Hey there, foodies! If you’re craving something cheesy, gooey, and totally fun to eat, I’ve got just the thing for you Cheesy Pizza Bombs! These little flavor-packed bites are perfect for after-school snacks, game day munchies, or movie night treats. They’re stuffed with melty mozzarella, zesty marinara, savory pepperoni, crispy bacon, and a little crunch from bell peppers. Wrapped up in soft pizza dough and brushed with a buttery garlic spread, these are explosively delicious!
Method
Preheat the Oven
To get things started, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gives your pizza bombs the perfect hot environment to bake up golden brown and bubbly. It’s always a good idea to let your oven heat up while you’re prepping the rest, so everything moves along smoothly.
Roll Out the Dough
Take your store-bought pizza dough and place it on a lightly floured surface to keep it from sticking. Use a knife or pizza cutter to divide the dough into 8 equal pieces as evenly as you can. Then, using a rolling pin (or even your hands if you want to keep it simple), roll each piece into a circle about 5 to 6 inches wide. These circles will form the base of your pizza bombs, so try to keep them a consistent size for even baking.
Load Them Up!
Now for the fun part filling them! In the center of each dough circle, spread about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce. On top of the sauce, place 5 slices of pepperoni. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni. Then, evenly distribute the diced bell peppers and chopped bacon these ingredients should be divided among all eight bombs so each one gets a nice balance. Finish by adding a small pinch of Italian seasoning to bring in that classic pizza flavor.
Bombs Away!
Carefully take the edges of the dough and bring them up over the filling, gathering everything into the center like a little pouch. Pinch all the seams together really well you don’t want any cheesy goodness escaping while it bakes! Once sealed, gently shape the dough into a smooth ball and place it seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Butter Love
In a small bowl, mix together 4 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. This garlic butter is what takes these pizza bombs to the next level! Use a pastry brush (or the back of a spoon if you don’t have one) to generously coat the tops of each dough ball with the buttery mixture. Then, sprinkle a little bit of the remaining mozzarella about ½ tablespoon per bomb right on top. This makes a beautiful, cheesy topping that bakes up golden and irresistible.
Bake ‘Em!
Place your baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the dough is puffed up and golden brown all around. Ovens can vary, so it’s a good idea to start checking around the 15-minute mark. You’re looking for a lovely golden color and melted cheese on top yum!
Serve and Dip
Once baked, let the pizza bombs cool for just a few minutes before serving they’ll be hot inside! These are best enjoyed warm, with a side of extra marinara sauce for dipping. The crispy edges, gooey center, and warm pizza flavor make every bite delicious!
Necessary Tools
- Oven
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Small mixing bowl (for the butter spread)
- Rolling pin (or use your hands!)
- Spoon (for spreading sauce)
- Pastry brush (or back of a spoon for buttering)
- Knife or pizza cutter
Cheesy Pizza Bombs
Cuisine: Italian, AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes18
minutes38
minutesIngredients
For the Pizza Bombs
1 package of store-bought pizza dough (about 1 lb)
1/2 cup of your favorite marinara sauce
1 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (save 1/4 cup for the topping!)
1 small bell pepper, diced
6 oz package of pepperoni (you’ll need about 40 slices)
4 slices of cooked bacon, chopped
A pinch of Italian seasoning for each pizza bomb
For the Butter Garlic Spread
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Directions
- Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and toasty when your bombs go in. - Roll Out the Dough
On a floured surface, divide your pizza dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each one into a 5-6 inch circle like mini pizza crusts! - Load Them Up!
In the center of each dough circle, add:
1 tablespoon marinara
5 pepperoni slices
2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella
A sprinkle of diced bell pepper and chopped bacon
A pinch of Italian seasoning - Bombs Away!
Fold the edges of the dough up and over the filling like a pouch. Pinch the seams closed tight so nothing leaks out! Shape into a ball and place seam-side down on your baking sheet. - Butter Love
In a small bowl, mix your melted butter, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Use a brush (or back of a spoon) to coat each bomb with this tasty butter mix. Then, sprinkle about ½ tablespoon of cheese on top of each. - Bake ‘Em!
Pop them in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Keep an eye on them every oven is different! - Serve and Dip
Let them cool for just a bit (they’ll be hot inside!), then serve with extra marinara on the side for dipping. So yummy!
Notes
- Seal well: Make sure the dough is pinched tight so the cheese doesn’t escape while baking.
- Even size = even bake: Try to make all your dough circles about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t overfill: As tempting as it is to stuff them full, too much filling can cause bursting.
- Use parchment paper: This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup way easier.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with warm marinara or ranch dip on the side.
- Add a fresh salad for a full meal.
- These are also great in school lunchboxes (just reheat in the morning and pack in a thermos!).
- Add a drizzle of hot honey or sriracha if you like a little heat
Fun Fact
Did you know? Pizza was invented in Italy, but pizza pockets or stuffed pizza treats like these are totally an American invention. It’s like pizza got turned into a surprise party!
Conclusion
And that’s it your cheesy pizza bomb adventure is complete! These are super fun to make (and eat!), and they’re a total crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking with kids, feeding a bunch of hungry teens, or just want a cozy snack for yourself, these little bites bring big joy.
