Cupcakes

Easy Pizza Cupcakes Recipe

4.57 from 153 votes
Make Easy Pizza Cupcakes in 20 minutes with mozzarella, pizza sauce, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for parties and kid-friendly meals.
Pizza Cupcakes - everything you love about pizza but in a cupcake!!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.

Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: Indulge in our Easy Pizza Cupcakes Recipe—a fusion of timeless pizza taste in a delightful, effortless-to-whip-up manner. Whether you’re throwing a bash, craving a swift bite, or crafting a kid-approved feast, these savory treats guarantee to steal the show!

  • Quick and Easy: With a prep and cook time of just 20 minutes, these pizza cupcakes are an ideal option for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
  • Versatile and Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to include your favorite pizza toppings, making it perfect for any palate.
  • Perfect for All Ages: Kids and adults alike will enjoy these bite-sized treats, making them a great addition to any meal or event.

You’ve seen our variety of pizza recipes, from 15-Minute Pizza Dough RecipePizza SconesPizza Savory Pop-Tarts,  to The Simplest Sourdough PizzaDeep Dish PizzaPizza Monkey Bread, or even Dessert Pizza and Microwave Mug Pizza. But get ready for a twist: Pizza Cupcakes! Yep, pizza in kids’ favorite form—it’s a delicious surprise!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 6/12/2024, to include explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, answers to the most asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

Table of Contents

Pizza cupcakes, pizza recipes, how to make pizza , easy pizza recipes,pizza cupcake recipe, savory scones, kids baking recipes, easy child friendly recipes, recipes for sleepovers, fun recipes for kids, pizza

What are Pizza Cupcakes?

Pizza cupcakes are savory treats that take all the delicious flavors of pizza and combine them into a convenient, handheld form.

  • They typically consist of a savory cupcake base filled with pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings such as pepperoni or vegetables.
  • They’re perfect for parties, snacks, or anytime you’re craving a taste of pizza in a fun and portable format.

Tools You Need

Key Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour

    • All-purpose flour has a protein content of 9%-11% to provide structure and texture to the cupcake batter.
    • You can substitute whole wheat flour for up to 50% of all-purpose flour for a healthier option, but it may result in a denser texture. Or, experiment with store-bought dough such as crescent roll dough.
  • Baking powder

    • Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, helping the cupcakes rise and become fluffy.
    • There’s no direct substitute, but you can use baking soda with an acidic ingredient like buttermilkyogurt, or sour cream. For every 1 teaspoon of baking powder required, use ¼ tsp of baking soda.
  • Dried Italian seasoning

    • Dried Italian seasoning adds flavor to the cupcakes, providing the characteristic Italian herb blend taste.
    • You can substitute a combination of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
  • Salt

    • Salt enhances the flavor of the cupcakes and balances the sweetness. You can reduce the amount of salt or omit it if you’re watching your sodium intake.
  • Eggs

    • Eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cupcakes.
    • You can use substitutes such as flax eggs from our Egg Substitute Chart. Whole milk
  • Pizza Sauce

    • Pizza sauce adds flavor and moisture to the cupcakes, infusing them with a classic pizza taste.
    • Check out our 5 Minute Pizza Sauce for the easiest yet freshest taste.
  • Mozzarella cheese

    • It melts and creates a gooey, cheesy texture in the cupcakes.
    • You can substitute any shredded cheese of your choice, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack. or, try our Homemade Mozzarella.
  • Mini pepperonis

    • Mini Pepperonis add a savory and slightly spicy flavor to the cupcakes.
    • You can substitute sliced sausage, diced ham, or your favorite pizza toppings for pepperonis.

How to Make Pizza Cupcakes

Prep

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and liberally grease a 12-well muffin tin or muffin cups with olive oil or cooking spray. Set aside.

Make the Pizza Cupcake Batter

  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning and salt.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: in a medium jug, whisk the eggs and milk until blended, then mix into the dry ingredients until just combined but with a few small lumps remaining.
  3. Assemble the cupcakes:
    1. For the bottom layer of the cupcake, fill each muffin cup with about 2 tablespoons of batter.
    2. Next, sprinkle some cheese in each cup followed by 2 teaspoons of sauce then another sprinkle of cheese. Finally, layer on a few mini pepperonis.
    3. Top each cupcake with 2 tablespoons of the remaining batter, and a final sprinkle of cheese and pepperonis.

Bake the Pizza Cupcakes

  1. Bake until lightly browned and puffed, about 20-25 minutes. Enjoy while still hot!

Pizza cupcakes, pizza recipes, how to make pizza , easy pizza recipes,pizza cupcake recipe, savory scones, kids baking recipes, easy child friendly recipes, recipes for sleepovers, fun recipes for kids, pizza

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

  • Instead of tomato sauce, you can use pesto, olive tapenade or any other sauce you normally like on your pizza.
  • If you like pizza with a little kick of heat, add about a ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to either the sauce or the cupcake batter.
  • Pay careful attention to the layering order for the cupcake filling. The cheese layered around the sauce helps keep it suspended in the center of the cupcake.
  • You can replace some of the mozzarella with another cheese like goat or feta.
  • Make dessert pizza cupcakes: First, use cupcake liners instead of greasing the tin. Then, for the batter, leave out the Italian seasoning and reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. Add your first layer of batter to the cups. For the filling, cut a large marshmallow in half. Layer on one marshmallow half, 2 teaspoons of Nutella, two slices of banana and the remaining marshmallow half. Top with the remaining batter and bake until set.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

Store leftover pizza cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. Reheat when ready to eat.

