Stuffed Crust Pizza Bites

Instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your oven reaches the right temperature while you prepare the pizza bites, so they bake evenly and come out golden brown and delicious. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. Next, roll out the can of refrigerated pizza dough on a clean surface. If the dough is too sticky, lightly flour the surface or the dough itself. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12 inches by 8 inches. The dough should be even in thickness, but not too thin, as you’ll need to fold it over the fillings without tearing. Use a rolling pin or your hands to gently press the dough to your desired size.
3. Cut the dough into 16 squares, roughly 2 inches by 2 inches each. These squares will be the base for your stuffed pizza bites. If you’re not using a ruler, simply aim for even pieces that are large enough to wrap around a cheese cube and a slice of pepperoni without being too tight or too loose.
4. Place one cube of mozzarella cheese and one slice of pepperoni in the center of each dough square. The combination of the melted cheese and savory pepperoni is the heart of each pizza bite. You can also experiment by adding other ingredients, such as sliced olives or green peppers, but for the classic stuffed crust flavor, stick with these two fillings.
5. Carefully fold the edges of the dough square around the filling, pinching the corners and sides together to seal the cheese and pepperoni inside. Be sure to press the dough tightly to prevent any filling from leaking out during baking. The result should be a neat little pouch or ball of dough, with the cheese and pepperoni safely encased inside.
6. Place the stuffed dough balls seam side down on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not overcrowded. Leave a small space between each one to allow room for expansion as they bake. If necessary, you can gently reshape any that have lost their shape during the filling process.
7. Bake the stuffed pizza bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and fully cooked through. Keep an eye on them after 10 minutes to ensure they don’t overbake. You want the crust to be golden and the cheese inside to be melted and bubbly. The aroma of baking dough and melting cheese will fill your kitchen as they cook!
   

   Serving Suggestions