Stuffed Cheesy Pepperoni

These gooey mozzarella pepperoni bites turn ordinary store-bought biscuits into addictive snack-sized bundles bursting with melty cheese, tangy sauce, and savory pepperoni. They'll disappear fast at game watch parties or make dinnertime extra fun for the whole family.

I whipped these cheesy pockets up during a sleepover with my nephews years ago, and now we can't watch movies without them. My cooking-challenged brother has even figured out how to make these tasty morsels on his own.

Ingredients

• 16.5 oz can of biscuit dough: Gives you the perfect chew without any fuss of homemade dough
• Marinara sauce: Brings that pizza punch you want; grab a tasty jar or whip up your own
• Sliced pepperoni: Delivers that must-have pizza kick; try to grab the ones without added stuff
• 8 oz ball of mozzarella cheese: Melts like a dream; go with fresh for the tastiest results
• Butter: Helps make the outside nice and crispy
• Garlic cloves: Minced fresh for that wonderful smell and taste
• Salt and pepper: Simple stuff that makes everything taste better
• Italian seasoning blend: Adds that pizza shop herby taste
• Parmesan cheese: Tops it off with a bit of sharp flavor; grate it yourself if you can

Step-by-Step Instructions

Warm Up Your Kitchen:

Get your oven going at 375°F and cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. The paper stops sticky messes while the butter adds flavor and helps turn the outside golden brown. Make sure the oven's fully hot before baking or your biscuits won't puff up right.

Fix Your Dough:

Split each biscuit into two pieces to make sixteen smaller bits. Push your thumb into each piece to flatten it into a circle about 3 inches across. Don't press too hard or you'll tear it, but make sure it's thin enough to fold over the goodies inside.

Drop In The Good Stuff:

Put about a spoonful of sauce in the middle of each flattened biscuit, then add a pepperoni slice and a chunk of cheese. Don't go overboard or they'll burst when cooking. Your cheese chunk should be small enough to wrap the dough around easily.

Close Them Up:

Pull the edges of each dough circle up and around the fillings, then pinch them closed tight. Pay attention here because any little holes will let cheese escape while baking. Roll each one in your hands to make it nice and round.

Mix Up Flavor Butter:

In a small cup, mix three spoonfuls of melted butter with two chopped up garlic cloves, a bit of salt and pepper, and a spoonful of Italian herbs. Stir it all together to make a tasty butter that'll make your pizza bites smell amazing.

Brush On Butter:

Use a brush to paint each sealed ball with your garlic butter mix. Cover them completely for the best taste. After the butter, sprinkle some Parmesan on top of each one to create a yummy crusty outside.

Cook Until Bubbly:

Put your ready-to-go bites in the hot oven and let them cook for 15 to 20 minutes. You want them to turn a rich golden color all over, which means the inside is done too. The cheese inside will get all gooey and stretchy when you pull them apart.

Cool Then Munch:

Let them sit for about 5 minutes after taking them out. This keeps you from burning your mouth on the super hot cheese inside. Put them on a plate with some warm sauce on the side for dipping to make them even tastier.

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Fresh mozzarella really makes these special. I found this out by accident when I ran out of the bagged shredded stuff and cut up a fresh ball instead. The way it stretches when you take a bite of these warm pockets is just magical. Now my family won't eat them any other way.

Prep In Advance

You can get these bites all ready up until baking time and keep them in the fridge for a day before cooking. Just wrap the baking sheet with the prepared balls tightly in plastic. When you want to cook them, take them out, brush with your garlic butter, and add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time. This works great when you're planning a party or family gathering.

Creative Variations

The basic pepperoni version always wins fans, but you can stuff these with whatever you like. Try cooked sausage with green peppers for a loaded pizza feel. Plant lovers can enjoy versions with spinach and feta or grilled veggies with pesto. If you like it hot, throw in some red pepper flakes or mix hot sauce with your marinara. You can make them match any pizza flavor you enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

These tasty bites stand on their own as snacks but can also become part of a bigger meal. They go great with a simple green salad with Italian dressing for dinner. They also taste amazing with a bowl of tomato soup or veggie soup. For game watching parties, set them out with wings, veggie sticks, and potato skins. Since everyone gets their own, they work perfectly at buffets.

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With their crunchy outside and melty middle, these cheesy pockets will make everyone at your table smile. Eat them while they're warm to get that perfect pizza experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap canned biscuit dough with homemade dough?

Yes! Homemade pizza or bread dough works too. Just portion it similarly and follow the steps for assembly and baking.

→ How do I stop cheese from spilling out?

Make sure the dough edges are sealed tightly without gaps. Press firmly. Using cheese cubes instead of shredded can also reduce leaks.

→ Is it possible to prep these ahead?

You can assemble everything a day in advance and refrigerate it. Brush with butter and bake just before serving, allowing extra minutes for baking.

→ What other fillings could I try?

Go creative! Ham and cheese, spicy buffalo chicken, spinach with feta, or even sweet fillings like cream cheese and sugar work well. Just keep them on the dry side to avoid sogginess.

→ How should I store leftovers, and how do I reheat them?

Store cooled bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes or microwave briefly.

→ Can I freeze them?

Yep, they freeze well! Freezing before or after baking works. For unbaked, freeze on a tray first, then transfer to a bag. Add a few minutes to baking time. For baked ones, reheat directly from frozen at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.