FAQs

Can I make Pizza Cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free flour or Almond Flour Baking Mix to make Pizza Cupcakes.

Can I make Pizza Cupcakes in an air fryer?

Yes, you can make them in an air fryer.

An air fryer works like a convection oven which is fan-assisted with heating elements on the ceiling inside the baking chamber. You should lower your temperature by about 25°F(15°C) compared to the recipe, bake for a shorter time, or follow the manual instructions.

What other toppings can I add?

You can also add black olives, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, diced sausage, or pesto.

More Pizza Recipes

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 6/12/2024, to include explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, answers to the most asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

Watch The Recipe Video!

Easy Pizza Cupcakes Recipe

4.57 from 153 votes
Make Easy Pizza Cupcakes in 20 minutes with mozzarella, pizza sauce, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for parties and kid-friendly meals.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Make Easy Pizza Cupcakes in 20 minutes with mozzarella, pizza sauce, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for parties and kid-friendly meals.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups (7 ½ oz/213 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (12 fl oz/360 ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (4 oz/120 g) Pizza Sauce
  • 2 cups (8 oz/225 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) mini pepperonis

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and liberally grease a 12 well muffin tin with olive oil. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning and salt.
  • In a medium jug, whisk the eggs and milk until until blended, then mix into the dry ingredients until just combined but with a few small lumps remaining.
  • For the bottom layer of the cupcake, fill each muffin cup with about 2 tablespoons of batter.
  • Next sprinkle some cheese in each cup followed by 2 teaspoons of sauce then another sprinkle of cheese. Finally, layer on a few mini pepperonis.
  • Top each cupcake with 2 tablespoons of the remaining batter, and a final sprinkle of cheese and pepperonis.
  • Bake until lightly browned and puffed, about 20-25 minutes.
  • Enjoy while still hot! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 day or in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. Reheat when ready to eat.

Recipe Notes

  • Instead of tomato sauce, you can use pesto, olive tapenade or any other sauce you normally like on your pizza.
  • If you like pizza with a little kick of heat, add about a ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to either the sauce or the cupcake batter.
  • Pay careful attention to the layering order for the cupcake filling. The cheese layered around the sauce helps keep it suspended in the center of the cupcake.
  • You can replace some of the mozzarella with another cheese like goat or feta.
  • Make dessert pizza cupcakes: First, use cupcake liners instead of greasing the tin. Then, for the batter, leave out the Italian seasoning and reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. Add your first layer of batter to the cups. For the filling, cut a large marshmallow in half. Layer on one marshmallow half, 2 teaspoons of Nutella, two slices of banana and the remaining marshmallow half. Top with the remaining batter and bake until set.

Do you love pizza as much as I do? If so you might also like my Pizza Pop Tarts, my Pizza Scones or of course just a regular but amazing Pizza Dough recipe.

4.57 from 153 votes (132 ratings without comment)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

200 Comments
most useful
newest oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Krystal
Krystal
6 years ago

Hi Gemma,
I made these today and felt that there was too much salt. I try to avoid salt and used local regular salt(my city sits on a salt mine). Since the recipe only needs 2 tsps can I leave it out. I did it in the 12 cup pan that i have at home but next time I’m going to use the 6 cup so I can add more toppings. I submitted pictures just hoping they get approved. I also posted to IG.

Karen
Karen
4 years ago

Absolutely amazing these were soo yum but would u know the calories in each ?

Escillia
4 years ago

Definitely will make again!

Krystal Lynn Decker
6 years ago

Hi Gemma,
I’m wondering if I can leave out the salt. I felt they were a little too salty. I used regular coarse salt. I will try again probably with no salt and use my bigger pan so i can add more toppings.

Nikky
Nikky
8 months ago

Hi there
Can you freeze these?

Wendi Gill
Wendi Gill
1 year ago

Hi Gemma, I just made this recipe today and it is super delicious! My family and I absolutely love it! I couldn’t find those baby pepperonis, so I used the regular-sized ones and cut them into quarters. It worked great! My only note is that here in your recipe it says to bake 20-25 minutes and in your video, you say 25-30 minutes. Not a big deal. 27 minutes was perfect for my oven. Delicious and so easy! Thank you!

Sawsan Gamal-Eldin
Sawsan Gamal-Eldin
2 years ago

Made this and it was a hit with my picky eater autistic little one, can’t be more grateful. Can you freeze these for a quick lunchbox filler?

Patti
Patti
3 years ago

Gemma, how would I make a margherita version of this?

Ayan08
Ayan08
3 years ago

Hi. Gemma, can I use oregano powder instead of dried oregano? Thank you.

Poojani Weerakkody
3 years ago

Hi Gemma,
Is there anything that we can substitute for Italian seasoning ? Also love your puppy. It is soooo cute. Love your recipes and thank you for sharing them with us.

This Recipe Made By Bold Bakers

44 Images

AnushkaAJ

Thirtsa

JyotikaSah

MKBaker

MKBaker

Swati Dasani

About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

Weeknight Family Favorites Chapter from the Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day Cookbook