Pizza Muffins
These Pizza Muffins bake like a dream, with mozzarella, pepperoni, pizza sauce, cornmeal and Italian seasoning in the batter. They take about half an hour to whip up from scratch and come out as small savory muffins with browned edges, melted cheese on top and pepperoni inside. They’re easy to customize with any toppings you like.
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These easy pizza muffins have marinara or pizza sauce mixed into the batter, with mozzarella and pepperoni baked through each one. The tops bake up golden around the cheese and the savory cornmeal crumb with tomato, garlic and Italian seasoning holds together well, to make them an irresistible snack.
If you like savory snacks, try Homemade Hot Pockets or Ham and Cheese Roll Ups. These Air Fryer Mashed Potato Bites are another hot snack idea for parties or after-school food. You might also enjoy these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers or Korean Chicken Wings for something with more bite.
Why You’ll Love It
- Savory muffin snack: These have pepperoni, mozzarella and pizza sauce baked right into the batter.
- No dough rolling: You mix the batter in a bowl and scoop it into a standard muffin pan, so you don’t have to work with dough or roll anything out.
- Pizza-style flavor: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, mozzarella and pepperoni bring the familiar pizza taste and you can add any of your favorite pizza toppings to customize them.
- Cornmeal texture: Cornmeal adds a slight grit and firmer crumb that suits the richness of the sauce and cheese.
- Individual portions: Each muffin is already portioned for lunch boxes, snack plates or party appetizers.
Easy Pizza Muffins Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
Use marinara sauce: You can use marinara sauce instead of pizza sauce in the batter and topping.
Change the cheese: Provolone, Colby Jack or an Italian cheese blend can replace mozzarella.
Use diced ham: Try diced ham instead of pepperoni for a milder taste.
Vegetarian version: Leave out the pepperoni and add a little extra cheese.
Add veggies: Finely chopped olives, onion or bell pepper can go into the batter. Keep the pieces small because large ones can make the centers wetter when releasing liquid.
Kid-friendly: Add colby jack cheese on top and some bacon bits to the batter.
Deluxe option: Add onions, diced bell peppers and chopped black olives to the batter.
Add spice: Use spicy pepperoni, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a spicy pizza sauce. I love Rao’s Arrabbiata Sauce with its red pepper kick!
Pizza Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ¾ cup mozzarella shredded
- ¾ cup pepperoni slices about 2 ounces, cut into quarters
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup + 4 tablespoons pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups milk
Toppings
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 12 pepperoni slices
- And anything else you like!
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, Italian seasonings, and garlic powder.
- Stir in the cornmeal, then add the mozzarella and pepperoni.
- Mix until pepperoni and cheese are coated with the flour mixture.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well in between each addition.
- Mix in the milk and pizza sauce until all ingredients are combined into a batter. Don’t overmix.
- With a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the batter into the cupcake pan.
- Add a teaspoon of pizza sauce to each muffin and use a knife to swirl it gently in the batter. Don’t mix, just swirl.
- Top with shredded cheese and pepperoni and/or any other toppings you like.
- Bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
- Rest before removing: Let the muffins sit in the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a rack, so they don’t break.
- Use room temperature eggs: I find they mix into the batter more evenly than cold eggs.
- Serve warm: The cheese tastes better and the crumb is softer when the muffins are warm.
Nutrition Information
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Kim’s Top Tips
- Don’t overmix the batter: Stir only until the dry ingredients disappear. Extra mixing can make your muffins dense.
- Use a standard muffin pan: A regular 12-cup muffin pan gives the muffins enough space to rise and brown at the edges. A different size pan might alter the cooking time.
- Cut the pepperoni small: Quartered pepperoni spreads through the batter better than whole slices.
- Grease the pan well: Cheese can stick around the top edges, so it’s important to coat each cup properly.
- Check the center: Test the middle of a muffin with a toothpick, not the cheesy edge.
How to Store
Storage: Store cooled pizza muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze cooled muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight.
Reheating: Reheat them in the air fryer at 330°F for 3 to 4 minutes or until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these pizza muffins with extra sauce for dipping and perhaps a classic Caprese Salad or crisp Broccoli Salad on the side. Add something sweet to the spread if you like, such as Cookies and Cream Cookies, tangy Lemon Lime 7Up Cupcakes or this gorgeous Peanut Butter Pie.
Pizza Muffins FAQs
The batter may have been mixed too much, or the flour may have been packed too firmly into the measuring cup. I like to spoon the flour into the cup and level it off.
The tops should be set and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Test the middle, not the cheese on top.
Yes. Bake them ahead, refrigerate them and reheat before serving. They taste better warm because the cheese softens again.
You can, but the cheese may stick to them. Greasing the muffin pan usually gives cleaner edges.
A large cookie scoop that holds about 3 tablespoons fills the muffin cups evenly. This set of 3 scoops is handy for home bakers.
