Ooooh — Crunchy Cream Cheese Pepperoni Bites sound like the perfect party snack! 🧀🍕 Crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy inside, with that salty-pepperoni kick — basically mini pizza bombs. They’re super easy to make with minimal ingredients and bake (or air fry!) beautifully.
Here’s how to make them 👇
🍕 Crunchy Cream Cheese Pepperoni Bites
Ingredients
(Makes about 16–20 bites)
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8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
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½ cup (60 g) shredded mozzarella (or cheddar for extra flavor)
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20–25 slices pepperoni, chopped (plus a few whole slices for topping)
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½ tsp Italian seasoning
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¼ tsp garlic powder
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Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
For coating:
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
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1 egg, beaten
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½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
Optional for serving:
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Marinara or pizza sauce for dipping
Instructions
1. Make the filling
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In a bowl, mix cream cheese, mozzarella, chopped pepperoni, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chili flakes, salt, and pepper until well combined.
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Chill mixture for 20–30 minutes — this makes it easier to roll.
2. Form the bites
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Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll into small balls.
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Place on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 15–20 minutes (helps keep them firm while coating).
3. Coat the bites
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Prepare three bowls:
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Bowl 1: flour
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Bowl 2: beaten egg
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Bowl 3: panko breadcrumbs
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Roll each chilled ball in flour → dip in egg → coat in panko.
(For extra crunch, double-dip: egg → panko again!)
4. Cook
Option 1 – Oven:
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Preheat to 400°F (200°C).
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Place on parchment-lined sheet and spray lightly with oil.
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Bake 15–18 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
Option 2 – Air Fryer:
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Preheat to 375°F (190°C).
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Air fry 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crisp and golden.
5. Serve
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Serve hot with warm marinara, ranch, or spicy garlic dip.
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Garnish with chopped parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan for flair.
💡 Tips
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Use mini pepperoni slices for easy mixing, or chop larger ones finely.
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Add a bit of jalapeño or diced green pepper to the filling for a spicy, pizza-inspired twist.
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These can be frozen before baking — just pop them into the oven or air fryer straight from the freezer when needed!
Would you like me to give you a baked crescent roll version of these (like little stuffed pizza bombs — creamy inside, flaky outside)? Those are dangerously good for parties or game nights.
