Description
Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes are a delightful fusion of two beloved culinary concepts: the rich, hearty flavors of deep dish pizza and the fun, portable nature of cupcakes. This recipe takes the classic elements of deep dish pizza thick crust, savory sauce, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings and packs them into individual, handheld portions. Perfect for parties, game days, or a fun family dinner, these pizza cupcakes offer all the satisfaction of a traditional pizza in a convenient, easy-to-eat format.
Ingredients
Ingredients List (with Measurements)
For the Dough:
- 1 batch of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil (for brushing)
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Fillings:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices, chopped (or any preferred toppings)
- 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled (optional)
- 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or oil. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a round cutter or the rim of a glass, cut out 12 circles of dough, each slightly larger than the muffin cups. Press each dough circle into the bottom and up the sides of each muffin cup to form a crust.
2. Pre-bake the Dough
Brush the inside of each dough cup with melted butter or olive oil to help create a crispy crust. Bake the dough cups in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. This pre-baking step ensures that the crust will be crisp and not soggy once the fillings are added.
3. Prepare the Sauce
While the dough cups are baking, prepare the pizza sauce. In a small bowl, combine the pizza sauce, tomato paste (if using), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste. The tomato paste will thicken the sauce, helping to prevent the cupcakes from becoming soggy.
4. Assemble the Pizza Cupcakes
Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the dough cups cool slightly. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the prepared pizza sauce into each dough cup. Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by your choice of toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, or vegetables. Top each cupcake with more mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
5. Bake the Pizza Cupcakes
Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. If the cheese is browning too quickly, cover the muffin tin loosely with foil to prevent burning.
6. Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the pizza cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes. Use a knife or small spatula to carefully lift each cupcake out of the tin. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy these delicious, cheesy bites as a fun appetizer, snack, or main course!
Notes
Tips and Notes
- Make Ahead: You can prepare these pizza cupcakes in advance and bake them when you’re ready to serve. Simply assemble the cupcakes, cover them with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Preventing Sogginess: To keep the crust crispy, avoid overfilling the cupcakes with sauce, and consider pre-baking the dough cups for 5 minutes before adding the fillings.
- Customize to Taste: These pizza cupcakes are highly customizable. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, sauces, and toppings to create your perfect flavor combination. You can even make a variety of flavors in one batch by dividing the toppings between the cupcakes.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these pizza cupcakes with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, or add a simple green salad to make it a complete meal. They’re also great as appetizers or party snacks.