Description

This Little Caesars Crazy Puffs Easy Copycat Recipe recreates the popular cheesy, pepperoni-stuffed bite-sized snacks that are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Using pizza dough filled with pizza sauce, pepperoni, and a blend of mozzarella and Muenster cheeses, these savory puffs are a perfect party appetizer or snack, baked to golden perfection with a flavorful Italian seasoning finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough and Butter

2 tablespoons butter (plus extra for buttering the muffin pan and shot glass)
1 13.6-ounce can pizza dough (or 1 pound pizza dough)

Filling

1/2 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Muenster cheese
4 ounces pizza sauce
4 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Generously butter the cups of a muffin pan to ensure the dough doesn’t stick during baking.
Shape Dough Balls: Divide the pizza dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place one dough ball into each buttered muffin cup. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise slightly until puffy.
Mix Cheese Blend: In a small bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and Muenster cheeses, mixing thoroughly for an even cheese blend.
Create Dough Cavities: Butter a shot glass well, then press the buttered shot glass into the center of each risen dough ball. This action will push the dough up the sides of the muffin cup, forming a deep cavity for the filling.
Add Filling: Fill each dough cavity with about 2 small spoonfuls of pizza sauce. Layer a few slices of pepperoni on top of the sauce, then generously sprinkle the cheese blend over the pepperoni. Finish each puff with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning for added flavor.
Bake: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake the Crazy Puffs for approximately 15 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

Butter the shot glass before pressing into the dough to prevent sticking and ensure clean cavity formation.
For extra flavor, you can add garlic powder or red pepper flakes to the Italian seasoning mix.
Allow the dough to rise sufficiently after portioning to create light, airy puffs.
Serve warm for the best cheesy, gooey experience.
These can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven for a crispy finish.