Description
Cheesy pepperoni football dip brings game day excitement to your table. Packed with zesty flavors and shaped like a classic sports icon, this crowd-pleasing appetizer scores big at any gathering you’ll host.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 can (13.8 ounces / 392 grams) refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 25 slices pepperoni
Seasoning and Herbs:
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Binding and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce (for dipping)
- Cooking spray or olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Transform pizza dough into playful football-shaped appetizers perfect for game day celebrations.
- Create a clean workspace by dusting the countertop with flour to prevent dough from sticking.
- Carefully roll out pizza dough to an even thickness using a rolling pin, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Utilize a football-shaped cookie cutter or trace a template with a sharp knife to cut precise dough outlines.
- Strategically arrange pepperoni slices on half of the football-shaped dough pieces, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the pepperoni, distributing it evenly for balanced flavor.
- Gently place matching dough cutouts on top of the pepperoni-covered bases to create sealed packets.
- Firmly press the edges together using fingertips, ensuring a tight seal to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Enhance the seal by crimping edges with a fork, creating a decorative and secure border.
- Whisk an egg and delicately brush the surface of each football-shaped pocket for a golden, glossy finish.
- Dust the tops with Italian seasoning and optional Parmesan cheese for an aromatic and flavorful touch.
- Position the prepared footballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing space between each piece.
- Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven and bake until the dough turns a rich, golden brown color.
- Remove from the oven and allow a brief cooling period to prevent burning.
- Serve immediately alongside warm marinara sauce for a delightful dipping experience.
Notes
- Create perfectly sealed edges by pressing firmly with a fork, ensuring no filling escapes during baking.
- Customize these football pepperoni pockets for different dietary needs by using gluten-free pizza dough or plant-based cheese alternatives.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a thin layer of herbs like basil or oregano between the pepperoni and cheese before sealing the dough.
- Prevent soggy bottoms by preheating the baking sheet and using parchment paper to promote crisp, golden exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg