Even those of us who used to (or still do) snack on those nostalgic, microwaveable bite-sized pizza snacks can admit one thing—they don’t exactly taste like pizza. And when you consider their often sky-high sodium levels, processed ingredients, and minimal nutritional value, it becomes clear they’re not doing your body any favors. Yet somehow, they remain one of America’s most popular frozen snack foods.
But here’s the good news: making your own pizza poppers at home is surprisingly easy, incredibly tasty, and way better for you. You can customize them with your favorite ingredients—think gooey mozzarella, zesty marinara, mini pepperoni, sautéed mushrooms, or even a handful of veggies—then wrap them up in dough, bake until golden, and you’ve got a melty, handheld snack that hits all the right notes.
The best part? These homemade pizza poppers freeze beautifully, making them perfect for after-school snacks, post-work cravings, or movie night munchies. Just pop a few in the oven or air fryer whenever the mood strikes, and you’re only minutes away from that cheesy, saucy, crispy-edged goodness.
Ditch the boxed stuff and bring real pizza flavor into bite-size form—these poppers are proof that a homemade snack can be fast, fun, and flavorful. Ready to upgrade your snack game? Let’s make a batch (or two)!
Not what you are looking for? Try these other amazing Appetizer recipes:
- Slow Cooker Mahogany Chicken Wings
- Marinated Portobello Mushrooms
- Cheesy Cauliflower Tots
- Mini Buffalo Chicken Balls
Pizza Poppers
Pizza Poppers are a great game day appetizer recipe. Make them super special by making the dough and sauce.
- Prep Time: :25
- Cook Time: :10
- Total Time: :35
- Yield: 24–36 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 500°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Gather the ingredients: Gather the pizza dough and bring it to room temperature, as well as the sauce, mozzarella cheese, and meat of choice.
- Combine the ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the pizza sauce, cheese, and meat of choice. Stir until completely mixed together.
- Roll out the dough: Cut the dough into workable pieces, about the size of a tennis ball. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough into a long rectangle, until it’s about 4 inches wide and about 1/4-inch thick.
- Add the filling: Down one side of the dough, drop small spoonfuls (roughly 1 teaspoon) of filling ingredients in little mounds. Leave about 1 inch between each mound of filling.
- Fold the dough: Fold dough over the top of the toppings and press between the mounds of filling with your fingers.
- Cut the dough: Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut each pizza bite apart from the next.
- Pinch the seams: Pinch the freshly cut ends together. They’ll be sticky and should hold together nicely, making a neat edge. The amount of execution needed for this step will usually depend on your dough and its willingness to play nice.
- Brush with olive oil: Transfer the pizza bites to a baking sheet, spaced about 1-inch apart. Lightly brush the top of each pizza bite with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt.
- Bake until golden: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tops are golden-brown. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and serve.
Notes
- To freeze: Simply cook by the above directions and allow to cool completely. Freeze individually on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen, slide into a zip-top bag for storage. To reheat, place on a sheet pan in the oven or toaster oven to reheat at 350°F for 25 minutes (time may vary depending on oven and amount of pizza rolls being reheated).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 30