Pepperoni Pizza Bites (Buffet-Style)

Choosing something to prepare for a buffet style event is always a difficult task. The food has to be tasty, easy to grab (buffet-style), not too messy, and nothing that will easily spoil as it will be out on the table for the course of the event.

Well folks, I think I've found a winner!!! Introducing Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza Bites!

Ingredients:

2cans (13.8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust

8oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 48 cubes

48 slices pepperoni (3 oz)

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1jar (14 oz) pizza sauce, heated 

 

The crescent pizza dough comes in a can, pop it and roll it out with your fingertips.

Have everything chopped, ready to go and oven preheated (400 degrees) as the dough gets hard to work with and sticky if it gets to room temp.

Cut dough into 24 equal squares. I've found it easiest to use a pizza cutter for this step.

Now add your toppings. I choose classic pepperoni and cubed mozzarella cheese.

Now there are a number of options for folding. The one that I have found the most successful and fastest is the four corner technique. Simply pull the dough from corner to corner, and then the other corner to corner. The cheese melts and bubbles in the oven and will seep through any opening. So ensure that the four corners are sealed and the folded side goes down on the baking tray. 

 

Combine a mixture of olive oil and pizza spices in a bowl and spoon over each pizza bite. I like to use this pizza spice from Epicure, but any Italian seasoning mixture will work just the same. Top with freshly grated parmaesan cheese and put in a preheated 400 degree oven for 18-22 minutes until slightly brown. They do burn easily, so watch carefully! 

When they are out of the oven I piled them in the middle of two sheets of tinfoil. Pull all four corners to the top centre and gather and twist. This will keep them warm for a little bit until they are served. 

To make the platter for this event, I added pizza sauce in the centre for dipping. For variety I added sliced deli pepperoni, cubed marble cheese and some tangy baby dills.

 If you ever need a quick crowd-pleaser or an after-school snack for the kids, give these Pizza Bites a try! Both adults and kids love these little gems, so make sure you make extras! 

I am already dreaming of alternate fillings ... maybe a spinach and feta combo? Mmmmmm....

So, what's your favorite go-to recipe for a buffet-style gathering?