Name: Pizza Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk; ¼ cup olive oil; ½ cup pizza sauce, plus extra for topping; 1 cup mini pepperoni, divided; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 12 small mozzarella cubes (about ½ inch)

These savory pizza cupcakes combine all your favorite pizza flavors in a convenient, handheld form. Stuffed with gooey mozzarella and topped with pepperoni, these delightful bites are perfect for parties, quick lunches, or anytime snacks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines two beloved foods – pizza and cupcakes – into one delicious treat
Perfect portable size makes them ideal for parties, lunches, and snacks
Each bite features a surprise melty cheese center
Customizable with your favorite pizza toppings
Kid-friendly but sophisticated enough for adults
Easy to make ahead and reheat when needed
Great alternative to traditional pizza when you want something different

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour creates the sturdy base for these savory cupcakes, providing the perfect texture that’s somewhere between a muffin and a pizza crust.
Baking powder gives these cupcakes their rise and fluffy texture, creating little pockets of air throughout the batter.
Dried oregano infuses the batter with classic Italian flavor that’s instantly recognizable as “pizza.” It’s what gives these cupcakes their authentic pizza taste.
Garlic powder adds depth and savory notes throughout the batter. It works together with the oregano to create that unmistakable pizza flavor profile.
Salt enhances all the flavors in the recipe and balances the savory and cheese elements perfectly.
Black pepper adds a subtle heat and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
Eggs bind the ingredients together while adding richness and helping the cupcakes rise properly during baking.
Whole milk contributes moisture and richness to the batter. If needed, you can substitute 2% milk, though the cupcakes won’t be quite as tender.
Olive oil brings a subtle Mediterranean flavor while keeping the cupcakes moist. You could substitute vegetable oil, but you’ll lose some of that authentic pizza flavor.
Pizza sauce infuses the batter with tomato flavor and adds moisture. Choose a sauce you enjoy eating, as its flavor will permeate the cupcakes.
Mini pepperoni distributes pizza flavor throughout the batter and creates an appetizing topping. Regular pepperoni cut into smaller pieces works fine if you can’t find mini pepperoni.
Shredded mozzarella cheese melts beautifully throughout the cupcakes and creates that desirable cheese pull when eaten warm.
Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty note that enhances the overall savory profile of these cupcakes.
Mozzarella cubes create the gooey, melty center that makes these cupcakes special. Fresh or low-moisture mozzarella both work well here.

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, olive oil, and pizza sauce until well combined.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Fold in ¾ cup shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and ¾ cup mini pepperoni.
Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter.
Place one mozzarella cube in the center of each cup. Top with remaining batter to cover the cheese cube.
Sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella and mini pepperoni on top.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, until edges are golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing.
Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 12 pizza cupcakes. You’ll need about 10 minutes for preparation and 15-18 minutes for baking, bringing the total time to approximately 25-30 minutes. Each pizza cupcake contains approximately 205 calories.

Variations

Veggie Supreme: Add finely diced bell peppers, mushrooms, and olives to the batter for a vegetable-packed version.

Meat Lover’s: Replace the pepperoni with a mix of cooked Italian sausage for the ultimate meat experience.

Margherita Style: Skip the pepperoni and mix in fresh basil. Top with sliced cherry tomatoes before baking for a fresh twist.

BBQ Chicken: Substitute part of the pizza sauce with BBQ sauce and add shredded rotisserie chicken to the batter for a BBQ chicken pizza version.

Buffalo Chicken: Add some buffalo sauce to the batter along with shredded chicken and blue cheese crumbles for a spicy variation.

Breakfast Pizza Cupcakes: Add cooked breakfast sausage and substitute some of the mozzarella with cheddar for a morning-appropriate treat.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store cooled pizza cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing: These pizza cupcakes freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating from refrigerated: For best results, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Microwaving for 20-30 seconds works for quick reheating but may result in a slightly softer texture.

Reheating from frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat from frozen in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

Can I make these pizza cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter up to a day in advance and refrigerate it, though you may need to add a minute or two to the baking time. Alternatively, bake them completely, cool, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

How do I know when the pizza cupcakes are done baking?

The edges should be golden brown, and the cheese on top should be melted and slightly bubbly. If you insert a toothpick near the edge (avoiding the cheese center), it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Can I use pizza dough instead of making a batter?

This recipe is specifically designed to create a savory muffin-like texture. If you use pizza dough, you’ll get a different result that’s more like stuffed bread rolls. Both are delicious but quite different!

What can I use instead of pepperoni for a vegetarian version?

For a vegetarian version, simply omit the pepperoni and add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, or spinach. You could also try plant-based pepperoni alternatives.

My cheese center disappeared into the batter. What happened?

This can happen if the mozzarella cube wasn’t fully covered with batter or if the cubes were too small. Make sure to completely encase the cheese cube with batter and consider freezing the cheese cubes for 15 minutes before adding them to help them retain their shape during baking.

Can I use different cheeses in this recipe?

Absolutely! While mozzarella gives that classic pizza pull, you can experiment with cheddar, provolone, or fontina. For the cheese center, any good melting cheese will work.

Are these suitable for kids’ lunchboxes?

These make great lunchbox additions! For school lunches, allow them to cool completely before packing. They can be eaten at room temperature, though they’re best warm.

How spicy are these pizza cupcakes?

As written, these are very mild and kid-friendly. If you prefer more heat, add red pepper flakes to the batter or use spicy pepperoni.

Can I make mini pizza cupcakes instead?

Yes! Use a mini muffin tin and reduce the baking time to about 10-12 minutes. Use smaller cheese cubes or just mix all the cheese into the batter.

Why are my pizza cupcakes soggy?

Excess moisture could be coming from watery pizza sauce or vegetables. If using vegetables, consider sautéing them briefly to remove some moisture. Also, make sure to let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, but not much longer, as the steam can make them soggy.

Conclusion

These pizza cupcakes offer all the flavors of your favorite pizza in a fun, portable form. Perfect for parties, lunch boxes, or casual dinners, they’re sure to become a family favorite. The surprise melty cheese center delights kids and adults alike, while the customizable nature of the recipe means you can adapt it to suit everyone’s pizza preferences. Whether you stick with classic pepperoni or experiment with different fillings, these savory treats strike the perfect balance between convenience and indulgence. Enjoy them fresh from the oven for the full experience, or make a batch ahead to enjoy throughout the week.

Pizza Cupcakes