Description
Delight in these savory Cheesy Italian-Style Pizza Muffins, perfect for a quick breakfast, snack, or party appetizer. Bursting with classic Italian flavors such as mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni, bell peppers, olives, and a hint of pizza sauce, these muffins offer the comforting taste of pizza in a convenient, portable form.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
Mix-ins
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pepperoni
- 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (red, green, or both)
- 1/4 cup chopped black olives
Topping
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with muffin liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk and egg until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Make Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chopped pepperoni, bell peppers, and black olives into the batter, ensuring they are evenly incorporated.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Using a spoon or scoop, fill each muffin cup approximately three-quarters full with the prepared batter for optimal rising.
- Add Pizza Sauce Topping: Place a teaspoon of pizza sauce on top of each muffin and use a toothpick or knife to gently swirl the sauce into the batter for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Bake: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps maintain their texture.
- Serve: Serve the Cheesy Italian-Style Pizza Muffins warm or at room temperature, perfect as a savory snack or appetizer.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit pepperoni or substitute with vegetarian pepperoni.
- Feel free to customize the mix-ins by adding mushrooms, onions, or different cheeses.
- These muffins can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
- Using muffin liners makes cleanup easier and helps with removal.