Pizza Poppin Muffins

These are great for an afternoon snack, make a cool lunchbox choice, and are perfect for having kids over for sleepovers, movies, and game night. You get the idea right?... KID FRIENDLY!  Not only are they a great snack, but they carry a heavier nutritional punch than most "snack" foods!  You can load these babies up with the meat of your choice, and maybe even hide a few veggies!

Scared of the "make pizza dough" idea?  Don't sweat it - this recipe requires no kneading at all!  The whole kitchen will smell like a pizza parlor between the yeast, pepperoni, and oregano all baking together... but the texture is more like a muffin, with a tender moist crumb.  I'd be willing to bet that your kiddos would be thrilled to come in from school in the afternoons to these hot pizza muffins, fresh and steamy out of the oven, dipped into some warm pizza sauce.  But don't be surprised if the neighbor kids start migrating over, too!

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Ingredients:  

• 2 3/4 cups all purpose (AP) flour
• 1 envelope "quick rise" yeast
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp table salt
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1 1/4 cups very warm water 
• 120 - 130 degrees F
• 1 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup mini pepperoni 
• could use chopped deli meats
• 1/4 cup chopped cooked bacon 
• 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• could use small 1/2" cubes
• a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (optional)

Step-by-Step:

Combine 1 1/2 cups AP flour, the packet of yeast, sugar, salt, oregano, and basil in a large mixer bowl.  

1 1/2 cups AP flour

Tip - don't forget to check the expiration date on your yeast!

1 envelope "quick rise" yeast

 Mom always told me... "the yeast needs something to eat!"

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 tsp table salt

1 1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried basil

Add the water and oil.   
Tip - I heated my water for a minute in the microwave.  Worked perfectly!

1 1/4 cups very warm water

1 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil

After the water and the oil, beat 2 minutes on medium speed.
Then gradually add in the remaining 1 1/4 cups flour to make the dough.  It will be really sticky and fairly stiff.  

1 1/4 cups flour

While that's mixing, add the butter to the chopped vegetables in a microwave safe dish and cook on high for two minutes to "saute" the vegetables.  

I knew my kids wouldn't want to eat the pizza muffins if the vegetables were raw and crunchy.. so microwaving them for a couple of minutes made them soft and sweeter!  If you want different veggies, or no veggies, go for it!  Make the recipe your own by all means!

1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 Tbsp butter

Now stir in (by hand) the pepperoni, bacon, sauteed vegetables, and cheese.  

I bet these would be great with some chopped up deli meats like ham and turkey!

3/4 cup mini pepperoni

"Sauteed" vegetables

1/4 cup chopped cooked bacon

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Add in the red pepper flakes if you desire.  Careful - these pack a lot of heat!  

 A very light sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Cover this bowl and allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes.

After it rests, portion the dough into 12 standard sized (2 1/2") muffin cups that you have generously greased with nonstick cooking spray.  I don't recommend you use paper liners, as we want the outer crust to get a little crispy.  Now cover the whole muffin tin and allow the dough to rise somewhere a little bit warm for about 45 minutes.  You can expect some amount of rise, but not double.

You could use the mini muffin sized tin as well.  But remember they will bake faster (17 - 20 minutes).

Bake these in a preheated 375 F oven for 20 to 25 minutes (I went 22 minutes for the ones in the photo) until they area golden brown color.  You should also be smelling them by now.  

Let them cool a couple of minutes on a wire rack, then remove them from the pan by running a knife around the edges of each muffin.

Serve them warm with pizza sauce and maybe a sprinkling of fresh grated Parmesan cheese!

PS - I froze one just to see how they would reheat.  Thawed in the fridge.  Heated 20 seconds in the microwave.  FABULOUS!  Still moist and tender.. still smelled like an Italian pizzeria! 

 

Did you enjoy this recipe?

I hope you did!  My family sure did!  For more great ideas, head on over to my Recipe Index.  You are sure to find some things that your family will love, including many Kid Friendly food ideas. 

 
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Written Method:

Combine 1 1/2 cups AP flour, the packet of yeast, sugar, salt, oregano, and basil in a large mixer bowl.  Add the water and oil, then beat 2 minutes on medium speed.  While that's mixing, add the butter to the chopped vegetables in a microwave safe dish and cook on high for two minutes to "saute" the vegetables.  Gradually add in the remaining 1 1/4 cups flour to make the dough.  It will be really sticky and fairly stiff.

Now stir in (by hand) the pepperoni, bacon, sauteed vegetables, and cheese.  Add in the red pepper flakes if you desire.  Careful - these pack a lot of heat!  Cover this bowl and allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes.

After it rests, portion the dough into 12 standard sized (2 1/2") muffin cups that you have generously greased with nonstick cooking spray.  I don't recommend you use paper liners, as we want the outer crust to get a little crispy.

Now cover the whole muffin tin and allow the dough to rise somewhere a little bit warm for about 45 minutes.  You can expect some amount of rise, but not double.

Bake these in a preheated 375 F oven for 20 to 25 minutes (I went 22 minutes for the ones in the photo) until they area golden brown color.  You should also be smelling them by now.  Let them cool a couple of minutes on a wire rack, then remove them from the pan by running a knife around the edges of each muffin.  Serve them warm with pizza sauce and maybe a sprinkling of fresh grated Parmesan cheese!