Pin It Get ready to dazzle your guests with these Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites—festive, fun, and bursting with melty mozzarella, spicy pepperoni belts, and charming olive buckles. These little bites bring holiday spirit to any party or kid-friendly gathering, combining classic flavors with a playful presentation that's sure to be a hit.
Pin It These mini pizzas blend the warmth of homemade flavors with a festive twist, making them a sure-fire crowd-pleaser during the holidays. The pepperoni and olive details add a playful design element that elevates a simple appetizer into a delightful centerpiece.
Ingredients
- Dough
- 1 lb (450 g) refrigerated pizza dough
- Sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) pizza sauce
- Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24 slices pepperoni (or vegetarian pepperoni)
- 12 small black olives, pitted and sliced
- Garnish
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (8 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick. Using a 2-inch (5 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out 24 circles. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- 3. Brush the dough circles lightly with olive oil.
- 4. Spread 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce onto each dough circle.
- 5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over each mini pizza.
- 6. Place a slice of pepperoni horizontally across the center of each pizza to resemble Santas belt.
- 7. Add a slice of black olive on the center of the pepperoni strip to mimic the belt buckle.
- 8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- 9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and dough is golden.
- 10. Let cool for 2 minutes before serving.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Make sure to roll the dough evenly to ensure that all mini pizzas bake uniformly. Using a pastry brush to apply olive oil helps achieve a lovely golden crust. For best results, slice the black olives thinly so they sit neatly as belt buckles on the pepperoni strips.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a vegetarian version, swap regular pepperoni for meatless pepperoni slices. You can also add a slice of yellow bell pepper on top of the olive to create a gold buckle effect for an extra festive touch.
Serviervorschläge
Serve these Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites warm with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping. They are perfect finger foods for holiday parties, family gatherings, or as a fun snack for kids.
Pin It These delightful Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites combine ease of preparation with festive charm, making them an ideal addition to your holiday menu. Their playful design and comforting flavors will have everyone coming back for more, turning casual gatherings into memorable celebrations.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make these mini pizzas vegetarian?
Yes, substitute regular pepperoni with vegetarian or meatless pepperoni options to keep similar flavor and texture.
- → What is the best dough to use for these mini pizzas?
Refrigerated pizza dough works well for quick preparation, offering soft yet crispy results after baking.
- → How do I achieve the Santa belt look?
Place a slice of pepperoni horizontally across each mini pizza, then add a sliced black olive in the center as a buckle.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
You can assemble the mini pizzas beforehand and refrigerate them for a short time before baking to maintain freshness.
- → What temperature and time are recommended for baking?
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes until cheese bubbles and dough turns golden brown.