Pizza Bombs: Easy Cheesy Baked Bites with Biscuit Dough

Get ready for a flavor explosion in every bite with these amazing Pizza Bombs! Imagine tender biscuit dough wrapped around a delicious filling of zesty marinara, savory pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden-brown perfection and brushed with a garlic-herb butter. These easy-to-make, bite-sized delights are perfect for a fun family dinner, an irresistible appetizer, or a quick snack that’s guaranteed to disappear fast!

Why I Love This Recipe

These Pizza Bombs are an absolute game-changer for easy, crowd-pleasing food! What I love most is how they take all the beloved flavors of a classic pizza and turn them into a convenient, portable bite. Using refrigerated biscuit dough is a genius shortcut, making this recipe incredibly simple even for beginner cooks. The surprise of the warm, melty mozzarella and savory pepperoni hidden inside the fluffy biscuit is pure joy. Plus, brushing them with that garlic-infused butter and sprinkling with Parmesan adds an extra layer of deliciousness and a beautiful golden finish. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and always a huge hit!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these cheesy, savory Pizza Bombs (makes 16 balls):

3 tablespoons butter, for greasing the pan
1 (16.3 ounce / 465 g) can of refrigerated biscuit dough (typically 8 large biscuits)
Marinara sauce (for filling and serving)
Sliced pepperoni (mini pepperoni works great)
8 oz ball of mozzarella cheese (225 g), cut into 16 small cubes
2 tablespoons butter, melted (for brushing)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Shredded Parmesan cheese, for topping

Swaps and Notes

Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: The large, flaky biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands!) works best for wrapping. You’ll cut each biscuit in half to make 16 smaller rounds.
Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred marinara or pizza sauce.
Pepperoni: Mini pepperoni slices are perfect for fitting inside. You can also use regular slices and cut them into quarters. Other fillings like cooked sausage crumbles, cooked diced ham, or sautéed mushrooms can be added.
Mozzarella Cheese: Cutting a block of mozzarella into cubes ensures a melty, gooey center. Pre-shredded mozzarella can be used for convenience, but the cubes tend to melt better inside.
Butter (for brushing): Unsalted butter is preferred.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds the best flavor to the butter brush.
Italian Seasoning: A good dried Italian seasoning blend is perfect. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick to the butter brush.
Parmesan Cheese: Shredded Parmesan for topping adds a nice savory crunch.

Preparation

Let’s get these delicious and easy Pizza Bombs ready for baking!

Preheat Oven & Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, generously grease the parchment paper with 3 tablespoons of butter. This double layer of non-stick prep is crucial to prevent any potential cheese leakage from sticking!
Prepare Biscuit Rounds: Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Separate the individual biscuits. Cut each biscuit in half horizontally. Take each half and, using your thumb or the palm of your hand, press it into a thin circle, roughly 3-4 inches in diameter.
Fill Each Biscuit: Place a small dollop (about 1 teaspoon) of marinara sauce in the center of each biscuit round. On top of the sauce, place 1 slice of pepperoni (or a few mini pepperonis) and 1 small cube of mozzarella cheese.
Seal the Pizza Bombs: Carefully bring the edges of the biscuit dough up and over the filling, meeting at the top. Pinch and press the edges together firmly, being sure to leave no gaps or openings for the filling to leak out during baking. Roll the filled biscuit gently in your hands to form a neat ball. Lay the assembled pizza bombs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
Prepare Garlic Butter Brush: In a small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 2 cloves of minced garlic, salt (to taste), pepper (to taste), and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined.
Brush & Top: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the butter mixture onto the top and sides of each pizza bomb. Sprinkle generously with shredded Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and a golden crust.
Bake: Place the baking sheet with the pizza bombs into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pizza bombs have nicely browned on the outside and are puffed up, and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Cool & Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the pizza bombs from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet until they are cool enough to handle. Serve warm, with extra marinara sauce alongside for dipping. Enjoy your cheesy, savory Pizza Bombs!

Tips for Success

Seal Tightly: This is the most crucial step! Pinch the biscuit dough seams together very firmly to prevent the cheese and sauce from leaking out during baking. Any gaps will cause a gooey mess.
Don’t Overfill: Stick to a small dollop of sauce, one pepperoni, and one small cube of cheese. Overfilling makes it hard to seal and more prone to leaks.
Grease Generously: Even with parchment paper, a good greasing with butter helps prevent sticking if any cheese does leak.
Even Browning: Rotate your baking sheet halfway through baking if your oven bakes unevenly.
Serve Warm: These are best served warm when the cheese is gooey and the crust is soft.
Parchment Paper: This is key! Do not bake directly on foil or an unlined pan, or they will stick badly if cheese leaks.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These Pizza Bombs are perfect as a fun appetizer, snack, or even a light meal:

Dipping Sauce: Always serve with extra marinara sauce for dipping. A side of ranch dressing is also a popular choice!
Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a refreshing contrast.
Game Day Food: They are perfect for game day parties, along with other finger foods.
Kids’ Favorite: A guaranteed hit with children!
For other incredibly popular cheesy, easy-to-make appetizers, consider serving these alongside Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter (https://chefmaniac.com/easy-cheesy-chicken-sliders-with-marinara-garlic-butter/) or our unique How I Turned a Classic Sandwich into the Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dip(https://chefmaniac.com/how-i-turned-a-classic-sandwich-into-the-ultimate-cheesy-hot-dip/).

Storage and Leftover Tips

Pizza Bombs are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored and reheated.

Refrigeration (Cooked): Store cooled leftover Pizza Bombs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The biscuit dough may firm up.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or in an air fryer, until warmed through and the crust is re-crisped. Microwaving is an option, but the texture might be softer.
Freezing (Unbaked): You can assemble and freeze these before baking! Place unbaked pizza bombs on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved the cheesy, convenient, and crowd-pleasing nature of these Pizza Bombs, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes:

For another incredibly popular cheesy dip that disappears fast, check out This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers (https://chefmaniac.com/this-crockpot-nacho-dip-is-my-favorite-one-pan-dinner-thats-always-a-hit/).
If you’re a fan of super easy sheet-pan meals for feeding a crowd, don’t miss These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast (https://chefmaniac.com/these-sheet-pan-quesadillas-are-my-favorite-way-to-feed-a-crowd-fast/)!
And for a fun, interactive meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd any time, our This Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way to Feed a Crowd (https://chefmaniac.com/this-walking-taco-bar-is-my-favorite-no-fuss-way-to-feed-a-crowd/) is always a hit!

Final Thoughts

These Pizza Bombs are truly a testament to how simple ingredients and clever techniques can create an incredibly satisfying and fun meal or appetizer. They’re easy to make, packed with cheesy, savory flavor, and are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

Give this recipe a try and transform your next snack time or party! What are your favorite hidden fillings for baked dough treats? Share your ideas in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!