With an easy method and a fun result, these Pizza Cups are a yummy dinner to share with the kids. They’re ready in under 30 minutes, can be made with homemade or store-bought pizza dough, and work with any toppings your kids like!
We’ve been making Pizza Rolls and Pizza Muffins for years, but these easy Pizza Cups have become a new favorite. The shape of them is so fun and the method is so easy! Plus, you can really fill them with whatever pizza toppings your family prefers.
I love this pizza cups recipe because it’s yummy, but also because it’s so versatile. You can use Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough, or store bought fresh dough. You can use pizza sauce or even Easy Marinara Sauce if that’s what you have. The recipe works whether you make and serve all at once or make ahead and reheat later.
It’s even a fun appetizer or potluck dish to share! Some people call these Pizza Cupcakes, which is also a fun name.
(You may also like my Ultimate Guide to Easy Pizza, Pesto Pizza, and my Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this pizza recipe for kids so you know what to have on hand and ready to go.
- Pizza dough: You can use homemade Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough, or store-bought dough for the pizza cups. For store-bought dough, look near the cheese or eggs for a fresh ball of dough as most stores carry it now.
- Pizza sauce: Jarred or canned pizza sauce adds the classic pizza flavor to this recipe. You can also use marinara sauce if that’s what you have, though it tends to be a little less thick, which may impact the baking time slightly.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: I like to use classic mozzarella cheese in this recipe, though an Italian blend also works.
- Pizza toppings: Pepperoni, minced broccoli, black olives, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, green peppers, or cooked and crumbled sausage.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds even more flavor to the pizza cups.
- Pizza seasoning, Italian seasoning, or oregano, are optional for more flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of how to make this pizza cupcakes recipe so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full recipe, including the amounts and timing.
Step 1. Stretch out the dough. It’s easiest to do this on a piece of parchment paper.
Step 2. Cut into 12 squares with a serrated knife.
Step 3. Add each dough square to a well-greased muffin cup and fill with pizza toppings.
Step 4. Bake until the crust is puffed, golden brown, and the cheese is warm and melty.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are made from pizza dough, pizza toppings, cheese and pizza sauce.
You can pair this recipe with salad, diced fruit, thinly sliced raw veggies with dip, or even applesauce to keep it easy.
You can warm them through in the oven, a toaster oven, or in an air fryer.
How to Store
To store, let Pizza Cups cool, then store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm through in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
You can also freeze the Pizza Cups. Let cool completely, then place into a freezer bag, remove most of the air, then seal. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Try serving with simple sides like salad for kids, thinly sliced raw veggies and dip, Caesar salad, or Easy Roasted Broccoli.
Best Tips for Success
- Use dairy-free cheeses if needed.
- Use store-bought fresh pizza dough or try this Whole Wheat Pizza Dough or Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough.
- I find it easiest to cut the dough into squares using a serrated knife.
- If your dough is at all sticky when stretching or cutting, add a little flour to the surface.
- Be sure to use a nonstick muffin pan or muffin tin and coat it very well with nonstick spray for best results.
- Try these for an easy toddler dinner, an after school snack, an appetizer, or even a non-sandwich lunch idea.
- Try my fun homemade Pizza Pockets, too.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below to share.
Pizza Cups (Pizza Cupcakes)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pizza dough
- ¾ cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup pizza toppings (such as pepperoni, minced broccoli, sliced mushrooms, green peppers, or cooked and crumbled sausage)
- olive oil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Pizza seasoning or oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, and coat a standard-size nonstick muffin pan with nonstick spray.
- Stretch the pizza dough out with your hands into an 11×17 inch-size rectangle. (Approximately; this about the is the size of my cutting board or a cut piece of parchment from the store.) Cut into 12 even pieces with kitchen scissors.
- Stretch each square to fit into each muffin cup, then add the pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings—alternate each to make thin layers until you get to the top of each cup.
- Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and oregano.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the dough has puffed up, is golden brown, and the cheese is melted.
- Let cool for a few minutes before transferring from the pan to plates.
Equipment
Notes
- To store, let Pizza Cups cool, then store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm through in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
- You can also freeze the Pizza Cups. Let cool completely, then place into a freezer bag, remove most of the air, then seal. Freeze for up to 6 months.
- Use dairy-free cheeses if needed.
- Use store-bought fresh pizza dough or try this Homemade Pizza Dough.
- Be sure to use a nonstick muffin pan and coat it very well with nonstick spray for best results.
My son loved these
Amy, how can I prevent my dough from falling down in the muffin tin? Help!
Hi- In my experience, if you put the pan into the oven fully preheated, it starts to cook and puff up really quickly. Can you explain to me what’s happening if it’s not related to putting the dough into the oven before it’s fully warmed?
Love these! Much less labour than the pinwheels and kids loved them. We call them Pizza Poofs 😂
So fun!