Save to Pinterest Fun, bite-sized mini pizzas shaped like basketballs—perfect for game day snacks or parties. These cheesy, customizable treats are easy to make and guaranteed to score big with kids and adults alike.
This recipe is a favorite during basketball games and family parties where everybody gets involved in decorating the bites.
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 lb (450 g) pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- Sauce & Cheese: 1/2 cup (120 ml) pizza sauce , 1 1/2 cups (150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings & Decoration: 24 slices pepperoni (optional, for filling) , 1/4 cup (25 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese , 2 tablespoons olive oil , 2 tablespoons cornmeal (for dusting) , 2 tablespoons black olives, thinly sliced (for basketball lines) , 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for basketball color)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust with cornmeal.
- Step 2:
- Divide pizza dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten gently into a 2-inch (5 cm) round.
- Step 3:
- Place a small spoonful of pizza sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese in the center of each round. Add a pepperoni slice, if desired.
- Step 4:
- Pinch edges to seal and roll gently back into a ball. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 5:
- Brush each ball lightly with olive oil. For a deeper basketball color, brush with a bit of tomato paste mixed with olive oil.
- Step 6:
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Step 7:
- Bake for 10&ndash12 minutes, or until golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
- Step 8:
- Let cool for 2 minutes. Use thin strips of black olive to create basketball lines on each bite.
- Step 9:
- Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Save to Pinterest This recipe brings us together every game day as we enjoy creating and sharing these delicious bites.
Required Tools
Baking sheet , parchment paper , rolling pin , pastry brush , sharp knife
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (gluten) , dairy (cheese) , possible soy (pizza sauce) . May contain: Eggs (depending on dough) , processed meats (pepperoni) . Always check ingredient labels if allergens are a concern.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 70 per pizza bite , Total Fat: 3.2 g , Carbohydrates: 8 g , Protein: 2.5 g
Save to Pinterest These basketball pizza bites are bound to be a slam dunk at your next gathering.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I shape the bites like basketballs?
After filling the dough balls with sauce and cheese, roll them smooth and seal edges. Once baked, decorate with thin black olive strips to create basketball lines.
- → Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, using gluten-free pizza dough works well without altering the cooking method.
- → What toppings can I add inside?
Try pepperoni, cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or diced bell peppers to vary flavors.
- → How should I serve these bites?
Serve warm with extra tomato-based sauce for dipping, making them perfect snacks for gatherings.
- → How long does it take to prepare and bake?
Preparation takes about 15 minutes, and baking requires 12 minutes for golden, bubbly bites.