Cheesy Pizza Bombs (Print-Friendly Version)

Crispy dough stuffed with melty cheese, delicious marinara, and savory pepperoni. Great for fun dinners or quick party snacks.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1/2 cup chopped-up pepperoni slices
02 - 1 tablespoon oil (olive)
03 - 1 can (13.8 oz) of store-bought pizza dough
04 - 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/4 teaspoon optional red chili flakes
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for sprinkling
07 - A handful of fresh basil leaves to top (if you'd like)
08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup marinara sauce, extra can also be served on the side

# Steps:

01 - Turn on your oven and set it to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by spraying it lightly with nonstick spray or covering it with parchment.
02 - Spread the pizza dough out on a floured board or counter. Slice it into about 12 squares (roughly 3 by 3 inches) using a knife or pizza cutter.
03 - Spoon a tiny amount of marinara (about a teaspoon) onto the center of each dough square. Add shredded mozzarella (1 big spoonful) and a couple of teaspoons of diced pepperoni on top.
04 - Pull all the sides of the dough together over the filling and squeeze the edges tightly to fully close the ball, so nothing spills out while baking.
05 - Lay the stuffed dough balls seam-side down on your greased or lined baking sheet. Keep a small gap of about 2 inches between each ball.
06 - Brush the dough balls lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic powder, chili flakes (if you like heat), and Parmesan cheese over the tops.
07 - Pop the tray in your preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the dough turns a nice golden brown color and is cooked all the way through.
08 - Let the finished bites sit for a couple of minutes after they come out of the oven. Garnish with basil leaves if you want, and enjoy warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

# Notes:

01 - Switching to whole wheat pizza dough can make this a bit healthier if desired.
02 - Replace pepperoni with sautéed veggies like mushrooms, peppers, or spinach to go meat-free.
03 - They're at their tastiest straight out of the oven while the cheese is hot and stretchy.