Aunt Denise calls these her game-day secret weapon because the tray is empty before the first commercial break
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Aunt Denise clearly knows her stuff! These Pepperoni Pizza Bites are basically the crispy, “lacy” edges of pizza packed into one low-carb snack. By combining the cheese with an egg, you give the mozzarella structure so it crisps up like a cracker instead of melting into a gooey puddle. They’re salty, a little spicy, and made perfectly for dipping.
Aunt Denise’s Game-Day Pizza Bites
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 36–40 pepperoni slices (regular or turkey)
- 1/2 cup pizza or marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Pans
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line three rimmed sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly grease with nonstick spray or olive oil.
Tip: Don’t skip the oil! Even “non-stick” parchment can grab melted Parmesan. The light coating ensures the crispy cheese edges slide off perfectly.
Step 2: Mix the Cheese Base
In a bowl, combine mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and all spices. Mix with a fork or your hands until the mixture is evenly combined and starts to clump together.
Step 3: Arrange the Pepperoni
Place the pepperoni slices on the prepared pans, spacing about 1/2 inch apart. Aim for 12–14 slices per pan.
Step 4: Top and Press
Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto each pepperoni slice. Press gently to adhere. It’s fine if the cheese spills over—it will form a crispy “halo” around the pepperoni.
Step 5: Bake and Broil
Bake for 8–10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. For a golden, bubbly finish, switch to broil for the last 30–60 seconds. Watch closely—they can go from golden to burnt in moments!
Step 6: Cool and Set
Let the bites rest on the pans for 3–5 minutes. This step is key: as the cheese cools slightly, it hardens into a chip-like texture for easy picking.
Step 7: Serve
Use a thin spatula to transfer the bites to a platter. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
