By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 8, 2025
Pizza Cupcakes are easy to make appetizers, perfect for game day or any other party. Store-bought dinner rolls are filled with marinara sauce, topped with cheese and pepperoni, then baked to perfection in just 15 minutes.
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Pizza Cups
These handheld Pizza Cups might just be the best party food recipe! What I love best about making these is that I only need 4 inexpensive ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time to whip them up. I can easily make a batch of these right before guests arrive, and they’ll be ready to serve warm straight from the oven.
I also like to serve these as an after-school snack. My kids even like helping me make them. Whether you serve these as a special after-school snack, at a game day party, or just because you’re craving them, I guarantee they’ll be a huge hit with friends of all ages!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 12 frozen unbaked dinner rolls 456 grams, thawed; Rhodes recommended, any bake and serve rolls or pizza dough also works
- ▢ ½ cup marinara sauce 114 grams, store-bought or homemade; plus more for serving, pizza sauce works well too
- ▢ 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 113 grams, mozzarella balls are also an option
- ▢ 12 slices pepperoni 24 grams
Instructions
- Thaw the rolls and allow to rise for approximately 2 hours. To hurry the process, you can heat the oven to 175°F, then turn off the heat. Spray a cupcake tin with nonstick spray and place a roll in each tin. 12 frozen unbaked dinner rolls
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Once the rolls have risen, press in the middle and press the rolls open.
- Add a large spoon of sauce, a couple tablespoons of cheese, and top with a pepperoni. ½ cup marinara sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 12 slices pepperoni
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Lift a roll to check that the bottom is lightly browned before removing.
- Serve pizza cupcakes with more marinara sauce for dipping.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Cupcake Tin
Becky’s Tips
- Use any of your favorite pizza toppings, such as diced bacon or ham, crumbled sausage, black olives, mushrooms, or diced veggies.
- These rolls are easy to scale up. Double the recipe to make 24 cupcakes. I always make a double batch and freeze half for later.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Pizza Cupcakes Step by Step
Prepare the rolls: Thaw 12 frozen unbaked dinner rolls and allow to rise for approximately 2 hours. To hurry the process, you can heat the oven to 175°F, then turn off the heat. Spray a cupcake tin with nonstick spray and place a roll in each tin. Preheat oven to 375°F.
Prepare the rolls: Once the rolls have risen, press in the middle and press the rolls open.
Add the filling and bake : Add a large spoonful of sauce, a couple of tablespoons of cheese, then top with a pepperoni.
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Lift a roll to check that the bottom is lightly browned before removing.
Serve and enjoy : Serve pizza cupcakes with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping. They’d also be great with a side of our homemade ranch dressing .
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy cold or warmed in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the final bake time.
Serving Suggestions
These pizza cupcakes make a great addition to any party appetizer table. If I want to prepare other kid-friendly options, I’ll whip up a batch of easy pinwheel tortillas or cheeseburger sliders. It’s also a good idea to have a bowl of crockpot Chex mix on hand so everyone can munch on something as soon as they arrive.
more kid-friendly pizza recipes we love
Pizza Sticks
Pizza Casserole
Texas Toast Pizza
Pizza Bagels
Pizza Cupcakes Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Cupcake Tin
Ingredients
- 12 frozen unbaked dinner rolls 456 grams, thawed; Rhodes recommended, any bake and serve rolls or pizza dough also works
- ½ cup marinara sauce 114 grams, store-bought or homemade; plus more for serving, pizza sauce works well too
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 113 grams, mozzarella balls are also an option
- 12 slices pepperoni 24 grams
Instructions
- Thaw the rolls and allow to rise for approximately 2 hours. To hurry the process, you can heat the oven to 175°F, then turn off the heat. Spray a cupcake tin with nonstick spray and place a roll in each tin. 12 frozen unbaked dinner rolls
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Once the rolls have risen, press in the middle and press the rolls open.
- Add a large spoon of sauce, a couple tablespoons of cheese, and top with a pepperoni. ½ cup marinara sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 12 slices pepperoni
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Lift a roll to check that the bottom is lightly browned before removing.
- Serve pizza cupcakes with more marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use any of your favorite pizza toppings, such as diced bacon or ham, crumbled sausage, black olives, mushrooms, or diced veggies.
- These rolls are easy to scale up. Double the recipe to make 24 cupcakes. I always make a double batch and freeze half for later.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
