Cheese stuffed pizza bites
These cheese-stuffed pizza buns are a perfect appetizer for a big Game Day! With a big party on the horizon, this quick homemade dough stuffed with a three-cheese mixture are a great vessel for marinara sauce. You’re going to love them!
INGREDIENTS
For the pizza dough:
– 1 cup warm water (100°F to 110°F)
– 2 tsp white granulated sugar
– 1 tsp kosher salt
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 1/4 tsp (1 pkg) instant yeast
For the filling:
– 1 cup ricotta cheese shredded
– 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese shredded
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– 1/2 tsp garlic powder
– 1/4 tsp kosher salt
For the melted butter:
– 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
– 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
– 1/2 tsp garlic powder
INSTRUCTIONS
– In a large bowl, combine the water, sugar, and salt. Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Add the olive oil, flour, and yeast. Using a fork or a dough whisk, combine the mixture into a shaggy dough.
On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it is smooth, 6-8 minutes. Once the dough is smooth, form into a ball. Oil the bowl with 2 tsp of olive oil. Roll the dough in the oil and place it in the bowl. Cover and set in a warm place for 1 hour.
– Once the dough has risen, punch down and release the air bubbles. Butter or grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
– In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Stir to combine, ensuring all the cheeses are evenly mixed. Set the mixture aside.
– Using a scale or by eye, divide the dough into 24 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball. Flatten each ball into a 4-inch circle and add 2 tbsp of the cheese filling. Wrap the dough around the filling and pinch the seam tightly. Roll into a ball and place in the prepared baking dish. When all the pizza buns are formed, cover them and allow them to rise for 30 minutes.
– Preheat the oven to 375°F.
– While the dough is rising, melt the butter. Add the remaining Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Once the dough has risen, brush it with the prepared butter mixture.
– Place the brushed pizza buns in the preheated oven. Bake until the buns have a golden brown crust, 30-35 minutes.
Once baked, remove the pizza buns from the oven. Allow the buns to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving.
