APPETIZER ESSENTIALS: AWESOME PIZZA BITES

Appetizer Essentials: Awesome Pizza Bites image

I have seen pizza bites that use a pepperoni as a cup to hold the cheese and sauce, and I have seen them made with all the ingredients mixed into a batter, and cooked up as pizza muffins. So, I thought that I would combine both techniques: A pepperoni cup with a muffin-like batter filling... The best of both worlds. The fillings...

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 19

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Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
24 large pepperoni
THE SPICE MIX
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried sage
THE PIZZA BATTER
3/4 c flour, all-purpose variety
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp premade spice mix, or to taste
1/4 tsp salt, kosher variety
1/2 c parmesan cheese, freshly grated
3/4 c whole milk
1 large egg
1/2 c mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
OPTIONAL ITEMS
marinara sauce for dipping

Steps:

1. PREP/PREPARE
2. The spice mix will make more than you need for this one recipe. If you do not wish to make this much (it is a pretty good, all-round, Italian spice mix), just add pinch or two of each one of the herbs into the flour and combine. Or, if you have a good store-bought Italian spice mix, use it.
3. I am using, what are called, sandwich-style pepperonis, and measure 3-inches (7.6cm) in diameter; which is twice as big as a normal pepperoni. That size is perfect for this recipe.
4. For this recipe, you will need a mini muffin tin. Mine is a Wilton mini-muffin pan that can bake 24 at a time.
5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
6. Place a rack in the bottom position, and preheat the oven to 375 (190c).
7. Cut in to the large pepperonis on the left, right, top, and bottom. You want to go in about 1/2-inch (1/2cm).
8. Add them to the muffin pan. The cuts fold over each other, and form the walls for the pizza bites.
9. Chef's Note: If the pepperoni slices are real thin, you might want to use two per cup... that is what I did.
10. Mix the dry batter ingredients (flour, baking powder, spice mix, salt, parmesan cheese), in a large bowl.
11. Whisk the milk and egg together in another bowl. I just use a measuring cup.
12. Add the wet ingredients to the dry.
13. Mix together with a fork, or wooden spoon until combined.
14. Add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the batter to each of the pepperoni cups.
15. Sprinkle a bit of mozzarella on the tops.
16. Place in the oven, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, and beginning to turn brown in spots, about 12 - 14 minutes.
17. PLATE/PRESENT
18. Serve while nice and warm, with a bit of marinara sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy.
19. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.