Delicious Cheesy Pizza Bombs

This cheesy, garlicky recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Bombs has become my go-to solution for quick entertaining. Crispy on the outside with gooey mozzarella and pepperoni inside, these bite-sized treats disappear within minutes whenever I serve them at gatherings.

I first made these during a last-minute game night when friends unexpectedly stayed for dinner. With just refrigerated biscuit dough and pizza toppings in my fridge, these bombs were born out of necessity but have since become the most requested item whenever we host.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated biscuit dough provides the perfect base that puffs up beautifully while remaining tender inside
• Mozzarella cheese creates that essential stretchy pizza experience look for low moisture variety for best melting
• Mini pepperoni slices offer concentrated flavor in each bite try to find the smaller size for easier stuffing
• Melted butter adds richness and helps achieve golden brown exterior use salted butter for extra flavor
• Garlic powder infuses aromatic depth without burning like fresh garlic would
• Italian seasoning brings authentic pizza flavor profile toast the herbs briefly in a dry pan to release more oils
• Marinara sauce for dipping completes the pizza experience use chunky homestyle for better dipping texture

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat Oven

Set your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless. Allow at least 10 minutes for proper preheating to ensure even cooking.

Prepare the Dough

Open the biscuit dough can and separate each biscuit. Using your fingertips gently flatten each piece into a circle about 3 inches in diameter. Work from the center outward keeping the edges slightly thicker than the middle to help with sealing.

Fill the Pizza Bombs

Place approximately one tablespoon of shredded mozzarella in the center of each flattened dough circle. Add 4 to 5 mini pepperoni slices on top of the cheese keeping everything centered and leaving about half an inch of dough exposed around the edges.

Seal the Dough

Carefully gather the edges of each dough circle pulling them up and over the filling. Pinch the edges firmly together making sure there are no openings where cheese could leak out during baking. Roll gently between your palms to create a smooth ball and place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Brush with Butter

Combine melted butter garlic powder and Italian seasoning in a small bowl until well mixed. Using a pastry brush generously coat each pizza bomb with this flavorful mixture ensuring the entire surface is covered for maximum flavor and browning.

Bake

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Watch for the bombs to puff up and turn a beautiful golden brown. The exterior should be crisp while keeping a soft interior.

Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes as the inside will be extremely hot. Transfer to a serving plate alongside small bowls of warm marinara sauce for dipping. The slight cooling time allows the cheese to set just enough to prevent burning while still maintaining that perfect stretchy pull.

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My absolute favorite part about these pizza bombs is the moment when someone takes their first bite and that perfect string of melted cheese stretches between their mouth and the bomb. It happens every single time and never fails to make everyone smile. My nephew actually counted how many inches he could stretch the cheese last Christmas we reached seven inches before it finally broke.

Make Ahead Options

These pizza bombs can be fully assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Simply place the formed bombs on a baking sheet cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake brush with the butter mixture just before putting them in the oven. You may need to add 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Ingredient Substitutions

For those avoiding pork try using turkey pepperoni or even chopped vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms. Dairy free mozzarella style cheese works surprisingly well in this recipe providing you use a brand specifically designed to melt. The biscuit dough can be swapped for homemade pizza dough if you prefer a more traditional texture or even crescent roll dough for extra flakiness.

Serving Suggestions

While marinara is the classic dipping sauce these pizza bombs pair beautifully with pesto ranch dressing or even a spicy sriracha mayo. For a complete game day spread serve alongside veggie sticks buffalo wings and a simple green salad. If serving as an appetizer for dinner consider offering two or three different filling varieties to please all palates.

The Secret to Perfect Sealing

The most common issue when making these bombs is cheese leakage during baking. After forming each ball place it seam side down and gently press the bottom against the counter while rotating to create a smooth sealed surface. If any small openings remain pinch them closed with your fingertips before placing on the baking sheet. This extra minute of care ensures beautiful presentation and prevents lost cheese.

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Pro Tips

Allow the balls to rest for 5 minutes after forming but before baking this gives the dough time to relax and seal better

For extra flavor add a tiny pinch of dried basil inside each bomb along with the cheese and pepperoni

Brush with additional butter mixture immediately after baking for extra flavor and shine

Commonly Asked Questions

→ Can I make these pizza bombs ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the pizza bombs and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes them perfect for prepping ahead for parties or gatherings. Just add a minute or two to the baking time if cooking from cold.

→ What variations can I make with the fillings?

The possibilities are endless! Try swapping pepperoni for cooked sausage, bacon, ham, or vegetarian options like sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach. You can also experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack for varied flavors.

→ How do I know when the pizza bombs are done baking?

The pizza bombs are done when they're golden brown on the outside and puffed up, typically after 12-15 minutes at 375°F. If you're unsure, you can carefully open one to check that the dough is fully cooked inside.

→ Can I freeze these pizza bombs?

Yes, these freeze beautifully! Allow them to cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10-12 minutes until heated through.

→ What can I serve with pizza bombs besides marinara sauce?

While marinara is traditional, try ranch dressing, garlic butter sauce, pesto, alfredo sauce, or even a spicy sriracha mayo for dipping. A side salad also makes these into a more complete meal.

→ How can I make these pizza bombs spicier?

To add heat, mix red pepper flakes into the filling, add diced jalapeños or hot cherry peppers, use pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella, or incorporate spicy meats like calabrese salami or hot soppressata instead of regular pepperoni.