza puffs are a stress-free option for busy home cooks wanting delicious results without complicated techniques.

Ingredients for Copycat Pizza Puffs

Main Ingredients:

Pizza Dough: A soft, stretchy base that serves as the foundation for these delightful pizza puffs.

Mozzarella Cheese: A creamy, melty cheese that provides rich flavor and gooey texture.

Pepperoni: Classic pizza topping that adds spicy and savory notes to the puffs.

Marinara Sauce: A tangy tomato sauce that brings traditional pizza flavor to the dish.

• Parmesan Cheese, Italian Seasoning: Adds depth and authentic Italian taste to the pizza puffs.
• Garlic, Parsley, Oregano: Creates a fragrant and robust herb blend that elevates the overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Creates a rich, golden coating and helps achieve a crispy exterior.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Provides balanced seasoning to enhance the overall taste.

• Ranch Dressing: A cool, creamy dip that complements the warm and spicy pizza puffs.

How to Make Pizza Puffs at Home

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Garlic Butter

Whip up a delicious garlic butter by combining softened butter with finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, grated parmesan, a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano.

Mix everything until well blended and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Cupcake Tin

Generously brush each cup of a cupcake tin with the prepared garlic butter, ensuring every surface is coated for maximum flavor and easy removal.

Step 3: Shape Dough Balls

Divide pizza dough into small, uniform portions – aim for the size of a ping pong ball or slightly smaller.

This ensures consistent cooking and perfect bite-sized puffs.

Step 4: Let Dough Rise

Place each dough ball into a buttered cupcake cavity.

Cover the tin with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm, draft-free spot.

Allow the dough to rise and double in size, which typically takes about 30-45 minutes.

Step 5: Preheat and Prepare

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Once the dough has risen, gently press down the center of each ball and push the edges upward to create a cup-like shape.

Brush the inside of each dough cup with more garlic butter for extra flavor.

Step 6: Layer Delicious Fillings

• Marinara sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni slices
• Additional marinara
• Final pepperoni topping
• More cheese sprinkled on top

Finish by sprinkling Italian seasoning over each puff.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the cupcake tin into the preheated oven.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and the cheese becomes bubbly and melted.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Remove the pizza puffs from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes.

Serve warm with a side of cool ranch dressing for dipping.

Enjoy these irresistible little bites of pizza heaven!

Tips for Fluffy, Crispy Pizza Puffs

• Warm butter slightly before mixing to release more intense garlic and herb aromatics, enhancing overall taste profile.
• Lightly grease cupcake tin with cooking spray before brushing garlic butter for easier removal of pizza puffs.
• Place dough in a slightly warm, draft-free area like inside an unheated oven to ensure consistent rising.
• Use a blend of mozzarella and parmesan for richer, more complex cheese flavor and optimal melting texture.
• Cover pizza puffs with aluminum foil during last 5 minutes of baking to keep interior soft while achieving golden exterior.

Pizza Puff Variations to Explore

• Vegetarian Veggie Puffs: Replace pepperoni with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a plant-based version. Add crumbled feta cheese for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pizza dough or cauliflower crust as a base. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Spicy Jalapeño Popper Puffs: Swap pepperoni with chopped jalapeños and cream cheese. Sprinkle with crispy bacon bits for added crunch and heat.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Cups: Create mini cups using cauliflower dough as a base. Top with low-moisture mozzarella and use keto-friendly marinara sauce for a carb-conscious alternative.

Serving Pizza Puffs for Parties

• Pizza Party Platter: Arrange these golden puffs on a large wooden board with fresh basil leaves scattered around for a rustic, inviting presentation.
• Dip Delight: Serve alongside multiple dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, garlic aioli, and spicy buffalo sauce to create a fun flavor adventure.
• Game Night Star: Perfect finger food for watching sports, movie marathons, or casual gatherings where guests can grab and enjoy without fuss.
• Kid-Friendly Meal: Cut puffs in half, pair with a small side salad, and watch children devour these cheesy, pepperoni-packed mini bites with excitement.

Storage for Pizza Puffs

• Store leftover pizza puffs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep them in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Carefully place cooled pizza puffs in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Warm refrigerated puffs in the oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy texture. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy results.
• Let pizza puffs sit out for no more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Always check for signs of spoilage before consuming.

FAQs

• How do I know when the dough is properly proofed?

The dough is ready when it has doubled in size and looks puffy. Gently press the dough with your finger – if the indentation remains, it’s perfectly proofed.

• Can I use pre-made pizza dough?

Yes, store-bought pizza dough works great. Just make sure it’s at room temperature before dividing and proofing in the cupcake tin.

• What if I don't have a cupcake tin?

You can use a muffin pan or small ramekins as an alternative. The key is having individual compartments to shape the pizza puffs.

• Is ranch dressing necessary for serving?

Ranch is optional but recommended. It adds a cool, creamy contrast to the hot and cheesy pizza puffs. Feel free to skip if you prefer.

Pizza Puffs Little Caesars Puffs Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Little Caesars pizza puffs bring explosive flavor to snack time with a golden, cheesy crunch. Cheesy bites packed with zesty marinara sauce will make you crave these irresistible appetizers again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces turkey pepperoni
• 1 cup marinara sauce

Garlic Butter Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) grated parmesan
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Seasoning:

• Italian seasoning

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Instructions

1. Craft a fragrant garlic butter mixture by blending butter with parsley, garlic, parmesan, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Reserve the aromatic spread.
2. Meticulously coat each cupcake tin cavity with the prepared garlic butter using a pastry brush.
3. Partition the dough into uniform spheres, resembling ping pong balls or slightly smaller.
4. Nestle each dough ball into designated cupcake wells, then envelop and position in a warmth-conducive environment to allow rising until volume doubles.
5. Heat oven to 350°F. After proofing, gently deflate dough centers while elevating edges to create cup-like formations. Lavishly brush interior with additional garlic butter.
6. Strategically layer each cup: first marinara sauce, then mozzarella cheese, two pepperoni slices, another marinara splash, single pepperoni, and crown with cheese. Dust generously with Italian seasoning.
7. Transfer to preheated oven, baking approximately 15 minutes until surfaces transform into golden, effervescent landscapes.
8. Extract from oven, permit 5-minute cooling period before serving alongside ranch dressing for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Make garlic butter ahead of time to enhance flavor depth and allow ingredients to meld together.
• Choose high-quality pepperoni for more robust taste and authentic pizzeria experience.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even proofing and better dough texture.
• Consider gluten-free alternatives like almond flour dough for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg