Aunt Denise calls these her game-day secret because the tray is empty before the first commercial break.
Aunt Denise clearly knows what she’s doing! These Pepperoni Pizza Bites are essentially the “lacy” crispy edges of a pizza, concentrated into a single, low-carb snack. By mixing the cheese with an egg, you create a structure that allows the mozzarella to crisp up like a cracker rather than just melting into a puddle. They are salty, spicy, and perfectly engineered for dipping.
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Aunt Denise’s Game-Day Pizza Bites
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture) | 2 cups |
| Finely grated Parmesan cheese | 3/4 cup |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Garlic powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Dried Italian seasoning | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Kosher salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Freshly ground black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Slices pepperoni (regular or turkey) | 36/40 |
| Pizza or marinara sauce (for dipping) | 1/2 cup |
How To Make Aunt Denise’s Game-Day Pizza Bites:
Step 1: Prep the Pans: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line 3 rimmed sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly coat them with nonstick spray or olive oil.
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Tip: Don’t skip the oil on the parchment! Even “non-stick” paper can sometimes grab onto melted Parmesan, and you want these to slide right off to keep that crispy cheese skirt intact.
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Step 2: Mix the Cheese Base: In a bowl, combine the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and all the spices. Mix with a fork or your hands until it’s evenly distributed and starts to clump together.
Step 3: Arrange the Pepperoni: Place the pepperoni slices on the pans, leaving about 1/2 inch of space between them. Aim for 12/14 slices per pan.
Step 4: Top and Press: Place a heaping tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto each pepperoni slice. Press it down gently so it sticks. It’s okay if the cheese hangs over the edges—it will melt into a delicious “halo” around the meat.
Step 5: Bake and Broil: Bake for 8/10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. For the perfect finish, switch to Broil for the last 1/2 minutes until the edges are deeply golden and bubbling. Watch them like a hawk; they go from golden to burnt very fast!
Step 6: Cool and Set: Let the bites rest on the pans for 3/5 minutes. This is the most important step! As the cheese cools slightly, it hardens and becomes “chiplike” so you can pick them up.
Step 7: Serve: Slide a thin spatula under each bite and move them to a platter. Serve with a side of warm marinara for the ultimate dipping experience.
