Save Celebrate the holidays with Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites, a festive treat sure to delight kids and adults alike. These adorable mini pizzas feature gooey mozzarella cheese, pepperoni arranged like Santa’s belt, and black olive “buckles” for a playful holiday touch. Perfect for party platters or casual family gatherings, they're easy to prepare and irresistible on the first bite.
Pin it With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can create a memorable appetizer that adds holiday cheer to any table. The combination of melted mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and tangy pizza sauce is a classic crowd-pleaser, while the visual appeal of Santa’s belt design adds a whimsical twist.
Ingredients
- Dough
- 1 lb (450 g) refrigerated pizza dough
- Sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) pizza sauce
- Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24 slices pepperoni (or vegetarian pepperoni)
- 12 small black olives, pitted and sliced
- Garnish
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (8 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick. Using a 2-inch (5 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out 24 circles. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- 3. Brush the dough circles lightly with olive oil.
- 4. Spread 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce onto each dough circle.
- 5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over each mini pizza.
- 6. Place a slice of pepperoni horizontally across the center of each pizza to resemble Santas belt.
- 7. Add a slice of black olive on the center of the pepperoni strip to mimic the belt buckle.
- 8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- 9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and dough is golden.
- 10. Let cool for 2 minutes before serving.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Roll the dough evenly to ensure uniform mini pizzas and use a sharp round cookie cutter for clean edges. Brushing the dough with olive oil before adding sauce helps it turn golden and crispy. For best results, bake on the middle oven rack to avoid burning the bottoms while cooking the cheese perfectly.
Varianten und Anpassungen
To make these bites vegetarian, substitute pepperoni with meatless pepperoni slices. For a festive twist, add thin strips of yellow bell pepper as a golden buckle. You can also experiment with different cheeses or add herbs like oregano for extra flavor.
Serviervorschläge
Serve Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites warm with a side of extra pizza sauce for dipping. These mini pizzas are ideal party finger foods, kid-friendly snacks, or a fun appetizer to accompany holiday drinks. They pair well with a fresh salad or a simple vegetable tray for balanced entertaining.
Pin it These Santa Belt Mini Pizza Bites combine festive cheer with easy preparation, making them a beloved recipe to return to year after year. Whether served at a holiday gathering or as a fun snack, they bring smiles and satisfaction in every bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What dough works best for mini pizzas?
Refrigerated pizza dough is convenient and provides a soft, chewy base ideal for these mini pizzas.
- → How do you create the pepperoni belt effect?
Place a single slice of pepperoni horizontally across each mini pizza to mimic a Santa belt strip.
- → Can I substitute the black olives?
Small black olives are perfect for the belt buckle look, but sliced green olives or capers can offer similar visual contrast.
- → What is the best baking temperature and time?
Bake mini pizzas at 425°F (220°C) for about 10–12 minutes until cheese bubbles and dough turns golden.
- → Is there a vegetarian option available?
Yes, swap out pepperoni for vegetarian alternatives and enjoy an equally tasty variation.
- → How can I add extra flavor or garnish?
Brush dough with olive oil before baking and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese after topping for added richness.