Pizza Bubbles
August 4, 2025
Pull-apart pizza bites stuffed with melty cheese and pepperoni—perfect for dipping, sharing, and snacking anytime.
If you love pizza in any form, these Pizza Bubbles are about to be your new favorite. Soft, golden dough wraps around gooey mozzarella and pepperoni, then gets brushed with garlic butter and baked to perfection. They’re kid-friendly, fun to eat, and packed with classic pizza flavor—perfect for game night, after-school snacks, or anytime you’re craving something cheesy and sharable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- Uses just a handful of simple ingredients
- Kid-friendly and easy to customize
- Melty cheese and pepperoni in every bite
- Perfect for dipping in warm marinara
- Great appetizer, snack, or fun dinner option
- Tastes just like pizza but even more fun to eat
Ingredient Notes
- Refrigerated pizza dough – Any brand works, but Pillsbury or store-brand tubes are easiest to portion and roll.
- Mini pepperoni – These give the perfect ratio in each bite, but you can also chop up regular pepperoni.
- Mozzarella cheese sticks – String cheese melts beautifully and is easy to cut into even chunks.
- Butter – Use real butter for the richest flavor; melt it just before brushing.
- Garlic powder and Italian seasoning – Adds that classic pizza-shop flavor without extra effort.
- Grated Parmesan – Optional, but it adds a salty, cheesy finish to the tops.
- Marinara sauce – Use your favorite store-bought or homemade version for dipping. Rao’s or Mezzetta are great options if you’re looking for flavor-packed store brands.
Before You Bake
Do I have to use string cheese?
String cheese is the easiest option since it’s already portioned and melts well. You can also cube block mozzarella, but shredded cheese may be harder to seal inside.
How do I keep the filling from leaking out?
Be sure to firmly pinch the dough closed around the cheese and pepperoni, then place each ball seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Can I prep these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the balls a few hours in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge and brush with butter right before baking.
Pizza Bubbles
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
- 20–24 mini pepperoni slices (or chopped regular pepperoni)
- 4 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into chunks
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
- Warm marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the pizza dough into 20–24 equal pieces. Flatten each piece slightly and place a chunk of mozzarella and 1–2 pepperoni slices in the center. Pinch the edges to seal and roll into a ball.
- Place the balls seam-side down on the baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning, then brush over the tops. Sprinkle with Parmesan if using.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy. Serve warm with a bowl of marinara for dipping!
FAQ
Can I air fry Pizza Bubbles?
Yes! Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Keep an eye on them as cook times may vary by machine.
What sauces go well with them besides marinara?
Ranch, garlic butter, cheesy Alfredo, or a spicy buffalo dip are all delicious options.
Can I freeze them?
Freeze before baking by placing the stuffed dough balls on a tray, then transferring them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen at 375°F, adding 3–5 extra minutes.
Can I make them without pepperoni?
Absolutely! Leave out the pepperoni or swap in cooked sausage, veggies, or just cheese for a meatless version.
Sprinkle of Fun
These Pizza Bubbles are the ultimate party-starter—perfect for a weekend get-together where finger foods and dipping sauces are a must. Stack them on a platter with a big bowl of marinara in the center, add some toothpicks and watch them disappear before the drinks are even poured.
get access to my weekly recipe updates!
